SB1927 Summary

• Amends the Hospital Licensing Act to require the Department to investigate every allegation of patient abuse received, rather than only those deemed necessary.

• Creates new Section 9.6 establishing comprehensive patient abuse protections, including prohibitions on abuse by hospital administrators, agents, employees, and medical staff members.

• Requires hospital administrators and staff with reasonable cause to believe a patient has been abused to report it to a designated hospital administrator within 24 hours, who must then submit the report to the Department within 24 hours.

• Mandates hospitals conduct internal reviews of abuse allegations to ensure victim safety, with findings documented and available to the Department upon request; requires all new and existing employees receive abuse detection and reporting training at least every 2 years.

• Provides immunity from civil, professional, and criminal liability for individuals reporting abuse in good faith and prohibits hospital retaliation against reporters; protects patient confidentiality unless abuse is substantiated following a full investigation.