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HB 1712

Elections; closed primaries; political party; paying cost; open primaries; effective date.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Forrest Bennett and 1 co-sponsor

Illinois DPH will standardize POLST and advance-directive materials, oversee training, publish Spanish versions, enable electronic POLSTs, and study a statewide registry.

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Bill Summary · HB 1712

Summary — HB 1712 (amendment to 20 ILCS 2310/2310‑600; POLST and advance directive oversight)

Note: The materials supplied include multiple, conflicting items (different drafts and actions from several states). This summary focuses on the Illinois bill text and enrolled Public Act language that amends Section 2310‑600 of the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law (20 ILCS 2310/2310‑600) and appears as Public Act 104‑0051 (effective January 1, 2026). If you intended a different HB 1712 (for example, an appropriation for Scenic Rivers Development Alliance), please confirm the jurisdiction and bill text.

Purpose

The bill clarifies and expands the Illinois Department of Public Health’s (DPH) responsibilities related to advance directives and the Department of Public Health Uniform POLST form (Practitioner Orders for Life‑Sustaining Treatment). Its intent is to standardize POLST forms, require DPH oversight of training and use, expand access (including Spanish translations), permit electronic POLSTs under defined standards, and study/coordinate a registry for advance directives/POLSTs.

Key provisions

  • Requires DPH to prepare and publish the federally required summary of advance directives law and related forms; the summary must include the DPH Uniform POLST form. (20 ILCS 2310/2310‑600(a))
  • Requires publication (web‑based allowed) of Spanish language versions of:
    • Living Will Declaration,
    • Illinois Statutory Short Form Power of Attorney for Health Care,
    • Declaration of Mental Health Treatment Form,
    • Summary of advance directives law,
    • DPH Uniform POLST form. (subsection (b))
  • Directs DPH, in consultation with specified stakeholder organizations (physicians, physician assistants, APRNs, nursing homes, registered nurses, emergency medical systems, hospitals), to develop and publish a uniform PRACTITIONER CPR/life‑sustaining treatment order form meeting national POLST minimum requirements; allows electronic creation/signature/revocation under technology‑neutral standards consistent with the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act and applicable hospital medical‑record authentication rules. (subsection (b‑5))
  • Requires DPH to study the feasibility of a statewide registry for advance directives and POLST forms (to permit resident submission and timely access by providers); the text references filing a study with the General Assembly by January 1, 2021 (this appears to be carryover language and should be checked against current timelines). (subsection (b‑10))
  • Requires DPH to approve and post POLST training resources, establish a simple/efficient process to make yearly training available (particularly for personnel in facilities licensed under the Nursing Home Care Act), and to ensure oversight and accountability for training supporting informed decisions and accurate POLST completion. DPH must adopt implementing rules within two years after the act’s effective date and may consult the Secretary of State’s Advance Directive Registry. (subsection (b‑15) and related language)
  • Affirms the POLST does not replace a clinician’s authority to issue a DNR order. (b‑5)

Who is affected

  • Patients/residents who use advance directives or POLST forms (including Spanish‑speaking residents).
  • Hospitals, nursing homes, long‑term care facilities, emergency medical services, and other health care providers who complete, honor, or store POLST forms.
  • Clinicians (physicians, physician assistants, APRNs), nurses, and facility staff required to be trained in POLST completion and use.
  • DPH (new/expanded administrative duties and rulemaking responsibilities).

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Public Act reference in supplied materials: Public Act 104‑0051; effective date listed as January 1, 2026.
  • The bill text directs DPH to adopt implementing rules within two years of the act’s effective date and to make POLST training available annually.
  • Some timeline language in the text (e.g., study filed by January 1, 2021; publish form by January 1, 2015) appears to be legacy dates from prior amendments and is inconsistent with the current enactment — these should be clarified in the official enrolled/public act.

Potential impact

  • Standardizes POLST content and expands availability of Spanish‑language advance directive materials, improving access and clarity for patients and providers.
  • Establishes electronic signature/record interoperability standards for POLSTs, which could facilitate timely access to patient orders across settings.
  • Puts responsibility on DPH for oversight, training approval, and accountability, likely creating administrative and compliance work for DPH and regulated facilities; potential costs for training and system upgrades (electronic systems, registry work) for some providers.
  • If a statewide registry is pursued, it could improve provider access to patient directives but would require funding, technical development, and privacy/security safeguards.

Notes and recommendations

  • Because the supplied packet mixes multiple drafts and includes inconsistent procedural histories, verify the exact jurisdiction and enrolled bill text you want summarized. Confirm implementation deadlines, rulemaking requirements, and whether the registry study requirement is current or carried over from an earlier legislative session.
  • For budgeting or operational planning, stakeholders should follow forthcoming DPH rulemaking and guidance after the act’s effective date.

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

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