Addendum to Legislative Update
Dated February 23, 2007
The following are additional disability related bills filed in the General Assembly this session which are scheduled to be heard in committee during the week of February 26, 2007:
Senate Transportation Committee
February 28, 2007, 2:50 p.m.
Room 400, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SB 98, chief sponsor, Senator M. Maggie Crotty
Provides that if two or more adjacent parking spaces have been restricted, under an ordinance or regulation of a unit of local government, to use by vehicles displaying special plates or a special parking decal or device issued to a person with disabilities, at least one of those adjacent parking spaces must be restricted to use by a vehicle equipped with a wheelchair lift. Provides that if a parking space restricted to use by a vehicle equipped with a wheelchair lift is located in a parking lot, that parking space must be one of the disability parking spaces that are closest to the primary facility that the parking lot is serving. Provides that local authorities must impose fines not exceeding $200 for violation of parking restrictions imposed under the provision (not effective until signs giving reasonable notice of the restriction have been posted).
Senate Human Services Committee
March 1, 2007, 8:00 a.m.
Room 400, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SB 284, chief sponsor, Senator M. Maggie Crotty
Amends the Community-Integrated Living Arrangements Licensure and Certification Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Department of Children and Family Services shall implement a project in 3 separate geographical areas of the State for the operation of 3 CILA homes for adolescents diagnosed with autism. Requires that a single service provider operate all 3 homes and have on its staff a behavior therapist.
SB 340, chief sponsor, Senator Gary Forby
Amends the Elder Abuse and Neglect Act. Provides that in the case of a report of alleged or suspected abuse or neglect that places an eligible adult at risk of injury or death, a provider agency shall respond to the report without delay and shall ensure that it is capable of responding to such a report 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Provides that a provider agency may use an on-call system to respond to reports of alleged or suspected abuse or neglect after hours and on weekends.
SB 511, chief sponsor, Senator John J. Cullerton
Creates the Information Technology Access Act. Requires the State, units of local
government, and service providers paid with public funds to make their visual-based, electronic information technology accessible to blind and visually impaired employees, program participants, and members of the public through the use of nonvisual technology. Establishes procurement standards and applies to the purchase of new technology and the upgrading of software, hardware, and websites. Authorizes injunctions against violations.
SB 1364, chief sponsor, Senator John J. Cullerton
Amends the Abused and Neglected Long Term Care Facility Residents Reporting Act and the Criminal Code of 1961. Provides that any required reporter under the Abused and Neglected Long Term Care Facility Residents Reporting Act who knowingly transmits a false report of abuse or neglect at a State-operated facility or a community agency to the Department of Human Services Office of the Inspector General Hotline commits the offense of disorderly conduct and is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor. Provides that a second or subsequent violation is a Class 4 felony.
House Human Services Committee
March 1, 2007, 8:00 a.m.
Room D-1, Stratton Building
Springfield, IL
HB 1256, chief sponsor, Representative Sara Feigenholtz
Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that in establishing eligibility standards in connection with Medicaid for persons with disabilities who are employed and eligible for Medicaid, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall (i) set the income eligibility standard at not lower than 350% of the federal poverty level, (ii) exempt the income of the person's spouse, the unearned income of the person's dependent child under the age of 18 years, and retirement accounts that the person cannot access without penalty until the age of 59 1/2, and (iii) allow non-exempt assets up to $25,000.
HB 1257, chief sponsor, Representative Sara Feigenholtz
Amends the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Property Tax Relief and Pharmaceutical Assistance Act. In provisions concerning pharmaceutical assistance effective January 1, 2006, provides that Eligibility Group 5 consists of beneficiaries who are otherwise described in Eligibility Groups 2 and 3 who have a diagnosis of HIV or AIDS (instead of who are otherwise described in Eligibility Group 1 and have such a diagnosis). Defines "covered prescription drug" for persons in Eligibility Group 5 according to whether they are otherwise described in Eligibility Group 2 or in Eligibility Group 3. Provides that individuals in Eligibility Group 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 (instead of in Eligibility Group 3 or 4) may opt to receive a $25 monthly payment in lieu of direct prescription drug coverage.
HB 1286, chief sponsor, Representative Greg Harris
Amends the AIDS Confidentiality Act. Provides that information concerning testing for HIV infection in persons may be provided according to guidelines. Provides that no health care provider or professional may order an HIV test without making available to the person tested information about the meaning of the test results, the availability of additional or confirmatory testing, if appropriate, and the availability of referrals for further information or counseling (now, the provision only applies to a health care professional). Includes provisions concerning informed consent by health care providers and professionals (now, provisions only apply to health care providers). Makes corresponding changes in provisions concerning the disclosure of test results.
House Registration and Regulation Committee
March 1, 2007, 2:00 p.m.
Room 114, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
HB 1277, chief sponsor, Representative Sara Feigenholtz
Creates the Interpreter for the Deaf Licensure Act of 2007 to replace the Interpreters for the Deaf Act. Provides for the regulation of interpreters for the deaf through licensure by the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission. Establishes the Board of Interpreters. Preempts home rule. Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act to set a repeal date of January 1, 2009 for the Interpreters for the Deaf Act and January 1, 2018 for the Interpreter for the Deaf Licensure Act of 2007. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Interpreters for the Deaf Fund. Amends the Code of Civil Procedure to add a provision concerning privileged communications involving interpreters for the hearing impaired. Amends the Good Samaritan Act to provide an exemption from civil liability for sign language interpreters who provide sign language interpreting services to a person in an emergency.
House Appropriations - Human Services Committee
March 2, 2007, 8:00 a.m.
Room 122B, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
There is no legislation currently pending before this Committee. However, the Committee will hold a subject matter hearing at which advocates for the Department of Human Services are asked to testify, based upon a flat/maintenance FY 2008 budget.
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.
