HB 5523

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Full Text of HB5523
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	HB5523 - 104th General Assembly
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104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB5523
Introduced 2/13/2026, by Rep. Dennis Tipsword
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
50 ILCS 705/10.28 new
55 ILCS 5/3-6012.3 new
65 ILCS 5/10-4-15 new
210 ILCS 50/3.5
210 ILCS 50/3.50
Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Provides that the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board and the Department of Public Health shall jointly develop and establish a program of certification of tactical medical providers for the purpose of aiding special law enforcement teams involved in search and rescues, civil disturbances, bomb threat responses, tactical or special operations team deployments, hostage negotiations, hazardous material responses, executive and dignitary protection, counterterrorism, or other similar functions, as assigned and directed by a law enforcement agency that is recognized by the Board. Includes program requirements. Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that chiefs of police and sheriffs may employ tactical medical providers and provide tactical medical provider support to first responders. Amends the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act to make conforming changes.
LRB104 20736 RTM 34239 b
A BILL FOR
		HB5523		LRB104 20736 RTM 34239 b
1    AN ACT concerning local government.
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
4    Section 5. The Illinois Police Training Act is amended by
5adding Section 10.28 as follows:
6    (50 ILCS 705/10.28 new)
7    Sec. 10.28. Tactical medical providers.
8    (a) Notwithstanding any other law, the Board and the 
9Department of Public Health shall jointly develop and 
10establish a program of certification of tactical medical 
11providers for the purpose of aiding special law enforcement 
12teams involved in search and rescues, civil disturbances, bomb 
13threat responses, tactical or special operations team 
14deployments, hostage negotiations, hazardous material 
15responses, executive and dignitary protection, 
16counterterrorism, or other similar functions, as assigned and 
17directed by a law enforcement agency that is recognized by the 
18Board.
19    The Board, in conjunction with the Department of Public 
20Health, may establish any fees necessary to fund the training 
21and certification requirements of this Section and may 
22establish other entities to provide training to meet all or a 
23portion of the requirements of this Section.
		HB5523	- 2 -	LRB104 20736 RTM 34239 b
1    (b) As part of the program of certification of tactical 
2medical providers, the Board shall develop or approve a 
3tactical medicine for special operators course. The course 
4shall be overseen by the EMS Medical Director. A tactical 
5medical provider may not work on a special response team until 
6the tactical medical provider has completed the tactical 
7medicine for special operators course.
8    (c) The tactical medical provider program certification 
9requirements shall, at a minimum, require an applicant who is 
10seeking the certification:
11        (1) to be an emergency medical technician, paramedic, 
12    physician, physician's assistant, nurse, or other medical 
13    professional licensed to practice in the State or to 
14    possess a suitable license as determined by the Board and 
15    the Department of Public Health;
16        (2) to have completed no less than a 40-hour basic 
17    firearms certification program recognized by the Board;
18        (3) to have completed no less than 50 hours of 
19    tactical medical training approved by the Board;
20        (4) to have attended no less than 40 hours of tactical 
21    and firearms training, including use of force training; 
22    and
23        (5) to operate within the EMS system in the State that 
24    is licensed by the Department of Public Health.
25    (d) The Board and the Department of Public Health shall 
26establish annual requirements for certification of tactical 
		HB5523	- 3 -	LRB104 20736 RTM 34239 b
1medical providers, including proof that the tactical medical 
2provider:
3        (1) holds a valid license or certification as a 
4    medical professional licensed or certified to practice in 
5    the State;
6        (2) operates within the EMS system in the State that 
7    is licensed by the Department of Public Health;
8        (3) completes, on an annual basis, no less than 50 
9    hours of tactical medical training;
10        (4) completes, on an annual basis, no less than 40 
11    hours of tactical and firearms training, including use of 
12    force training; and
13        (5) satisfies any additional qualifications or 
14    licensing, certification, or training standards deemed 
15    necessary by the Board and the Department of Public 
16    Health.
17    Section 10. The Counties Code is amended by adding Section
183-6012.3 as follows:
19    (55 ILCS 5/3-6012.3 new)
20    Sec. 3-6012.3. Tactical medical provider support. A 
21sheriff may employ and provide tactical medical provider 
22support to first responders with tactical medical providers 
23certified under Section 10.28 of the Illinois Police Training 
24Act. In addition to any other requirements, the tactical 
		HB5523	- 4 -	LRB104 20736 RTM 34239 b
1medical providers shall participate in routine, ongoing 
2tactical and medical training with the first responders that 
3the tactical medical providers shall support and shall meet 
4any additional training, certification, and licensing 
5standards that the sheriff deems appropriate.
6    Section 15. The Illinois Municipal Code is amended by
7adding Section 10-4-15 as follows:
8    (65 ILCS 5/10-4-15 new)
9    Sec. 10-4-15. Tactical medical provider support. A 
10municipality may provide tactical medical provider support to 
11first responders with tactical medical providers certified 
12under Section 10.28 of the Illinois Police Training Act. In 
13addition to any other requirements, the tactical medical 
14providers shall participate in routine, ongoing tactical and 
15medical training with the first responders that the tactical 
16medical providers shall support and shall meet any additional 
17training, certification, and licensing standards that the 
18chief of police deems appropriate.
19    Section 20. The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems
20Act is amended by changing Sections 3.5 and 3.50 as follows:
21    (210 ILCS 50/3.5)
22    Sec. 3.5. Definitions. As used in this Act:
		HB5523	- 5 -	LRB104 20736 RTM 34239 b
1    "Clinical observation" means the ongoing observation of a
2patient's medical or mental health condition by a licensed
3health care professional utilizing a medical skill set while
4continuing assessment and care.
5    "Department" means the Illinois Department of Public
6Health.
7    "Director" means the Director of the Illinois Department
8of Public Health.
9    "Emergency" means a medical condition of recent onset and
10severity that would lead a prudent layperson, possessing an
11average knowledge of medicine and health, to believe that
12urgent or unscheduled medical care is required.
13    "Emergency Medical Services personnel" or "EMS personnel"
14means persons licensed as an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)
15(First Responder), Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD),
16Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Emergency Medical
17Technician-Intermediate (EMT-I), Advanced Emergency Medical
18Technician (A-EMT), Paramedic (EMT-P), Emergency
19Communications Registered Nurse (ECRN), Pre-Hospital
20Registered Nurse (PHRN), Pre-Hospital Advanced Practice
21Registered Nurse (PHAPRN), [or] Pre-Hospital Physician Assistant
22(PHPA), or Tactical Medical Providers (TMP).
23    "Exclusive representative" has the same meaning as defined
24in Section 3 of the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act.
25    "Health care facility" means a hospital, nursing home,
26physician's office or other fixed location at which medical
		HB5523	- 6 -	LRB104 20736 RTM 34239 b
1and health care services are performed. It does not include
2"pre-hospital emergency care settings" which utilize EMS
3personnel to render pre-hospital emergency care prior to the
4arrival of a transport vehicle, as defined in this Act.
5    "Hospital" has the meaning ascribed to that term in the
6Hospital Licensing Act.
7    "Labor organization" has the same meaning as defined in
8Section 3 of the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act.
9    "Medical monitoring" means the performance of medical
10tests and physical exams to evaluate an individual's ongoing
11exposure to a factor that could negatively impact that
12person's health. "Medical monitoring" includes close
13surveillance or supervision of patients liable to suffer
14deterioration in physical or mental health and checks of
15various parameters such as pulse rate, temperature,
16respiration rate, the condition of the pupils, the level of
17consciousness and awareness, the degree of appreciation of
18pain, and blood gas concentrations such as oxygen and carbon
19dioxide.
20    "NREMT" means the National Registry of Emergency Medical
21Technicians.
22    "Silver spanner program" means a program in which a member
23under a fire department's or fire protection district's
24collective bargaining agreement works on or at the EMS System
25under another fire department's or fire protection district's
26collective bargaining agreement and (i) the other fire
		HB5523	- 7 -	LRB104 20736 RTM 34239 b
1department or fire protection district is not the member's
2full-time employer and (ii) any EMS services not included
3under the original fire department's or fire protection
4district's collective bargaining agreement are included in the
5other fire department's or fire protection district's
6collective bargaining agreement.
7    "Trauma" means any significant injury which involves
8single or multiple organ systems.
9(Source: P.A. 103-521, eff. 1-1-24; 103-689, eff. 1-1-25;
10104-362, eff. 8-15-25.)
11    (210 ILCS 50/3.50)
12    Sec. 3.50. Emergency Medical Services personnel licensure
13levels.
14    (a) "Emergency Medical Technician" or "EMT" means a person
15who has successfully completed a course in basic life support
16as approved by the Department, is currently licensed by the
17Department in accordance with standards prescribed by this Act
18and rules adopted by the Department pursuant to this Act, and
19practices within an EMS System. A valid Emergency Medical
20Technician-Basic (EMT-B) license issued under this Act shall
21continue to be valid and shall be recognized as an Emergency
22Medical Technician (EMT) license until the Emergency Medical
23Technician-Basic (EMT-B) license expires.
24    (b) "Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate" or "EMT-I"
25means a person who has successfully completed a course in
		HB5523	- 8 -	LRB104 20736 RTM 34239 b
1intermediate life support as approved by the Department, is
2currently licensed by the Department in accordance with
3standards prescribed by this Act and rules adopted by the
4Department pursuant to this Act, and practices within an
5Intermediate or Advanced Life Support EMS System.
6    (b-5) "Advanced Emergency Medical Technician" or "A-EMT"
7means a person who has successfully completed a course in
8basic and limited advanced emergency medical care as approved
9by the Department, is currently licensed by the Department in
10accordance with standards prescribed by this Act and rules
11adopted by the Department pursuant to this Act, and practices
12within an Intermediate or Advanced Life Support EMS System.
13    (c) "Paramedic (EMT-P)" means a person who has
14successfully completed a course in advanced life support care
15as approved by the Department, is licensed by the Department
16in accordance with standards prescribed by this Act and rules
17adopted by the Department pursuant to this Act, and practices
18within an Advanced Life Support EMS System. A valid Emergency
19Medical Technician-Paramedic (EMT-P) license issued under this
20Act shall continue to be valid and shall be recognized as a
21Paramedic license until the Emergency Medical
22Technician-Paramedic (EMT-P) license expires.
23    (c-3) "Tactical Medical Provider" means a person who has 
24successfully completed certification under Section 10.28 of 
25the Illinois Police Training Act.
26    (c-5) "Emergency Medical Responder" or "EMR (First
		HB5523	- 9 -	LRB104 20736 RTM 34239 b
1Responder)" means a person who has successfully completed a
2course in emergency medical response as approved by the
3Department and provides emergency medical response services in
4accordance with the level of care established by the National
5EMS Educational Standards Emergency Medical Responder course
6as modified by the Department, or who provides services as
7part of an EMS System response plan, as approved by the
8Department, of that EMS System. The Department shall have the
9authority to adopt rules governing the curriculum, practice,
10and necessary equipment applicable to Emergency Medical
11Responders.
12    On August 15, 2014 (the effective date of Public Act
1398-973), a person who is licensed by the Department as a First
14Responder and has completed a Department-approved course in
15first responder defibrillator training based on, or equivalent
16to, the National EMS Educational Standards or other standards
17previously recognized by the Department shall be eligible for
18licensure as an Emergency Medical Responder upon meeting the
19licensure requirements and submitting an application to the
20Department. A valid First Responder license issued under this
21Act shall continue to be valid and shall be recognized as an
22Emergency Medical Responder license until the First Responder
23license expires.
24    (c-10) All EMS Systems and licensees shall be fully
25compliant with the National EMS Education Standards, as
26modified by the Department in administrative rules, within 24
		HB5523	- 10 -	LRB104 20736 RTM 34239 b
1months after the adoption of the administrative rules.
2    (d) The Department shall have the authority and
3responsibility to:
4        (1) Prescribe education and training requirements,
5    which includes training in the use of epinephrine, for all
6    levels of EMS personnel except for EMRs, based on the
7    National EMS Educational Standards and any modifications
8    to those curricula specified by the Department through
9    rules adopted pursuant to this Act.
10            (A) A failure rate per course of 30% or greater at
11        the first attempt on the licensure examination shall
12        require the EMS System to submit a quality improvement
13        plan to the Department. The EMS System shall share
14        failure rates with the EMS Lead Instructor quarterly.
15        Neither the EMS System nor the Department may take
16        licensure action against an EMS Lead Instructor based
17        solely on first-attempt pass rates.
18            (B) Candidates shall complete the licensure
19        examination within the timeline required by the NREMT.
20            (C) An accredited Paramedic program shall be
21        conducted only by an EMS System or an academic
22        institution whose curriculum has been approved by the
23        EMS System. An EMS System associate hospital may allow
24        students from an EMS System-approved and
25        Department-approved Paramedic course to complete
26        clinical rotations as approved by the EMS System
		HB5523	- 11 -	LRB104 20736 RTM 34239 b
1        Medical Director. The approval by the EMS System
2        Medical Director may not be unreasonably denied.
3        (2) Prescribe licensure testing requirements for all
4    levels of EMS personnel, which shall include a requirement
5    that all phases of instruction, training, and field
6    experience be completed before taking the appropriate
7    licensure examination. Candidates shall take the
8    appropriate National Registry examination. In prescribing
9    licensure testing requirements for honorably discharged
10    members of the armed forces of the United States under
11    this paragraph (2), the Department shall ensure that a
12    candidate's military emergency medical training, emergency
13    medical curriculum completed, and clinical experience, as
14    described in paragraph (2.5), are recognized.
15        (2.5) Review applications for EMS personnel licensure
16    from honorably discharged members of the armed forces of
17    the United States with military emergency medical
18    training. Applications shall be filed with the Department
19    within one year after military discharge and shall
20    contain: (i) proof of successful completion of military
21    emergency medical training; (ii) a detailed description of
22    the emergency medical curriculum completed; and (iii) a
23    detailed description of the applicant's clinical
24    experience. The Department may request additional and
25    clarifying information. The Department shall evaluate the
26    application, including the applicant's training and
		HB5523	- 12 -	LRB104 20736 RTM 34239 b
1    experience, consistent with the standards set forth under
2    subsections (a), (b), (c), and (d) of Section 3.10. If the
3    application clearly demonstrates that the training and
4    experience meet such standards, the Department shall offer
5    the applicant the opportunity to successfully complete a
6    Department-approved EMS personnel examination for the
7    level of license for which the applicant is qualified.
8    Upon passage of an examination, the Department shall issue
9    a license, which shall be subject to all provisions of
10    this Act that are otherwise applicable to the level of EMS
11    personnel license issued.
12        (3) License individuals as an EMR, EMT, EMT-I, A-EMT,
13    or Paramedic who have met the Department's education,
14    training and examination requirements.
15        (4) Prescribe annual continuing education and
16    relicensure requirements for all EMS personnel licensure
17    levels.
18        (5) Relicense individuals as an EMD, EMR, EMT, EMT-I,
19    A-EMT, PHRN, PHAPRN, PHPA, TMP, or Paramedic every 4
20    years, based on their compliance with continuing education
21    and relicensure requirements as required by the Department
22    pursuant to this Act. Every 4 years, a Paramedic shall
23    have 100 hours of approved continuing education, an EMT-I
24    and an advanced EMT shall have 80 hours of approved
25    continuing education, and an EMT shall have 60 hours of
26    approved continuing education. An Illinois licensed EMR,
		HB5523	- 13 -	LRB104 20736 RTM 34239 b
1    EMD, EMT, EMT-I, A-EMT, Paramedic, ECRN, PHPA, TMP,
2    PHAPRN, or PHRN whose license has been expired for less
3    than 36 months may apply for reinstatement by the
4    Department. Reinstatement shall require that the applicant
5    (i) submit satisfactory proof of completion of continuing
6    medical education and clinical requirements to be
7    prescribed by the Department in an administrative rule;
8    (ii) submit a positive recommendation from an Illinois EMS
9    Medical Director attesting to the applicant's
10    qualifications for retesting; and (iii) pass a Department
11    approved test for the level of EMS personnel license
12    sought to be reinstated.
13        (6) Grant inactive status to any EMR, EMD, EMT, EMT-I,
14    A-EMT, Paramedic, ECRN, PHAPRN, PHPA, TMP, or PHRN who
15    qualifies, based on standards and procedures established
16    by the Department in rules adopted pursuant to this Act.
17        (7) Charge a fee for EMS personnel examination,
18    licensure, and license renewal.
19        (8) Suspend, revoke, or refuse to issue or renew the
20    license of any licensee, after an opportunity for an
21    impartial hearing before a neutral administrative law
22    judge appointed by the Director, where the preponderance
23    of the evidence shows one or more of the following:
24            (A) The licensee has not met continuing education
25        or relicensure requirements as prescribed by the
26        Department;
		HB5523	- 14 -	LRB104 20736 RTM 34239 b
1            (B) The licensee has failed to maintain
2        proficiency in the level of skills for which he or she
3        is licensed;
4            (C) The licensee, during the provision of medical
5        services, engaged in dishonorable, unethical, or
6        unprofessional conduct of a character likely to
7        deceive, defraud, or harm the public;
8            (D) The licensee has failed to maintain or has
9        violated standards of performance and conduct as
10        prescribed by the Department in rules adopted pursuant
11        to this Act or his or her EMS System's Program Plan;
12            (E) The licensee is physically impaired to the
13        extent that he or she cannot physically perform the
14        skills and functions for which he or she is licensed,
15        as verified by a physician, unless the person is on
16        inactive status pursuant to Department regulations;
17            (F) The licensee is mentally impaired to the
18        extent that he or she cannot exercise the appropriate
19        judgment, skill and safety for performing the
20        functions for which he or she is licensed, as verified
21        by a physician, unless the person is on inactive
22        status pursuant to Department regulations;
23            (G) The licensee has violated this Act or any rule
24        adopted by the Department pursuant to this Act; or
25            (H) The licensee has been convicted (or entered a
26        plea of guilty or nolo contendere) by a court of
		HB5523	- 15 -	LRB104 20736 RTM 34239 b
1        competent jurisdiction of a Class X, Class 1, or Class
2        2 felony in this State or an out-of-state equivalent
3        offense.
4        (9) Prescribe education and training requirements in
5    the administration and use of opioid antagonists for all
6    levels of EMS personnel based on the National EMS
7    Educational Standards and any modifications to those
8    curricula specified by the Department through rules
9    adopted pursuant to this Act.
10    (d-5) An EMR, EMD, EMT, EMT-I, A-EMT, Paramedic, ECRN,
11PHAPRN, PHPA, TMP, or PHRN who is a member of the Illinois
12National Guard or an Illinois State Trooper or who exclusively
13serves as a volunteer for units of local government with a
14population base of less than 5,000 or as a volunteer for a
15not-for-profit organization that serves a service area with a
16population base of less than 5,000 may submit an application
17to the Department for a waiver of the fees described under
18paragraph (7) of subsection (d) of this Section on a form
19prescribed by the Department.
20    (d-10) A person who is not an EMS personnel may operate an
21EMS vehicle pursuant to this Act if the following requirements
22are met: (i) the person meets the requirements of Section
2311-1421 of the Illinois Vehicle Code; (ii) 2
24Department-licensed EMS personnel are present and have met
25educational requirements prescribed by the Department; and
26(iii) the clinical condition of the patient necessitates the
		HB5523	- 16 -	LRB104 20736 RTM 34239 b
1involvement of additional licensed personnel to ensure
2appropriate assessment, treatment, and patient safety. If a
3waiver is issued by the Department, the person who is not an
4EMS personnel may operate the EMS vehicle if only one EMS
5personnel is present. Upon request, the Department may issue a
6retroactive waiver when appropriate.
7    The education requirements prescribed by the Department
8under this Section must allow for the suspension of those
9requirements in the case of a member of the armed services or
10reserve forces of the United States or a member of the Illinois
11National Guard who is on active duty pursuant to an executive
12order of the President of the United States, an act of the
13Congress of the United States, or an order of the Governor at
14the time that the member would otherwise be required to
15fulfill a particular education requirement. Such a person must
16fulfill the education requirement within 6 months after his or
17her release from active duty.
18    (e) In the event that any rule of the Department or an EMS
19Medical Director that requires testing for drug use as a
20condition of the applicable EMS personnel license conflicts
21with or duplicates a provision of a collective bargaining
22agreement that requires testing for drug use, that rule shall
23not apply to any person covered by the collective bargaining
24agreement.
25    (f) At the time of applying for or renewing his or her
26license, an applicant for a license or license renewal may
		HB5523	- 17 -	LRB104 20736 RTM 34239 b
1submit an email address to the Department. The Department
2shall keep the email address on file as a form of contact for
3the individual. The Department shall send license renewal
4notices electronically and by mail to a licensee who provides
5the Department with his or her email address. The notices
6shall be sent at least 60 days prior to the expiration date of
7the license.
8(Source: P.A. 104-362, eff. 8-15-25.)