SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A bill on Gov. JB Pritzker's desk would require hospitals to notify families about early intervention services if their baby is born weighing less than 2.2 pounds.
The Illinois Department of Human Services' early intervention program helps children with disabilities or developmental delays up to age three to learn and grow. However, many families are unaware they are eligible for the services.
This legislation states that hospitals must sign a written letter referring babies to early intervention programs if the child was sent to their neonatal intensive care unit.
"The problem is most of these eligible infants are not getting early intervention services, and this failure to connect eligible children born into NICUs is particularly striking," said Rep. Janet Yang Rohr (D-Naperville).
House Bill 3327 gained unanimous support in the House and Senate this spring.
The changes will take effect on July 1, 2026, if Pritzker signs the bill into law.
"Early intervention is life-changing for many families, as these programs provide critical services and therapies as children develop," said Sen. Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago). "But, these services can only benefit those they are able to reach, which means uplifting the program and expanding its outreach to those who need it is imperative."
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