Illinois News: Governor signs home care referral law

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has signed House Bill 4612 into law, strengthening consumer protections for residents seeking home care services. ​

Effective Jan. 1, 2027, the law requires that when assisted living establishments, shared housing establishments, community living facilities and life care facilities refer residents to home care providers with whom they do not already have a contractual relationship, those referrals must go only to providers licensed under the Illinois Home Health, Home Services, and Home Nursing Agency Licensing Act. 
The law also directs the Illinois Department of Public Health to develop and publish a one-page consumer flyer explaining: 

• Important information about choosing caregivers 
  

• The differences between licensed and unlicensed home care and home health providers 
  

• Common risks associated with unlicensed providers 
  

• How consumers can verify an agency's licensure through the state of Illinois 
  

Facilities must provide this information to residents who are referred to, or who request referrals for, home care services. 
The HCAOA Illinois chapter led the advocacy effort behind the bill, building relationships with lawmakers and working the legislative process from introduction to signing. HCAOA also credits Rep. Suzanne Ness, Sen. Mary Edly-Allen, the bill's co-sponsors, Pritzker, and the providers and advocates who supported the effort. 
HCAOA will work with state leaders and providers as the law is implemented ahead of its Jan. 1, 2027, effective date. ​