(405 ILCS 162/5)

Sec. 5. Purpose and findings.

(a) The General Assembly finds that:

(1) Administrative activities include processes that require behavioral health professionals and their clients to repeat data collection processes and adhere to a vast and uncoordinated array of requirements.

(2) Not only is this duplication a burden on the time and resources of behavioral health professionals, but data collection can also be re-traumatizing to clients as they repeat their presenting problems multiple times to various professionals.

(3) Duplication and burden also lead to longer admission processes, leaving behavioral health professionals less time to provide crucial treatment.

(4) In behavioral health care, compliance with heavily regulated industry standards falls squarely on the shoulders of those providing direct services to individuals.

(5) Behavioral health professionals have gone far too long without reasonable reform, causing capable workers to become overwhelmed and leave their jobs or the behavioral health industry altogether.

(6) One of the greatest complaints from behavioral health professionals is the amount of administrative responsibilities that lead to less time with their clients.

(7) Clinician burnout, if not addressed, will make it harder for individuals to get care when they need it, cause health costs to rise, and worsen health disparities.

(8) Behavioral health professionals dedicate their expertise to addressing mental health and substance use challenges and that it is essential to streamline administrative processes to enable them to focus more on client care and treatment.

(9) Administrative burdens can contribute to workforce challenges in the behavioral health sector.

(b) The purpose of this Act is to:

(1) Alleviate the administrative burden placed on behavioral health professionals in Illinois and devise an efficient system that enhances client-centered services. Behavioral health professionals play a critical role in promoting mental health and well-being within Illinois communities.

(2) Foster a collaborative and client-centered approach by encouraging communication and coordination among behavioral health professionals, regulatory bodies, and relevant stakeholders.

(3) Make a heavy lift more bearable.

(4) Address paperwork fatigue that leads to burnout.

(5) Enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of behavioral health services by reducing unnecessary paperwork, bureaucratic hurdles, and redundant administrative requirements that may impede the delivery of timely and quality care.

(6) Attract and retain skilled behavioral health professionals and ultimately improve access to mental health and substance use services for the residents of Illinois.

(7) Align with the State's commitment to promoting mental health and substance use services, reducing barriers to care, and ensuring that behavioral health professionals can dedicate more time and resources to meeting the diverse needs of individuals and communities across Illinois.

(8) Enhance the overall effectiveness of the behavioral health sector to improve mental health outcomes and levels of well-being for all residents of the State.

(Source: P.A. 103-690, eff. 7-19-24.)