Legislative Update for May 11, 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 May 14, 2007:
House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee
May 16, 2007, 8:00 a.m.
Capitol Building, Room 114
Springfield, IL
SB 79, SB 396 and SB 397 (previously scheduled for the week of 5/4/07) See: prior legislative update for bill descriptions.
House Human Services Committee
May 16, 2007, 8:00 a.m.
Stratton Building, Room D-1
Springfield, IL
SB 6, SB 1350 and SB 1739 (previously scheduled for the week of 5/4/07) See: prior legislative update for bill descriptions.
House Disability Services Committee
May 16, 2007, 4:00 p.m.
Capitol Building, Room 122B
Springfield, IL
SB 51, chief sponsor, Representative Aaron Schock
Amends the Department of Human Services Act and the Developmental Disability and Mental Disability Services Act. Provides that, for purposes of the Department of Human Services' disability database, "autism spectrum disorders" is a separate category of conditions. In connection with Medicaid, provides that a person diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder may be assessed for eligibility for services under Home and Community-Based Services Waivers for persons with developmental disabilities, without regard to whether that person is also diagnosed with mental retardation, so long as the person otherwise meets applicable level-of-care criteria under those waivers. Further provides that these amendments do not create any new entitlement to a service, program, or benefit, but shall not affect any entitlement, program, or benefit created by any other law.
SB 284, chief sponsor, Representative Dennis M. Reboletti
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 1245, chief sponsor Representative Kathleen A. Ryg
Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services (DHS) shall establish a system of regular and ongoing (instead of annual) on-site inspections, including unannounced visits, of each facility in its jurisdiction. Provides that the inspections shall be conducted to identify and prevent abuse and neglect (in addition to the other existing objectives of inspections). Provides that DHS shall study current and potential uses of closed circuit television monitoring and recording within certain institutions for the purpose of preventing and identifying abuse and neglect, and must report to the General Assembly on the findings of the study.
SB 1368, chief sponsor, Representative Careen M. Gordon
Amends the Department of Human Services Act and the Abused and Neglected Long Term Care Facility Residents Reporting Act. Transfers provisions concerning the Office of the Inspector General within the Department of Human Services from the Abused and Neglected Long Term Care Facility Residents Reporting Act to the Department of Human Services Act. Also provides that the Inspector General shall establish and conduct periodic training programs for community agency employees concerning the prevention and reporting of neglect and abuse. Amends the Nursing Home Care Act to make conforming changes. Also changes references to the Department of Public Health's "nurse aide registry" to "health care worker registry", and amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act and the Health Care Worker Background Check Act to make conforming changes.
SB 1664, chief sponsor, Representative Esther Golar
Amends the Community Services Act. Changes references from "disabled person" to "person with a disability". Provides that a shift from State-provided services to community services should be acknowledged by the State as a clear priority in funding that values community services and supports for persons who choose to live and work in those settings. Provides that community residential alternatives to institutional settings include Intermediate Care Facilities for the Developmentally Disabled and Long Term Care for Under Age 22 facilities. Requires the Governor to appoint a commission by July 1, 2007, or as soon thereafter as possible, to prioritize a strategy for identifying a stream of revenue to address gaps and prioritize use of that revenue on rates and reimbursements for community services and supports. Provides that the commission shall have representation from the Department of Human Services, the General Assembly, persons with disabilities and mental illness, community providers, unions, and trade associations. Provides that the rate and reimbursement methodologies must reflect the cost of providing services and supports, recognize individual disability needs, and consider geographic differences, transportation costs, required staffing ratios, and mandates not currently funded. Makes other changes.
Note: In addition to hearing the above bills, this committee will conduct a subject matter hearing on Suicide Prevention and the Children's Mental Health Partnership.
House Judiciary II-Criminal Law Committee
May 17, 2007, 9:30 a.m.
Stratton Building, Room D-1
Springfield, IL
SB 1418, chief sponsor, Representative Robert S. Molaro
Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that involuntary medication may be administered to an adult defendant without the informed consent of the defendant by order of the circuit court in accordance with specified procedures and standards. Further provides that authorized involuntary medication shall not be administered to a defendant unless it has been determined by clear and convincing evidence that the seriousness of the charge, need for timely adjudication of guilt, and risk of unadjudicated release if not tried has been taken into consideration. Provides that a defendant in the custody of the Department of Human Services may also be administered medication as provided in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Provides that a defendant in the custody of the Department of Corrections (DOC) may also be administered medication as provided in the rules and regulations of DOC.
House Aging Committee
May 17, 2007, 11:00 a.m.
Capitol Building, Room 114
Springfield, IL
SB 340, chief sponsor, Representative Sidney H. Mathias
Amends the Elder Abuse and Neglect Act. Provides that a provider agency must provide an emergency response system to handle reports of alleged or suspected abuse or neglect that places an eligible adult at imminent risk of injury or death that are received during non-business hours, on weekends, and on holidays. This requirement may be satisfied by using an on-call system or providing a local emergency provider agency number for a local law enforcement agency to call when, upon investigation, there is probable cause to believe that the eligible adult is a victim of abuse or neglect that has placed him or her at imminent risk of injury or death. A Memorandum of Understanding between the provider agency and the local law enforcement agency must define referral procedures. The Department on Aging is required to maintain an up-to-date listing of all provider agencies' on-call or emergency numbers.
SB 595, chief sponsor, Representative Michael K. Smith
Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. Adds medication management to a program of services that the Department on Aging (DOA) shall establish to prevent unnecessary institutionalization of persons age 60 and older in need of long-term care. Provides that DOA must establish a program to assist persons 60 years of age or older in managing their medications through agreements with local case coordination units. Also requires DOA to establish guidelines and standards for the program by rule. Defines "licensed health care professional". Provides guidelines for the program.
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.
