The state of Illinois could soon become the first state to require hospitals to aggressively test for and control the spread of “super bugs” in patients.

The bill, which is moving through the legislature, would mandate that hospitals test for methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA, in all intensive-care and “at-risk” patients. These include patients transferred from nursing homes. MRSA, a virulent form of staph bacteria, is resistant to commonly used antibiotics.

Also under the bill, hospitals would take certain measures to prevent transmission of the potentially deadly germs. These include isolating patients with MRSA and adhering to strict hand-washing practices. Moreover, anyone entering the patients’ room would have to wear sterilized gowns, gloves and masks.