Mary Beth Canty Illinois State Representative District 54 | Illinois General Assembly
Mary Beth Canty Illinois State Representative District 54 | Illinois General Assembly
According to the Illinois General Assembly site, the legislature summarized the bill's official text as follows: "Amends the Medical Patient Rights Act. Provides that every health care facility in this State shall permit the next of kin of a patient who is on life support to remain with the patient, at the patient's bedside, irrespective of regular hours of visitation. Provides that health care facilities may institute reasonable policies, including reasonable requirements that promote the health, safety, and welfare of the next of kin, the patient, and the employees and other patients of the health care facility without revoking the basic right afforded to the next of kin of a patient who is on life support. Defines "next of kin"."
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill amends the Medical Patient Rights Act to ensure that next of kin of patients on life support in Illinois have the right to remain with their loved ones at the bedside, regardless of regular visitation hours. The bill allows health care facilities to establish reasonable policies to promote the health, safety, and welfare of the next of kin, the patient, and others in the facility without overriding the basic visitation right. "Next of kin" is defined as one person who is either a spouse or, if there is no spouse, a parent; if no parent is present, a child; and if no child is available, a sibling. These provisions apply during times when the Governor has issued a disaster proclamation related to a disease outbreak or epidemic.
Mary Beth Canty has proposed another two bills since the beginning of the 104th session.
Canthy graduated from College of William & Mary in 2003 with a BA and again in 2006 from University of Arizona with a JD.
Mary Beth Canthy is currently serving in the Illinois State House, representing the state's 54th House District. She replaced previous state representative Tom Morrison in 2023.
Bills in Illinois follow a multi-step legislative process, beginning with introduction in either the House or Senate, followed by committee review, floor debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching the governor for approval or veto. The General Assembly operates on a biennial schedule, and while typically thousands of bills are introduced each session, only a fraction successfully pass through the process to become law.
You can read more about bills and other measures here.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| HB1354 | 01/14/2025 | Amends the Medical Patient Rights Act. Provides that every health care facility in this State shall permit the next of kin of a patient who is on life support to remain with the patient, at the patient's bedside, irrespective of regular hours of visitation. Provides that health care facilities may institute reasonable policies, including reasonable requirements that promote the health, safety, and welfare of the next of kin, the patient, and the employees and other patients of the health care facility without revoking the basic right afforded to the next of kin of a patient who is on life support. Defines "next of kin". |
| HB1330 | 01/14/2025 | Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. In provisions concerning the Community Care Program, provides that, subject to federal approval, on and after January 1, 2026, rates for in-home services shall be increased to $32.75 to sustain a minimum wage of $20 per hour for direct service workers. As a condition of their eligibility for the $32.75 in-home services rate, requires in-home services providers to (i) certify to the Department on Aging that they remain in compliance with the mandated wage increase for direct service workers and (ii) submit cost reports. Provides that fringe benefits shall not be reduced in relation to the rate increases. Provides that beginning January 1, 2028, the Department shall ensure that each in-home service provider spends a minimum of 80% of total payments the provider receives for homecare aide services it furnishes under the Community Care Program on total compensation for direct service workers who furnish those services. Requires the Department to adopt rules on financial reporting and minimum direct service worker costs. Authorizes the Department to sanction a provider that fails to meet the requirements of the amendatory Act. Defines terms. |
| HB1355 | 01/14/2025 | Amends the Gasoline Storage Act. Provides that, beginning on the effective date of the amendatory Act, no person shall construct or install a gas station, a motor fuel dispensary, or a motor fuel storage tank on or within 300 feet of school grounds. Provides that the Office of the State Fire Marshal shall adopt rules that implement these provisions and conform with the requirements of the Act. Defines terms. |
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