LEGISLATIVE UPDATE FROM EQUIP FOR EQUALITY
February 17, 2023
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 20, 2023:
House Appropriations-Elementary & Secondary Education Committee
February 21, 2023, 2:00 p.m.
Room 122B, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SUBJECT MATTER: Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools and Stand for Children
- To file an electronic witness slip for the subject matter hearing: Click
House Health Care Availability & Accessibility Committee
February 21, 2023, 5:00 p.m.
Room 115, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
HB 1358, Representative Lindsey LaPointe
Amends the Information Technology Accessibility Act. Provides that the Department of Innovation and Technology (currently, the Department of Human Services) shall review certain accessibility standards. Removes a specific reference to the Department of Central Management Services. Effective immediately.
HR 57, Representative Katie Stuart
Declares the week of March 12 through March 18, 2023 as Illinois Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week. Declares March 18, 2023 as Illinois Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Day. Encourages municipalities, media organizations, and residents to participate in Illinois Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week and Day. Recognizes those living with MS, their families, and the healthcare professionals and medical researchers who provide assistance to those affected by MS.
House Elementary & Secondary Education: School Curriculum & Policies Committee
February 22, 2023, 8:00 a.m.
Room 114, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
HB 1107, 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 2023-2024 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 1383, Representative Katie Stuart
Amends the School Code. In provisions of the Children with Disabilities Article concerning a child who attends a non-public school or special education facility, a public out-of-state school, or a special education facility owned and operated by a county government unit, provides that the Illinois Purchased Care Review Board shall allow a nonprofit entity to use the same profit margin calculation that the Board allows in the for-profit tuition and room and board calculations and may not make any distinction in reimbursement level for nonpublic special education facilities based upon their federal income tax filing classification. In provisions of the Chicago School District Article concerning criminal history records checks, provides that a nonpublic special education facility with multiple campuses within this State and providing services under the Children with Disabilities Article shall maintain a separate, current record at a central administrative location, for inspection by representatives of the school district and the State Board of Education, for each staff member, whether employed full-time or part-time, who provides direct services or who is directly involved in the development and implementation of instructional services. Requires a nonpublic special education facility to send a monthly employee roster file electronically to the school district and the State Board of Education that details whether the facility’s employees have completed and passed the criminal history records check process. Effective immediately.
House Human Services Committee
February 22, 2023, 8:00 a.m.
Room 118, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
HB 2076, Representative Anna Moeller
Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Requires the Department of Public Health to adopt criteria, by rule, to identify distressed facilities and to publish a list of distressed facilities quarterly. Provides that no facility shall be identified as a distressed facility unless it has committed a violation or deficiency that has harmed a resident. Removes existing language requiring the Department of Public Health to generate and publish quarterly a list of distressed facilities based on specified criteria.
House Judiciary—Civil Committee
February 22, 2023, 8:00 a.m.
Room C-1, Stratton Building
Springfield, IL
HB 1391, Representative Anna Moeller
Amends the Guardianship and Advocacy Act. Provides that the guardianship training program shall include content regarding Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Amends the Probate Act of 1975. Requires a public guardian to complete a one-hour course on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia within 6 months of appointment and annually thereafter.
House Housing Committee
February 22, 2023, 10:00 a.m.
Room 114, Capitol Building
and
Virtual Room 1 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
SUBJECT MATTER: “Home Illinois” (Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness)
- To file an electronic witness slip for the subject matter hearing: Click
House Transportation: Vehicles & Safety Committee
February 22, 2023, 10:00 a.m.
Room 115, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
HB 1167, Representative Daniel Didech
Amends the Driver’s License Medical Review Law of 1992 Article of the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows an immediate family member of a person to submit information to the Secretary of State concerning the medical condition of that person if the condition interferes with the person’s ability to operate a motor vehicle safely. Defines “immediate family member” as a parent, sibling, child by blood or adoption, stepchild, spouse, grandparent, or grandchild.
House Elementary & Secondary Education: Administration
Licensing & Charter Schools Committee
February 22, 2023, 2:00 p.m.
Room 115, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
HB 1123, Representative Terra Costa Howard
Amends the School Code. Requires school report cards prepared by the State Superintendent of Education to include the percentage of students with disabilities who have fulfilled the minimum State graduation requirements and have been issued a regular high school diploma and the percentage of students with disabilities who have fulfilled the minimum State graduation requirements but have not completed their individualized education program and are enrolled and receiving individualized education program services.
HB 1124, Representative Michelle Mussman
Amends the School Code. Provides that the dyslexia handbook developed by the State Board of Education shall include guidelines on the administration of a universal screener and dyslexia screening, the interpretation of data from these screeners, and the resulting appropriate instruction within a multi-tiered system of support framework. Provides that the State Board of Education shall adopt any rules necessary to ensure that a student will be screened for the risk factors of dyslexia using a universal screener. Sets forth which students are required to be screened. Provides that no later than January 1, 2024, the State Board of Education shall employ at least 5 dyslexia specialists or dyslexia therapists with a minimum of 5 years of field experience in screening, identifying, and treating dyslexia and related disorders. Provides that beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, each school district must screen students in grades kindergarten through 2 for the risk factors of dyslexia using a universal screener approved by the State Board of Education. Provides that if a student is determined to be either at risk or at some risk for dyslexia after the universal screener has been administered, the school district must administer a dyslexia screening of the student. Provides that if a student’s dyslexia screening indicates that the student has characteristics of dyslexia, the dyslexia intervention services provided to the student must utilize a structured literacy approach as outlined in the State Board of Education’s handbook. Makes other changes.
HB 2156, Representative Jeff Keicher
Amends the School Code. Provides that student identification cards shall also provide
contact information for the Safe2Help Illinois helpline. Effective July 1, 2023.
Senate Education Committee
February 21, 2023, 1:30 p.m.
Room 212, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SB 1400, Senator Kimberly A. Lightford
Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning student discipline policies, provides that the State Board of Education shall draft and publish model policy guidelines for the development of reciprocal reporting systems and school bus safety protocols and for evidence-based early intervention procedures. In provisions concerning the suspension or expulsion of students, makes changes concerning a student’s gross disobedience or misconduct posing an immediate threat to the health or safety of students or school personnel, when school exclusions should be used, the number and duration of expulsions and suspensions, the implementation of proactive evidence-based interventions that improve behavioral outcomes for all students, non-exclusionary discipline, out-of-school suspensions of 3 days or less, model policy guidelines for the re-engagement of students, professional development, and the removal of children with disabilities who violate the student discipline policies from their current placement. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Senate Health and Human Services Committee
February 21, 2023, 3:30 p.m.
Room 400, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SB 200, Senator Julie A. Morrison
Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that on and after July 1, 2023, medically necessary orthodontic services may be covered under the medical assistance program. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to use certain auto-qualifiers when determining whether an individual, who is otherwise eligible for medical assistance, is also eligible for coverage for a medically necessary orthodontic service. Provides that if the Department denies a claim for a medically necessary orthodontic service, the Department must, at a minimum, provide the following information to the provider of the orthodontic service: (i) the actual score of the orthodontic case; (ii) the name of the dentist or orthodontist who scored the orthodontic case; (iii) a detailed scoring sheet outlining the reasons for the score of the orthodontic case; and (iv) instructions on how to appeal the denied claim.
Senate Insurance Committee
February 21, 2023, 5:30 p.m.
Room 400, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SB 1512, Senator Michael E. Hastings
Amends the Accident and Health Article of the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or managed care plan amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall provide any mental health treatment coverage without imposing a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or any other cost-sharing requirement for any police officer, firefighter, emergency medical services personnel, or veteran. 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, the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act, and the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Effective immediately.
Senate Behavioral and Mental Health Committee
February 22, 2023, 10:30 a.m.
Room 400, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SB 1403, Senator Laura Fine
Creates the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Task Force Act. Provides that the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Task Force shall be composed of 12 appointed members and the State’s Chief Behavioral Health Officer, or the Officer’s representative. Provides that the 2 Task Force co-chairs shall appoint experts to contribute and participate in the Task Force as nonvoting members. Provides for meetings of the Task Force and responsibilities relating to examination of the first year of implementation and use of the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in Illinois. Requires the development of an action plan with specified recommendations to be filed with the Governor and General Assembly by December 31, 2023. Includes legislative findings. Repeals the Act on January 1, 2025. Effective immediately.
Senate Executive Committee
February 22, 2023, 1:00 p.m.
Room 212, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SB 1543, Senator Bill Cunningham
Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Creates under the authority of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board the Statewide PTSD Mental Health Coordinator, appointed by the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, for a term of 4 years. Provides that the Statewide PTSD Mental Health Coordinator shall receive a salary as provided by law and is eligible for reappointment. Provides that the Statewide PTSD Mental Health Coordinator shall be responsible for implementing a program of mental health support and education for law enforcement officers. Establishes qualifications for the Coordinator. Provides that the Statewide PTSD Mental Health Coordinator shall report to the Board on the development and implementation of programs and training for law enforcement officers and shall advise the Board and receive advice from the Board on direction and training needs for law enforcement agencies that vary in size, location, and demographics.
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
Equip for Equality
cherylj2@equipforequality.org
217-303-8543
