The following are disability-related bills and/or issues pending in the Illinois General Assembly that are scheduled to be heard in committee during the week of March 9, 2026:
Senate Criminal Law Committee
March 10, 2026, 2:00 p.m.
Capitol Building, Room 409
Springfield, IL
SB 2991, Senator Steve McClure
Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning a school board’s suspension or expulsion of pupils, provides that a student who is determined to have initiated sexual activity with another individual without that individual’s consent, a sexual assault, or an attempted sexual assault at a school, a school-sponsored activity or event, or an activity or event that bears a reasonable relationship to school shall be expelled for a period of not less than one year. Provides that (i) a student initiates sexual activity with another individual without that individual’s consent if the student uses force or a threat of force to make the other individual perform a nonconsensual sexual act; (ii) a student initiates a sexual assault if the student commits an act of sexual penetration and uses force or a threat of force; and (iii) a student initiates an attempted sexual assault if, with the intent to commit a sexual assault, the student commits an act that constitutes a substantial step toward the commission of a sexual assault. Allows the expulsion requirement to be modified by the superintendent of the school district and the superintendent’s determination to be modified by the school board on a case-by-case basis. Provides that the expulsion shall be construed in a manner consistent with the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and a student who is subject to expulsion may be eligible for a transfer to an alternative school program. Effective immediately.
Senate Public Health Committee
March 10, 2026, 2:00 p.m.
Capitol Building, Room 400
Springfield, IL
SB 3926, Senator Mike Porfirio
Amends the Department of Public Health Act. Provides that the Breakthrough Therapies for Veteran Suicide Prevention Program Advisory Council created by Public Act 103-8 is continued within the Department of Public Health, with modifications to its duties and composition. Amends the Department of Healthcare and Family Services Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois by repealing provisions regarding the Council.
Senate Health and Human Services Committee
March 10, 2026, 3:30 p.m.
Capitol Building, Room 400
Springfield, IL
SB 2987, SFA 1, Senator Kimberly Lightford
Amends the Department of Human Services Act. In the definition of “material obstruction of an investigation”, defines the term to mean the intentional failure to timely report an allegation to the hotline or the interference (rather than purposeful interference) with an investigation of physical abuse, sexual abuse, mental abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation for the purpose of obstructing an Office of the Inspector General investigation. Provides that such material obstruction may include, but is not limited to, delaying or withholding reports of allegations to the hotline for the purpose of obstructing an Office of the Inspector General investigation; the withholding or altering of documentation or recorded evidence during an investigation; influencing, threatening, or impeding a victim’s, complainant’s, or required reporter’s report of an allegation to the hotline or witness testimony during an investigation; or presenting untruthful information to the hotline or during an investigatory interview. Provides that any employee who fails to cooperate with an Office of the Inspector General investigation may also result in a finding of material obstruction of an investigation. Expands the list of employee conduct during an investigation that is in violation of the Act, including the failure to timely report an incident of abuse or material obstruction of an investigation committed by another employee. Makes changes to the definition of “presenting untruthful information”.
- To read the full text of SB 2987: Click
- To read the full text of SB 2987, SFA 1: Click
- To file an electronic witness slip on SB 2987: Click
SB 3322, Senator Sara Feigenholtz
Amends the Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Act of 2013. Provides that each consumer shall be offered at least 15 hours of treatment programming per week and encouraged to attend the treatment domains that meet the consumer’s needs, as reflected in the consumer’s treatment plans. Provides that each consumer’s program engagement and attendance shall be documented in the consumer’s clinical record, and each consumer shall be prompted to attend programming regularly as documented in the consumer’s clinical record at least quarterly. Effective July 1, 2026.
SB 3434, Senator Doris Turner
Amends the Community Services Act. Adds community day services to the list of service categories covered under the Act. Defines “community day services” to mean a Home and Community-Based Waiver day program that is certified by the Department of Human Services and provides assistance with gaining, maintaining, or improving skills and functioning to individuals with developmental disabilities. Makes conforming changes to the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act.
SB 3798, Senator Robert Peters
Amends the Community Emergency Services and Support Act. Replaces all references to the Division of Mental Health of the Department of Human Services with the Department of Human Services throughout the Act. Provides that 9-1-1 public safety answering points shall screen specific types of law enforcement calls and follow approved protocols and processes under the Act to identify callers experiencing behavioral health crises and to refer them for a behavioral health response. Provides that 9-1-1 public safety answering points shall open and follow the emergency medical dispatch protocols established under the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act at the start of all emergency calls to ensure the protocols are used and applied consistently and uniformly to ensure that information related to behavioral health emergency calls is available for data collection and can be used to determine which calls should be referred for a behavioral health response. Provides that, among other things, each Regional Advisory Committee or subregional committee must (1) review regional and subregional crisis response system capacities and resources to inform planning and implementation and to foster collaboration across all sectors of the system and (2) determine the need for and make a plan to support local communities to develop and use other resources to create additional mobile mental health relief provider services to expand the capacity to provide more immediate service coverage. Amends the Emergency Telephone System Act. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2027, all public safety answering points shall use the protocols established under the Community Emergency Services and Support Act to identify behavioral and mental health-related emergencies that do not require a law enforcement response. Amends the Illinois State Police Law. Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Provides that Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training programs shall include, among other things, community response options including, the community response options under the Community Emergency Services and Support Act. Makes other changes.
Senate Transportation Committee
March 10, 2026, 3:30 p.m.
Capitol Building, Room 212
Springfield, IL
SB 3904, Senator Meg Loughran Cappell
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows the Secretary of State, upon receipt of all applicable fees and applications made in the form prescribed by the Secretary, to issue special registration plates designated as autism and neurodivergent plates to residents of the State who are autistic or neurodivergent or who are parents of children who are autistic or neurodivergent. Provides that the plates shall display the Just Bee icon used for identification of autistic or neurodivergent individuals. Provides that in all other respects, the design, color, and format of the plates shall be within the discretion of the Secretary. Requires an original certificate from a licensed physician that certifies the applicant, or the applicant’s child, as autistic or neurodivergent to accompany each application.
Senate Insurance Committee
March 10, 2026, 5:00 p.m.
Capitol Building, Room 400
Springfield, IL
SB 1327, SA 1, Senator Mattie Hunter
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that every insurer that amends, delivers, issues, or renews a group or individual policy or certificate of disability insurance or disability income insurance shall ensure parity for the payment of mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorders or conditions. Changes the definition of “treatment limitation” to include benefit payments under disability insurance or disability income insurance.
- To read the full text of SB 1327: Click
- To read the full text of SB 1327, SA 1: Click
- To file an electronic witness slip on SB 1327: Click
SB 2762, Senator Julie A. Morrison
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual plan of accident and health insurance or managed care plan amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027 shall provide coverage for medically prescribed seizure detection devices. Requires all covered seizure detection devices to be approved for use by individuals, and for the choice of device to be made based upon the individual’s circumstances and medical needs in consultation with the individual’s medical provider. Sets forth provisions prohibiting prior authorization and cost-sharing, as specified. Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, the Limited Health Service Organization Act, the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act, and the Illinois Public Aid Code to require coverage under the provisions of those Acts. Effective immediately.
SB 2899, Senator Willie Preston
Senate Behavioral and Mental Health Committee
March 11, 2026, 11:00 a.m.
Capitol Building, Room 409
Springfield, IL
SB 2771, Senator Christopher Belt
Amends the County Shelter Care and Detention Home Act, the Illinois Local Library Act, the Public Library District Act of 1991, the Village Library Act, the Libraries in Parks Act, the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act, the Nursing Home Care Act, the Child Care Act of 1969, the Illinois Public Aid Code, the Unified Code of Corrections, and the Probation and Probation Officers Act to require the placement of contact information for the 9-8-8 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Amends the School Code. With respect to the comprehensive health education program, provides that a school board shall require each public school serving students in any of grades 6 through 12 to assess courses and seminars available to those students through their regular academic experiences and implement age-appropriate, evidence-based suicide prevention curricula if opportunities for integration exist. Further amends the Unified Code of Corrections. In provisions concerning an inmate’s successful transition to the community, provides that release planning shall include access to suicide prevention resources.
SB 2971, Senator Cristina Castro
Amends the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities Act. Requires direct service workers employed by the Department of Human Services, or an agency contracted with the Department, to provide services under the Home Services Program to complete at least 2 hours of dementia training at the start of their employment and annually thereafter. Requires the training to cover subjects concerning Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, safety risks, and communication and behavior. Requires the Department to provide contractors with dementia training curriculum on the required subjects. Provides that any other laws or rules that impose more rigorous dementia training for direct service workers under the Home Services Program shall apply. Exempts from the training requirements direct service workers who provide proof that they obtained equivalent dementia training in compliance with another law or rule. For personal assistants covered by a collective bargaining agreement, requires the Department to establish, in consultation with the joint training committee created under the collective bargaining agreement, different parameters and specific topics for curriculum covering dementia training.
SB 3138, Senator Sara Feigenholtz
Amends the Children’s Mental Health Act. In provisions concerning the Children’s Mental Health Partnership, makes changes to the Partnership’s list of duties to include (i) reviewing or facilitating needs assessments (rather than conducting research assessments) to better understand the challenges and gaps of programs, services, and policies related to children’s mental health; (ii) monitoring policy development related to children’s mental health in Illinois at the local, State, and federal level; and (iii) regularly reviewing aggregate and de-identified data on the need for children’s behavioral health services in Illinois that is collected by the Behavioral Health Care and Ongoing Navigation (BEACON) portal to ensure that system transformation can continue to be driven by data. Provides that the Partnership’s membership shall include public members who reflect a diversity of sexual orientation; and that all Partnership members shall serve without compensation and with no entitlement to reimbursement for expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. Removes a provision permitting the Partnership to convene study groups. Expands the membership of the adjunct council to include up to 10 youth aged 16 to 25 (rather than up to 6 youth aged 14 to 25) and up to 4 (rather than a minimum of 4) representatives of 4 different community-based organizations that focus on youth mental health. Makes other changes.
SB 3722, Senator David Koehler
Removes references to the Department of Human Services’ Division of Mental Health and Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery in various Acts, including, but not limited to, the Substance Use Disorder Act, the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code, the Overdose Prevention and Harm Reduction Act, the Illinois Public Aid Code, the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, and the County Jail Act. Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act and other acts to reference the Department of Human Services’ Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (rather than by the Division of Mental Health). Makes other conforming changes. Repeals the Behavioral Health Workforce Education Center Task Force Act, the Advisory Council on Early Identification and Treatment of Mental Health Conditions Act, and the Strengthening and Transforming Behavioral Health Crisis Care in Illinois Act. Repeals a provision in the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code concerning the COVID-19 public health emergency. Repeals a provision in the Health Care Workplace Violence Prevention Act requiring the Department of Human Services and the Department of Public Health to initially implement the Act as a 2-year pilot program. Repeals provisions in the Health Inpatient Facility Access Act requiring the Department of Human Services to develop and implement a strategic plan on improving access to inpatient psychiatric beds.
Senate Executive Committee
March 11, 2026, 1:00 p.m.
Capitol Building, Room 212
Springfield, IL
SB 2772, Senator Rachel Ventura
Creates the Illinois Psilocybin Advisory Board Act. Sets forth findings and defines terms. Establishes the Illinois Psilocybin Advisory Board within the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for the purpose of advising and making recommendations to the Department regarding the provision of psilocybin and psilocybin services. Sets forth requirements for members of the Board. Provides that, within 3 months after the effective date of the Act, the Governor, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House, the Minority Leader of the House, and the Minority Leader of the Senate shall appoint certain individuals to the Board. Provides that, between January 1, 2027 and January 1, 2029, the Board shall meet at least once every 2 calendar months at a time and place determined by the chairperson or a majority of the voting members of the Board and that, after January 1, 2029, the Board shall meet at least once every calendar quarter. Provides that the Board shall perform certain duties, including publishing an annual report describing the Board’s activities and making recommendations concerning (i) the safety and efficacy of psilocybin and other substances, (ii) potential requirements for providing psilocybin services to clients, (iii) a potential code of ethics and possible training requirements for facilitators, and (iv) public health considerations. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Senate State Government Committee
March 11, 2026, 1:00 p.m.
Capitol Building, Room 409
Springfield, IL
SB 3016, SFA 1, Senator Donald P. DeWitte
Amends the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Act. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources shall prioritize projects that incorporate construction, materials, designs, products, or technologies that increase accessibility and usability beyond the highest standards established under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or federal regulations promulgated under that Act. Requires the Department to adopt rules to establish this priority within its grant application review process under the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Act. Effective immediately.
To read the full text of SB 3016: Click
To read the full text of SB 3016, SFA 1: Click
To file an electronic witness slip on SB 3016: Click
SR 614, Senator Meg Loughran Cappell
Declares April 2, 2026 as Autism Awareness Day in the State of Illinois.
Senate Judiciary Committee
March 11, 2026, 3:00 p.m.
Capitol Building, Room 400
Springfield, IL
SB 2796, Representative Michael W. Halpin
Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Removes a requirement that at least one mental health examiner testify in person at an involuntary admission hearing.
SB 2805, Senator Celina Villanueva
Creates the Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression in Long-Term Care Bill of Rights Act. Establishes rights for a client who lives in a long-term care facility, or who receives home care services from a home care provider, from discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived sex, actual or perceived sexual orientation, actual or perceived gender identity, actual or perceived gender expression, or actual or perceived HIV status. Provides that an aggrieved person may enforce violations of the Act against a long-term care facility or a home care provider and the staff of the long-term care facility or home care provider through a civil action. Sets forth provisions concerning gender identity in client records; required training for all long-term care facilities and home care providers; arbitration agreements; interpretation of the Act; and enforcement of rights, including civil penalties and other administrative actions. Amends the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act, the Nursing Home Care Act, and the Home Health, Home Services, and Home Nursing Agency Licensing Act to require compliance with the Sexual orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression in Long-Term Care Bill of Rights Act. Amends the Adult Protective Services Act to include intentional misgendering and unlawful discrimination in the definition of “abuse”.
SB 3557, Senator Javier L. Cervantes
Amends the Guardianship and Advocacy Act. Changes references from the federal Developmental Disabilities Services and Facilities Construction Act to the federal Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000. Provides that a majority of members of the Guardianship and Advocacy Commission, excluding vacancies, (instead of 6 members of the Commission) constitute a quorum. In a provision concerning regional authorities making their findings and recommendations public, provides that it shall include in any such public statement any reply made by the State agency, service provider, or other person investigated, if requested by the provider. Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Makes changes to the definitions of “guardian” and “mental illness” and adds a definition of “under guardianship”. Changes references from the Guardianship and Mental Health Advocacy Commission to the Guardianship and Advocacy Commission.
SB 3568, Senator Sara Feigenholtz
Amends the Probate Act of 1975. Requires that a guardian ad litem in a petition seeking a guardianship of an adult with alleged disability to inquire with the respondent before the hearing on whether a supported decision-making agreement is an appropriate alternative to guardianship or a limited guardianship is an appropriate alternative to plenary guardianship. Requires that the court make the same inquiry at the hearing and advise the respondent of the right to modify an adjudication of disability using a limited guardianship or termination of guardianship with a supported decision-making agreement. Amends the Supported Decision-Making Agreement Act. Allows the existence of a supported decision-making agreement to be entered into evidence for purposes other than as evidence of capacity or incapacity. Requires that a support decision-making agreement must be written in plain language and include the following: (1) a list of the areas in which both the principal requests support and the supporter agrees to provide support; (2) the supporter’s agreement that the supporter is not disqualified from acting as a supporter under the Act; (3) the supporter’s agreement that the supporter will complete the training required by the Act; (4) a statement that a supporter is not authorized to make a decision for the principal; and ( 5) information about how to report suspicion that an adult with a disability is being abused, neglected, or exploited by the supporter. Requires that a supported decision-making agreement must be signed by the principal and each supporter. Provides that the principal may use reasonable modifications, such as assistive technology or physical assistant, to sign the agreement. Provides that a supported decision-making agreement should be reviewed by the principal and all supporters every 2 years and, updated as needed, in the same manner as an initial supported decision-making agreement is executed. Makes other changes.
SB 3611, Senator Michael W. Halpin
Amends the Illinois Power of Attorney Act. Provides that a power of attorney not otherwise invalidated or revoked is suspended on the appointment of the Office of State Guardian or public guardian as a temporary, limited, or plenary guardian of the principal. Provides that after the appointment the court may revoke a power of attorney only if the named agent or successor agent under the power of attorney received notice of a petition for guardianship of the principal in accordance with the Probate Act of 1975, and that the agent failed to assert authority as agent before appointment of the Office of State Guardian or public guardian. Provides that if an agent or successor agent under a power of attorney does not receive notice of the petition for guardianship of the principal or an individual does not know that the individual was named as an agent or successor agent under a power of attorney for the principal, that agent, successor agent, or individual may petition the court presiding over the guardianship to lift the suspension of the agency upon a showing by clear and convincing evidence that it is in the principal’s best interests to reinstate the agency so that the agent, successor agent, or individual may act in accordance with the terms of the agency. Provides that notice of a petition to lift the suspension of the agency and a copy of the petition shall be given to the guardian, the person with a disability, to those persons whose names and addresses are listed in the petition for guardianship under the Probate Act of 1975, and any guardian ad litem not less than 14 days before the hearing.
SB 3750, Senator Laura Fine
Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Provides that whenever psychotropic medication or electroconvulsive therapy is refused under a specified provision at least once that day, the psychiatrist or advanced practice psychiatric nurse (instead of the physician) shall determine and state in writing the reasons why the recipient did not meet the criteria for the administration of medication or electroconvulsive therapy and whether the recipient meets the standard for administration of psychotropic medication or electroconvulsive therapy under a provision concerning the administration of psychotropic medication and electroconvulsive therapy upon application to a court. Provides that a petition requesting that the court authorize treatment with psychotropic medication shall specify the full names of the medications and anticipated range of dosage that comprise such treatment. Provides that no administration of psychotropic medication or electroconvulsive therapy without the informed consent of the recipient may be authorized unless at least one psychiatrist or advanced practice psychiatric nurse who has examined the recipient testifies in person at the hearing. Makes other changes to definitions and provisions concerning administration of psychotropic medication and electroconvulsive therapy upon application to a court.
SB 3777, Senator Adraine Johnson
Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that in the Articles governing employment, financial credit, and public accommodations it is a civil rights violation to use criteria or methods including practices, policies, and groups of practices or policies that has the effect of subjecting individuals to discrimination prohibited under the Act. Changes the definition of “unlawful discrimination” to mean discrimination against a person, whether by purpose or effect, because of his or her actual or perceived: race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, marital status, order of protection status, disability, military status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, reproductive health decisions, or unfavorable discharge from military service as those terms are defined in the Act.
NOTE: If you wish to take any action regarding any of these bills/issues, you may wish to file an electronic witness slip and/or or submit oral or written testimony to the committee holding the hearing and/or contact the members of the committee conducting the hearing 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 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.
For additional information, please contact:
Cheryl R. Jansen
Public Policy Director
cherylj2@equipforequality.org
217-303-8543
