LEGISLATIVE UPDATE FROM EQUIP FOR EQUALITY
Note: February 18, 2022, is the deadline to pass substantive House bills out of committee in the Illinois House of Representatives.
______________________________________________________________________
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 February 14, 2022:
House Adoption & Child Welfare Committee
February 15, 2022, 2:00 p.m.
Virtual Room 2 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
HB 4792, Representative Kathleen Willis
Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to develop a written, strategic plan that comprehensively addresses improving timely access to quality in-state residential treatment and evidence-based alternatives for youth in the care of the Department. Requires the planning process to be transparent and allow for stakeholder input. Requires the strategic plan to be finalized and made public no later than one year after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Provides that the plan shall be revised within 6 months after the conclusion of a rate study and available to incorporate the recommendations of the rate study. Provides that the plan shall include: (1) benchmarks and a timeline for implementing each provision of the plan; (2) strategy for obtaining resources needed to implement each provision of the plan; and (3) ongoing stakeholder engagement during the implementation of the plan. Requires the Department to contract with a rate consultant to study and develop potential new rates and rate methodologies using objective, publicly available data sources, standard administrative cost reporting, and provider-reported costs in order to determine the resources necessary to create and maintain a sufficient number of quality in-state residential treatment resources for youth in the Department’s care.
House Insurance Committee
February 15, 2022, 2:00 p.m.
Virtual Room 3 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
HB 5383, Representative Joyce Mason
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall provide coverage for hippotherapy and other forms of therapeutic riding. Makes conforming changes in the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, and the Health Maintenance Organization Act.
House Judiciary – Criminal Committee
February 15, 2022, 4:00 p.m.
Virtual Room 5 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
HB 3738, Representative Suzanne Ness
Creates the End Youth Solitary Confinement Act. Provides that the use of room confinement of a person under 21 years of age at a juvenile or correctional facility for discipline, punishment, retaliation, or any reason other than as a temporary response to a juvenile’s behavior that poses a serious and immediate risk of physical harm to any individual, including the juvenile, is prohibited. Provides that if a covered juvenile poses a serious and immediate risk of physical harm to any individual, including the juvenile, before a staff member of the facility places a covered juvenile in room confinement, the staff member shall attempt to use other less restrictive options, unless attempting those options poses a threat to the safety or security of any minor or staff. Establishes procedures for placing a covered juvenile in room confinement because the covered juvenile poses a serious and immediate risk of physical harm to himself or herself, or to others. Provides that each facility detaining covered juveniles shall report the use of each incident of room confinement to the Attorney General each month. Defines “covered juvenile”.
HB 3996, Representative Lance Yednock
Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Creates the offense of misrepresenting an animal as a service animal. Provides that a person commits the offense when he or she knowingly misrepresents an animal that is not a service animal as a service animal for the purpose of obtaining accommodation of the animal in a place of public accommodation that prohibits non-service animals or for the purpose of transportation of the animal on a public conveyance that prohibits non-service animals. Defines “place of public accommodation” and “service animal”. Provides that a violation is a petty offense for which the court shall impose a fine of $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second offense, and $750 for a third or subsequent offense. Effective immediately.
House Revenue & Finance Committee
February 15, 2022, 5:00 p.m.
Virtual Room 1 www.ilga.gov
and
February 17, 8:00 a.m.
Virtual Room 2 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
HB 1807, Representative Dave Vella
Amends the Property Tax Code. Creates an assessment freeze homestead exemption for persons receiving federal Supplemental Security Income. Effective immediately.
HB 4817, Representative Deanne M. Mazzochi
Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, if a veteran has a service-connected disability of 100% and the property is located in a compliant county, the taxpayer who has been granted a homestead exemption for veterans with disabilities shall no longer be required to reapply for the exemption on an annual basis, and the exemption shall be in effect for as long as the exemption would otherwise be permitted. Provides that “compliant county” means that the Department of Revenue has determined that the chief county assessment officer of the county is actively enforcing the provisions of the exemption that distinguish between property with an equalized assessed value of less than $250,000 and property with an equalized assessed value of $250,000 or more. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.
HB 5063, Representative Norine K. Hammond
Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that a veteran who has a service connected
disability of 100% need not reapply for the homestead exemption for veterans with disabilities. Effective immediately.
HB 5101, Representative Jim Durkin
Amends the Property Tax Code. In provisions concerning the homestead exemption for veterans with disabilities, provides that, beginning in tax year 2023, if the veteran has a service connected disability of 70% or more, and his or her property has an equalized assessed value that is equal to or greater than the maximum allowable amount for the tax year, then the property is considered qualified property and is exempt from taxation under the Code up to the maximum allowable amount for the tax year. Indexes the maximum allowable amount to the percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index. Effective immediately.
Assigned to Property Tax Subcommittee:
HB 4043, Representative Frances Ann Hurley
Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that a veteran who has a service-connected
disability of 100% need not reapply for the homestead exemption for veterans with disabilities. Effective immediately.
HB 4228, Representative Jay Hoffman
Amends the Property Tax Code, the Community Care for Persons with Developmental Disabilities Act, the Counties Code, and the Community Mental Health Act. Contains provisions validating certain tax levies for community mental health boards. Effective immediately.
House Elementary & Secondary Education: School Curriculum & Policies Committee
February 16, 2022, 8:00 a.m.
Virtual Room 1 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
HB 558, Representative Kelly Burke
Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that a student whose 22nd birthday occurs during the school year is eligible for special education services through the end of the school year (rather than being eligible for services only until the day before his or her 22nd birthday). Effective immediately.
HB 4203, Representative Maurice A. West, II
Amends the School Code. Requires a school district to develop and implement a plan to provide additional instructional services, support, or special accommodations to students who suffer from trauma related to experiencing the death of a sibling, parent, guardian, or household member by suicide or homicide or suffer from trauma caused by domestic violence or abuse and whom the school has determined require additional instructional services, support, or special accommodations but do not qualify for an individualized education program or for services under Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Sets forth what the plan may include. Provides that the plan shall remain in place until the student (i) is no longer enrolled in the district or (ii) has made such significant and sustained academic progress that the student no longer requires the plan. In provisions relating to children with disabilities, provides that beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, the notice that a school board provides concerning who qualifies for services under Section 504 shall include that a child may qualify for those services if the child is a student who is at least 3 years old or older and under 22 years and who (i) has experienced the death of a sibling, parent, guardian, or household member by suicide or homicide or (ii) suffers from trauma caused by domestic violence or abuse. Effective immediately.
HB 4575, Representative Deanne M. Mazzochi
Amends the School Code. If the Governor has declared a disaster due to a public health emergency related to COVID-19 pursuant to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, prohibits the State Board of Education from (i) revoking or removing a school district’s recognition status, (ii) revoking a person’s educator license, or (iii) prohibiting a school district or student from participating in interscholastic athletics or other activities or events for failing to comply with COVID-19 mitigation efforts, policies, rules, and guidance adopted by the State Board of Education and the Department of Public Health. In provisions concerning the use of isolated time out and time out, makes changes to the definitions of “isolated time out” and “time out”. Sets forth procedures concerning the use of isolated time out and time out if the Governor has declared a disaster due to a public health emergency related to COVID-19 pursuant to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act. Adds provisions related to disciplinary actions imposed on students who refuse to comply with COVID-19 mitigation efforts in policies, rules, and guidance adopted by the State Board of Education and the Department of Public Health. Effective immediately.
House Human Services Committee
February 16, 2022, 8:00 a.m.
Virtual Room 2 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
HB 65, Representative Mary E. Flowers
Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that a redetermination of eligibility for
medical assistance benefits shall be conducted once every 12 months. Effective January 1, 2022.
HB 2420, Representative Maurice A. West, II
Amends the Illinois Act on Aging, the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities Act, and the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that individuals with a score of 29 or higher based on the determination of need (DON) assessment tool shall be eligible to receive services through the Community Care Program, services to prevent unnecessary or premature institutionalization, and services through the program of supportive living facilities. Further amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that on and after July 1, 2023, level of care eligibility criteria for home and community-based services for medically fragile and technology dependent children shall be no more restrictive than the level of care criteria in place on January 1, 2021. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to execute, relative to the nursing home prescreening project, written agreements with the Department of Human Services and the Department on Aging to effect, on and after July 1, 2023, an increase in the DON score threshold to 37 for applicants for institutional long term care, subject to federal approval. Provides that on and after July 1, 2023 but before July 1, 2025, continuation of a nursing facility stay that began on or before June 30, 2023 by a person with a DON score between 29 and 36 may be covered when such stay would be otherwise eligible under this Code, provided the nursing facility performs certain actions. Requires the Department to, by rule, set a maximum total number of individuals to be covered and other limits on utilization that it deems appropriate. Effective July 1, 2023.
HB 4564, Representative Barbara Hernandez
Amends the Autism Spectrum Disorders Reporting Act. Provides that, no later than December 31st of each year, the Department of Human Services shall submit a report to the General Assembly regarding access to applied behavior analysis therapy for people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services and the Department of Insurance to provide all necessary data upon request to the Department of Human Services to facilitate the timely and accurate completion of the report. Sets forth information that the report shall include.
HB 4647, Representative Lamont Robinson, Jr.
Amends the ID/DD Community Care Act. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall require licensees to submit an annual report to the Department that includes specified data. Amends the Community-Integrated Living Arrangements Licensure and Certification Act. Provides that, as a condition of being licensed by the Department of Human Services as a community mental health or developmental services agency under the Act, the agency shall certify to the Department that all funds legislatively or administratively earmarked for employee wage increase are passed through in their entirety to workers pursuant to legislative or administrative directives. Provides that the Department shall require licensees to submit an annual report to the Department that includes specified data. Makes other changes.
HB 4791, Representative Deb Conroy
Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to develop, within 6 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act, an assessment protocol and training for tardive dyskinesia and other drug-induced involuntary movement disorders. Requires the Department to make the assessment protocol and training available to all State agencies that contract for or directly provide housing services. Requires the Department to utilize the assessment protocol to train the appropriate staff and screen all residents of facilities operated by the Department who have been prescribed psychotropic medication. Requires the Department to publish on its website a report on the number of facility residents assessed for tardive dyskinesia and other drug-induced involuntary movement disorders. Prohibits the Department from publishing medical information specific to a resident that may violate the resident’s privacy. Amends the Children and Family Services Act, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Act, and the Unified Code of Corrections. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services, Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Department of Corrections, and Department of Juvenile Justice to utilize the assessment protocol to train their staff on tardive dyskinesia and other drug-induced involuntary movement disorders and to screen residents of facilities operated by those Departments who have been prescribed psychotropic medication. Effective immediately.
HB 4999, Representative Robyn Gabel
Amends the Early Intervention Services System Act. Requires all early intervention services to be initiated as soon as possible but not later than 30 calendar days after the consent of the parent or guardian has been obtained for the child’s individualized family service plan. Provides that services may be initiated later than 30 calendar days after the consent of the parent or guardian has been obtained if the multidisciplinary team determines that a later initiation date is necessary to meet the individual needs of the child and family, the child’s parent or guardian provides informed written consent for the later initiation date, and the reasons for the later initiation date are documented by the multidisciplinary team. Provides that the parent or guardian must be informed in writing, which may be done electronically if the parent or guardian prefers, that services shall be initiated no later than 30 calendar days after the individualized family service plan has been developed or on a later initiation date as determined by the multidisciplinary team with the informed consent of the parent or guardian. Provides that if services are not initiated within 30 calendar days after the consent of the parent or guardian has been obtained for the individualized family service plan or on a later initiation date as determined by the multidisciplinary team with the informed consent of the parent or guardian, the parent or guardian must be informed by the family’s Child and Family Connections service coordinator in writing, which may be done electronically if the parent or guardian prefers, of the family’s legal rights and alternative service options available to the family until an early intervention provider is identified, including, but not limited to, providers not currently early intervention credentialed or enrolled in the early intervention program. Effective July 1, 2022.
HB 5196, Representative Bob Morgan
Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Modifies the definition of “developmental disability.” Modifies the definition of “intellectual disability.” Modifies various other acts and codes to reference the definitions of developmental disability and intellectual disability in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code.
House Judiciary – Civil Committee
February 16, 2022, 8:00 a.m.
Virtual Room 3 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
HB 5558, Representative Ann M. Williams
Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that the Department of Human Rights has the power to intervene in complaints pending before the Human Rights Commission regarding employment, financial credit, public accommodations, elementary, secondary, and higher education, or additional civil rights violations. Provides that the Department may petition and shall be permitted as a matter of right to intervene as a party in the proceeding if the Commission determines that: (i) the case involves matters of public interest or importance beyond the issues in the case; (ii) the Department has an interest different from one or more of the parties; (iii) the expertise of the Department makes it better suited to articulate a particular point of view; or (iv) the representation of the Department’s interest by existing parties is or may be inadequate and the Department will or may be bound by an order or judgment in the action. Allows the Attorney General to seek to intervene on behalf of the Department in a civil action filed by a complainant in State or federal court if the Department certifies that the case is of general public importance. Makes conforming changes.
House Executive Committee
February 16, 2022, 10:00 a.m.
Virtual Room 4 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
HB 855, Representative Ann M. Williams
Creates the Legislative Accessibility Act. Provides that the General Assembly shall make all efforts to increase the accessibility of the General Assembly for people with disabilities. Provides that the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate shall each appoint an accessibility coordinator who, in consultation with the Architect of the Capitol, shall be responsible for addressing accessibility needs for his or her corresponding house. Provides that the Illinois General Assembly website shall include either an email address, webform, or other similar mechanism to request reasonable accommodations to meet the accessibility needs of people with disabilities attending legislative events. Establishes the General Assembly Accessibility Task Force. Provides for the membership and meetings of the Task Force. Provides that members and ex officio members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation. Provides administrative support for the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall examine issues concerning accessibility of persons with a disability. Requires the Task Force to make recommendations to the General Assembly concerning General Assembly accessibility no later than December 31, 2021. Repeals specified provisions January 1, 2023. Effective immediately.
House Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration, Licensing & Charter Schools Committee
February 16, 2022, 2:00 p.m.
Virtual Room 3 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
HB 4632, Representative Jackie Haas
Amends the School Code. Provides for dyslexia screening guidelines and rules. Requires the State Board of Education to provide technical assistance for specific learning disabilities to school districts. Provides that, beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, each school district must screen students in grades kindergarten through second for the risk factors of dyslexia using a universal screener. Sets forth what the screening must include. Provides for additional screening for a student who is determined to be at risk, or at some risk, for dyslexia to determine if the student has the characteristics of dyslexia. Requires the use of a multi-tiered system of support framework if screening indicates that a student has some risk factors for dyslexia or has the characteristics of dyslexia. Sets forth provisions concerning exceptions to screening, dyslexia intervention services, and reporting. Effective July 1, 2022.
HB 5214, Representative Elizabeth Hernandez
Amends the School Code. Adds a provision that any parent who is deaf, or does not normally communicate using spoken English, who participates in a meeting with a representative of a local educational agency for the purposes of developing an individualized educational program, or attends a multidisciplinary conference, a 504 mediation session, or a due process hearing (instead of just a meeting with a representative of a local educational agency for the purposes of developing an individualized educational program) shall be entitled to the services of an interpreter. Requires the State Board of Education to adopt rules to implement the provisions. Effective immediately.
House Immigration & Human Rights Committee
February 16, 2022, 2:00 p.m.
Virtual Room 2 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
HB 4415, Representative Theresa Mah
Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. In the definition of “disability”, deletes language providing that discrimination based on disability includes unlawful discrimination against an individual because of the individual’s association with a person with a disability. Provides that “disability” includes a person’s association or relationship with a person with a characteristic of disability. Effective immediately.
HB 4605, Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz
Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that it is a violation for an owner or any other person engaging in a real estate transaction, or for a real estate broker or salesman to otherwise make unavailable or deny a dwelling because of unlawful discrimination, familial status, or an arrest record. Allows a plaintiff or defendant to demand a trial by jury for specified civil actions. Allows a circuit court or jury to award any remedy set forth under a provision regarding a hearing on a complaint upon the finding of a civil rights violation. Effective immediately.
House State Government Administration Committee
February 16, 2022, 2:00 p.m.
Virtual Room 5 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
HB 3220, Representative Curtis J. Tarver, II
Amends the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act. Defines “good faith effort” for purposes of the Act. Provides factors for determining whether a good faith effort to comply with the goals for participation by minorities, women and persons with disabilities has been made for purposes of granting a waiver under the Act. Provides for a uniform standard of contract goals for State agencies, public institutions of higher education, and other departments. Specifies further requirements concerning the uniform standard of contract goals. Provides that the terms of every contract entered into by a State agency or public institution of higher education for purposes of the Act shall include a provision requiring vendors who fail to comply with a utilization plan to return all funds paid to that vendor with an expectation of compliance. Provides that the Business Enterprise Council may (rather than shall) grant a waiver under specified circumstances. Makes conforming changes.
House Appropriations-Public Safety Committee
February 16, 2022, 4:00 p.m.
Virtual Room 2 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
HB 2596, Representative Katie Stuart
Amends the Department of Human Services Act and the Department of State Police
Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Illinois State Police shall establish and maintain a database of persons who register as being diagnosed with a communication disability or a disability that can impair communication. Provides that a person diagnosed with a communication disability or a disability that can impair communication who is 18 of age or older may register with the Illinois State Police for inclusion in the database by submitting a completed verification form established by the Department of Human Services. Provides that a parent or guardian of a minor child or a ward diagnosed with a communication disability or a disability that can impair communication may register the minor child or the ward with the Illinois State Police for inclusion in the database by submitting a completed verification form established by the Department of Human Services. Provides that the Illinois State Police shall include in the database information provided on a completed verification form that the Illinois State Police determines is necessary for a law enforcement officer to identify a person as diagnosed with a communication disability or a disability that can impair communication. Defines terms.
HB 4171, Representative Katie Stuart
Amends the Department of Human Services Act and the Illinois State Police Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Illinois State Police shall establish and maintain a database of persons who register as being diagnosed with a communication disability or a disability that can impair communication. Provides that a person diagnosed with a communication disability or a disability that can impair communication who is 18 of age or older may register with the Illinois State Police for inclusion in the database by submitting a completed verification form established by the Department of Human Services. Provides that a parent or guardian of a minor child or a ward diagnosed with a communication disability or a disability that can impair communication may register the minor child or the ward with the Illinois State Police for inclusion in the database by submitting a completed verification form established by the Department of Human Services. Provides that the Illinois State Police shall include in the database information provided on a completed verification form that the Illinois State Police determines is necessary for a law enforcement officer to identify a person as diagnosed with a communication disability or a disability that can impair communication. Defines terms.
House Appropriations-Human Services Committee
February 17, 2022, 8:00 a.m.
Virtual Room 5 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
SUBJECT MATTER HEARING: Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities (ICDD), Department on Aging (DOA), Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission (DHHC)
- To file an electronic witness slip for the subject matter hearing: Click
House Mental Health & Addiction Committee
February 17, 2022, 10:00 a.m.
Virtual Room 2 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
HB 4113, Representative Deb Conroy
Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Creates the Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Oversight Officer (Officer) within the Department of Human Services under the Secretary of Human Services. Provides that the Officer shall be appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. Permits the Officer to: (i) maintain a staff; (ii) make recommendations for policy, statute, and rule changes; (iii) collect data on the opioid crisis; (iv) ensure the coordination of efforts between various State agencies involved in treating mental health and substance use disorders within the State; and (v) encourage, promote, suggest, and report best practices for treating mental health and substance use disorders in Illinois. Prohibits the Officer from participating in the issuance of any licensing or certification of mental health or substance use disorder treatment services. Prohibits the Officer from participating in any adjudicative decision-making process involving licensing, certification, or licensee discipline. Permits the Officer to compile, collect, or otherwise gather data necessary for the administration of the amendatory Act and to carry out the Officer’s duties relating to the recommendation of policy changes. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Oversight Officer Fund. Provides that moneys in the fund shall be expended for the Officer, its staff, and its activities and for no other purpose. Effective immediately.
HB 4317, Representative Denyse Wang Stoneback
Creates the Commission on Mental Health Reform Act. Creates the Commission on Mental Health Reform. Establishes membership on the Commission and its duties. Provides that the Commission shall be chaired by the Secretary of Human Services or the Secretary’s designee. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall provide necessary administrative and other support for the Commission. Provides that the Commission, with administrative support provided by the Department of Human Services, shall produce and submit policy recommendations, both administrative and legislative, to the General Assembly and the Governor in the form of an annual report. Provides that the annual report shall include summary information about mental health services in the State, including challenges, deficiency in services, and recommendations for increasing and improving mental health services and bringing about reform. Provides that the report must address all of the concerns and issues listed. Provides that the Commission shall submit the annual report in the month of March, and during this month its representatives shall testify before the Mental Health and Addiction Committee of the House of Representatives and the Health Committee of the Senate to present its findings, make recommendations, and answer questions. Provides that the first annual report shall be submitted within one year after the first meeting of the Commission. Provides that the Commission shall be dissolved 5 years after the effective date of the Act. Repeal the Act 6 years after its effective date.
HB 5333, Representative Kelly M. Cassidy
Creates the Mental Health Assessment Reform Act. Provides that the purpose of the Act is to remove barriers to care in the Medicaid mental health assessment and treatment planning process. Provides that, within 3 months after the effective date of the Act, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall clearly identify the minimum information necessary to establish and document medical necessity in an individual’s medical record for each community mental health general rehabilitation option service through the use of the Department’s standardized assessment and treatment planning tool required in the integrated assessment and treatment planning process. Requires minimum medical necessity documentation requirements to be publicly available to all community mental health centers and behavioral health clinics. Provides that an individual is immediately eligible to receive any community mental health service upon documentation of the specified medical necessity criteria in his or her medical record, and the provider shall be reimbursed for such delivered services. Provides that the integrated assessment and treatment planning process shall be required no more frequently than annually for specified community mental health services. Contains provisions requiring the Department to establish a workgroup to resolve certain issues identified by the Department with the assessment tool and the integrated assessment and treatment planning process. Requires the Department to submit a report to the General Assembly that outlines the issues and recommendations discussed by the workgroup. Contains provisions concerning the Department’s development of a billing code, modifier, or other mechanism to reimburse providers for the full time spent on the integrated assessment and treatment planning process; assessment tool training; and other matters. Requires the Department to seek federal approval, if required to implement the Act. Permits the Department, with input from the Department’s workgroup, to adopt emergency rules in accordance with the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Effective immediately.
Senate Education Committee
February 15, 2022, 4:00 p.m.
Virtual Room 1 www.ilga.gov
(or Room 212, Capitol Building*)
Springfield, IL
SB 3093, Senator Laura M. Murphy
Amends the School Code. Provides that school officials shall limit the number and duration of transfers to alternative schools in place of discipline. Requires a school district to create an Alternative School Bill of Rights by which a pupil who is offered a transfer to an alternative school in place of disciplinary action shall be provided with certain information by the appropriate administrator. Provides that the Alternative School Bill of Rights shall constitute a contract between the school board and the educational rights holder by requiring a signature from either a representative, assignee, or other designated member of the school board and the educational rights holder. Provides that in no event may a school board extend the duration of a pupil’s transfer to an alternative school in place of discipline without written notice to the educational rights holder and an opportunity to be meaningful heard before the school board. Makes related changes. Effective immediately.
Senate Health Committee
February 15, 2022, 5:30 p.m.
Virtual Room 2 www.ilga.gov
(or Room 400, Capitol Building*)
Springfield, IL
SB 3977, Senator Laura Fine
Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to develop, within 6 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act, an assessment protocol and training for tardive dyskinesia and other drug-induced involuntary movement disorders. Requires the Department to make the assessment protocol and training available to all State agencies that contract for or directly provide housing services. Requires the Department to utilize the assessment protocol to train the appropriate staff and screen all residents of facilities operated by the Department who have been prescribed psychotropic medication. Requires the Department to publish on its website a report on the number of facility residents assessed for tardive dyskinesia and other drug-induced involuntary movement disorders. Prohibits the Department from publishing medical information specific to a resident that may violate the resident’s privacy. Amends the Children and Family Services Act, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Act, and the Unified Code of Corrections. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services, Department of Veterans’ Affairs, Department of Corrections, and Department of Juvenile Justice to utilize the assessment protocol to train their staff on tardive dyskinesia and other drug-induced involuntary movement disorders and to screen residents of facilities operated by those Departments who have been prescribed psychotropic medication. Effective immediately.
Senate Executive Committee
February 16, 2022, 3:00 p.m.
Virtual Room 1 www.ilga.gov
(or Room 212, Capitol Building*)
Springfield, IL
SB 180, Senator Robert Peters
Creates the Legislative Accessibility Act. Provides that the General Assembly shall make all efforts to increase the accessibility of the General Assembly for people with disabilities. Provides that the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate shall each appoint an accessibility coordinator who, in consultation with the Architect of the Capitol, shall be responsible for addressing accessibility needs for his or her corresponding house. Provides that the Illinois General Assembly website shall include either an email address, webform, or other similar mechanism to request reasonable accommodations to meet the accessibility needs of people with disabilities attending legislative events. Establishes the General Assembly Accessibility Task Force. Provides for the membership and meetings of the Task Force. Provides that members and ex officio members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation. Provides administrative support for the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall examine issues concerning accessibility of persons with a disability. Requires the Task Force to make recommendations to the General Assembly concerning General Assembly accessibility no later than December 31, 2021. Repeals specified provisions January 1, 2023. Effective immediately.
Senate Insurance Committee
February 16, 2022, 5:00 p.m.
Virtual Room 1 www.ilga.gov
(or Room 212, Capitol Building)
Springfield, IL
SB 3819, Senator Laura Fine
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall provide coverage for community-based pediatric palliative or hospice care. Provides that the care shall be delivered to any qualifying child by a trained interdisciplinary team in accordance with all the terms of the Pediatric Palliative Care Act, which allows a child to receive community-based pediatric palliative and hospice care while continuing to pursue curative treatment and disease-directed therapies for the qualifying illness. Makes conforming changes in 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, and the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act.
Senate Appropriations-Health Committee
February 17, 2022, 5:00 p.m.
Virtual Room 2 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
SUBJECT MATTER: FY23 budget request for the following agencies: Illinois Coroner Training Board- SB4093, Illinois Department of Public Health- SB4115, SB 4093, SB 4115
- To file an electronic witness slip for the subject matter hearing: Click
* Individuals who have requested to give oral testimony have the option of participating in person in the specified room in the Capitol).
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.
SPECIAL NOTE: Due to the COVID 19 pandemic, committee hearings are being held remotely via the Internet.
- To view instructions regarding the remote hearing process and how to submit oral or written testimony in the HOUSE: Click
- To view instructions regarding the remote hearing process and how to submit oral or written testimony in the SENATE: Click
For additional information, please contact:
Cheryl R. Jansen
Public Policy Director
Equip for Equality
cherylj2@equipforequality.org
217-303-8543
