Morrison law creates health app training for first responders

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison’s newly signed law outlines training on how to access the medical ID function within health apps on cellphones.

“Digital medical IDs are a good way to make sure people receive personalized care,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “This law will help first responders use technology to save lives.”

The vast majority of cell phones have a built-in health app where a user can enter pertinent information to help emergency response services in the event the user is unresponsive or otherwise unable to report healthcare needs during a medical emergency. Morrison’s law will outline training to teach EMS personnel and law enforcement how to find this information on a person’s phone.

Utilizing a patient’s health app will ensure EMS personnel are aware if individuals are allergic to certain foods or medications, or if they are taking medication that may interact with another drug or medical treatment.

“Taking preemptive measures to improve the health and safety of our community is a legislative priority,” said Morrison. “To make the most of this law going into effect, I urge you to update your medical information in your phone’s health app.”

Senate Bill 3116 was signed into law Friday and takes effect Jan. 1, 2025.

Morrison law to protect kids from damaging effects of nicotine

SPRINGFIELD – Nicotine companies are creating vapes that are designed to look like school supplies and therefore are easily concealed, leading State Senator Julie Morrison to pass a law to prevent these products from being advertised to children.

“With more high school students using vapes today than cigarettes 10 years ago, youth e-cigarette use is a public health threat,” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “This law will prohibit tobacco companies from pulling the wool over the eyes of educators and guardians whose job it is to keep kids safe.”

Educators have complained to the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services about finding electronic cigarettes on school property that are designed to look like school supplies such as highlighters, erasers and pencil sharpeners. Senate Bill 2662 will prohibit the advertising, marketing or promoting of an electronic cigarette in a manner that is likely to cause a person to mistake it for an object that is anything other than what it is, a tobacco product.

“As chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, I have taken a strong stand on the issue of nicotine use,” said Morrison. “This law will protect our children from creating a habit that can have harmful long term effects.”

Senate Bill 2662 was signed into law Friday and takes effect Jan. 1.

Morrison law to protect nursing home residents

SPRINGFIELD – To ensure consistent quality of care for residents when their nursing home changes ownership, State Senator Julie Morrison championed a new law requiring facilities to develop comprehensive transition plans.

“Nursing home residents should always receive high-quality care, even during facility ownership transitions” said Morrison (D-Lake Forest). “This law requires transfer plans from current owners to new owners to ensure nothing gets over looked.”

Senate Bill 3115 will require owners of a facility to submit a transition plan detailing how resident care and appropriate staffing levels will be maintained throughout the process of shifting ownership. 

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, past changes of ownership have taken place without a clear and concise transfer plan that assures appropriate staffing and quality of care. This issue will be remedied by this new law by providing clear steps facilities must take during ownership changes.

“Medical staff have been at dangerously low levels during past transitions,” said Morrison. “The responsibilities of making sure a nursing home facility is properly staffed and that residents are taken care of does not go away just because of a change in ownership.”

Senate Bill 3115 was signed into law Friday and takes effect Jan. 1, 2025.

Morrison works with local teen to enhance safety standards for cheerleaders

SPRINGFIELD – Like thousands of teenagers across the country, Noel Demetrio was her happiest when performing cheer routines with her teammates. That happiness, however, quickly turned tragic when she was lifted into the air during a halftime performance, only to fall and face serious injury that led to immediate hospitalization.

After a year of physical and emotional struggles, then-15-year-old Demetrio recovered and was able to cheer again. Yet, she acknowledged that many people across the state and nation aren’t that lucky – leading her to work with State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Lake Forest) to ensure cheerleaders of all levels learn proper safety standards.

“I am thankful to Senator Morrison for believing in me. My hope was that something could be done throughout our state to protect cheerleaders. In fact, I felt I had an obligation to help greatly reduce serious injury in the sport of cheer,” said Demetrio. “I have loved taking part in the legislative process. With Senator Morrison’s strong advocacy, as well as Representative Bob Morgan leading the way in the House, my hope has been realized. I am grateful that the safety standards that have now been enacted into law will greatly reduce serious injury in the sport I love.” 

Morrison was enamored with Demetrio’s drive to turn her experience into change to minimize the risk for other cheerleaders and make the sport safer. She worked with the young Lake Forest athlete to pass a newly signed law to require the Illinois High School Association and Illinois Elementary School Association to adopt the Spirit Rules Book – which sets standards and regulations to ensure the safe practice and competition of cheer teams.

“It takes a lot of care, compassion and resilience to turn a tragedy into change,” said Morrison. “I am proud of Noel’s steadfast advocacy to make a difference by protecting future generations of cheerleaders.”

In 2022, 18,007 cheerleading injuries led to emergency room visits across the country. Together, Morrison and Demetrio’s efforts to enhance precautions and knowledge will lead to fewer injuries.

“Cheerleading — while a sport full of enthusiasm and spirit – can quickly take a turn, as Noel learned firsthand,” said Morrison. “I am proud of our joint effort to prioritize the safety and wellbeing of cheer and spirit leaders.”

Senate Bill 2861 was signed into law last week and takes effect Jan. 1, 2025.