Legislative Update for February 2, 2007
The following are some of the more significant disability related bills filed in the General Assembly this session which are scheduled to be heard in committee during the week of February 5, 2007:
House Health Care Availability and Access Committee
February 6, 2007, 4:00 p.m.
Room 118, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
HB 148, chief sponsor, Representative Elaine Nekritz
Provides that an issuer of Medicare supplemental policies shall not deny coverage to persons under the age of 65 who meet specified criteria; also places limits on certain rates. Requires that all types of Medicare supplement policies available to persons over the age 65 be made available to persons who become eligible for Medicare due to a disability.
HB 193, chief sponsor, Representative Mary E. Flowers
Amends the Illinois School Code to require the Department of Public Health to adopt rules specifying that testing for HIV be included in health examinations for children. The parent or guardian of the child must be informed that this testing will be done during the health examination unless the parent or guardian declines. The parent or guardian must also be given clear, concise information about the testing, including an explanation of HIV and the meanings of test results.
HB 209, chief sponsor, Representative Carolyn H. Krause
Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (DHFS) to implement the medical assistance provisions of the federal Family Opportunity Act. Also requires DHFS to take all necessary steps to try to secure a grant for a demonstration project regarding home and community-based alternatives to psychiatric residential treatment facilities for children and the location of a family-to-family health information center in Illinois.
House Elementary & Secondary Education Committee
February 7, 2007, 9:00 a.m.
Room 114, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
HB 146, chief sponsor, Representative Tom Cross
Creates the Care of Students with Diabetes Act. Requires a diabetes management and treatment plan to be developed for each student with diabetes who seeks assistance with the routine diabetes care needed in daycare, school or at school-related activities and events. Upon receipt of such a plan, the school principal and school nurse must develop an individualized care plan with the student's parent or guardian.
House Human Services Committee
February 7, 2007, 9:00 a.m.
Room D-1, Stratton Building
Springfield, IL
HB 138, chief sponsor, Representative Tom Cross
Creates the Stem Cell Research and Human Cloning Prohibition Act. Allows research involving the derivation and use of human embryonic cells, human embryonic germ cells, and human adult stem cells from any source; also allows public funding for stem cell research programs. Prohibits cloning or attempts to clone a human being.
HB 225, chief sponsor, Representative Karen A. Yarbrough
Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act by prohibiting discrimination on the basis of source of income with respect to residential rental real estate transactions.
HB 368, chief sponsor, Representative Jack D. Franks
Provides for a $50 minimum monthly personal needs allowance for a person who is an inpatient of an institution or facility for which payments are made under the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code throughout a month, and who is determined to be eligible for such medical assistance.
House Judiciary I - Civil Law Committee
February 7, 2007, 9:00 a.m.
Room C-1, Stratton Building
Springfield, IL
HB 317, chief sponsor, Representative John A. Fritchey
Prohibits a person from performing an intentional abortion on a minor or an incompetent person unless 48 hours' notice has been given to a specified adult family member or a clergy member. Provides for exceptions to the notice requirement and a procedure for obtaining a judicial waiver of the notice requirement.
House Labor Committee
February 7, 2007, 2:00 p.m.
Room 118, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
HB 374, chief sponsor, Representative Jack D. Franks
Creates the Illinois Family and Medical Leave Act. Contains provisions similar to those in the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, except that it applies to a son-in-law, daughter-in-law, father-in-law, or mother-in-law who has a serious health condition.
House Aging Committee
February 8, 2007, 11:00 a.m.
Room C-1, Stratton Building
Springfield, IL
HB 254, chief sponsor, Representative Patricia Reid Lindner
Authorizes the Department on Aging (DOA) or other State or local agency to establish regional interagency elder abuse fatality review teams composed of representatives of various entities and individuals. The teams are required to review cases of deaths: 1) involving blunt force trauma or an undetermined or suspicious cause of death; 2) if requested by the deceased's attending physician; 3) upon referral by a health care provider; or 4) when there is an open or closed case from a senior protective services agency, law enforcement agency, or State's Attorney's office that involves alleged or suspected abuse, neglect or financial exploitation. Also authorizes the creation of a database of at-risk individuals.
NOTE: If you wish to take any action regarding any of these bills, you may wish to attend the committee hearing and/or contact the sponsor(s) of the bill, the members of the committee hearing the bill, and/or the legislators in your home district. The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of all legislators, both Representatives and Senators, can be found on the Illinois General Assembly website at: www.ilga.gov. You may also check this website to find out if any of the committee hearing dates or times have been changed (which may happen upon very short notice) and to read the full text of the bills.
