PROPOSED RULES

Proposed Amendments to Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Treatment and Intervention Licenses (77 Ill.Adm.Code 2060)

The Department of Human Services/Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (“DHS/OASA”) has proposed amendments to Rule 2060 deleting all references to “deemed status”. Deemed status currently allows for an exemption from routine inspections if the organization maintains accreditation by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (“JCAHO”), the Commission of Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (“CARF”) or the Council of Accreditation of Services for Families and Children (“COA”).

The amendments to 2060 also update references to specific chapters of the National Fire Protection Association’s Life Safety Code. DHS/OASA is accepting comments on these changes until August 26, 2002.

ADOPTED RULES

Emergency Amendments to the Department of Central Management Services Prompt Payment Regulations (74 Ill.Adm.Code 900; 330)

The Department of Central Management Services (“DCMS”) and the Office of the Comptroller have adopted emergency amendments to its prompt payment regulations that will affect organizations that have contracts with the State. The amendments shorten the time frame in which the State must pay invoices from 90 to 60 days. Beginning on the 61st day, interest will begin accruing and will continue to accrue until the invoice is paid. These amendments were effective beginning July 1, 2002.

Amendments to the Control of Communicable Diseases Code

The Department of Public Health (“DPH”) adopted amendments to the Control of Communicable Diseases Code effective July 1, 2002. Tuberculosis has been added to the list of diseases that must be reported to the local health authority and to DPH.

REQUEST FOR COMMENT

President Bush’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health is soliciting public comment on several topics from stakeholders in the mental health community for the purpose of assisting the Commission in formulating an action plan that will improve the nation’s mental health delivery system. Current topics for which comments are requested include access to mental health services; extent of coordination of mental health and support services; and the extent to which people with a serious mental illness live, work, learn, and participate fully in their communities. In the future, topics will focus on identifying solutions to these barriers. Although comments on all topics may be submitted at any time prior to December 31, 2002, the Commission is requesting comments on the first set of topics by August 20, 2002. Comments may be submitted via the Commission’s website at http://www.mentalhealthcommission.gov/. The Commission was formed to study the public and private mental health delivery system and to advise the President on methods to improve the system so persons with mental illness can participate fully in their communities.

Please feel free to contact the Firm if you would like further information regarding any of these issues.