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 27, 2017:
House Appropriations-Elementary & Secondary Education Committee
March 28, 2017, 2:00 p.m.
Room 114, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SUBJECT MATTER: FY 18 ISBE Budget
- To file an electronic witness slip for the subject matter hearing: Click
HB 3171, Representative Nick Sauer
Amends the Block Grants for Chicago Article of the School Code. Removes provisions that require the educational services block grant to include Special Education and funding for children requiring special education services. Makes related changes.
HB 3500, Representative William Davis
Amends the School Code. Allows special education cooperatives to participate in a truants’ alternative and optional education program. Includes special education cooperatives in the definition of “school district” in the Article concerning alternative learning opportunities.
House Insurance: Health & Life Committee
March 28, 2017, 2:00 p.m.
Room D-1, Stratton Building
Springfield, IL
HB 2959, Representative Laura Fine
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that no policy of individual or group accident and
health insurance issued, amended, delivered, or renewed on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act may impose any preexisting condition exclusion with respect to that plan or coverage.
HB 3223, Representative Ann Williams
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance must provide coverage for medically necessary preventative physical therapy for insureds diagnosed with multiple sclerosis without any treatment limitation or calendar year maximum. Removes requirements that coverage under this provision be subject to the same waiting period, cost sharing limitation, treatment limitation, calendar year maximum, or other limitation as provided for other physical or rehabilitative therapy benefits.
House Financial Institutions Committee
March 28, 2017, 4:00 p.m.
Room 122B, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
HB 3799, Representative Daniel V. Beiser
Amends the Illinois Banking Act, the Savings Bank Act, and the Illinois Credit Union Act. Allows certain financial institutions to refuse a transaction if an employee or officer has fulfilled certain training requirements under the Adult Protective Services Act and reasonably believes that an act of financial exploitation of an eligible adult has occurred or may occur. Provides that neither the financial institution nor its employees or officers shall be liable for any actions taken in good faith under the provisions.
House Health Care Availability & Accessibility Committee
March 28, 2017, 4:00 p.m.
Room 115, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
HB 241, Representative Mary E. Flowers
Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Requires each geographically organized service
region operating under the Department of Human Services’ Division of Mental Health to submit by July 1 of each year, beginning in 2018, an annual foster care mental health service plan to the Department that details the service array, from prevention to crisis services, available to Medicaid-eligible children and youth in foster care. Sets forth the data and information the service plans shall contain, including: (1) the number of Medicaid-eligible children and youth in foster care who are served in the region’s service area each year; (2) details on the types of mental health services provided to children and youth in foster care and their families, which may include, but are not limited to, screenings, assessments, home-based mental health services, outpatient services, day treatment services, inpatient services, psychiatric hospitalizations, crisis interventions, case management, or psychotropic medication support services; and (3) medication monitoring consistent with any child welfare psychotropic medication measures developed by the Department of Children and Family Services and any Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) measures related to psychotropic medications. Requires the Department of Human Services to (i) post each foster care mental health service plan on its Internet website in a manner that is publicly accessible and (ii) share performance outcome system data with the regional administrator of each service region for the purpose of informing foster care mental health service plans.
HB 2436, Representative Mary E. Flowers
Creates the Illinois Medicare for All Health Care Act. Provides that all individuals residing in the State are covered under the Illinois Health Services Program for health insurance. Sets forth the health coverage benefits that participants are entitled to under the Program. Sets forth the qualification requirements for participating health providers. Sets forth standards for provider reimbursement. Provides that it is unlawful for private health insurers to sell health insurance coverage that duplicates the coverage of the Program. Provides that investor-ownership of health delivery facilities is unlawful. Provides that the State shall establish the Illinois Health Services Trust to provide financing for the Program. Sets forth the requirements for claims billing under the Program. Provides that the Program shall include funding for long-term care services and mental health services. Provides that the Program shall establish a single prescription drug formulary and list of approved durable medical goods and supplies. Creates the Pharmaceutical and Durable Medical Goods Committee to negotiate the prices of pharmaceuticals and durable medical goods with suppliers or manufacturers on an open bid competitive basis. Sets forth provisions concerning patients’ rights. Provides that the employees of the Program shall be compensated in accordance with the current pay scale for State employees and as deemed professionally appropriate by the General Assembly.
House Judiciary-Criminal Committee
March 28, 2017, 4:00 p.m.
Room 118, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
HB 461, Representative Ryan Spain
Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Repeals the Section providing that if a person 14 years or older is determined to be a person with a developmental disability by a physician, clinical psychologist, or qualified examiner, the person making the determination shall notify the Department of Health and Human Services within 7 days, who then shall notify the Department of State Police, if appropriate, to determine continuing eligibility under the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Makes a conforming change in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act.
HB 649, Representative Arthur Turner
Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963 and the Unified Code of Corrections concerning defendants found unfit to stand trial and found not guilty by reason of insanity. Provides that if the court orders the defendant placed in the custody of the Department of Human Services, the Department shall evaluate the defendant to determine to which secure facility the defendant shall be transported and, within 7 days of the entry of the placement order, notify the sheriff of the designated facility. Upon receipt of that notice, the sheriff shall promptly transport the defendant to the designated facility. Provides that if, within 7 days of the entry of the placement order, the Department fails to notify the sheriff of the identity of the facility to which the defendant shall be transported, the sheriff shall notify the Department that the defendant will be transported to the nearest secure mental health facility operated by the Department unless, within 24 hours of receiving the notice, the Department notifies the sheriff that the defendant should be transported to another facility. Provides that if, during this 24-hour period the Department notifies the sheriff of another facility, the sheriff shall transport the defendant to that facility. If the notice is not received, the sheriff shall transport the defendant to the nearest secure mental health facility operated by the Department.
House Elementary & Secondary Education: Licensing, Administration & Oversight Committee
March 29, 2017, 8:00 a.m.
Room 115, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
HB 3489, Representative Dan Brady
Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that the parent or
guardian of a child with disabilities who resides in a school district shall have the option of enrolling the child in a school district in which the child was previously enrolled as long as that school district is, in whole or in part, within the county in which the child currently resides. Requires the school district in which the child currently resides to grant proper permit to the child’s parent or guardian to allow the child to enroll in a school district outside of the district in which he or she resides. Sets forth provisions concerning special education reimbursement, general State aid apportionment, and transportation costs
House Human Services Committee
March 29, 2017, 8:00 a.m.
Room 114, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
HB 704, Representative Patricia R. Bellock
Creates the Medicaid Smart Card Pilot Program Act. Requires the Director of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to establish a Medicaid Smart Card Pilot Program to reduce the total amount of expenditures under the State’s Medical Assistance Program. Provides that the pilot program shall be designed to reduce the average monthly cost under the State’s Medical Assistance Program for recipients within the pilot program area by an amount that is at least sufficient to recover the cost of implementing the pilot program. Provides that the Director shall determine the geographic area to be included in the pilot program and may contract with an independent entity for the purpose of developing and implementing the pilot program. Contains provisions on required activities under the pilot program, including the distribution of Medicaid Smart Cards to designated recipients; measures the Department might take to implement the pilot program; annual evaluations; reporting requirements; extension or expansion of the pilot program; the confidentiality of health information; reports to the Inspector General; and rulemaking authority.
HB 735, Representative Mary E. Flowers
Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that a redetermination of eligibility for medical
assistance benefits shall be conducted once every 12 months. Effective January 1, 2018.
HB 737, HFA 1, Representative Charles Meier
Amends the Community-Integrated Living Arrangements Licensure and Certification Act. Provides that after a community mental health or developmental services agency’s license has been revoked, it shall continue providing for the health, safety, and welfare of the individuals it was serving by ensuring residents have been fully informed of their rights and options within time frames to be specified in rule and by a specified private, not-for-profit corporation directed by the Governor to administer the State plan to protect and advocate for the rights of persons with developmental disabilities.
- To read full text of HB 737, HFA 1: Click
- To file an electronic witness slip on HB 737, HFA 1: Click
HB 739, HFA 1, Representative Charles Meier
Amends the Community-Integrated Living Arrangements Licensure and Certification Act. Provides that a public or private agency, association, partnership, corporation, or organization that has had a license revoked under a specified provision of the Act may not apply for or possess a license under a different name.
- To read full text of HB 739, HFA 1: Click
- To file an electronic witness slip on HB 739, HFA 1: Click
HB 748, Representative Charles Meier
Amends the Community-Integrated Living Arrangements Licensure and Certification Act. Requires facilities licensed under the Act to notify the Department of Human Services when emergency calls are made from the facility. Grants the Department rulemaking power to implement the notification procedures.
HB 2616, Representative Robyn Gabel
Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that whenever a
hospital notifies a managed care organization that a medical assistance enrollee has a discharge order from the attending physician and is ready for discharge from an inpatient hospital stay to another level of care, the managed care organization must secure the enrollee’s placement in or transfer to another facility within 24 hours of receiving the hospital’s notification. Provides that in addition to any payments for which the managed care organization is responsible through the designated discharge date, a managed care organization that fails to comply with the requirement shall reimburse the hospital for each additional inpatient day beyond the designated discharge date until the enrollee is actually discharged at a rate no less than the effective per day rate for the initial inpatient stay.
HB 2694, Representative Greg Harris
Amends the Managed Care Reform and Patient Rights Act. In provisions concerning transition of services, provides that the health care plan shall not modify an enrollee’s coverage of a drug during the plan year if the drug has been previously approved for coverage by the plan for a medical condition, the plan’s prescribing provider continues to prescribe the drug for the medical condition, and the patient continues to be an enrollee of the health care plan. Provides specific prohibited modifications of drug coverage in the health plan. Provides that the provisions do not prohibit a health care plan from requiring a pharmacist to effect generic substitutions of prescription drugs. Provides that the provisions do not prohibit the addition of prescription drugs to a health care plan’s list of covered drugs during the coverage year.
HB 2853, Representative Randy E. Freese
Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Provides that the provision requiring the Department of Human Services to develop a training program for authorized direct care staff to administer medications under the supervision and monitoring of a registered professional nurse applies to (i) all residential (rather than all programs) for persons with a developmental disability in settings of 16 persons or fewer that are funded or licensed by the Department of Human Services and that distribute or administer medications, and (ii) all day programs certified to serve persons with developmental disabilities by the Department of Human Services.
HB 3053, Representative William Davis
Amends the Authorized Electronic Monitoring in Long-Term Care Facilities Act. Changes the title of the Act to the Authorized Electronic Monitoring in Long-Term Care Facilities and Community-Integrated Living Arrangements Act. Makes changes to make the provisions of the Act applicable to community-integrated living arrangements certified under the Community-Integrated Living Arrangements Licensure and Certification Act. Provides that the term “Department”, for the purposes of facilities licensed under the Nursing Home Care Act, ID/DD Community Care Act, or MC/DD Act, means the Department of Public Health. Provides that the term “Department”, for the purposes of community-integrated living arrangements certified under the Community-Integrated Living Arrangements Licensure and Certification Act, means the Department of Human Services. Adds community-integrated living arrangements to the definition of “facility”. Provides that “resident’s representative” does not apply to community-integrated living arrangements. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall consult with the Department of Public Health when adopting rules to implement the Act. Amends the Community-Integrated Living Arrangements Licensure and Certification Act to make conforming changes. Provides that it is a business offense for a person to discriminate or retaliate against a resident for consenting to the electronic monitoring, or to prevent the installation or use of an electronic monitoring device by a resident that has provided specified notice and consent. Makes other changes.
HB 3376, HCA 1, Representative Lou Lang
Amends the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities Act. Provides that a home care consumer in the Department of Human Services’ Home Services Program has the right and discretion to: (i) select and hire a personal assistant or other individual provider of his or her choice; and (ii) determine the number of hours worked weekly by his or her personal assistant or other individual provider. Provides that, subject to the Department’s authority to approve the total monthly hours in a home care consumer’s service plan, the State of Illinois and any of its departments, including the Department, shall not limit the number of weekly hours worked by personal assistants or other individual providers in the Department’s Home Services Program. Provides that the provisions do not limit the Department’s authority in any other statute to disqualify an individual from providing services in the Department’s Home Services Program for reasons other than the number of weekly hours worked by the individual.
- To read full text of HB 3376, HCA 1: Click
- To file an electronic witness slip on HB 3376, HCA 1: Click
HB 3467, Representative Thomas M. Bennett
Creates the Authorized Electronic Monitoring in Community-Integrated Living Arrangements and Developmental Disability Facilities Act. Provides that under certain conditions, a resident of a living arrangement certified under the Community-Integrated Living Arrangements Licensure and Certification Act and a resident of a developmental disability facility shall be permitted to use an audio and video surveillance system in his or her room at his or her own expense. Requires the electronic monitoring device to be placed in a conspicuously visible location in the room. Requires the Department of Human Services to establish a program to distribute specified funds each year for the purchase and installation of electronic monitoring devices. Establishes criminal penalties for a person or entity that knowingly hampers, obstructs, tampers with, or destroys an electronic monitoring device. Contains provisions concerning: resident and roommate consent to monitoring; notice of electronic monitoring to the staff and visitors; limitations on the staff’s access to recordings; the admissibility of recordings in civil, criminal, and administrative actions; staff reporting; liability; and rulemaking. Makes other changes. Amends the Community-Integrated Living Arrangements Licensure and Certification Act and Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code to make conforming changes. Provides that it is a business offense for a person to discriminate or retaliate against a resident for consenting to the electronic monitoring, or to prevent the installation or use of an electronic monitoring device by a resident who has provided specified notice and consent. Makes other changes.
HB 3813, Representative Kathleen Willis
Amends the Community-Integrated Living Arrangements Licensure and Certification Act. Adds
provisions concerning required disclosures and contract requirements for providers of community-integrated living arrangements. Provides that at the time of or prior to the execution of a contract to provide continuing care at a community-integrated living arrangement, or at the time of or prior to the transfer of any money or other property to a provider by or on behalf of a prospective resident, whichever shall first occur, a provider shall deliver a disclosure statement to the person with whom the contract is to be entered into that contains specified information. Provides that all contracts for continuing care at a community-integrated living arrangement used by a provider shall include specified information. Contains provisions requiring a community-integrated living arrangement to make certain disclosures to the Department of Human Services. Provides that residents may receive, upon request, specified information from providers and may submit comments. Provides that providers shall, to the maximum extent practicable, offer specified explanations, inform residents of certain matters, and make use of specified standards and practices. Provides that a violation of these provisions by a provider of a community-integrated living arrangement shall constitute a deceptive trade practice under the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act. Makes a corresponding change in the Uniform Deceptive Trade Practices Act. Makes other changes.
HB 3894, Representative Robyn Gabel
Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that every contract the Department of Healthcare and Family Services enters into with a managed care organization shall require the managed care organization to: (i) conduct a health assessment on all Medicaid enrollees; and (ii) make at least 3 attempts to contact a Medicaid enrollee within 120 days of a scheduled health assessment if the Medicaid enrollee has not undergone the health assessment by the time scheduled. Provides that every contract the Department enters into with a managed care organization shall also provide that if after 3 attempts the managed care organization is unable to make contact with the Medicaid enrollee, then the Medicaid enrollee shall be removed from the manage care organization’s health plan and enrolled in the State’s Medicaid fee-for-service program.
House Judiciary-Civil Committee
Trusts and Estates Law Subcommittee
March 29, 2017, 8:00 a.m.
Room 413, Stratton Building
Springfield, IL
HB 2665, HCA 1, Representative William Davis
Amends the Guardianship and Advocacy Act. Provides that the State Guardian shall provide a training program that outlines the duties and responsibilities of guardians appointed for adults with disabilities under the Probate Act of 1975. Provides that the training program shall be offered to courts at no cost, and shall outline the responsibilities of guardians and the rights of persons with disabilities in adult guardianships. Provides that in developing the training program content, the State Guardian shall consult with various entities. Amends the Probate Act of 1975. Requires a person acting as the guardian of an adult with a disability to complete a training program developed by the State Guardian or by another suitable provider approved by the court within one year of his or her appointment. Exempts from the training requirements public guardians, state guardians, attorneys currently authorized to practice law, and persons who are certified as National Certified Guardians by the Center for Guardianship Certification. Provides that at the conclusion of a hearing on a petition to terminate the adjudication of disability or revoke or modify letters of appointment, the court may require the guardian to complete the training program. Provides that the Governor may designate, without the advice and consent of the Senate, the Office of State Guardian as an interim public guardian to fill a vacancy in one or more counties. Provides that the Guardianship and Advocacy Commission shall provide public guardians with information about certification requirements and procedures for testing and certification offered by (instead of “professional training opportunities and facilitate testing and certification opportunities at locations in Springfield and Chicago with”) the Center for Guardianship Certification. Effective one year after becoming law.
- To read full text of HB 2665, HCA 1: Click
- To file an electronic witness slip on HB 2665, HCA 1: Click
House Elementary & Secondary Education: School Curriculum & Policies Committee
March 29, 2017, 10:00 a.m.
Room 115, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
HB 2545, Representative C.D. Davidsmeyer
Amends the School Code. With regard to training to identify the warning signs of mental illness and suicidal behavior, requires all personnel (rather than specific personnel) to undergo the training annually. Beginning with the 2017-2018 school year, requires this training to include a school district’s policy on suicide awareness and prevention; makes related changes.
HB 3811, Representative Natalie Manley
Amends the School Code. Provides that if a school discovers that a physician, advanced practice nurse, or physician assistant refuses to conduct a developmental screening or the social and emotional screening despite the request of a parent or legal guardian, the school shall report the refusal to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and the Department shall impose a $500 civil penalty on the physician, advanced practice nurse, or physician assistant who refused to complete the screenings.
House Health Care Licenses Committee
March 29, 2017, 10:00 a.m.
Room 122B, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
HB 2688, Representative Cynthia Soto
Creates the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact Act. Provides that the State of Illinois enters into the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact and sets forth the provisions of the Compact. Provides that the purposes of the Compact are to increase public access to professional psychological services by allowing for telepsychological practice across state lines and temporary in-person services in which the psychologist is not licensed to practice psychology, enhance the states’ ability to protect the public’s health and safety, encourage the cooperation of Compact States in the areas of psychology licensure and regulation, facilitate the exchange of information between Compact States regarding psychologist licensure, adverse actions, and disciplinary history, promote compliance with the laws governing psychological practice in each Compact State, and invest all Compact States with the authority to hold licensed psychologists accountable through the mutual recognition of Compact State licenses. The Compact contains provisions concerning home state licensure, Compact privilege to practice telepsychology, Compact temporary authorization to practice, conditions of telepsychology practice in a receiving state, adverse actions, additional authorities invested in a Compact State’s psychology regulatory authority, a coordinated licensure information system, establishment of the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact Commission, rulemaking, oversight, dispute resolution and enforcement, and the date of implementation of the Compact.
House State Government Administration Committee
March 29, 2017, 2:00 p.m.
Room 122B, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
HB 3007, Representative Elizabeth Hernandez
Amends the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Females, and Persons with Disabilities Act. Defines “not-for-profit business organization”.
House Revenue & Finance Committee
March 30, 2017, 8:00 a.m.
Room C-1, Stratton Building
Springfield, IL
HB 215, Representative La Shawn K. Ford
Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax checkoff for the Mental Health Income Tax Checkoff Fund. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Fund. Provides that moneys in the Fund may be used by the Department of Public Health for the purpose of making grants to providers of mental health services in the State.
House Elections & Campaign Finance Committee
Voter Registration & Education Subcommittee
March 30, 2017, 9:00 a.m.
Room 413, Stratton Building
Springfield, IL
HB 2477, Representative Barbara Flynn Committee
Amends the Election Code. Provides that no patient who has resided for less than 180 days in any hospital or mental institution (rather than no patient of any hospital or mental institution) in the State shall by virtue of his or her abode at the hospital be deemed a resident or legal voter in an election district in which the hospital or mental institution is situated.
House Mental Health Committee
March 30, 2017, 11:00 a.m.
Room 413, Stratton Building
Springfield, IL
HB 68, HCA 1, Representative Lou Lang
Amends various statutes to strengthen mental health parity in Illinois.
HB 1786, Representative Mary E. Flowers
Amends the Children’s Mental Health Act of 2003. Creates the Children’s Mental Health Local Integrated Fund Law. Creates local children’s mental health collaboratives. Defines a “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 in order 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 2465, Representative Sara Feigenholtz
Amends the Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Act of 2013. Provides that provisional licenses shall be awarded to every entity with a pending application for licensure on the effective date. Provides that the provisional licenses shall be awarded and in effect immediately upon the effective date of the amendatory Act. Provides that for the purpose of compliance with specified Life Safety Code requirements, the Department of Public Health shall accept certain evaluations and waivers. Makes changes to the definition of “executive director”. Provides that for comparative purposes, facilities licensed under the Act shall make a specified quarterly report to the Department of specified incidents.
HB 3375, Representative Lou Lang
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that each insured residing in an area designated as a mental health professional shortage area may obtain services from professionals licensed under the Illinois Alcoholism and Other Drug Abuse and Dependency Act through the use of telehealth services.
HB 3502, HCA 1, Representative Deborah Conroy
Creates the Advisory Council on Early Identification and Treatment of Mental Health conditions Act.
- To read full text of HB 3502, HCA 1: Click
- To file an electronic witness slip on HB 3502, HCA 1: Click
House Restorative Justice Committee
March 30, 2017, 11:00 a.m.
Room 122B, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
HJR 8, Representative Thomas Bennett
Urges the Department of Juvenile Justice to amend administrative rules regarding Maximum Penalties for Youth.
House Special Needs Services Committee
March 30, 2017, 12:00 p.m.
Room 115, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
HB 396, Representative Charles Meier
Amends the Community-Integrated Living Arrangements Licensure and Certification Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services may conduct unannounced or announced site visits. Requires the Department to establish, by rule, procedures and criteria for determining whether to conduct an unannounced site visit to an agency, program, or placement.
HB 3636, Representative William Davis
Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Provides that a person admitted to a developmental disability facility shall have access to sex education, related sources, and treatment planning that supports his or her right to sexual expression, including access reviews of whether the admitted person is capable of giving consent to sexual activity. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall approve course material in sex education which must meet certain statutory guidelines.
House Veterans Affairs Committee
March 30, 2017, 12:00 p.m.
Room 413, Stratton Building
Springfield, IL
HB 2657, HCA 1, Representative Stephanie Kifowit
Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act. Contains provisions concerning the establishment of various programs and services for the benefit of veterans including a proactive outreach program for veterans that served in high casualty units, in units that experienced high conflict areas, and in units where at least one service member committed suicide following his or her service; a public awareness campaign concerning the trauma and internal injuries suffered by veterans; and a licensing program for therapy dogs for veterans. Requires the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to adopt any rules necessary to implement these provisions.
- To read full text of HB 2657, HCA 1: Click
- To file an electronic witness slip on HB 2657, HCA 1: Click
HB 2658, Representative Stephanie Kifowit
Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act. Provides that the Department of Veterans’ Affairs shall provide training to frontline employees at veterans service organizations established under the Act on mental health services to identify veterans who might be at risk of suicidal thoughts. Provides that the training may include, but not be limited to, mental health first aid training and amplified suicide advanced training programs. Provides that the Department shall provide assistance to Veterans Assistance Commissions established under the Military Veterans Assistance Act and veterans’ service associations, including, but not limited to, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and AMVETS, in providing the training. Provides that the Department shall find combat veterans to serve as veteran service officers at veterans service organizations established under the Act for the purpose of having veteran services officers who are able to properly relate to fellow combat veterans. Requires the Department of Veterans’ Affairs to adopt any rules necessary to implement these provisions.
Senate Appropriations II Committee
March 28, 2017, 9:00 a.m.
Room 212, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SUBJECT MATTER: Testimony on FY 18 budget request for the following agencies, SB2146- Illinois State Board of Education. SB 2146
- To file an electronic witness slip for the subject matter hearing: Click
Senate Education Committee
March 28, 2017, 1:00 p.m.
Room 212, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SB 1557, Senator Kimberly A. Lightford
Amends the School Code. Provides that early childhood programs receiving State Board of Education grants for preschool educational programs shall prohibit the expulsion of children. Provides instead that when persistent and serious challenging behaviors emerge, the early childhood program shall document steps taken to ensure that the child can participate safely in the program and utilize a range of community resources. Sets forth provisions concerning the creation of a transition plan if there is documented evidence that all available interventions and supports recommended by a qualified professional have been exhausted; temporary removal of a child; the utilization of training, technical support, and professional development resources; and annually reporting to the State Board. Makes related changes. Amends the Child Care Act of 1969 to require the Department of Children and Family Services, in consultation with the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development and the State Board of Education, to adopt rules prohibiting the use of expulsion due to a child’s persistent and serious challenging behaviors in licensed day care centers, day care homes, and group day care homes.
Senate Public Health Committee
March 28, 2017, 1:00 p.m.
Room 400, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SB 2031, Senator Thomas Cullerton
Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Provides that for a specified written agreement provided by a resident to a facility under the Act, the agreement may authorize the resident’s representative to represent the resident’s interests in securing and maintaining Medicaid long-term care benefits, including banking records, redeterminations, appeal proceedings, and legal challenges, or that the resident may choose another individual or entity to perform these functions, which shall require a separate written agreement. Provides that an authorization granted by a resident under a specified provision shall not be diminished or terminated by the death of the resident.
Senate Human Services Committee
March 28, 2017, 3:00 p.m.
Room 409, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SB 1353, SFA 1, Senator Heather A. Steans
Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that for a person who is a resident in a facility licensed under the ID/DD Community Care Act, the Community-Integrated Living Arrangements Licensure and Certification Act, the Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Act of 2013 or the MC/DD Act, for whom payments are made throughout a month and who is determined to be eligible for medical assistance, 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 $60.
- To read full text of SB 1353, SFA 1: Click
- To file an electronic witness slip on SB 1353, SFA 1: Click
If you wish to take any action regarding any of these bills/issues, you may wish to attend the committee 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. You may also use this website to file an electronic witness slip for any bill that is posted for hearing by clicking on “GA Dashboard” on the homepage.
For additional information, please contact:
Cheryl R. Jansen
Public Policy Director
Equip for Equality
217-544-0464 ext. 6013
