LEGISLATIVE UPDATE FROM EQUIP FOR EQUALITY
NOTE:
- The deadline to pass substantive bills out of committee is March 26, 2021.
- The Illinois General Assembly will be on spring break from March 29, 2021 through April 8, 2021.
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 22, 2021:
House Insurance Committee
March 22, 2021, 10:00 a.m.
Virtual Room 3 www.ilga.gov
and
March 25, 2021, 4:00 p.m.
Virtual Room 1 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
HB 339, Representative Mark Batinick—Assigned to Special Issues Subcommittee
Amends the Short-Term, Limited-Duration Health Insurance Coverage Act. Removes provisions concerning a required expiration date for any short-term, limited duration health insurance coverage policy that is delivered or issued for delivery. Effective immediately.
HB 2406, Representative Sue Scherer
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that an individual or group policy of accident and health insurance or managed care plan in effect on and after March 9, 2020 must provide coverage for the cost of administering a COVID-19 vaccination. Makes conforming changes in the Illinois Public Aid Code.
HB 3758, Representative Ryan Spain
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that individual or group policies of accident or health insurance that cover telehealth services must provide coverage for telehealth services used to treat a mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorder or condition.
HB 3759, Representative Ryan Spain
Creates the Telehealth Parity Act. Requires all health insurance issuers regulated by the Department of Insurance to cover the costs of all telehealth services rendered by in-network providers to deliver any clinically appropriate, medically necessary covered services and treatments to insureds, enrollees, and members under each policy, contract, or certificate of health insurance coverage. Provides that health insurance issuers shall not impose upon telehealth services utilization review requirements that are unnecessary, duplicative, or unwarranted nor impose any treatment limitations that are more stringent than the requirements applicable to the same health care service when rendered in-person. Provides that, for telehealth services that relate to COVID-19 delivered by in-network providers, health insurance issuers shall not impose any prior authorization requirements. Contains provisions prohibiting cost-sharing for telehealth services, describing eligible services, and allowing use of non-public facing remote communication products under certain circumstances. Effective immediately.
HB 3777, Representative Aaron Ortiz
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that an individual or group policy of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan amended, delivered, issued, or renewed in the State on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall not require prior authorization for prescription drugs used in the treatment of COVID-19 that have received an emergency authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Effective immediately.
House Adoption & Child Welfare Committee
March 22, 2021, 2:00 p.m.
Virtual Room 3 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
HB 77, HCA 1, Representative Mary E. Flowers
Amends the Administration of Psychotropic Medications to Children Act. Provides that
the Department of Children and Family Services shall adopt rules requiring the Department to distribute treatment guidelines on an annual basis to all persons licensed under the Medical Practice Act of 1987 to practice medicine in all of its branches who prescribe psychotropic medications to youth for whom the Department is legally responsible. Provides that the Department shall prepare and submit an annual report to the General Assembly with specified information concerning the administration of psychotropic medication to youth for whom it is legally responsible. Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1987. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation may revoke, suspend, place on probation, reprimand, refuse to issue or renew, or take any other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action as the Department may deem proper with regard to the license or permit of any person issued under the Act upon repeated acts of clearly excessive prescribing, furnishing, or administering psychotropic medications to a minor without a good faith prior examination of the patient and medical reason. Makes other changes.
- To read the full text of HB 77: Click
- To read the text of HB 77, HCA 1: Click
- To file an electronic witness slip on HB 77: Click
House Ethics and Elections Committee
March 22, 2021, 2:00 p.m.
Virtual Room 2 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
HB 1872, Representative La Shawn K. Ford
Amends the Election Code. Repeals provisions that prohibit a person that is serving a sentence of confinement in any penal institution from voting until his or her release from confinement. Effective January 1, 2022.
HB 1873, Representative Carol Ammons
Amends the Election Code. Provides that in distribution of the remaining funds received under the federal Help America Vote Act, the State Board of Elections may make such funds available to election authorities for the maintenance of secure collection sites for the return of vote by mail ballots. Allows election authorities to establish curb-side voting for individuals to cast a ballot during early voting or on election day. Provides that an election authority’s curb-side voting program shall designate at least 2 election judges from opposite parties per vehicle and the individual must have the option to mark the ballot without interference from the election judges. Requires election authorities to accept any vote by mail ballot returned, including ballots returned with insufficient or no postage. Allows election authorities to establish secure collection sites for postage-free return of vote by mail ballots. Provides for the collection and processing of vote by mail ballots submitted to collection sites. Provides that the State Board of Elections shall establish additional guidelines for the security of collection sites. Effective immediately.
HB 1902, Representative Deanne M. Mazzochi
Amends the Election Code. Provides that if judges in charge of precinct registration files find that the signature on the certificate of registered voter and the signature on the registration card do not match for the applicant to vote, the applicant shall provide the judges with a valid State issued drivers license, State issued identification card, or passport (rather than requiring judges to ask an applicant the questions for identification that appear on the registration card if they are unsatisfied that the is the identical person who is registered under the same name; and if the applicant does not prove to the satisfaction of a majority of the judges that he is the identical person registered under the name in question, then the vote of the applicant shall be challenged by a judge and the same procedure followed as provided by law for challenged voters.). Provides that the judges shall find that the signature on the certificate and the signature on the registration card do not match in situations that include, but are not limited to, if one signature is in cursive writing and the other is in printed writing.
HB 1973, Representative Chris Miller
Amends the Election Code. Requires Voters Identification Cards for those who do not have an acceptable photo ID. Sets forth requirements and exemptions. Provides that any person desiring to vote shall present to the judges of election for verification of the person’s identity a government-issued photo identification card or his or her Voter Identification Card.
HB 2414, Representative Deb Conroy
Amends the Election Code. Allows the State Board of Elections to receive voter registration information provided by applicants using electronic voter registration portals (rather than the Board’s website). Provides that notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person who is otherwise qualified to vote may preregister to vote on or after that person’s 16th birthday, with the registration held in abeyance by the appropriate election authority until that individual attains the required age to vote. Requires preregistration to be completed using the online voter registration system or an electronic voter registration portal. Provides that for the purposes of the Code, an individual who is 16 years of age or older (rather than who is 17 years of age and who will be 18 years of age on the date of the general or consolidated election) shall be deemed competent to execute and attest to any voter registration forms.
HB 2445, Representative C. D. Davidsmeyer
Amends the Election Code. Requires Voters Identification Cards for those who do not have an acceptable photo ID. Sets forth requirements and exemptions. Provides that any person desiring to vote shall present to the judges of election for verification of the person’s identity a government-issued photo identification card or his or her Voter Identification Card.
HB 2453, Representative Norine K. Hammond
Amends the Election Code. Includes a qualified voter who is in quarantine not more than 14 days before an election to those entitled to personal delivery of a vote by mail ballot.
HB 2459, Representative Deanne M. Mazzochi
Amends the Election Code. Requires a vote by mail ballot to be postmarked 3 days before election day (rather than by election day) to be counted. Requires a ballot that is mailed using an intelligent mail barcode tracking system to an election authority absent a postmark be counted if the intelligent mail barcode tracking system verifies the envelope was mailed no later than 3 days before election day (rather than by election day). Makes conforming changes throughout the Code.
HB 2460, Representative Deanne M. Mazzochi
Amends the Election Code. Provides that an elector may apply for a vote by mail ballot electronically or by mail no less than 60 days before an election (rather than 5 days). Provides that an elector may apply for a vote by mail ballot in person no less than 60 days before an election (rather than one day). Makes conforming changes.
HB 2599, Representative Ryan Spain
Amends the Election Code. Requires Voters Identification Cards for those who do not have an acceptable photo ID. Sets forth requirements and exemptions. Provides that any person desiring to vote shall present to the judges of election for verification of the person’s identity a government-issued photo identification card or his or her Voter Identification Card.
HB 2605, Representative Thomas M. Bennett
Amends the Election Code. Requires Voters Identification Cards for those who do not have an acceptable photo ID. Sets forth requirements and exemptions. Provides that any person desiring to vote shall present to the judges of election for verification of the person’s identity a government-issued photo identification card or his or her Voter Identification Card.
HB 2808, Representative Brad Holbrook
Amends the Election Code. Requires a grace period registrant to also present identification upon which his or her date of birth appears.
HB 2854, Representative Amy Grant
Amends the Election Code. Provides that no voter registration may be canceled without following the procedures as required by the National Voter Registration Act of 1993. Provides that the voter registration application or the voter registration card of an inactive voter who has not voted in 2 consecutive general federal elections shall be canceled. Requires a voter’s registration be canceled when an election authority receives certain notices regarding the voter’s incarceration status, voter disqualification, or death. Provides that the county clerk of the county where a decedent last resided shall (rather than may) issue certifications of death records from an electronic reporting system for death registrations as provided in the Vital Records Act and shall (rather than may) use that system to cancel the registration of any person who died during the preceding month.
HB 2884, Representative Adam Niemerg
Amends the Election Code. Requires Voters Identification Cards for those who do not have an acceptable photo ID. Sets forth requirements and exemptions. Provides that any person desiring to vote shall present to the judges of election for verification of the person’s identity a government-issued photo identification card or his or her Voter Identification Card. In provisions concerning the receipt of vote by mail ballots, provides that an election authority shall appoint panels as needed of 3 election judges from the list of election judges submitted by the county parties to compare the voter’s signature on the certification envelope of the vote by mail ballot with the signature of the voter on file in the office of the election authority. Provides the procedure for verifying or rejecting the signature. Provides that if a vote by mail ballot is rejected, the election authority shall notify the voter within 2 days after the rejection or within one day if the rejection occurs after election day and in all cases before the close of the period for counting provisional ballots. Allows a voter to submit a statement confirming the vote if the signature was rejected. Allows a voter to cast a new ballot if the vote by mail ballot was rejected because the envelope was delivered opened.
HB 2951, Representative Carol Ammons
Amends the Election Code. Requires the State Board of Elections to adopt rules
Amends the Election Code. Requires the State Board of Elections to adopt rules establishing a procedure to send vote by mail ballots via electronic transmission and enable a voter with a disability to independently and privately mark a ballot using assistive technology in order for the voter to vote by mail. Provides that if a vote by mail ballot application from a voter with a disability arrives after the election authority begins transmitting vote by mail ballots and instructions to voters, the election authority shall transmit the ballot, instructions, and balloting materials to the voter within 2 business days after receipt of the application. Requires a vote by mail ballot provided to a voter with a disability to be received and marked as required by all vote by mail ballots. Makes corresponding changes throughout the Code. Effective immediately.
HB 3007, Representative Thomas Morrison
Amends the Election Code. Requires Voters Identification Cards for those who do not have an acceptable photo ID. Sets forth requirements and exemptions, including allowing voters who are indigent and unable to obtain a Voter Identification Card without a fee and voters who have a religious objection to being photographed to vote a provisional ballot and sign an affidavit indicating the exemption. Provides that any person desiring to vote shall present to the judges of election for verification of the person’s identity a government-issued photo identification card or his or her Voter Identification Card.
HB 3299, Representative Terra Costa Howard
Amends the Election Code. Allows an elector to be added to a list of permanent vote by mail status voters who receive an official vote by mail ballot for all subsequent elections. Provides that a voter whose application for permanent vote by mail status is accepted by the election authority shall remain on the permanent vote by mail list until the voter requests to be removed from permanent vote by mail status, the voter provides notice to the election authority of a change in registration, or the election authority receives confirmation that the voter has subsequently registered to vote in another county. Provides the notice to be sent by election authorities to all qualified voters before a general election for the option to be placed on the list of permanent vote by mail status voters. Provides the application form for permanent vote by mail status. Allows an election authority to combine the applications for single election vote by mail and permanent vote by mail status on one form. Makes conforming changes.
HB 3540, Representative Kelly M. Cassidy
Amends the Election Code. Provides that the State Board of Elections shall work with election authorities and the disability community to develop and implement procedures and technologies to provide vote by mail ballots, upon request, in alternative formats that allow all voters to cast a secret, independent, and verifiable vote by mail ballot without the assistance of another person. Requires the procedures and technologies to include an accessible electronic ballot marking tool that enables voters to mark their ballots privately and independently. Requires that each election authority provide the option of a fully electronic ballot with both electronic marking and electronic return that allows voters having a disability to vote a secret ballot without assistance by January 1, 2023.
HB 3548, Representative Kelly M. Cassidy
Amends the Election Code. Creates a permanent vote by mail list for qualified voters. Allows a voter to apply to be placed on a permanent vote by mail list to receive vote by mail ballots for subsequent elections. Provides for the removal of a voter from the permanent vote by mail list who does not return a vote by mail ballot for the fourth general election following the general election at which the voter last voted. Allows for a voter on the permanent vote by mail list to choose and change political party preferences for a primary vote by mail ballot. Provides for how a voter may remove himself or herself from the permanent vote by mail list. Makes conforming changes throughout the Code.
House Judiciary-Criminal Committee
March 23, 2021, 10:00 a.m.
Virtual Room 2 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
HB 28, Representative Maurice A. West, II
Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Provides that the curriculum for certified training programs in crisis intervention shall be at least 40 hours for recruit law enforcement officers. Provides that Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training programs shall be a collaboration between law enforcement professionals, mental health providers, families, and consumer advocates and must minimally include the following components: (1) basic information about mental illnesses and how to recognize them; (2) information about mental health laws and resources; (3) learning from family members of individuals with mental illness and their experiences, and (4) verbal de-escalation training and role-plays. Amends the Criminal and Traffic Assessment Act. Provides that a person who is convicted of any criminal or traffic law or ordinance, other than a conviction entered upon a plea of guilty, $5 to be distributed as follows: (1) $2.50 to the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board for implementing crisis intervention team training for recruit law enforcement officers under the Illinois Police Training Act; (2) $2.25 to the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board for grants to local law enforcement agencies for continued crisis intervention team training; and (3) 25 cents to be retained by the Clerk of the Circuit Court for administrative expenses. Effective July 1, 2021.
HB 3226, Representative Joyce Mason
Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Creates the offense of misrepresentation of a service animal. Provides that a person commits the offense when he or she knowingly represents, expressly or impliedly, that the animal is a service animal for the purpose of securing the rights and privileges afforded to a person with a disability accompanied by a service animal and the person knew that the animal is not a service animal. Provides that a law enforcement officer may require the person to remove an animal that is not a service animal from a place of public accommodation if its behavior is disruptive or displays negative behaviors as provided in the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Provides that the person remains responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of the animal. Defines “service animal”. Provides that misrepresentation of a service animal is a petty offense. Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act to make conforming changes.
HB3616, Representative Justin Slaughter
Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that in the case of an order of the court committing a defendant who has been found unfit to stand trial for treatment, the court shall order that the placement be on an outpatient basis unless the court determines that outpatient treatment will not provide reasonable assurances for the safety of the defendant and others or provide reasonable assurances that the defendant can be restored to fitness on an outpatient basis. Provides that if the court determines that placement on an outpatient basis is not appropriate, the court shall (rather than may) order the defendant placed for treatment in the custody of the Department of Human Services or the court may order him or her placed in the custody of any other appropriate public or private inpatient mental health facility (deletes treatment program) which has agreed to provide treatment to the defendant. Makes other changes.
HB 3617, Representative Justin Slaughter
Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Provides that the circuit court has jurisdiction under the Admission, Transfer and Discharge Procedures for the Mentally Ill Chapter of the Code over persons who are: (1) subject to involuntary admission on an inpatient basis; (2) subject to involuntary admission on an outpatient basis; or (3) in need of treatment involving the administration of psychotropic medication and electroconvulsive therapy. Deletes provision that limits jurisdiction to persons not charged with a felony. Provides that except as provided in the Fitness for Trial, to Plead or to be Sentenced Article of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963, no respondent who has pending felony charges, may be ordered to undergo a program of hospitalization in a mental health facility operated by the Department of Human Services unless the Department agrees.
HB 3670, Representative Lance Yednock
Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the Department of Corrections shall not make possession of a Firearm Owner’s Identification Card a condition of continued employment as a correctional officer if the correctional officer’s Firearm Owner’s Identification Card is revoked or seized because the correctional officer has been a patient of a mental health facility and the correctional officer has not been determined to pose a clear and present danger to himself, herself, or others as determined by a physician, clinical psychologist, or qualified examiner. Nothing is this Section shall otherwise impair the Department’s ability to determine a correctional officer’s fitness for duty. Provides that a collective bargaining agreement already in effect on this issue on the effective date of the amendatory Act cannot be modified, but on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Department cannot require a Firearm Owner’s Identification Card as a condition of continued employment in a collective bargaining agreement. Provides that the Department shall document if and why a correctional officer has been determined to pose a clear and present danger. Defines “mental health facility” and “qualified examiner”.
HB 3725, Representative Tom Demmer
Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person commits misrepresentation of a service animal when he or she knowingly represents, expressly or impliedly, that the animal is a service animal for the purpose of securing the rights and privileges afforded to a person with a disability accompanied by a service animal and the person knew or should have known that the animal is not a service animal. Provides that the refusal to answer questions from a law enforcement officer permitted under federal regulation creates a permissive inference that the animal is not a service animal and the law enforcement officer may require the person to remove the animal from the place of public accommodation. Provides that misrepresentation of a service animal is a petty offense. Defines “service animal”.
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”.
House Human Services Committee
March 23, 2021, 3:00 p.m.
Virtual Room 2 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
HB 43, Representative Katie Stuart
Amends the Adult Protective Services Act. Provides that any person may report information about the suspicious death of an eligible adult to an agency designated to receive such reports under the Act or to the Department on Aging. Provides that if a mandated reporter has reason to believe that the death of an eligible adult may be the result of abuse or neglect, the matter shall be reported to an agency designated to receive such reports under the Act or to the Department for subsequent referral to the appropriate law enforcement agency and the coroner or medical examiner. Prohibits an employer from discriminating against any employee who reports information about the suspicious death of an eligible adult in accordance with the Act. Provides that any mandated reporter who is required under the Act to report a suspicious death due to abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation shall testify fully in any administrative hearing resulting from such report. Provides that a referral to law enforcement may be made after a report of a suspicious death, depending upon the circumstances. Provides that all records concerning reports of suspicious deaths due to abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, or self-neglect and all records generated as a result of such reports shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed, with some exceptions. Effective January 1, 2022.
HB 292, HCA 1, Representative Lindsey LaPointe
Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to increase rates and reimbursements in effect on June 30, 2021 payable to Illinois not-for-profit community-based agencies in order to increase access utilization of individual and group supported employment, increase acuity-based rate differentials in on-site and off-site community day services, and other matters. Provides that beginning January 1, 2022, for a medical assistance recipient who is a resident in a facility licensed under the Community-Integrated Living Arrangements (CILA) Licensure and Certification Act, the State shall pay an amount in addition to the minimum monthly personal needs allowance authorized under the Social Security Act so that the person’s total monthly personal needs allowance from both State and federal sources equals $90. Provides that beginning no later than October 1, 2022, residents of CILA facilities who are eligible for medical assistance and are enrolled in the State’s home and community-based services waiver program for adults with developmental disabilities shall retain all earned income from employment or community day services activities. Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. In a provision requiring the State Use Committee to review the pricing of supplies and services procured by the State from a qualified not-for-profit agency for persons with significant disabilities, provides that the Committee may consider during its review certain factors including, but not limited to, amounts private businesses would pay for similar products or services. Effective immediately.
- To read the full text of HB 292: Click
- To read the text of HB 292, HCA 1: Click
- To file an electronic witness slip on HB 292: Click
HB 422, Representative LaToya Greenwood
Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging, the Disabled Persons Rehabilitation Act, and the Illinois Public Aid Code. Regarding services under the Community Care Program (CCP), the Home Services Program, the supportive living facilities program, and the nursing home prescreening project, provides that individuals with a score of 29 or higher based on the determination of need assessment tool shall be eligible to receive institutional and home and community-based long term care services until the State receives federal approval and implements an updated assessment tool, and those individuals are found to be ineligible under that updated assessment tool. Requires the Department on Aging and the Departments of Human Services and Healthcare and Family Services to adopt rules, but not emergency rules, regarding the updated assessment tool. Contains provisions concerning continued eligibility for persons made ineligible for services under the updated assessment tool. Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. Prohibits the Department on Aging from adopting any rule that: (i) restricts eligibility under CCP to persons who qualify for medical assistance; or (ii) establishes a separate program of home and community-based long term care services for persons eligible for CCP services but not eligible for medical assistance. Prohibits the Department from increasing copayment levels under CCP to those levels in effect on January 1, 2016. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Deletes a provision concerning an increase in the determination of need scores, on and after July 1, 2012, from 29 to 37. Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Prohibits the involuntary discharge of an individual receiving care in an institutional setting as the result of the updated assessment tool until a transition plan has been developed. Effective immediately.
HB 452, HCA 1, Representative Michelle Mussman
Amends the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to prescribe and supervise courses of vocational training and to provide such other services as may be necessary for the vocational rehabilitation (rather than the habilitation and rehabilitation) of persons with one or more disabilities. Requires the Department to cooperate with State and local school authorities and other recognized agencies engaged in vocational rehabilitation services; and to cooperate with the Illinois State Board of Education and other specified entities regarding the education (rather than care and education) of children with one or more disabilities. Requires the Department to submit an annual report to the Governor that contains information on the programs, activities, and funding dedicated to vocational rehabilitation, independent living, and other community services and supports. Requires the Statewide Independent Living Council to develop a State Plan for Independent Living. Makes changes to provisions concerning grant awards to eligible centers for independent living. Repeals provisions regarding community services for persons with visual disabilities at the Illinois Center for Rehabilitation and Education. Amends the Disabilities Services Act of 2003. Repeals provisions regarding a Rapid Reintegration Pilot Program. Amends the School Code. Provides that if a child with a disability might be eligible to receive services from the Illinois Center for Rehabilitation and Education, the school district shall notify the parents, in writing, of the existence of the school and the services provided. Effective immediately.
- To read the full text of HB 452: Click
- To read the text of HB 452, HCA 1: Click
- To file an electronic witness slip on HB 452: Click
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 3231, Representative Sonya M. Harper
Amends the Developmental Disability and Mental Disability Services Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to establish family centers throughout the State to provide counseling and mental health services to families who are indigent based on any behavior or mental health condition as determined by Department rule. Provides that the Department shall employ or contract with psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, and licensed marriage and family therapists to provide those services.
HB 3369, Representative Daniel Didech
Creates the Universal Child Mental Health Screening Act. Requires universal mental health screening services to be administered to all children as early as possible, but no later than a child’s first year in any secondary public or private education program or residential facility for children with disabilities, and periodically thereafter. Requires the Department of Public Health and the State Board of Education to jointly develop rules governing standards, procedures, techniques, and criteria for conducting and administering mental health screenings and to set standards for the training and qualifications of personnel to provide the services. Contains additional requirements for the Department in administering the program of mental health screening services. Provides that no child shall be required to submit to any test required by the Act if a parent or a guardian of the child objects on constitutional grounds and submits a written statement to the agency administering the mental health screening services. Creates the Children’s Mental Health Services Advisory Committee to advise the Department in the implementation and administration of the mental health services program and in the development of rules pertaining to that program. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education shall reimburse school districts for any costs associated with providing mental health screenings as required by the Act. Effective immediately.
HB 3786, Representative Robyn Gabel
Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Provides that when an initial investigation of a reported allegation of abuse, neglect or financial exploitation of a recipient of services indicates, based upon credible evidence, that an employee of a mental health or developmental disability facility is the perpetrator of the abuse, that employee shall immediately be barred from any further contact with recipients of services of the facility. Provides that an employee barred from contact with recipients of services shall remain barred: (1) pending the outcome of any further investigation, prosecution or disciplinary action against the employee; or (2) until the Department of Human Services Office of Inspector General independently determines that the allegation or allegations against the employee will be unsubstantiated or unfounded in the Office of Inspector General’s final investigative report. Defines “credible evidence”.
HB 3835, Representative Lindsey La Pointe
Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Provides that an individual who is added to the Department of Human Services’s Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services (PUNS) database before the age of 18 years must be selected from the PUNS database within 5 years after the individual is added. Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that a person is eligible for transition services through age 23, which means the day before the person’s 24th birthday, unless the person’s 24th birthday occurs during the school year, in which case the person is eligible for transition services through the end of the school year (rather than providing that a public school’s responsibility for delivering educational services does not extend beyond the time the student leaves school or when the student’s eligibility ends due to age under the Article); makes related changes, including in the Children and Family Services Act, the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act, and the Illinois Procurement Code. Effective immediately.
HB 3918, HCA 1, Representative Katie Stuart
Amends the Adult Protective Services Act. Expands the definition of “mandated reporter” to include investment advisors and insurance adjusters. Effective immediately.
- To read the full text of HB 3918: Click
- To read the text of HB 3918, HCA 1: Click
- To file an electronic witness slip on HB 3918: Click
House Judiciary-Civil Committee
March 23, 2021, 3:00 p.m.
Virtual Room 3 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
HB 3849, HCA 2, Representative Lindsey La Pointe
Creates the Supported Decision-Making Agreement Act. Authorizes the creation of supported decision-making agreements and allows a supporter to assist a principal with an intellectual or developmental disability in accessing, collecting, or obtaining information that is relevant to a decision authorized under the supported decision-making agreement. Provides that all adults are presumed to be capable of making decisions regarding daily living and to have capacity unless otherwise determined by a court. Provides that certain persons are disqualified from acting as a supporter. Provides that a supporter may exercise the authority granted to the supporter in the supported decision-making agreement. Provides for the duties of a supporter in a supported decision-making agreement. Prohibits a supporter from doing certain actions in relation to the principal. Requires 2 or more witnesses to be present and sign and date a supported decision-making agreement. Provides a form for a supported decision-making agreement. Provides that a person is not subject to criminal or civil liability and has not engaged in professional misconduct for an act or omission under certain circumstances. Provides that a decision or request made or communicated with the assistance of a supporter shall be recognized as the decision or request of the principal and may be enforced by the principal or supporter on the same basis as a decision or request of the principal. Provides that if a person who receives a copy or is aware of the existence of a supported decision-making agreement and has cause to believe that the principal is being abused, neglected, or exploited by the supporter, the person shall report the alleged abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Provides that any interested party with a reasonable basis to believe that the supporter is abusing or neglecting the principal shall have the right to petition for the appointment of a limited temporary guardian and a guardian ad litem for the purpose of determining if the support decision-making agreement should be terminated. Provides for the termination of a supported decision-making agreement. Provides that a principal may revoke the supported decision-making agreement and invalidate the supported decision-making agreement at any time. Provides that a supporter may resign by giving notice to the principal. Effective immediately.
- To read the full text of HB 3849: Click
- To read the text of HB 3849, HCA 2: Click
- To file an electronic witness slip on HB 3849: Click
House Elementary & Secondary Education: School Curriculum & Policies Committee
March 24, 2021, 8:30 a.m.
Virtual Room 1 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
HB 290, Representative Maura Hirschauer
Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Requires a school district to provide notification to the parent or guardian of a student with an individualized education program (IEP) that the student may be eligible to receive additional specified services, benefits, or resources. Provides that the written notification must be provided no later than 30 days following the implementation of the initial IEP and once a year thereafter. Effective immediately.
HB 2425, Representative Fred Crespo
Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that complaints concerning delays and denials of special education services in the 2016-2017 or 2017-2018 school year by the Chicago school district as a result of the adoption of policies and procedures identified by the State Board of Education as unlawful must be filed on or before September 30, 2022 (rather than September 30, 2021). Effective immediately.
HB 2748, Representative Suzanne Ness
Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that if a student turns 22 during the time in which the student’s in-person instruction is suspended for a period of 3 months or more during the school year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, then the student is eligible for special education services through the end of the following school year (rather than being eligible for such services only until the day before the student’s 22nd birthday). Effective immediately.
HB 3324, 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 2021-2022 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, 2021.
HB 3706, HCA 1, Representative Natalie A. Manley
Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Includes public therapeutics programs in the definition of “special educational facilities and services”. In a provision requiring a school district to pay the cost of tuition for special education and related services if a child 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 special education and related services includes public therapeutics programs.
- To read the full text of HB 3706: Click
- To read the text of HB 3706, HCA 1: Click
- To file an electronic witness slip on HB 3706: Click
HB 3859, Representative Fred Crespo
Amends the Children with Disabilities Articles of the School Code. Provides that the Chicago school district shall publish on the district’s website any proposed changes to the district’s policy and procedural manuals, which must be published on the district’s website no later than 45 days before the adoption of that change, unless this would prevent the district from following State or federal laws (rather than providing that the Chicago school district shall publish on the district’s website any proposed changes to its special education policies, directives, guidelines, or procedures that impact the provision of educational or related services to students with disabilities or the procedural safeguards afforded to students with disabilities or their parents or guardians made by the district or school board and providing that any policy, directive, guideline, or procedural change that impacts those provisions or safeguards that is authorized by the district’s primary office overseeing special education or any other administrative office must be published on the district’s website no later than 45 days before the adoption of that change). Makes other changes concerning this process. Provides that school boards shall provide (rather than immediately provide) upon request by any person written materials and other information that indicates the specific policies, procedures, rules, and regulations regarding the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of children with disabilities. Requires these materials and other information to be provided within 10 school days from the receipt of the request by the school board. Effective immediately.
HB 3906, Representative William Davis
Amends the Article of the School Code relating to children with disabilities. Provides that the State Superintendent of Education may determine that the location of the parent or guardian of a student is unknown after considering information submitted from the school district that last enrolled the student or from the school or special education facility providing special education and related services to meet the needs of the student. Provides that the information submitted to the State Superintendent must include an affidavit from that school district’s superintendent or the facility’s director attesting that the location of the parent or guardian is unknown and 4 items of documentary evidence that a minimum of 4 separate attempts were made to locate the parent or guardian. Provides that any determination by the State Superintendent that the location of a parent or guardian is unknown is final, but that any determination made by the State Superintendent is subject to review and reconsideration any time a parent’s or guardian’s location becomes known. Effective immediately.
HJR 1, Representative Maurice A. West, II
Urges Illinois schools to provide education for all students in grades six to 12 on how to
identify, understand, and respond to signs of addictions and mental illnesses, as well as provide instruction for how to help someone who is developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. Commends the National Council for Behavioral Health and the Illinois Association for Behavioral Health for their work in developing and directing teen Mental Health First Aid training programs for schools. Commends Amos Alonzo Stagg High School, the Paris Union School District, and Clinton High School for participating in the first nationwide pilot programs of teen Mental Health First Aid training for schools. Commends Operation Snowball, the Human Resources Center of Edgar and Clark Counties, and the Heritage Behavioral Health Center for participating in the first nationwide teen Mental Health First Aid instructor trainings.
House Health Care Licenses Committee
March 24, 2021, 8:30 a.m.
Virtual Room 3 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
HB 335, Representative Kathleen A. Willis
Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1987. Provides that not later than 12 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall adopt rules that require a person seeking licensure to practice medicine in all of its branches to have completed 3 hours of education on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with cognitive impairments, including, but not limited to, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Specifies that the education requirement shall only apply to applicants who serve or will serve adult populations and have or will have direct patient interactions in their capacity as physicians. Provides that not later than 12 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Department shall adopt rules that require any continuing education for persons licensed to practice medicine under all of its branches to include an average of one hour of continuing education per license year on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with cognitive impairments, including, but not limited to, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Specifies that the continuing education requirement shall only apply to persons who serve adult populations and have direct patient interactions in their capacity as physicians. Provides that the curriculum used for the education and continuing education requirements shall cover the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, including recognizing the signs and symptoms of dementia; person-centered care; assessment and care planning; and culturally competent health care.
HB 3147, Representative Natalie A. Manley
Amends the Nursing Home Care Act and the Hospital Licensing Act. Upon request, requires long-term care facilities and hospitals to facilitate at least one phone call or video call between a resident or patient and a family member of the resident or patient each day during a pandemic or other public health emergency. Effective immediately.
HB 3286, Representative Aaron M. Ortiz
Amends the Language Assistance Services Act. Provides for the use and availability of qualified medical interpreters (rather than interpreters) in health facilities. Defines “qualified medical interpreters”. Provides that employees of a health facility have the right to use a qualified medical interpreter for their own communication with a limited English proficient patient if a conversation between the limited English proficient patient and the employee would be jeopardized by the use of a volunteer interpreter. Requires the facility to annually transmit to the Department of Public Health a copy of the updated policy regarding language assistance services and to include a description of the facility’s process to ensure adequate and speedy communication between staff and patients with language or communication barriers. Provides that facilities must prepare and maintain a list of contact information for American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter providers or individuals who have been identified as being proficient in sign language, as well as a list of the languages of the population of the geographical area served by the facility. Removes language allowing facilities to consider providing its nonbilingual staff with standardized picture and phrase sheets for use in routine communications with patients who have language or communication barriers. Makes other changes.
HB 3703, Representative Sue Scherer
Amends the Medical Patient Rights Act. Provides that a health care professional or health care provider shall not contact a collection agency to collect unpaid debt when a patient has a late payment or nonpayment of a medical bill for COVID-19 testing, nor shall the health care professional or health care provider report the late payment or nonpayment to a credit reporting agency. Effective immediately.
House Labor & Commerce Committee
March 24, 2021, 12:00 p.m.
Virtual Room 1 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
HB 3081, Representative Kambium Buckner
Amends the Workers’ Compensation Act. Provides that post-traumatic stress disorder is to be rebuttably presumed to arise out of and to be causally connected to the hazards of employment of a person employed as a firefighter, emergency medical technician (EMT), emergency medical technician-intermediate (EMT-I), advanced emergency medical technician (A-EMT), or paramedic.
HB 3654, Representative Dan Ugaste
Amends the Workers’ Compensation Act. Provides that no compensation shall be awarded to a claimant for death or disability arising out of an exposure to COVID-19 if the employee has refused a vaccination. Effective immediately.
HB 3663, Representative Lindsey LaPointe
Amends the Employee Sick Leave Act. Provides that an employee may use sick leave for a behavioral health appointment of the employee’s child, stepchild, spouse, domestic partner, sibling, parent, mother-in-law, father-in-law, grandchild, grandparent, or stepparent, on the same terms upon which the employee is able to use personal sick leave benefits for the employee’s own illness or injury.
HB 3682, Representative Joe Sosnowski
Creates the COVID-19 Workplace Vaccination Program Limitation Act. Provides that it is unlawful for an employer in the State of Illinois to create, implement, or otherwise enforce a workplace vaccination program that requires any employee to demonstrate to the employer that he or she has received a vaccine that was approved under emergency use authorization by the United States Food and Drug Administration. Provides for repeal of the Act on January 1, 2023. Effective immediately.
HB 3776, Representative Aaron M. Ortiz
Creates the COVID-19 Workplace Safety Response Act. Provides that each public and private employer with at least 30 employees shall establish a safety committee at each of the employer’s primary places of employment. Sets forth requirements for the composition of the committees, meetings, records, and training. Establishes the duties of committees relating to hazard assessment and control, safety and health planning, especially as related to the global COVID-19 pandemic, development of procedures for contact tracing, accident investigations, and other specified matters. Provides for the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois Department of Labor to adopt necessary rules.
House State Government Administration Committee
March 24, 2021, 12:00 p.m.
Virtual Room 2 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
HB 721, Representative Delia C. Ramirez
Creates the Not-for-Profit Business Enterprise Act. Allows for the certification of and the preference in awarding of State contracts to minority-led not-for-profit organizations, woman-led not-for-profit organizations, and not-for-profit organizations led by a person with a disability under the Act. Provides further requirements concerning the awarding of State contracts and certification. Requires State agencies and institutions of higher education to annually file with the Business Enterprise Council a compliance plan for contracting with minority-led not-for-profit organizations, woman-led not-for-profit organizations, and not-for-profit organizations led by a person with a disability. Provides enforcement provisions. Provides for the adoption of rules necessary to implement and enforce the requirements of the Act. Amends the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act. Provides the Business Enterprise Council with the authority and responsibility to devise a certification procedure for not-for-profit organizations and to make a list of all not-for-profit organizations legitimately classified as a minority-led not-for-profit organization, a woman-led not-for-profit organization, or a not-for-profit organization led by a person with a disability for purposes of the Not-for-Profit Business Enterprise Act. Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that specified supplier diversity goal requirements under the Act apply to minority-led not-for-profit organizations, woman-led not-for-profit organizations, and not-for-profit organizations led by a person with a disability. Defines terms. Makes other changes.
HB 2616, HCA 1, Representative Michelle Mussman
Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that the Code shall not apply to the acquisition of modifications or adjustments, including assistive technology devices and services, to provide reasonable accommodations to specified persons. Effective immediately.
- To read the full text of HB 2616: Click
- To read the text of HB 2616, HCA 1: Click
- To file an electronic witness slip on HB 2616: Click
HB 2629, Representative William Davis
Amends the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act. Provides that not less than 40% of the total dollar amount of State contracts shall be established as an aspirational goal to be awarded to businesses owned by minorities. Provides that of the total amount of all State contracts awarded to businesses owned by minorities, contracts representing at least 20% shall be awarded to businesses owned by black or African American persons. Provides that of the total amount of all State contracts awarded to businesses owned by women and businesses owned by persons with disabilities, , contracts representing at least 10% (rather than 7%) shall be awarded to businesses owned by women and contracts representing at least 10% (rather than 2%) shall be awarded to businesses owned by persons with disabilities. Removes provisions allowing for a waiver from contract goals established under the Act. Requires the return of specified funds for failing to accomplish contract goals established under the Act. Makes conforming changes.
House Immigration & Human Rights Committee
March 24, 2021, 2:00p.m.
Virtual Room 3 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
HB 1838, Representative Theresa Mah
Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that discrimination based on disability includes unlawful discrimination against an individual because of the individual’s association with a person with a disability.
House Higher Education Committee
March 25, 2021, 12:00 p.m.
Virtual Room 1 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
HB 113, Representative Jonathan Carroll
Creates the Higher Education Mental Health Act. Provides for legislative findings and purposes. Requires the Board of Higher Education to establish the Advisory Commission on Serving and Supporting Students with Mental Health Disabilities in Institutions of Higher Education; provides for the membership and meetings of the Commission. Requires the Commission to conduct a study and prepare reports for the Higher Education Committee of the House of Representatives and the Higher Education Committee of the Senate; specifies the report’s requirements. Provides that the Commission is dissolved on the day after it submits its final report. Repeals the Act on June 1, 2025.
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House Prescription Drug Affordability & Accessibility Committee
March 25, 2021, 12:00 p.m.
Virtual Room 3 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
HB 1745, Representative Greg Harris
Amends the Managed Care Reform and Patient Rights Act. Requires health insurance
Amends the Managed Care Reform and Patient Rights Act. Requires health insurance carriers that provide coverage for prescription drugs to ensure that, within service areas and levels of coverage specified by federal law, at least half of individual and group plans meet one or more of the following criteria: apply a pre-deductible and flat-dollar copayment structure to the entire drug benefit, limit a beneficiary’s monthly out-of-pocket financial responsibility for prescription drugs to a specified amount, or limit a beneficiary’s annual out-of-pocket financial responsibility for prescription drugs to a specified amount. Provides that all plans for prescription drugs offered under the amendatory Act must be clearly and appropriately named, marketed in the same manner as other plans offered by the health insurance carrier, and offered for purchase to any individual and group plan sponsor. Effective January 1, 2022.
House Police & Fire Committee
March 25, 2021, 2:00 p.m.
Virtual Room 1 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
HB 3167, Representative Robert Rita
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 re-appointment. 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.
HB 3796, Representative Bradley Stephens
Amends the First Responders Suicide Prevention Act. Provides that peer support advisors shall also receive appropriate training in identifying the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and to respond appropriately to individuals exhibiting those symptoms. Provides that “post-traumatic stress disorder” has the meaning defined by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board in its implementation of its training in post-traumatic stress disorder under the Illinois Police Training Act.
HB 3911, Representative Frances Ann Hurley
Amends the First Responders Suicide Prevention Act. Provides that the First Responders Suicide Prevention Task Force shall make specified recommendations to specified entities.
HB 3977, Representative Lindsey LaPointe
Creates the First Responders Behavioral Healthcare Bill of Rights Act. Provides that
first responders have certain specified statutory rights in seeking behavioral health services and treatment. Provides that the rights guaranteed to first responders in these provisions are judicially enforceable. Provides that an aggrieved employee may, under the Civil Practice Law, bring an action for damages, attorney’s fee, or injunctive relief against an employer for violating these rights. Defines various terms.
House Revenue & Finance Committee
March 25, 2021, 2:00 p.m.
Virtual Room 3 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
HB 3322, Representative David A. Welter
Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption also applies to persons who are quadriplegic; defines “person who is quadriplegic”. Amends the State Mandates Act to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.
HB 3420, Representative Janet Yang Rohr
Amends the Property Tax Code. In provisions concerning the homestead exemption for veterans with disabilities, provides that: (1) if the veteran has a service connected disability of 30% or more but less than 50%, then the annual exemption is 30% of the assessed value of the property; (2) if the veteran has a service connected disability of 50% or more but less than 70%, then the annual exemption is 50% of the assessed value of the property; and (3) if the veteran has a service connected disability of 70% or more, then the property is exempt from taxation. Effective immediately.
HB 3920, HCA 1, Representative Barbara Hernandez
Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Human Services to provide monthly supplemental payments of $279 to persons who receive federal Supplemental Security Income grants and to undocumented residents who have a disability and meet other criteria. Provides that the supplemental payments shall not be considered income for purposes of determining eligibility or the amount of assistance for any public aid benefit under State or federal law including, subject to federal approval, benefits provided under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or any housing voucher or rental subsidy provided under the Rental Housing Support Program Act or a similar locally funded rent subsidy program, or under the Housing Choice Voucher Program under Section 8 of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937. Provides that the funding for the payments shall come from amounts collected under a specified provision of the Illinois Estate and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Act and deposited into the Illinois Supplemental Payments for Supplemental Security Income Recipients Fund, a special fund created in the State treasury. Amends the Illinois Estate and Generation-Skipping Transfer Tax Act. Imposes an additional estate tax and generation-skipping transfer tax on taxable transferred property valued at $4,000,000 or more. Provides that the additional tax shall be in an amount equal to 5% of the value of the transferred property. Requires the proceeds of the tax to be deposited into the Illinois Supplemental Payments for Supplemental Security Income Recipients Fund. Amends the State Finance Act to include the new special fund. Effective immediately.
- To read the full text of HB 3920: Click
- To read the text of HB 3920, HCA 1: Click
- To file an electronic witness slip on HB 3920: Click
House Mental Health & Addiction Committee
March 26, 2021, 10:00 a.m.
Virtual Room 2 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
HB 205, Representative Mary E. Flowers
Creates the Children’s Mental Health Local Integrated Fund Act. Creates local children’s
mental health collaboratives. Defines “local children’s mental health collaborative” as an entity formed by the agreement of representatives of the local system of care, including mental health services, social services, correctional services, education services, health services, and vocational services for the purpose of developing and governing an integrated service system. Provides that, to qualify as a local children’s mental health collaborative and be eligible to receive start-up funds, the representatives of the local system of care and nongovernmental entities such as parents of children in the target population; parent and consumer organizations; community, civic, and religious organizations; private and nonprofit mental and physical health care providers; culturally specific organizations; local foundations; and businesses, or at a minimum one county, one school district or special education cooperative, one mental health entity, and one juvenile justice or corrections entity, must agree to the following: (1) to establish a local children’s mental health collaborative and develop an integrated service system; (2) to commit resources to providing services through the local children’s mental health collaborative; and (3) to develop a plan to contribute funds to the children’s mental health collaborative.
HB 212, Representative Deb Conroy
Amends the School Code to create the Mental Health Task Force for Communication, Intelligence, Empathy, Emotion, and Empowerment. Provides that the purpose of the task force is to explore and determine a method and program for all students in primary and secondary school to receive mandated mental health care. Sets forth the membership of the task force. Contains provisions concerning the intent of the program, the goals of mandated health care, and task force meetings, duties, and reporting. Repeals these provisions on January 1, 2023. Effective immediately.
HB 213, HCA 1, Representative Deb Conroy
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Creates the Eating Disorder Treatment Parity Task Force within the Department of Insurance to review reimbursement to eating disorder treatment providers in Illinois as well as out-of-state providers of similar services. Provides for the membership of the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall elect a chairperson from its membership and shall have the authority to determine its meeting schedule, hearing schedule, and agendas. Provides that appointments shall be made within 60 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Provides that the Task Force shall review insurance plans and rates and provide recommendations for rules, and the findings, recommendations, and other information determined by the Task Force to be relevant shall be made available on the Department’s website. Provides that the Task Force shall submit findings and recommendations to the Director of Insurance, the Governor, and the General Assembly by December 31, 2021. Provides for repeal of the provisions on January 1, 2023. Effective immediately.
- To read the full text of HB 213: Click
- To read the text of HB 213, HCA 1: Click
- To file an electronic witness slip on HB 213: Click
HB 2394, Representative Robyn Gabel
Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Requires the Department of Human Service and the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to collaborate to develop a standardized format for specified data collection and registration no later than January 1, 2023 entities with expertise in federal requirements and form development. Provides that the Department of Human Service and the Department of Healthcare and Family Services must comply with the new standardized format within 6 months after its date of completion. Contains other provisions. Effective immediately.
HB 2469, Representative Deanne M. Mazzochi
Creates the Suicide Prevention Act. Provides that for a person 18 years of age or older who is receiving or has received mental health services for an attempted suicide, the person’s therapist shall identify a family member or other person who shall consult with the therapist every 30 days following a suicide attempt for the period of one year. Provides that the period may be extended by the therapist based on need. Provides that the therapist shall be responsible for consulting with the designated person about the progress of the person who is receiving mental health services toward restoration of mental health. Provides that except as otherwise prohibited by the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, a therapist is not criminally or civilly liable for disclosing the recipient’s therapy or for discussing the progress of the recipient toward mental health to a person designated under the Act. Defines various terms. Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act to make conforming changes.
HB 2585, Representative Mike Murphy
Amends the Substance Use Disorder Act. Provides that no person may provide services as a certified peer recovery specialist unless he or she is certified by the Department of Human Services. Provides that an applicant for certification must: be 18 years of age or older; have a high school diploma or a high school equivalency certificate; have a current or past mental illness, substance use, or co-occurring disorder; self-identify as a person who is in recovery from a mental illness, substance use, or co-occurring disorder as part of his or her personal recovery process; have demonstrated self-directed recovery for a minimum of 24 consecutive months; and have successfully completed any required specialized training or education. Provides that the Department may adopt any rules necessary to implement the amendatory Act.
HB 3197, Representative Deb Conroy
Creates the Suicide Treatment Improvements Act. Provides that all at-risk patients must be provided with one-on-one suicide prevention counseling by the public or private psychiatric facility at which the at-risk patient is being treated. Provides that the services shall be covered by each group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or managed care plan amended, delivered, issued, or renewed after the effective date of the Act. Requires all psychiatric facilities to provide suicide prevention counselors who are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Provides that specified persons and entities must obtain a history and suicide risk assessment for the person’s or entity’s at-risk patient from information provided by the at-risk patient and the at-risk patient’s caregivers. Provides that if an at-risk patient is admitted to the emergency room of a psychiatric facility, a suicide prevention counselor must immediately assess the at-risk patient and provide specified services. Provides that under no circumstances may a psychiatric facility discharge an at-risk patient into a homeless situation or cause an at-risk patient who is not a threat to others to be sent to a jail. Provides requirements for specified persons and entities to treat and converse with at-risk patients. Provides that all State and local suicide and crisis hotlines must provide suicide prevention counseling and general counseling. Contains provisions regarding law enforcement officers who respond to situations concerning at-risk patients. Provides that violators of the Act may be subject to civil penalties, termination of employment, civil lawsuit, or loss of licensure, certification, or accreditation. Effective July 1, 2021.
HB 3198, Representative Deb Conroy
Creates the Suicide Treatment Improvements Act. Provides that specified persons and entities shall require suicide prevention counselors on the person or entity’s staff to perform specified suicide prevention services. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall require each suicide hotline and crisis hotline in the State to identify callers who are or may be suicidal. Provides for penalties for noncompliance with an order of the Department. Provides that services provided under the Act shall be covered by each group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or managed care plan amended, delivered, issued, or renewed after the Act’s effective date. Provides that each county and municipal law enforcement officer shall annually complete at least 2 hours of in-service training on the appropriate response to emergencies that involve a person who is or may be suicidal. Requires the governing body of each county to appoint a suicide prevention response coordinator to perform specified actions. Provides that suicide prevention counselors dispatched to an emergency scene shall have specified duties. Provides that PSAP call-takers shall evaluate and determine whether a request for emergency services involves a person who is or may be suicidal. Requires specified agencies to adopt rules to implement specified provisions of the Act. Contains other provisions. Amends the Department of State Police Law. Requires the Office of the Statewide 9-1-1 Administrator to develop comprehensive guidelines and adopt rules and standards for the handling of suicide or suicide calls by Public Safety Answering Point telecommunicators. Contains suicide training requirements for PSAP telecommunicators. Effective July 1, 2021.
HB 3259, Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. In provisions concerning mental and emotional disorders, provides that every insurer that amends, delivers, issues, or renews group accident and health policies providing coverage for hospital or medical treatment or services for illness on an expense-incurred basis shall provide coverage for the diagnosis and medically necessary treatment (rather than reasonable and necessary treatment and services for) of mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorders or conditions. Provides that every insurer that amends, delivers, issues, or renews a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance providing coverage for hospital or medical treatment on or after January 1, 2022 shall provide coverage for medically necessary treatment of mental health and substance use disorders. Provides that an insurer that authorizes a specific type of treatment by a provider shall not rescind or modify the authorization after that provider renders the health care service. Provides that if services for the medically necessary treatment of a mental health or substance use disorder are not available in-network within the geographic and timely access standards set by law or regulation, the insurer shall arrange coverage to ensure the delivery of medically necessary out-of-network services and any medically necessary follow-up services, and the insured shall pay no more in total for benefits rendered than the cost sharing that the insured would pay for the same covered services received from an in-network provider. Provides that an insurer shall not limit benefits or coverage for medically necessary services on the basis that those services should be or could be covered by a public entitlement program. Provides that every insurer shall sponsor an education program, make the program available to other stakeholders, provide clinical review criteria at no cost to providers and insured patients, conduct interrater reliability testing, and achieve interrate pass rates of at least 90% or comply with specified requirements if the 90% threshold is not met. Defines terms.
- To read the full text of HB 3259: Click
- To file an electronic witness slip on HB 3259: Click
HB 3517, Representative Keith R. Wheeler
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. In provisions concerning development of medical necessity criteria for coverage of treatment models for early treatment of serious mental illnesses, provides that the rule adopted by the Department of Insurance that defines medical necessity for each of the treatment models shall be updated during calendar year 2021 to include nationally recognized, generally acceptable clinical criteria sourced to evidence-based medicine and to avoid unnecessary anti-competitive impacts.
House Appropriations-Human Services Committee
March 26, 2021, 12:00 p.m.
Virtual Room 3 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
HB 2752, Representative Robyn Gabel—Assigned to Wage & Rates Subcommittee
Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to establish reimbursement rates that build toward livable wages for front-line personnel in residential and day programs and service coordination agencies serving persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Provides that the Department shall increase rates and reimbursements so that by July 1, 2021 direct support persons wages shall be increased by $2 per hour, and so that other front-line personnel earn a commensurate wage. Requires the Department to increase rates and reimbursements in effect on January 1, 2021 for community-based providers for persons with developmental disabilities in order to fund, at a minimum, a $2 per hour wage increase. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that for ID/DD facilities and MC/DD facilities, the rates taking effect within 30 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall include an increase sufficient to provide a $2 per hour wage increase for non-executive front-line personnel, including, but not limited to, other specified staff and support personnel. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to increase the rates for ID/DD facilities and MC/DD facilities taking effect for services delivered on or after January 1, 2021 to provide a minimum $2 per hour wage increase over the wages in effect on January 1, 2021. Requires the Department to increase rates and reimbursements in effect on January 1, 2021 for community-based providers for persons with developmental disabilities in order to fund a minimum $2 per hour wage increase. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Effective immediately.
HB 3119, Representative Robyn Gabel
Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that, subject to federal approval, children younger than age 19 shall be eligible for medical assistance when countable income is at or below 313% (rather than 133%) of the federal poverty level as determined by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services and in accordance with applicable federal requirements. Provides that any individual determined eligible for medical assistance as of or during the COVID-19 public health emergency may be treated as eligible for such medical assistance benefits during the COVID-19 public health emergency, and up to 12 months after the period expires, regardless of whether federally required or whether the individual’s eligibility may be State or federally funded, unless the individual requests a voluntary termination of eligibility or ceases to be a resident. Provides that the amendatory Act shall not restrict any determination of medical need or appropriateness for any particular service and shall not require continued coverage of any particular service that may be no longer necessary, appropriate, or otherwise authorized for an individual. Provides that nothing shall prevent the Department from determining and properly establishing an individual’s eligibility under a different category of eligibility. Repeals the Children’s Health Insurance Program Act and the Covering ALL KIDS Health Insurance Act. Makes conforming changes to various Acts.
HB 3199, Representative Marcus C. Evans, Jr.
Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2021, all FDA approved prescription medications that are recognized by a generally accepted standard medical reference as effective in the treatment of conditions specified in the most recent Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association must be covered under both fee-for-service and managed care medical assistance programs for persons who are otherwise eligible for medical assistance and shall not be subject to any (i) utilization control, (ii) prior authorization mandate, or (iii) lifetime restriction limit mandate. Effective July 1, 2021.
HB 3227, Representative William Davis
Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the methodologies for reimbursement under the managed care medical assistance program shall not be applicable to facilities licensed under the Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Act of 2013. Provides that covered services provided by facilities licensed under the Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Act of 2013 shall be reimbursed at the rates paid under the Illinois Medicaid fee-for-service methodology.
HB 3276, Representative Deb Conroy
Creates the Illinois Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics Act. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services and the Department of Human Services (Departments) to develop a pilot program based upon the certified community behavioral health clinic criteria and the prospective payment system methodology issued by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as created under the federal Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014. Provides that implementation of the pilot program is subject to federal approval. Requires the Departments to seek federal financial assistance for the pilot program and certified community behavioral health clinic technical assistance and support through all potential federal sources, including, but not limited to, the federal Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment program. Contains provisions concerning the timeline for implementing the pilot program; applications for a federal Section 1115 waiver to implement the pilot program; the adoption of rules to implement the pilot program; implementation of the pilot program for certified community behavioral health clinic services under the medical assistance fee-for-service and managed care programs; payments to community behavioral health clinics under the certified community behavioral health clinic prospective payment system methodology for each qualifying visit; staffing requirements for certified community behavioral health clinics; reporting requirements; and other matters. Effective immediately.
HB 3628, Representative Thaddeus Jones
Amends the All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly Act. Changes the name of the Act to the
“Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly Act”. Provides that no later the March 1, 2022, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services must submit a State Plan amendment to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to establish the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE program) to provide community-based, risk-based, and capitated long-term care services as optional services under the State’s Medicaid Plan and under contracts entered into between CMS, the Department, and PACE organizations. Provides that beginning June 1, 2022, or upon federal approval, the Department must develop the PACE program in consultation with nursing homes, Area Agencies on Aging, and others interested in the well-being of Illinois’ elderly residents. Provides that no later than June 30, 2022, the Department must have prepared a comprehensive plan that describes on a county by county basis how PACE services will be delivered within the designated region. Requires the Department, by August 1, 2022, to issue a request for proposals seeking organizations to enter into risk-based contracts. Provides that no later than October 1, 2023, the Department shall begin accepting applications for the PACE program and shall begin approving applications by November 1, 2023. Provides that certain federal requirements of the PACE model shall not be waived or modified. Contains provisions concerning the treatment of income and resources to determine applicant eligibility; capitation rates for PACE organizations; and other matters. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that subject to federal approval, PACE services shall become a covered benefit of the medical assistance program. Effective immediately.
HB 3666, Representative Frances Ann Hurley
Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. In provisions regarding involuntary transfer or discharge of a resident, provides that a facility may submit to a resident or a resident’s legal representative a bill for all charges for which payment was not made during the COVID-19 pandemic. Provides that if payment is not made or if the resident or the resident’s legal representative does not contact the facility to set up a payment schedule acceptable to the facility within 45 days after submission of a bill, the facility may submit a request for payment and, 30 days after receipt of the request for payment, the facility may initiate an involuntary transfer or discharge of the resident. Provides that if the resident or the resident’s legal representative submits evidence of the resident’s financial inability to cover all charges, the facility shall make application on behalf of the resident for Medicaid services, and, upon approval of the resident’s application, the State shall pay the resident’s bill, retroactive to the date the resident failed to make payment. Provides that a resident’s discharge prior to this action does not eliminate a resident’s responsibility to pay for all services rendered. Effective immediately.
HB 3815, Representative Thaddeus Jones
Creates the COVID-19 Family Assistance Program. Provides for the Illinois Department of Public Health to administer a program for the payment of $25,000 to families of persons who die because of COVID-19. Authorizes the Department to adopt rules necessary for the administration of the Program. Requires annual reports to the Governor and General Assembly. Amends the Line of Duty Compensation Act. Creates a benefit of $50,000 for health care workers who die as a result of COVID-19. Defines terms. Effective immediately.
Senate Appropriations-Personnel and Procurement Committee
March 23, 2021, 10:00 a.m.
Virtual Room 3 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
SUBJECT MATTER: FY22 Budget request for the following agencies: SB396- State Retirement System, SB413- University Civil Service Commission, SB435- Illinois State Board of Education- Teacher’s Retirement System, SB412- State Universities Retirement System, SB 396, SB 413, SB 435, SB 412
- To file an electronic witness slip for the subject matter hearing: Click
Senate Education Committee
March 23, 2021, 1:00 p.m.
Virtual Room 1 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
SB 517, Senator Meg Loughran Cappell
Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Includes public therapeutics programs in the definition of “special educational facilities and services”. In a provision requiring a school district to pay the cost of tuition for special education and related services if a child 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 special education and related services includes public therapeutics programs.
SB 531, Senator Bill Cunningham
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 regular school term (rather than being eligible for services only until the day before his or her 22nd birthday). Effective July 1, 2021.
SB 634, Senator Laura M. Murphy
Amends the Interscholastic Athletic Organization Act. Requires an association or other entity that has as one of its purposes promoting, sponsoring, regulating, or in any manner providing for interscholastic athletics or any form of athletic competition among schools and students within this State to allow a student for whom it is determined that special education services are needed under the School Code to participate in interscholastic athletics and other forms of athletic competition for as long as the student is eligible for such special education services, which, for purposes of the School Code, means through the day before the student’s 22nd birthday.
SB 1821, Senator David Koehler
Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that eligible
students who reached or will reach their 22nd birthday between March 17, 2020 and the end of the 2021-2022 school year shall be afforded the option of extending the student’s eligibility through the end of the 2021-2022 school year to provide the student with an opportunity to participate in post-secondary transition activities and services and pursue the goals under the student’s most recent individualized education program. Sets forth provisions regarding the extension of eligibility. Requires each school district to provide written notification of options, including the required waiver of compensatory services claims, to each student to whom these provisions apply or to the student’s guardian or designated representative within 30 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Sets forth the written notification form. Effective immediately.
Senate Health Committee
March 23, 2021, 3:00 p.m.
Virtual Room 2 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
SB 100, Senator Ram Villivalam
Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that a person who uses Medicaid spend-down to qualify for medical assistance shall not be eligible for medical assistance if the person does not meet his or her monthly spend-down for 6 consecutive months. Effective immediately.
SB 1911, Senator Julie A. Morrison
Amends the Community-Integrated Living Arrangements Licensure and Certification Act. In the definition of “community-living arrangement”, includes a living arrangement where 10 or fewer persons under 22 years of age reside and receive services under the supervision of the community mental health or developmental services agency that was licensed under the Child Care Act of 1969 as a Children’s Group Home 17D up to and including July 1, 2021 (a group home). Amends the Child Care Act of 1969 to exclude those group homes from the definition of “group home” under that Act. Further amends the Child Care Act of 1969 to repeal provisions regarding group homes for adolescents diagnosed with autism. Effective July 1, 2021.
SB 1977, Senator Laura Fine
Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to apply for all available federal funding to promote community inclusion and integration for persons with disabilities, regardless of age, and older adults so that those persons have the option to transition out of institutions and receive long-term care services and supports in the settings of their choice. Effective immediately.
SB 1981, Senator Laura Fine
Amends the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to prescribe and supervise courses of vocational training and to provide such other services as may be necessary for the vocational rehabilitation (rather than the habilitation and rehabilitation) of persons with one or more disabilities. Requires the Department to cooperate with State and local school authorities and other recognized agencies engaged in vocational rehabilitation services; and to cooperate with the Illinois State Board of Education and other specified entities regarding the education (rather than care and education) of children with one or more disabilities. Requires the Department to submit an annual report to the Governor that contains information on the programs, activities, and funding dedicated to vocational rehabilitation, independent living, and other community services and supports. Requires the Statewide Independent Living Council to develop a State Plan for Independent Living. Makes changes to provisions concerning grant awards to eligible centers for independent living. Makes changes to provisions concerning the Superintendent of the Illinois School for the Deaf and the Superintendent of the Illinois School of the Visually Impaired. Repeals provisions regarding community services for persons with visual disabilities at the Illinois Center for Rehabilitation and Education. Amends the Disabilities Services Act of 2003. Repeals provisions regarding a Rapid Reintegration Pilot Program. Amends the School Code. Provides that if a child with a disability might be eligible to receive services from the Illinois Center for Rehabilitation and Education, the school district shall notify the parents, in writing, of the existence of the school and the services provided. Effective immediately.
SB 2137, Senator Jacqueline Collins
Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall require each long-term care facility in the State, as a condition of facility licensure, to adopt and implement written policies, provide for the availability of technology to facility residents, and ensure that appropriate staff and other capabilities are in place to prevent the social isolation of facility residents. Contains specified requirements for the social isolation prevention policies. Provides that the Department shall distribute civil monetary penalty funds, as approved by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and any other available federal and State funds, upon request, to facilities for communicative technologies and accessories needed for the purposes of the provisions. Provides that whenever the Department conducts an inspection of a long-term care facility, the Department’s inspector shall determine whether the long-term facility is in compliance with the provisions and the policies, protocols, and procedures adopted pursuant to the provisions. Requires the Department to adopt rules necessary to implement the provisions within 60 days after the amendatory Act’s effective date (and makes conforming changes in the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act). Contains other provisions. Effective immediately.
SB 2148, Senator Chapin Rose
Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall (rather than may) provide by rule that any recipient of medical assistance, with the exception of those classes of recipients identified in a specified provision of the Illinois Administrative Code, shall pay a fee as a co-payment for services. Provides that co-payments shall be maximized to the extent permitted by federal law, except that the Department shall impose a co-pay of $2 on generic drugs and a nominal co-pay of at least $3.90 for each physician or clinic visit, each emergency room visit in a non-emergency, each day of an inpatient hospital visit, and for each brand name prescription.
Senate Judiciary Committee
March 23, 2021, 3:00 p.m.
Virtual Room 3 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
SB 586, Senator Julie A. Morrison
Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Provides that an otherwise qualifying facility shall not be considered to be a “mental health facility” for purposes relating to a person whose admission is solely for the purpose of receiving treatment for a condition other than a mental illness; provided any mental health treatment that is provided is limited to mental health treatment: (i) voluntarily agreed to by the person prior to the current facility admission; (ii) that is the receipt of medications ordered to treat or prevent complications or side effects of medical treatment, including the administration of anti-anxiety medications to surgical patients and patients on mechanical ventilation; or (iii) that is solely an evaluation of the psychological condition of the recipient. Effective immediately.
Senate Behavioral and Mental Health Committee
March 23, 2021, 5:00 p.m.
Virtual Room 3 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
SB 1623, Senator Doris Turner
Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that, for the purpose of removing barriers to the timely treatment of serious mental illnesses, prior authorization mandates and utilization management controls shall not be imposed under the fee-for-service and managed care medical assistance programs on any FDA approved prescription drug that is recognized by a generally accepted standard medical reference as effective in the treatment of conditions specified in the most recent Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders published by the American Psychiatric Association.
SB 1707, SCA 1, Senator Cristina Castro
Creates the Housing is Recovery Pilot Program Act. Creates the Housing is Recovery Pilot Program within the Division of Mental Health of the Department of Human Services. Provides that the Program shall provide bridge rental subsidies for individuals at high risk of unnecessary institutionalization and individuals at high risk of overdose for purposes of stabilizing their mental illness or substance abuse disorder. Provides criteria for the award, computation, and payment of bridge rental subsidies. Sets forth the responsibilities of persons receiving bridge rental subsidies. Provides for the identification and referral to the Program of persons eligible to receive bridge rental subsidies prior to their discharge from a hospital or release from a correctional facility. Provides standards for housing service providers, long-term housing, and temporary rental units. Provides that the Department will contract with an independent outside research organization to evaluate the Program’s effectiveness, and shall report the results of the evaluation to the General Assembly after 5 years. Provides rulemaking authority. Defines terms. Effective immediately.
- To read the full text of SB 1707: Click
- To read the text of SCA 1: Click
- To file an electronic witness slip on SB 1707: Click
SB 1786, Senator Laura M. Murphy
Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall create and maintain an online database and resource page on its website. Provides that the database and resource page shall contain mental health resources specifically geared toward post-secondary social workers, counselors, parents, faculty, graduate assistants, school administrators, graduate and undergraduate students, and support personnel with the goal of connecting those people with mental health resources related to crisis services, wellness, sexual health, survivor support, gender-based violence, nutrition, stress reduction, anxiety, depression, violence prevention, suicide prevention, and substance use and encouraging information sharing among educational administrators, security personnel, resource officers, faculty, students, and all other employees of a university or college. Effective immediately.
- To read the full text of SB 1786: Click
- To file an electronic witness slip on SB 1786: Click
SB 1966, Senator Adriane Johnson
Creates the Interstate Contracts for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Treatment Act. Provides that the purpose of the Act is to enable Illinois and Wisconsin residents who are subject, by court order, to involuntary admission on an inpatient basis for the treatment of a mental health or substance use disorder to obtain appropriate treatment across state lines in qualified hospitals and facilities that are closer to their homes than are facilities available in their home states. Permits mental health facilities located in certain northern border counties to contract with Wisconsin county departments to provide substance use or mental health treatment to Wisconsin residents who are subject to involuntary commitment orders for treatment issued by Wisconsin courts, except that no services may be provided to Wisconsin residents who are involved in a criminal proceeding. Permits mental health facilities located in certain northern border counties to contract with Wisconsin county departments to secure substance use or mental health treatment for Illinois residents who are subject to involuntary commitment orders for treatment issued by State courts, except that no services may be secured for Illinois residents who are committed under specified provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure or the Unified Code of Corrections. Contains provisions concerning involuntary commitment court orders, treatment records, transfers between facilities, required contract provisions, and other matters.
SB 1970, Senator Laura Fine
Creates the Access to Basic Mental Health Information Act. Provides definitions for “mental health facility”, “physician”, and “recipient”. Provides that specified individuals are entitled, upon request, to obtain certain information regarding a recipient in a mental health facility if the individual declares that he or she is involved in the recipient’s care or paying for the recipient’s care and the individual meets specified requirements. Provides that an individual requesting information must submit to the mental health facility specified information. Provides that a mental health facility is required to receive information relevant to the recipient’s mental health treatment. Provides that if the recipient requests the mental health record from the mental health facility, any information that was tendered to the mental health facility under a promise of confidentiality may be withheld from the recipient if disclosure of the information would be reasonably likely to reveal the source of the mental health information. Provides that whenever access or modification is requested, the request, the grounds for its acceptance or denial, and any action taken thereon shall be noted in the recipient’s record. Provides that a mental health facility and its employees or agents are not liable for any action under the Act unless the release was made deliberately or the release constituted gross negligence. Provides that nothing in the Act constitutes an infringement on an individual’s right to obtain mental health records of the recipient if the individual has another right to the mental health records by law, regulation, or consent of the recipient. Provides that the Act shall be liberally construed to allow receipt of mental health information to individuals entitled to a recipient’s information. Provides that the Act supersedes the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code and any other law that would be viewed to limit the access of an individual to a recipient’s mental health records to the extent necessary to give the Act full implementation. Effective immediately.
SB 2117, Senator Robert Peters
Creates the Community Emergency Services and Supports Act. Provides that the Act
applies to every unit of local government that provides or coordinates ambulance or similar emergency medical response or transportation services for individuals with emergency medical needs. A home rule unit may not respond to or provide services for a mental or behavioral health emergency, or create a transportation plan or other regulation, relating to the provision of mental or behavioral health services in a manner inconsistent with this Act. Provides that one plan shall describe how the EMS Region will provide mobile emergency mental and behavioral health services to individuals who do not present as a threat to the responders, and are not involved in criminal activity at the time of the response. Provides that the plan shall conform to the requirements of the Act and, recognizing the variety of systems, services, and needs across the State, provide the specific requirements and guidance appropriate for that region. Provides that the plan shall be identified as the region’s community emergency services and supports plan. Provides that the second plan shall describe the manner and extent to which responders operating under the region’s Community Emergency Services and Supports Plan coordinate with law enforcement when responding to individuals who appear to be in a mental or behavioral health emergency while engaged in conduct alleged to constitute a non-violent misdemeanor. Provides that the plan shall be identified as the region’s Non-Violent Misdemeanor Coordination Plan. Amends the Emergency Telephone System Act to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.
- To read the full text of SB 2117: Click
- To file an electronic witness slip on SB 2117: Click
Senate Licensed Activities Committee
March 24, 2021, 2:00 p.m.
Virtual Room 2 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
SB 677, Senator Ram Villivalam
Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1987. Provides that not later than 12 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall adopt rules that require a person seeking licensure to practice medicine in all of its branches to have completed 3 hours of education on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with cognitive impairments, including, but not limited to, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Specifies that the education requirement shall only apply to applicants who serve or will serve adult populations and have or will have direct patient interactions in their capacity as physicians. Provides that not later than 12 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Department shall adopt rules that require any continuing education for persons licensed to practice medicine under all of its branches to include an average of one hour of continuing education per license year on the diagnosis, treatment, and care of individuals with cognitive impairments, including, but not limited to, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Specifies that the continuing education requirement shall only apply to persons who serve adult populations and have direct patient interactions in their capacity as physicians. Provides that the curriculum used for the education and continuing education requirements shall cover the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, including recognizing the signs and symptoms of dementia; person-centered care; assessment and care planning; and culturally competent health care.
Senate Revenue Committee
March 24, 2021, 4:00 p.m.
Virtual Room 2 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
SB 1975, Senator Laura Fine
Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the chief county assessment officer in a county of more than 3,000,000 residents, and in any other county where the county board has authorized such action by ordinance or resolution, may automatically renew the homestead exemption for persons with disabilities without application for any person who applied for the exemption and presented a Disability Identification Card stating that the claimant is under a Class 2 disability.
Senate Appropriations-Health Committee
March 24, 2021, 5:30 p.m.
Virtual Room 3 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
SUBJECT MATTER: SB 393 (Department on Aging)
- To file an electronic witness slip for the subject matter hearing: Click
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:
SPECIAL NOTE: Due to the COVID 19 pandemic, all 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
