Bill
HB 3711
Illinois requires health professionals and institutions to report sexual and violent misconduct to IDFPR, strengthening enforcement and patient protections.
Status and effective date
- Introduced by Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy (filed 2/18/2025). Passed both chambers and enrolled.
- Signed by the Governor 6/20/2025. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
Purpose
- Establish mandatory reporting requirements for certain sexual and violent misconduct by health professionals, expand institutional incident reporting, and strengthen regulatory and enforcement tools to protect patients and hold licensed providers accountable.
Key provisions
- New reporting duties added to the Department of Professional Regulation Law (20 ILCS 2105/2105‑390 through 2105‑392):
- Defines “health professional” broadly to include persons licensed or registered under many Illinois health licensing acts (medical, nursing, dental, behavioral health, allied professions, and others the Department may add by rule).
- Defines “reportable misconduct” to include a range of sexual and violent acts or sexually exploitative behavior in the course of professional services (examples listed in the bill include sexual contact with patients, sexualized comments, intimate exams without consent or clinical justification, photographing/transmitting sexualized images without clinical justification, causing bodily harm, confinement, sexual contact with nonconsenting or incapable individuals, and similar conduct).
- Requires health professionals to report witnessed or alleged reportable misconduct to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR). The bill sets timelines, content requirements, and confidentiality protections (text included in the bill; some procedural reporting timelines are specified).
- Authorizes IDFPR to adopt rules to implement and administer the reporting requirements.
Reporting by public prosecutors and law enforcement:
Hospital & institutional changes:
Enforcement:
Who is affected
- Health professionals and licensees across many licensed professions in Illinois; health care institutions and hospitals; law enforcement agencies and State’s Attorneys; patients and patient representatives. The bill will require organizations to update policies, training, and compliance processes.
Potential impacts
- Increased mandatory reporting and information flow to IDFPR; strengthened patient protections and clearer definitions of sexual/violent misconduct in clinical settings.
- Administrative and training burden on providers and institutions to meet reporting, documentation, and confidentiality requirements.
- Potentially greater regulatory action (discipline, investigations) against providers who commit misconduct or fail to report it.
- Establishment of the Sexual Assault Survivors Fund (details and funding mechanism provided in bill amendments).
Notes
- The bill provides detailed examples of prohibited behavior; IDFPR is given rulemaking authority to clarify terms and procedures.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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