Legislative Update for April 20, 2007
The following are some of the more significant disability related bills filed in the Illinois General Assembly this session which are scheduled to be heard in committee during the week of April 23, 2007:
Senate Public Health Committee
April 24, 2007, 1:00 p.m.
Room 400, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
HB 209, chief sponsor, Senator Jacqueline Y. Collins
Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Human Services (DHS), in conjunction with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (DHFS), to implement the Medical Assistance provisions of the federal Family Opportunity Act (enacted as part of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005) as soon as possible after the effective date of this amendatory Act. Requires DHS, in conjunction with DHFS, to take all necessary and appropriate steps to try to secure (i) any available federal funds for a demonstration project regarding home and community-based alternatives to psychiatric residential treatment facilities for children, as authorized by the federal Act, and (ii) the location in Illinois of a family-to-family health information center, as authorized by the federal Act.
Senate Judiciary Criminal Law Committee
April 24, 2007, 2:30 p.m.
Room 212, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
HB 3453, chief sponsor, Senator John J. Milner
Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Provides that the curriculum for probationary police officers in all certified schools shall include a block of instruction aimed at identifying and interacting with persons with autism and other developmental disabilities, reducing barriers to reporting crimes against persons with autism, and addressing the unique challenges presented by cases involving victims or witnesses with autism and other developmental disabilities.
Senate Human Services Committee
April 25, 2007, 9:00 a.m.
Room 400, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
HB 808, chief sponsor, Senator David Koehler
Amends the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act. Provides for the issuance of a license to an assisted living or shared housing establishment if all employees who are subject to the Health Care Worker Background Check Act meet the requirements of that Act.
Senate Education Committee
April 25, 2007, 2:30 p.m.
Room 212, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
HB 816, chief sponsor, Senator Deanna Demuzio
Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that when a student who is eligible for special education reaches the majority age of 18 years, rights accorded to the student's parents transfer to the student. Provides that the school district must notify the student and the student's parents of the transfer of rights in writing at a meeting convened to review the student's individualized education program during the school year in which the student turns 17 years of age. Requires the district to also explain to the student and the student's parents the significance of the transfer of parental rights at the majority age of 18. Provides that at that time, the district must provide the student with a copy of the Delegation of Rights form. Provides that rights shall not transfer from the parents to the student if the student has been adjudged incompetent under State law or the student has not been adjudged incompetent, but the student has executed a Delegation of Rights to make educational decisions for the purpose of appointing the student's parent or other adult to represent the educational interests of the student. Allows a student to terminate the Delegation of Rights at any time and assume the right to make decisions regarding his or her education. Sets forth requirements for the Delegation of Rights, including the form.
HB 817, chief sponsor, Senator Deanna Demuzio
Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. In the definition of "children with disabilities", provides that an eligible student who requires continued public school educational experience to facilitate his or her successful transition and integration into adult life is eligible for special education services through age 21, inclusive, which, for purposes of the Article, means the day before the student's 22nd birthday.
Senate Licensed Activities Committee
April 25, 2007, 2:30 p.m.
Room 409, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
HB 1729, chief sponsor, Senator Edward D. Maloney
Amends the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act, the Hospital Licensing Act, and the Board and Care Home Registration Act to change the name of the Board and Care Home Registration Act to the Board and Care Home Act. In the Board and Care Home Registration Act, provides for the licensure (rather than the registration) of board and care homes by the Department of Public Health. Provides that a board and care home must be licensed as a shared housing or assisted living establishment under the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act in order to be licensed under the Board and Care Home Registration Act. Makes other changes.
House State Government Administration Committee
April 24, 2007, 5:00 p.m.
Room 115, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
HJR 43, chief sponsor, Representative Elizabeth Coulson
Resolves that the appropriate State agencies should take the necessary steps to secure federal funds available under the federal Comprehensive Lifespan Respite Care Act of 2006 for respite care development and implementation as soon as such funds are appropriated by the Congress and made available.
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.
