Manley Bills Advance to House Floor, Targeting Improvements in Health and Long-Term Care

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Prioritizing thorough healthcare safety for both patients and providers, state Rep. Natalie Manley, D-Joliet, advanced bills targeting crucial gaps in care to the House floor for consideration. 

“These bills reflect what I’m hearing from real people — patients, providers, and families, who just want safer, more responsive care,” said Manley “I’m grateful to my colleagues for supporting the urgency of these issues and voting to take these bills to the next step.”

In effort to support faster care during cardiac arrest emergencies, Manley led House Bill 1287 unanimously out of the Human Services Committee, requiring that long-term care facilities have an automated external defibrillator (AED) on premise and employees responsible for utilizing AEDs have appropriate certification.

Additionally, Manley passed House Bill 3328 through the Healthcare Availability & Accessibility Committee. As Chair of the committee, Manley’s bill aims to align assisted living facilities with best practices and clinical standards, requiring those seeking admission to memory-care facilities be evaluated using tools approved by recognized Alzheimer’s and dementia care experts. 

Ensuring that clear procedures are in place to mitigate the risk of workplace violence for healthcare workers, Manley successfully pushed House Bill 3435 out of the Health Care Licenses Committee — enhancing the safety and security of healthcare workers by requiring employers to implement written violence prevention policies and mandatory reporting and investigation of all workplace violence incidents. 

“Whether it’s getting help faster in an emergency, protecting healthcare workers, or supporting care facilities — when we listen to providers and patients, we can craft solutions that truly meet the moment,” said Manley.

All three measures received unanimous, bipartisan support. Additional Manley-led bills, including expanding pathways to professional licensure, easing local government burdens, and refining property assessment, will be considered on the House floor later this spring.