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HB 3420

Authority to establish voluntary firefighter service fee and fund.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Roy Cooper and 2 co-sponsors

Illinois adopts the Physical Therapy Licensure Compact to allow multi‑state practice and adds mandatory fingerprint background checks for PT/PTA licensure.

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Bill Summary · HB 3420

HB 3420 — Physical Therapy Compact (Summary)

Status: Introduced Feb 2025; added co-sponsor Rep. Amy Elik (Aug 26, 2025).
Statutory changes proposed: Adds 225 ILCS 90/8.7 and 225 ILCS 90/33.5 to the Illinois Physical Therapy Act.

Main purpose

HB 3420 (Physical Therapy Compact) has two primary objectives:
1. Require criminal history records background checks (via electronic fingerprints) for applicants for licensure as a physical therapist (PT) or physical therapist assistant (PTA) in Illinois.
2. Ratify and implement the interstate Physical Therapy Licensure Compact to facilitate multi‑state practice and improve public access to physical therapy services while preserving state regulatory authority.

Key provisions

  • Criminal background checks (225 ILCS 90/8.7)

    • Applicants for PT and PTA licensure must submit fingerprints to the Illinois State Police in an electronic format compliant with ISP requirements.
    • Fingerprints are checked against Illinois and FBI criminal history record databases.
    • A fee (deposited to the State Police Services Fund) may be charged to cover the actual cost of the records check.
    • The Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) may require applicants to submit fingerprints either directly to the Department or to an approved vendor and may permit alternative fingerprinting methods for applicants lacking reasonable access.
    • Communication between IDFPR and an interstate compact governing body or other entities is prohibited from including information obtained from the federal criminal history check.
    • IDFPR may adopt rules to implement these requirements.

  • Physical Therapy Licensure Compact (225 ILCS 90/33.5)

    • Illinois ratifies and approves the Compact, whose stated purpose is to facilitate interstate practice and enhance access while preserving state licensure/regulatory authority.
    • Compact features (summarized):
    • Mutual recognition of member‑state licenses and creation of a “compact privilege” permitting out‑of‑state licensees to practice in a remote member state.
    • Provisions addressing active duty military personnel and spouses (to support mobility).
    • Definitions, adverse action reporting and investigation, data‑sharing via a centralized data system, and continuing competence/jurisprudence requirements.
    • Establishment of a Physical Therapy Compact Commission responsible for administration, rulemaking, dispute resolution, enforcement, and oversight.
    • Terms for implementation, withdrawal by a member state, construction, and severability.

Who is affected

  • Applicants for PT and PTA licensure in Illinois (new fingerprint/background check requirement and possible fee).
  • Licensed PTs/PTAs who choose to use the Compact privilege to practice in other member states.
  • IDFPR and Illinois State Police (implementation, rulemaking, fingerprint processing).
  • The state licensing board (reporting, disciplinary coordination).
  • Active duty military members and their spouses relocating between member states.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Increased interstate mobility for physical therapists and improved access to care in member states.
  • Enhanced information sharing and disciplinary accountability across states.
  • Additional application step and potential cost for applicants (fingerprinting/background check).
  • IDFPR rulemaking will determine implementation details (fees, vendors, alternative fingerprinting procedures).
  • Compact membership subjects Illinois to Commission rules and data‑sharing protocols; federal criminal history data remains restricted from compact communications.

Legislative history / key actions (selected)

  • Filed by Rep. Kevin John Olickal: Feb 7, 2025
  • First reading / referred to Rules: Feb 18, 2025
  • Referred to Health Care Licenses Committee: Mar 11, 2025
  • Public hearing and committee consideration: Apr 30–May 1, 2025 (committee substitute reported favorably)
  • Placed on calendar and passed/engrossed: May 10–14, 2025 (record vote and received from the House noted)
  • Referred to Local Government: May 19, 2025
  • Additional co‑sponsors added: May 15 (Rep. Amy L. Grant), July 24 (Rep. Travis Weaver), Aug 26 (Rep. Amy Elik)

(For exact statutory text, rulemaking details, and final enactment status, consult the official bill text and legislative records.)

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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