This past legislative session, the Illinois Department of Human Services introduced legislation expanding requirements for providers who use the Illinois Prescription Monitoring Program (ILPMP). The initial proposal would have required providers to check the system for every Schedule II-IV prescription rather than only the initial prescription. ISDS joined a coalition of provider organizations working with the Illinois State Medical Society to address concerns about the proposal and its potential administrative impact on providers.

The legislation was changed to address providers' concerns. As passed and signed into law, the legislation requires prescribers to document an attempt to access patient information in the ILPMP to assess patient access to controlled substances when providing an initial prescription for any Schedule II stimulant substances. It further requires providers to check the PMP for all prescriptions of Schedule II opioids and Schedule IV benzodiazepines.

Additionally, it prohibits criminal charges and disciplinary action against prescribers who fail to register for the ILPMP due to technological or electrical failures or operational issues that prevent registration.