Public Act 103-1013

SB3548 Enrolled LRB103 38295 CES 68430 b

AN ACT concerning regulation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,

represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems

Act is amended by changing Sections 3.30, 3.90, 3.95, 3.100,

3.105, 3.110, 3.115, 3.140, 3.200, and 3.205 and by adding

Sections 3.101, 3.102, and 3.106 as follows:

(210 ILCS 50/3.30)

Sec. 3.30. EMS Region Plan; Content.

(a) The EMS Medical Directors Committee shall address at

least the following:

(1) Protocols for inter-System/inter-Region patient

transports, including identifying the conditions of

emergency patients which may not be transported to the

different levels of emergency department, based on their

Department classifications and relevant Regional

considerations (e.g. transport times and distances);

(2) Regional standing medical orders;

(3) Patient transfer patterns, including criteria for

determining whether a patient needs the specialized

services of a trauma center, along with protocols for the

bypassing of or diversion to any hospital, trauma center

or regional trauma center which are consistent with

individual System bypass or diversion protocols and

protocols for patient choice or refusal;

(4) Protocols for resolving Regional or Inter-System

conflict;

(5) An EMS disaster preparedness plan which includes

the actions and responsibilities of all EMS participants

within the Region. Within 90 days of the effective date of

this amendatory Act of 1996, an EMS System shall submit to

the Department for review an internal disaster plan. At a

minimum, the plan shall include contingency plans for the

transfer of patients to other facilities if an evacuation

of the hospital becomes necessary due to a catastrophe,

including but not limited to, a power failure;

(6) Regional standardization of continuing education

requirements;

(7) Regional standardization of Do Not Resuscitate

(DNR) policies, and protocols for power of attorney for

health care;

(8) Protocols for disbursement of Department grants;

(9) Protocols for the triage, treatment, and transport

of possible acute stroke patients; and

(10) Regional standing medical orders for the

administration of opioid antagonists.

(b) The Trauma Center Medical Directors or Trauma Center

Medical Directors Committee shall address at least the

following:

(1) The identification of Regional Trauma Centers;

(2) Protocols for inter-System and inter-Region trauma

patient transports, including identifying the conditions

of emergency patients which may not be transported to the

different levels of emergency department, based on their

Department classifications and relevant Regional

considerations (e.g. transport times and distances);

(3) Regional trauma standing medical orders;

(4) Trauma patient transfer patterns, including

criteria for determining whether a patient needs the

specialized services of a trauma center, along with

protocols for the bypassing of or diversion to any

hospital, trauma center or regional trauma center which

are consistent with individual System bypass or diversion

protocols and protocols for patient choice or refusal;

(5) The identification of which types of patients can

be cared for by Level I Trauma Centers, and Level II Trauma

Centers, and Level III Trauma Centers;

(6) Criteria for inter-hospital transfer of trauma

patients;

(7) The treatment of trauma patients in each trauma

center within the Region;

(8) A program for conducting a quarterly conference

which shall include at a minimum a discussion of morbidity

and mortality between all professional staff involved in

the care of trauma patients;

(9) The establishment of a Regional trauma quality

assurance and improvement subcommittee, consisting of

trauma surgeons, which shall perform periodic medical

audits of each trauma center's trauma services, and

forward tabulated data from such reviews to the

Department; and

(10) The establishment, within 90 days of the

effective date of this amendatory Act of 1996, of an

internal disaster plan, which shall include, at a minimum,

contingency plans for the transfer of patients to other

facilities if an evacuation of the hospital becomes

necessary due to a catastrophe, including but not limited

to, a power failure.

(c) The Region's EMS Medical Directors and Trauma Center

Medical Directors Committees shall appoint any subcommittees

which they deem necessary to address specific issues

concerning Region activities.

(Source: P.A. 99-480, eff. 9-9-15.)

(210 ILCS 50/3.90)

Sec. 3.90. Trauma Center Designations.

(a) "Trauma Center" means a hospital which: (1) within

designated capabilities provides optimal care to trauma

patients; (2) participates in an approved EMS System; and (3)

is duly designated pursuant to the provisions of this Act.

Level I Trauma Centers shall provide all essential services

in-house, 24 hours per day, in accordance with rules adopted

by the Department pursuant to this Act. Level II and Level III

Trauma Centers shall have some essential services available

in-house, 24 hours per day, and other essential services

readily available, 24 hours per day, in accordance with rules

adopted by the Department pursuant to this Act.

(a-5) An Acute Injury Stabilization Center shall have a

basic or comprehensive emergency department capable of initial

management and transfer of the acutely injured in accordance

with rules adopted by the Department pursuant to this Act.

(b) The Department shall have the authority and

responsibility to:

(1) Establish and enforce minimum standards for

designation and re-designation of 3 levels of trauma

centers that meet trauma center national standards, as

modified by the Department in administrative rules as a

Level I or Level II Trauma Center, consistent with

Sections 22 and 23 of this Act, through rules adopted

pursuant to this Act;

(2) Require hospitals applying for trauma center

designation to submit a plan for designation in a manner

and form prescribed by the Department through rules

adopted pursuant to this Act;

(3) Upon receipt of a completed plan for designation,

conduct a site visit to inspect the hospital for

compliance with the Department's minimum standards. Such

visit shall be conducted by specially qualified personnel

with experience in the delivery of emergency medical

and/or trauma care. A report of the inspection shall be

provided to the Director within 30 days of the completion

of the site visit. The report shall note compliance or

lack of compliance with the individual standards for

designation, but shall not offer a recommendation on

granting or denying designation;

(4) Designate applicant hospitals as Level I, or Level

II, or Level III Trauma Centers which meet the minimum

standards established by this Act and the Department. The

Beginning September 1, 1997 the Department shall designate

a new trauma center only when a local or regional need for

such trauma center has been identified. The Department

shall request an assessment of local or regional need from

the applicable EMS Region's Trauma Center Medical

Directors Committee, with advice from the Regional Trauma

Advisory Committee. This shall not be construed as a needs

assessment for health planning or other purposes outside

of this Act;

(5) Attempt to designate trauma centers in all areas

of the State. There shall be at least one Level I Trauma

Center serving each EMS Region, unless waived by the

Department. This subsection shall not be construed to

require a Level I Trauma Center to be located in each EMS

Region. Level I Trauma Centers shall serve as resources

for the Level II and Level III Trauma Centers and Acute

Injury Stabilization Centers in the EMS Regions. The

extent of such relationships shall be defined in the EMS

Region Plan;

(6) Inspect designated trauma centers to assure

compliance with the provisions of this Act and the rules

adopted pursuant to this Act. Information received by the

Department through filed reports, inspection, or as

otherwise authorized under this Act shall not be disclosed

publicly in such a manner as to identify individuals or

hospitals, except in proceedings involving the denial,

suspension or revocation of a trauma center designation or

imposition of a fine on a trauma center;

(7) Renew trauma center designations every 2 years,

after an on-site inspection, based on compliance with

renewal requirements and standards for continuing

operation, as prescribed by the Department through rules

adopted pursuant to this Act;

(8) Refuse to issue or renew a trauma center

designation, after providing an opportunity for a hearing,

when findings show that it does not meet the standards and

criteria prescribed by the Department;

(9) Review and determine whether a trauma center's

annual morbidity and mortality rates for trauma patients

significantly exceed the State average for such rates,

using a uniform recording methodology based on nationally

recognized standards. Such determination shall be

considered as a factor in any decision by the Department

to renew or refuse to renew a trauma center designation

under this Act, but shall not constitute the sole basis

for refusing to renew a trauma center designation;

(10) Take the following action, as appropriate, after

determining that a trauma center is in violation of this

Act or any rule adopted pursuant to this Act:

(A) If the Director determines that the violation

presents a substantial probability that death or

serious physical harm will result and if the trauma

center fails to eliminate the violation immediately or

within a fixed period of time, not exceeding 10 days,

as determined by the Director, the Director may

immediately revoke the trauma center designation. The

trauma center may appeal the revocation within 15 days

after receiving the Director's revocation order, by

requesting a hearing as provided by Section 29 of this

Act. The Director shall notify the chair of the

Region's Trauma Center Medical Directors Committee and

EMS Medical Directors for appropriate EMS Systems of

such trauma center designation revocation;

(B) If the Director determines that the violation

does not present a substantial probability that death

or serious physical harm will result, the Director

shall issue a notice of violation and request a plan of

correction which shall be subject to the Department's

approval. The trauma center shall have 10 days after

receipt of the notice of violation in which to submit a

plan of correction. The Department may extend this

period for up to 30 days. The plan shall include a

fixed time period not in excess of 90 days within which

violations are to be corrected. The plan of correction

and the status of its implementation by the trauma

center shall be provided, as appropriate, to the EMS

Medical Directors for appropriate EMS Systems. If the

Department rejects a plan of correction, it shall send

notice of the rejection and the reason for the

rejection to the trauma center. The trauma center

shall have 10 days after receipt of the notice of

rejection in which to submit a modified plan. If the

modified plan is not timely submitted, or if the

modified plan is rejected, the trauma center shall

follow an approved plan of correction imposed by the

Department. If, after notice and opportunity for

hearing, the Director determines that a trauma center

has failed to comply with an approved plan of

correction, the Director may suspend or revoke the

trauma center designation. The trauma center shall

have 15 days after receiving the Director's notice in

which to request a hearing. Such hearing shall conform

to the provisions of Section 3.135 30 of this Act;

(11) The Department may delegate authority to local

health departments in jurisdictions which include a

substantial number of trauma centers. The delegated

authority to those local health departments shall include,

but is not limited to, the authority to designate trauma

centers with final approval by the Department, maintain a

regional data base with concomitant reporting of trauma

registry data, and monitor, inspect and investigate trauma

centers within their jurisdiction, in accordance with the

requirements of this Act and the rules promulgated by the

Department;

(A) The Department shall monitor the performance

of local health departments with authority delegated

pursuant to this Section, based upon performance

criteria established in rules promulgated by the

Department;

(B) Delegated authority may be revoked for

substantial non-compliance with the Act or the

Department's rules. Notice of an intent to revoke

shall be served upon the local health department by

certified mail, stating the reasons for revocation and

offering an opportunity for an administrative hearing

to contest the proposed revocation. The request for a

hearing must be in writing and received by the

Department within 10 working days of the local health

department's receipt of notification;

(C) The director of a local health department may

relinquish its delegated authority upon 60 days

written notification to the Director of Public Health.

(Source: P.A. 89-177, eff. 7-19-95.)

(210 ILCS 50/3.95)

Sec. 3.95. Level I Trauma Center Minimum Standards. The

Department shall establish, through rules adopted pursuant to

this Act, standards for Level I Trauma Centers which shall

include, but need not be limited to:

(a) The designation by the trauma center of a Trauma

Center Medical Director and specification of his

qualifications;

(b) The types of surgical services the trauma center must

have available for trauma patients, including but not limited

to a twenty-four hour in-house surgeon with operating

privileges and ancillary staff necessary for immediate

surgical intervention;

(c) The types of nonsurgical services the trauma center

must have available for trauma patients;

(d) The numbers and qualifications of emergency medical

personnel;

(e) The types of equipment that must be available to

trauma patients;

(f) Requiring the trauma center to be affiliated with an

EMS System;

(g) Requiring the trauma center to have a communications

system that is fully integrated with all Level II Trauma

Centers, Level III Trauma Centers, Acute Injury Stabilization

Centers, and EMS Systems with which it is affiliated;

(h) The types of data the trauma center must collect and

submit to the Department relating to the trauma services it

provides. Such data may include information on post-trauma

care directly related to the initial traumatic injury provided

to trauma patients until their discharge from the facility and

information on discharge plans;

(i) Requiring the trauma center to have helicopter landing

capabilities approved by appropriate State and federal

authorities, if the trauma center is located within a

municipality having a population of less than two million

people; and

(j) Requiring written agreements with Level II Trauma

Centers, Level III Trauma Centers, and Acute Injury

Stabilization Centers in the EMS Regions it serves, executed

within a reasonable time designated by the Department.

(Source: P.A. 89-177, eff. 7-19-95.)

(210 ILCS 50/3.100)

Sec. 3.100. Level II Trauma Center Minimum Standards. The

Department shall establish, through rules adopted pursuant to

this Act, standards for Level II Trauma Centers which shall

include, but need not be limited to:

(a) The designation by the trauma center of a Trauma

Center Medical Director and specification of his

qualifications;

(b) The types of surgical services the trauma center must

have available for trauma patients. The Department shall not

require the availability of all surgical services required of

Level I Trauma Centers;

(c) The types of nonsurgical services the trauma center

must have available for trauma patients;

(d) The numbers and qualifications of emergency medical

personnel, taking into consideration the more limited trauma

services available in a Level II Trauma Center;

(e) The types of equipment that must be available for

trauma patients;

(f) Requiring the trauma center to have a written

agreement with a Level I Trauma Centers, Level III Trauma

Centers, and Acute Injury Stabilization Centers Center serving

the EMS Region outlining their respective responsibilities in

providing trauma services, executed within a reasonable time

designated by the Department, unless the requirement for a

Level I Trauma Center to serve that EMS Region has been waived

by the Department;

(g) Requiring the trauma center to be affiliated with an

EMS System;

(h) Requiring the trauma center to have a communications

system that is fully integrated with the Level I Trauma

Centers, Level III Trauma Centers, Acute Injury Stabilization

Centers, and the EMS Systems with which it is affiliated;

(i) The types of data the trauma center must collect and

submit to the Department relating to the trauma services it

provides. Such data may include information on post-trauma

care directly related to the initial traumatic injury provided

to trauma patients until their discharge from the facility and

information on discharge plans;

(j) Requiring the trauma center to have helicopter landing

capabilities approved by appropriate State and federal

authorities, if the trauma center is located within a

municipality having a population of less than two million

people.

(Source: P.A. 89-177, eff. 7-19-95.)

(210 ILCS 50/3.101 new)

Sec. 3.101. Level III Trauma Center Minimum Standards. The

Department shall establish, through rules adopted under this

Act, standards for Level III Trauma Centers that shall

include, but need not be limited to:

(1) The designation by the trauma center of a Trauma

Center Medical Director and specification of his or her

qualifications;

(2) The types of surgical services the trauma center

must have available for trauma patients; the Department

shall not require the availability of all surgical

services required of Level I or Level II Trauma Centers;

(3) The types of nonsurgical services the trauma

center must have available for trauma patients;

(4) The numbers and qualifications of emergency

medical personnel, taking into consideration the more

limited trauma services available in a Level III Trauma

Center;

(5) The types of equipment that must be available for

trauma patients;

(6) Requiring the trauma center to have a written

agreement with Level I Trauma Centers, Level II Trauma

Centers, and Acute Injury Stabilization Centers serving

the EMS Region outlining their respective responsibilities

in providing trauma services, executed within a reasonable

time designated by the Department, unless the requirement

for a Level I Trauma Center to serve that EMS Region has

been waived by the Department;

(7) Requiring the trauma center to be affiliated with

an EMS System;

(8) Requiring the trauma center to have a

communications system that is fully integrated with the

Level I Trauma Centers, Level II Trauma Centers, Acute

Injury Stabilization Centers, and the EMS Systems with

which it is affiliated;

(9) The types of data the trauma center must collect

and submit to the Department relating to the trauma

services it provides; such data may include information on

post-trauma care directly related to the initial traumatic

injury provided to trauma patients until their discharge

from the facility and information on discharge plans; and

(10) Requiring the trauma center to have helicopter

landing capabilities approved by appropriate State and

federal authorities if the trauma center is located within

a municipality having a population of less than 2,000,000

people.

(210 ILCS 50/3.102 new)

Sec. 3.102. Acute Injury Stabilization Center minimum

standards. The Department shall establish, through rules

adopted pursuant to this Act, standards for Acute Injury

Stabilization Centers, which shall include, but need not be

limited to, Comprehensive or Basic Emergency Department

services pursuant to the Hospital Licensing Act.

(210 ILCS 50/3.105)

Sec. 3.105. Trauma Center Misrepresentation. No After the

effective date of this amendatory Act of 1995, no facility

shall use the phrase "trauma center" or words of similar

meaning in relation to itself or hold itself out as a trauma

center without first obtaining designation pursuant to this

Act.

(Source: P.A. 89-177, eff. 7-19-95.)

(210 ILCS 50/3.106 new)

Sec. 3.106. Acute Injury Stabilization Center

Misrepresentation. No facility shall use the phrase "Acute

Injury Stabilization Center" or words of similar meaning in

relation to itself or hold itself out as an Acute Injury

Stabilization Center without first obtaining designation

pursuant to this Act.

(210 ILCS 50/3.110)

Sec. 3.110. EMS system and trauma center confidentiality

and immunity.

(a) All information contained in or relating to any

medical audit performed of a trauma center's trauma services

or an Acute Injury Stabilization Center pursuant to this Act

or by an EMS Medical Director or his designee of medical care

rendered by System personnel, shall be afforded the same

status as is provided information concerning medical studies

in Article VIII, Part 21 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

Disclosure of such information to the Department pursuant to

this Act shall not be considered a violation of Article VIII,

Part 21 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

(b) Hospitals, trauma centers and individuals that perform

or participate in medical audits pursuant to this Act shall be

immune from civil liability to the same extent as provided in

Section 10.2 of the Hospital Licensing Act.

(c) All information relating to the State Emergency

Medical Services Disciplinary Review Board or a local review

board, except final decisions, shall be afforded the same

status as is provided information concerning medical studies

in Article VIII, Part 21 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

Disclosure of such information to the Department pursuant to

this Act shall not be considered a violation of Article VIII,

Part 21 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

(Source: P.A. 92-651, eff. 7-11-02.)

(210 ILCS 50/3.115)

Sec. 3.115. Pediatric care; emergency medical services for

children. Pediatric Trauma. The Director shall appoint an

advisory council to make recommendations for pediatric care

needs and develop strategies to address areas of need as

defined in rules adopted by the Department.

The Department shall:

(1) develop or promote recommendations for continuing

medical education, treatment guidelines, and other

programs for health practitioners and organizations

involved in pediatric care;

(2) support existing pediatric care programs and

assist in establishing new pediatric care initiatives

throughout the State;

(3) designate applicant hospitals that meet the

minimum standards established by the Department for their

pediatric emergency and critical care capabilities.

Upon the availability of federal funds for pediatric care

demonstration projects, the Department shall:

(a) Convene a work group which will be charged with

conducting a needs assessment of pediatric trauma care and

with developing strategies to correct areas of need;

(b) Contract with the University of Illinois School of

Public Health to develop a secondary prevention program for

parents;

(c) Contract with an Illinois medical school to develop

training and continuing medical education programs for

physicians and nurses in treatment of pediatric trauma;

(d) Contract with an Illinois medical school to develop

and test triage and field scoring for pediatric trauma if the

needs assessment by the work group indicates that current

scoring is inadequate;

(e) Support existing pediatric trauma programs and assist

in establishing new pediatric trauma programs throughout the

State;

(f) Provide grants to EMS systems for special pediatric

equipment for prehospital care based on needs identified by

the work group; and

(g) Provide grants to EMS systems and trauma centers for

specialized training in pediatric trauma based on needs

identified by the work group.

(Source: P.A. 89-177, eff. 7-19-95.)

(210 ILCS 50/3.140)

Sec. 3.140. Violations; Fines.

(a) The Department shall have the authority to impose

fines on any licensed vehicle service provider, stretcher van

provider, designated trauma center, Acute Injury Stabilization

Center, resource hospital, associate hospital, or

participating hospital.

(b) The Department shall adopt rules pursuant to this Act

which establish a system of fines related to the type and level

of violation or repeat violation, including, but not limited

to:

(1) A fine not exceeding $10,000 for each a violation

which created a condition or occurrence presenting a

substantial probability that death or serious harm to an

individual will or did result therefrom; and

(2) A fine not exceeding $5,000 for each a violation

which creates or created a condition or occurrence which

threatens the health, safety or welfare of an individual.

(c) A Notice of Intent to Impose Fine may be issued in

conjunction with or in lieu of a Notice of Intent to Suspend,

Revoke, Nonrenew or Deny, and shall conform to the

requirements specified in Section 3.130(d) of this Act. All

Hearings conducted pursuant to a Notice of Intent to Impose

Fine shall conform to the requirements specified in Section

3.135 of this Act.

(d) All fines collected pursuant to this Section shall be

deposited into the EMS Assistance Fund.

(Source: P.A. 98-973, eff. 8-15-14.)

(210 ILCS 50/3.200)

Sec. 3.200. State Emergency Medical Services Advisory

Council.

(a) There shall be established within the Department of

Public Health a State Emergency Medical Services Advisory

Council, which shall serve as an advisory body to the

Department on matters related to this Act.

(b) Membership of the Council shall include one

representative from each EMS Region, to be appointed by each

region's EMS Regional Advisory Committee. The Governor shall

appoint additional members to the Council as necessary to

insure that the Council includes one representative from each

of the following categories:

(1) EMS Medical Director,

(2) Trauma Center Medical Director,

(3) Licensed, practicing physician with regular and

frequent involvement in the provision of emergency care,

(4) Licensed, practicing physician with special

expertise in the surgical care of the trauma patient,

(5) EMS System Coordinator,

(6) TNS,

(7) Paramedic,

(7.5) A-EMT,

(8) EMT-I,

(9) EMT,

(10) Private vehicle service provider,

(11) Law enforcement officer,

(12) Chief of a public vehicle service provider,

(13) Statewide firefighters' union member affiliated

with a vehicle service provider,

(14) Administrative representative from a fire

department vehicle service provider in a municipality with

a population of over 2 million people, ;

(15) Administrative representative from a Resource

Hospital or EMS System Administrative Director, and .

(16) Representative from a pediatric critical care

center.

(c) Members shall be appointed for a term of 3 years. All

appointees shall serve until their successors are appointed

and qualified.

(d) The Council shall be provided a 90-day period in which

to review and comment, in consultation with the subcommittee

to which the rules are relevant, upon all rules proposed by the

Department pursuant to this Act, except for rules adopted

pursuant to Section 3.190(a) of this Act, rules submitted to

the State Trauma Advisory Council and emergency rules adopted

pursuant to Section 5-45 of the Illinois Administrative

Procedure Act. The 90-day review and comment period may

commence upon the Department's submission of the proposed

rules to the individual Council members, if the Council is not

meeting at the time the proposed rules are ready for Council

review. Any non-emergency rules adopted prior to the Council's

90-day review and comment period shall be null and void. If the

Council fails to advise the Department within its 90-day

review and comment period, the rule shall be considered acted

upon.

(e) Council members shall be reimbursed for reasonable

travel expenses incurred during the performance of their

duties under this Section.

(f) The Department shall provide administrative support to

the Council for the preparation of the agenda and minutes for

Council meetings and distribution of proposed rules to Council

members.

(g) The Council shall act pursuant to bylaws which it

adopts, which shall include the annual election of a Chair and

Vice-Chair.

(h) The Director or his designee shall be present at all

Council meetings.

(i) Nothing in this Section shall preclude the Council

from reviewing and commenting on proposed rules which fall

under the purview of the State Trauma Advisory Council.

(Source: P.A. 98-973, eff. 8-15-14.)

(210 ILCS 50/3.205)

Sec. 3.205. State Trauma Advisory Council.

(a) There shall be established within the Department of

Public Health a State Trauma Advisory Council, which shall

serve as an advisory body to the Department on matters related

to trauma care and trauma centers.

(b) Membership of the Council shall include one

representative from each Regional Trauma Advisory Committee,

to be appointed by each Committee. The Governor shall appoint

the following additional members:

(1) An EMS Medical Director,

(2) A trauma center medical director,

(3) A trauma surgeon,

(4) A trauma nurse coordinator,

(5) A representative from a private vehicle service

provider,

(6) A representative from a public vehicle service

provider,

(7) A member of the State EMS Advisory Council, ;and and

(8) A neurosurgeon.

(8) A burn care medical representative.

The Governor may also appoint, as an additional member

of the Council, a neurosurgeon.

(c) Members shall be appointed for a term of 3 years. All

appointees shall serve until their successors are appointed

and qualified.

(d) The Council shall be provided a 90-day period in which

to review and comment upon all rules proposed by the

Department pursuant to this Act concerning trauma care, except

for emergency rules adopted pursuant to Section 5-45 of the

Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. The 90-day review and

comment period may commence upon the Department's submission

of the proposed rules to the individual Council members, if

the Council is not meeting at the time the proposed rules are

ready for Council review. Any non-emergency rules adopted

prior to the Council's 90-day review and comment period shall

be null and void. If the Council fails to advise the Department

within its 90-day review and comment period, the rule shall be

considered acted upon;

(e) Council members shall be reimbursed for reasonable

travel expenses incurred during the performance of their

duties under this Section.

(f) The Department shall provide administrative support to

the Council for the preparation of the agenda and minutes for

Council meetings and distribution of proposed rules to Council

members.

(g) The Council shall act pursuant to bylaws which it

adopts, which shall include the annual election of a Chair and

Vice-Chair.

(h) The Director or his designee shall be present at all

Council meetings.

(i) Nothing in this Section shall preclude the Council

from reviewing and commenting on proposed rules which fall

under the purview of the State EMS Advisory Council.

(Source: P.A. 98-973, eff. 8-15-14.)