New Hospital Signs and Notice Requirements Effective 2027

October 6, 2026


In 2027, hospitals will be subject to two new signs and notice requirements related to patient safety, including suicide prevention information and abuse-and-neglect notification procedures. This memo serves as a summary of the new laws. 

Suicide Prevention
Legislation on suicide prevention information (SB 2771/P.A. 104-0808) creates a new requirement that all hospitals conspicuously post contact information for the 9-8-8 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, accessible to patients, employees, and visitors. IHA successfully amended language to align the mandate with other hospital notice requirements that permit either physical or electronic notices, based on how patients receive information in applicable settings. 

Abuse and Neglect
Legislation on abuse and neglect notifications (HB 3169/P.A. 104-0586) was passed as part of a multi-year effort that sought to provide parents and guardians with additional information during abuse or neglect investigations involving their child. IHA successfully worked with coalition partners to eliminate language that would have required hospital staff to disclose their involvement in investigations to an accused individual, which could have increased workplace violence and harassment risks. Below is a summary of healthcare facilities, healthcare professionals, and related Illinois Dept. of Children and Family Services (DCFS) mandates under the legislation.

Healthcare Facility Mandates
Healthcare facilities will be required to provide a document that must be given to a parent or guardian accompanying every child who arrives for evaluation, treatment, or care. The document will have information related to the responsibilities of healthcare facilities and healthcare staff when responding to DCFS abuse and neglect investigations. The document will be developed by DCFS and posted on its website by July 1, 2027. It must be provided digitally through email or text to the parent or guardian in their primary language, if available. If the document cannot be shared digitally, the healthcare facility must provide a printed copy to the parent or guardian. Healthcare facilities will be required to provide the document immediately following its posting on the DCFS website.

Healthcare Professional Mandates
The information below summarizes when certain healthcare professionals must disclose identifying and role-related information to a parent or guardian who has consented to the minor patient’s care, beginning Jan. 1, 2027.

Healthcare Professionals

  • Physician
  • Medical student
  • Resident
  • Advanced practice registered nurse
  • Registered nurse
  • Physician assistant
  • Social worker 

Information To Be Shared

  • Professional’s name
  • Profession
  • Specialty
  • Subspecialty (if any)
  • Role in the overall care of the minor patient    

Applicable Circumstances

  • When examining, treating, or providing care to a minor patient
  • Discussing the minor patient with a parent/guardian 
  • Discussing the minor patient’s injury, condition, or treatment with a parent/guardian 

Neither the healthcare facility nor the healthcare professional mandates should be interpreted to diminish the following:

  • A minor patient’s authority to consent to medical examination, treatment, or care otherwise provided under state law; or
  • The privacy and confidentiality protections under state or federal law to a minor patient who consents to medical examination, treatment, or care.

DCFS Mandates
The document developed by DCFS by July 1, 2027 for healthcare facilities to share must include the following information:

  • An overview of DCFS’ role and responsibilities in responding to reports of suspected abuse and neglect;
  • A description of why children receive medical evaluations when a child has injuries concerning abuse and neglect;
  • The types of medical professionals that may participate in the evaluation of a child in a healthcare setting when abuse or neglect is suspected;
  • A description of mandated reporting and who in a healthcare facility is a mandated reporter; and
  • A statement indicating that a parent or guardian may:
    • Seek a second medical or forensic opinion prior to the conclusion of a child abuse or neglect investigation and may access copies of medical records related to the child, as permitted by state and federal law; and 
    • Retain legal representation.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2027, DCFS must also make a reasonable effort to inform a parent or guardian of the following new requirements within 24 hours after determining whether it will request a professional’s medical or forensic opinion to determine whether a child’s injury may be the result of abuse or neglect, including:

  • That DCFS will request a professional issue a medical or forensic opinion to inform its investigation as to whether the child's injury or medical condition may be the result of abuse or neglect. DCFS will indicate the professional's specialty and any subspecialty; 
  • That the parent or guardian may seek, at his or her own expense, a second medical or forensic opinion for DCFS’ consideration in the investigation at any time prior to the conclusion of the investigation; 
  • That any second medical or forensic opinion submitted to DCFS prior to DCFS rendering a final determination in the investigation will be considered as inculpatory or exculpatory evidence; 
  • That the parent or guardian may request and timely receive a copy of any medical or forensic professional's written opinion, submitted to DCFS, as permitted to be released under state or federal law; and
  • Any timeframes for the investigation process.

For more information on patient and visitor notices in hospitals, see IHAs tables listing state signs and notice requirements and federal signs and notice requirements. 

If you have questions on this memo, please contact us.