SPRINGFIELD – A proposal passed by State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) to improve medical care for survivors of rape and sexual assault was signed into law today.

“Survivors of rape or sexual assault face many hurdles, including physical and mental obstacles that can prevent healing and justice,” Morrison said. “This new law will ensure our medical facilities and their staff are able to provide top-notch care to victims and help them overcome at least some of the obstacles.”

Morrison’s new law, passed under House Bill 5245, House Bill 5245 is a package of reforms meant to expedite the overall medical care of sexual assault survivors. The proposal would ensure survivors of sexual assault receive prompt medical treatment within 90 minutes of arriving at a hospital and also that medical personnel are trained to perform rape kits and other examinations needed after a sexual assault.

Ensuring all rape kits and examinations are performed in a timely manner by trained medical professionals makes prosecuting offenders much more attainable.  

Attorney General Lisa Madigan championed the proposal after increased attention has been drawn to the issue of untrained medical professionals treating survivors of sexual assault.

House Bill 5245 was signed into law today and takes effect immediately.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) passed a new law to provide greater safety protections to police dogs.

House Bill 1671, signed by the governor last week, creates the Police Service Dog Protection Act. It requires a vehicle transporting a police dog to be equipped with a heat sensor that remotely alerts law enforcement if the vehicle reaches 85 degrees. Vehicles will also be equipped with a safety mechanism to lower the temperature.

“Police dogs are extraordinary animals that play an integral role in law enforcement,” Morrison said. “It’s important for us to have a law that offers necessary protections in the treatment and transportation of our police K-9s.”

SPRINGFIELD – With continued high-profile failures at the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), State Senator Julie Morrison (D – Deerfield) is continuing her efforts to reform the agency that is tasked with protecting neglected and abused Illinois children.

Morrison, who is chairwoman of the Senate Human Services Committee, recently passed new initiatives into law that would help turn around the troubled agency including:

• Senate Bill 293, which requires DCFS to maintain a central register of all unfounded reports for five years following the date of the final finding.
  
  
• Senate Bill 2461, which requires DCFS to enter into contracts with agencies or to complete development for specialized placements for youth in the Department’s care who victims are of sex trafficking.
  
  
• House Bill 4887, which requires DCFS to assist youth in care in identifying and obtaining documents necessary to function as an independent adult prior closing the court case ending the youth’s time as a ward of the state under the Juvenile Court Act.