SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Fine passed a measure in the Senate that helps people struggling with substance abuse and mental health challenges by strengthening reporting standards for overdoses.

“Thousands of Illinoisans face opioid overdoses every year – more than motor vehicle accidents and homicides,” said Fine (D-Glenview). “The opioid crisis has taken lives and a sense of security in our communities, which is why it is critical to initiate life-saving preventative measures.”

Currently, Illinois law only requires Chicago EMS providers to report overdose information using the Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program tool. This free web-based tool provides the most up-to-date suspected overdose surveillance data to support public safety and health efforts.

Expanding on these existing requirements, Fine’s bill would ensure all municipalities – not just Chicago – report overdoses using the ODMAP, and would expand the list of providers to include paramedics, advanced practice registered nurses and prehospital physician assistants. It would also require the Illinois Department of Public Health to work with stakeholders to utilize overdose data collected by EMTs to identify areas of need and bolster harm reduction efforts. Lastly, Fine’s measure would also strengthen patient protections to ensure ODMAP data is used to guide public health strategies, not for law enforcement purposes.

“This measure helps to prevent future overdose cases by ensuring data is used to identify vulnerable communities and implement essential public health interventions,” said Fine.

House Bill 3645 passed the Senate on Thursday.