Law Protects Patients from Dangerous Health Care Workers

Legislation sponsored by state Rep. Carol Sente (D-Vernon Hills) to protect patients from dangerous health care workers that have been convicted of a criminal act requiring sex offender registration was signed into law earlier this year by Gov. Pat Quinn.

“Health care workers convicted of horrendous crimes should not be allowed to continue to practice medicine on our loved ones,” Sente said. “This legislation is crucial to the safety of patients throughout Illinois by making sure dangerous criminals cannot continue to practice on patients. By revoking the medical licenses of criminals we can protect Illinois residents.”

Sente was the chief co-sponsor of House Bill 220, which requires revocation of a medical license of any licensed health care worker who has been convicted of committing a sexual criminal act against a patient during treatment, criminal battery against a patient, a forcible felony, or is required to register as a sex offender. The legislation also requires the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) permanently revoke the license of a health care worker that has been convicted of a sex crime.

“This is a common sense public safety measure that will help make sure that patients in Illinois are protected from dangerous doctors and other health care workers,” Sente said. “Health care workers that abuse their patients should not be allowed to continue practicing.”

— Submitted by the office of Carol Sente