Fine law establishes baby food testing for toxic heavy metals
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SPRINGFIELD – Protecting young children from toxic heavy metal exposure is essential to preventing future developmental delays. To address this, State Senator Laura Fine passed a law requiring baby food to be tested for toxic metals and providing parents with information about the safety of their infant’s food.
“Parents deserve the confidence that the food they’re giving their baby is safe and nutritious,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “This law provides that peace of mind by ensuring baby food is thoroughly tested and that manufacturers follow clear safety standards.”
Fine’s law requires manufacturers to test samples of their baby food products for toxic elements – such as arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury – and disclose this information directly on the product’s website. The information must include the name and level of each toxic heavy metal found in the food, the product name, and a link to the FDA’s website with information about the health risks of toxic heavy metal exposure for children. Links to this information must also be easily accessible on the products themselves, through a QR code.
Read more: Fine law establishes baby food testing for toxic heavy metals
Hastings bipartisan school safety proposal signed into law
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SPRINGFIELD — State Senator Michael E. Hastings’ proposal to put in place state standards for Illinois school districts when it comes to emergency response and threat assessments was signed into law on Friday.
“When an emergency strikes, people lock in to what they have been trained to do,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “Getting this bill signed into law means Illinois is working to be proactive, not reactive, when it comes to the safety of our children.”
Senate Bill 2057 requires the State Board of Education to provide school districts with standards for a school district's threat assessment procedures. The law allows the Illinois State Board of Education and the Office of the State Fire Marshall to create new rules that guide school districts, private schools, and first responders on how to develop threat assessment procedures, rapid entry response plans, and cardiac emergency response plans. The law also gives guidance for school districts notifying parents and the community of threats against a school.
Read more: Hastings bipartisan school safety proposal signed into law
Turner law improves training for emergency medical dispatchers
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SPRINGFIELD – A new law passed by State Senator Doris Turner mandates training for emergency medical dispatchers on how to provide CPR instructions to someone experiencing cardiac arrest.
“When emergency dispatchers are equipped to handle these situations, there’s a better chance for survival for someone experiencing cardiac arrest,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “We have to ensure people’s health and safety is a top priority.”
Senate Bill 1295 requires all 911 telecommunicators and emergency medical dispatchers to be trained in telecommunicator CPR. T-CPR involves a dispatcher providing over-the-phone CPR instructions to someone experiencing cardiac arrest. This process is a key part of the chain of survival for cardiac arrest.
Read more: Turner law improves training for emergency medical dispatchers
Collins law gives nurse midwives more independence and flexibility in care
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SPRINGFIELD – To address health care deserts and provide mothers the care they need, State Senator Lakesia Collins’ new law will give certified nurse midwives more independence and greater flexibility in care they provide.
“This law gives our nurse midwives more flexibility in collaborating and delivering services and care to our communities,” said Collins (D-Chicago). “We are modernizing rules to fit with providers needs and giving our residents greater access to health care.”
Before this law, certified nurse midwives had to collaborate formally with a physician to practice at full scope, but this would pose a challenge as more than one-third of Illinois counties lack sufficient maternity care. Under Collins’ legislation, House Bill 2688, CNMs are now allowed to provide out-of-hospital birth services at licensed birth centers without the need for a formal collaboration agreement, as long as they have permission from the birth center’s clinical director.
Read more: Collins law gives nurse midwives more independence and flexibility in care
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