WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

HB 3856

Relating to funding the State Department of Fish and Wildlife; prescribing an effective date; providing for revenue raising that requires approval by a three-fifths majority.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Ken Helm and 1 co-sponsor

Hospitals must provide itemized bills by default unless patients opt out, with clear opt-out notices, while noncompliance becomes an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud Act.

In committee upon adjournment.
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 3856

HB 3856 — Summary (Introduced 2025)

Sponsor: Rep. Janet Yang Rohr
Citations amended: 210 ILCS 88/20 (Fair Patient Billing Act); 815 ILCS 505/2Z (Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act)
Status (as of adjournment): In committee upon adjournment

Purpose / Intent

The bill revises how hospitals provide itemized billing information to patients. It shifts from a "provide upon request" approach to a default practice where patients will be given an itemized statement of charges unless they explicitly opt out. It also strengthens procedural protections around notice and adds noncompliance to the Consumer Fraud Act’s list of unlawful practices.

Key provisions

  • Changes Section 20 of the Fair Patient Billing Act (210 ILCS 88/20):

    • Requires hospital bills to continue to include basic bill information (service dates, brief description, amount owed, hospital contact for billing inquiries, and a statement on how uninsured patients can apply for financial assistance).
    • Replaces the prior requirement that a hospital "shall provide an itemized bill upon request" with a notice that the patient "will be given an itemized statement of charges" for inpatient and outpatient services unless the patient chooses to opt out.
    • The itemized statement may be provided electronically at the hospital’s discretion, unless the patient requests a physical copy.
    • The patient's choice to opt out must be prominent, clearly labeled, and presented before signing any documents related to itemized billing.
    • Prohibits presenting opt-out/related documents to a patient who is under the influence of anesthetic or any drug that inhibits mental performance.
    • Failure to follow these requirements is made an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.

  • Amends Section 2Z of the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act (815 ILCS 505/2Z) to include violations of Section 20 of the Fair Patient Billing Act among acts that constitute unlawful practices.

Who is affected

  • Hospitals and hospital billing departments — new default delivery and notice procedures for itemized statements; potential administrative changes for electronic vs. paper delivery and opt-out tracking.
  • Patients — will receive itemized statements by default unless they opt out; protections around receiving opt-out notices only when competent to decide.
  • Consumers/advocacy/enforcement agencies — violations enforceable under Consumer Fraud Act (civil remedies and penalties available under that Act).

Enforcement and penalties

  • Noncompliance is treated as an unlawful practice under Illinois’ Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, enabling enforcement actions and remedies provided by that Act (civil penalties, private suits, injunctive relief, etc.).

Procedural status & timeline

  • Introduced Feb–Mar 2025; multiple committee referrals and a public hearing/work session held (Health Care Availability & Accessibility; State Affairs; Rules; Revenue; Ways and Means).
  • Read first time and various committee actions occurred in March 2025; listed as "In committee upon adjournment" as of 2025-06-28.
  • No effective-date language shown in the introduced text; enactment timing would be set if/when passed.

Notes / Observations

  • The bill text provided focuses entirely on patient billing changes and Consumer Fraud Act enforcement; an initial bill title referencing funding the State Department of Fish and Wildlife and revenue-raising (three-fifths requirement) appears inconsistent with the introduced text. The introduced version contains no provisions about fish and wildlife funding or taxes/fees.

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

Sign in to ask a question.