HB 3343 — ACUPUNCTURE TELEMEDICINE

*LRB10409578AAS19641b* HB3343 104THEngrossed GENERALLRB104 ASSEMBLY09578 StateAAS of19641 Illinoisb andAN 2026ACT HB3343concerning Introducedregulation. 2/18/2025, by Rep.

Theresa Mah SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

ILCS 150/5 ILCS 2/14 new Amends the Telehealth Act.

Adds acupuncturist to providers included in the meaning of "health care professional".

Amends the Acupuncture Practice Act.

Provides that the standard of care for a patient under the Act shall be the same whether a patient is seen in person, through telemedicine, or through another method of electronically-enabled health care.

Requires the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, by rule, to determine the appropriate acupuncture services allowed via telemedicine in consultation with the Board of Acupuncture.

Provides that a person who engages in the practice of telemedicine without a license issued under the Act shall be subject to the penalties provided in the Act.

Provides that, if the Department has reason to believe that a person has violated the provisions regarding telemedicine, the Department may issue a rule to show cause stating the reasons why an order to cease and desist should not be entered against the person.

Provides that the rule shall clearly set forth the grounds relied upon by the Department and shall provide the person with a period of 7 days after the date of the rule to file an answer to the satisfaction of the Department.

Provides that failure to answer to the satisfaction of the Department shall cause an order to cease and desist to be issued immediately.

Provides that a person residing out-of-state that provides services through telemedicine to a patient residing in the State submits himself or herself to the jurisdiction of the Department and the courts of the State.

LRB104 09578 AAS 19641 b A BILL FOR HB3343 LRB104 09578 AAS 19641 b AN ACT concerning regulation.

"Facility" includes a facility that is owned or operated HB3343 Engrossed - 2 - LRB104 09578 AAS 19641 b by a hospital under the Hospital Licensing Act or University of Illinois Hospital Act, a facility under the Nursing Home Care Act, a rural health clinic, a federally qualified health center, a local health department, a community mental health center, a behavioral health clinic as defined in 89 Ill.

"Health care professional" includes, but is not limited to, physicians, physician assistants, optometrists, advanced practice registered nurses, clinical psychologists licensed in Illinois, prescribing psychologists licensed in Illinois, dentists, occupational therapists, pharmacists, physical therapists, acupuncturists, clinical social workers, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, hearing instrument dispensers, licensed certified substance use HB3343 Engrossed - 3 - LRB104 09578 AAS 19641 b disorder treatment providers and clinicians, and mental health professionals and clinicians authorized by Illinois law to provide mental health services, and qualified providers listed under paragraph (8) of subsection (e) of Section 3 of the Early Intervention Services System Act, dietitian nutritionists licensed in Illinois, and health care professionals associated with a facility.

"Telehealth services" means the evaluation, diagnosis, or interpretation of electronically transmitted patient-specific HB3343 Engrossed - 4 - LRB104 09578 AAS 19641 b data between a remote location and a licensed health care professional that generates interaction or treatment recommendations.

(a) The General Assembly finds that, because technological HB3343 Engrossed - 5 - LRB104 09578 AAS 19641 b advances and changing practice patterns regarding the use of health care services are occurring with increasing frequency across state lines and across increasing geographical distances within this State, certain technological advances in the health care industry are in the public interest.

Providing professional health care services is a privilege and is necessary for the protection of the public health, welfare, and safety, especially when a pandemic can limit access to traditional means of accessing healthcarehealth care services.

The rule shall HB3343 Engrossed - 6 - LRB104 09578 AAS 19641 b clearly set forth the grounds relied upon by the Department and shall provide the person with a period of 7 days after the date of the rule to file an answer to the satisfaction of the Department.