Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) has announced that several new laws and regulations aimed at enhancing the public health system will come into effect on January 1, 2025.

Dr. Sameer Vohra, IDPH Director, stated, "The Illinois Department of Public Health is excited to see new laws and rules go into effect this New Year to improve the health of Illinois’s public." He also acknowledged the efforts of Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois General Assembly, and the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) in advancing these measures.

A significant change involves stricter standards for public health interventions based on blood lead level testing in children. Children living in high-risk ZIP codes are required by law to be tested at 12, 24, and 36 months. Additionally, all children under six years old must be assessed for lead exposure through a questionnaire by a pediatrician.

Previously, interventions were mandated for blood tests showing lead levels above 5 µg/dL. The new rule lowers this threshold to 3.5 µg/dL. Interventions include home inspections to identify lead sources and educational visits from public health nurses.

Several other laws will also take effect:

- SB 3115 requires nursing homes undergoing ownership changes to submit a joint plan of care for residents.

- HB 5429 mandates assisted living facilities to get approval from IDPH before major construction or renovations.

- HB 3521 extends abuse reporting requirements from hospitals to affiliated clinics or healthcare providers.

- HB 4667 introduces new inspection requirements and licensing fee changes for mobile home parks.

- SB 2662 bans misleading advertising of electronic cigarettes as non-tobacco products.

- SB 3350 increases access to free fentanyl test strips for detecting opioids in substances.