LEGISLATIVE UPDATE FROM EQUIP FOR EQUALITY
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 2, 2020:
House Adoption & Child Welfare Committee
March 3, 2020, 2:00 p.m.
Room 122B, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
HB 2432, 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.
HB 3969, Representative Sue Scherer
Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that notwithstanding any other law or rule to the contrary, no child under the care or custody of the Department of Children and Family Services shall be subjected to mechanical restraints during the provision of any transportation services provided or arranged by the Department, unless required by court order. Provides that nothing under the amendatory Act shall be construed to apply to the Department’s policy on medical restraints.
House Appropriations-Elementary & Secondary Education Committee
March 3, 2020, 2:00 p.m.
Room D-1, Stratton Building
Springfield, IL
SUBJECT MATTER: Principal &Teacher Mentoring, Early Childhood Education, Community and Residential Service Authority, Teach for America, Southwest Organizing Project, Special Education, Little Angels.
- To file an electronic witness slip for the subject matter hearing: Click
House Judiciary-Criminal Committee
March 3, 2020, 3:00 p.m.
Room 118, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
HB 182, Representative La Shawn K. Ford
Creates the Isolated Confinement Restriction Act. Provides that a committed person may not be placed in isolated confinement for more than 10 consecutive days. Provides that a committed person may not be placed in isolated confinement for more than 10 days in any 180-day period. Provides that while out of cell, committed persons may have access to activities, including, but not limited, to: job assignments, educational classes, vocational classes, meals, recreation, yard or gymnasium, day room, medical appointments, visits, and group therapy. Provides exceptions. Provides that the Department of Corrections shall post on the Department’s official website quarterly reports on the use of isolated confinement. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections to make conforming changes.
HB 3905, Representative La Shawn K. Ford
Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person who intentionally misrepresents an animal as a service animal commits a petty offense. Provides that a person commits intentional misrepresentation of an animal as a service animal when the person: (1) intentionally misrepresents an animal in his or her possession as his or her service animal; (2) was previously given a warning that it is illegal to intentionally misrepresent an animal as a service animal; and (3) knows that the animal is a not a service animal.
HB 3938, 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.
HB 4330, Representative Maurice A. West, II
Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Provides that a person may not willfully and
maliciously annoy, harass, taunt, injure, kill, or otherwise harm any animal (rather than a guide, hearing, or support dog) that provides assistance to a person with a disability. Sets forth penalties. Defines “assistance animal”.
House Human Services Committee
March 4, 2020, 8:30 a.m.
Room C-1, Stratton Building
Springfield, IL
HB 176, 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.
HB 3245, Representative Mary E. Flowers
Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that on and after January 1, 2020 no recipient of medical assistance shall be required to enroll or transition to the State’s managed care medical assistance program. Provides that any recipient enrolled in a managed care health plan on January 1, 2020 shall be given the option to disenroll from the State’s managed care medical assistance program and receive coverage under the State’s fee-for-service program. Provides that on and after January 1, 2020, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall not enter into any new contract or agreement with a managed care organization (MCO) to provide services where payment for medical services is made on a capitated basis. Provides that the Department shall not renew, renter, renegotiate, change orders, or amend any contract or agreement it entered with a MCO that was solicited under the State of Illinois Medicaid Managed Care Organization Request for Proposals (2018-24-001) (Request for Proposals (2018-24-001)). Provides that any recipient who is enrolled in a managed care health plan administered by a MCO that entered a contract with the Department under the Request for Proposals (2018-24-001) shall be transitioned to the State’s fee-for-service program upon the expiration of the MCO’s contract with the Department. Requires the Department to establish, by rule, an appeals and grievance process that includes: (i) an expedited internal review of an appeal involving an adverse determination; (ii) a final adverse determination; and (iii) a standard external review. Requires the Department to notify a recipient in writing of the recipient’s right to request an external review. Repeals a provision concerning procurement requirements for MCO contracts.
HB 3897, Representative Frances Ann Hurley
Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that a student whose 22nd birthday occurs during the school year is eligible for special education services through the end of the school year (rather than being eligible for services only until the day before his or her 22nd birthday).
HB 4252, Representative Debbie Meyers-Martin
Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Provides that the
notice of a recipient’s rights includes, if applicable, the recipient’s right to request a transfer to a different Department of Human Services facility. Provides that a recipient, his or her attorney, guardian, if any, and responsible relative, in any Department facility may make a written application to the facility director of the recipient’s current facility to transfer to another Department facility. Provides that the Department shall provide the form to make such an application to a recipient, his or her attorney, guardian, if any, and responsible relative upon request. Provides that a recipient of services shall not include a person with the primary diagnosis of a developmental disability. Provides that upon receipt of the recipient’s application, the facility director shall promptly schedule a hearing to be held within 7 days. Provides that the hearing shall be held at the recipient’s current facility. Establishes the recipient’s burden of proof at the transfer hearing. Provides that if a recipient’s application for transfer is denied, no application may be filed for 180 days. Provides that the recipient does, however, have the right to administratively appeal any decision of the utilization review committee.
HB 4868, Representative Maurice A. West, II
Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Requires facilities licensed under the Act to publish a record of all Type “AA”, Type “A”, and Type “B” violations of the facility received from the Department of Public Health for a period of no less than 5 years prior to the amendatory Act’s effective date. Provides that the record must be published prominently on the facility’s website. Provides disciplinary action for violation of the requirements.
HB 5510, Representative Gregory Harris
Creates the Prior Authorization Reform Act. Provides requirements concerning disclosure and review of prior authorization requirements, denial of claims or coverage by a utilization review program, and the implementation of prior authorization requirements or restrictions. Provides requirements concerning a utilization review program’s obligations with respect to prior authorizations in nonurgent circumstances, urgent health care services, and emergency health care services. Provides that a utilization review program shall not require prior authorization under specified circumstances. Provides requirements concerning the length of prior authorizations. Provides that health care services are automatically deemed authorized if a utilization review program fails to comply with the requirements of the Act. Provides that the Director of Insurance may impose an administrative fine not to exceed $250,000 for violations of the Act. Defines terms. Amends the Managed Care Reform and Patient Rights Act to provide that an insurer that provides prescription drug benefits must comply with the requirements of the Prior Authorization Reform Act. Provides that if prior authorization for covered post-stabilization services is required by a health care plan, the plan shall comply with the requirements of the Prior Authorization Reform Act. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code to provide that all managed care organizations shall comply with the requirements of the Prior Authorization Reform Act. Makes other changes.
House Judiciary-Civil Committee
March 4, 2020, 8:30 a.m.
Room D-1, Stratton Building
Springfield, IL
HB 4050, HCA 2, Representative Daniel Didech
Amends the Guardians For Adults With Disabilities Article of the Probate Act of 1975. Provides that a petition for adjudication of disability and for appointment of a guardian may, in the case of an intellectual disability, be accompanied by a psychological evaluation that has been performed within one year of the date of the filing of the petition. Also provides that if intellectual disability forms the basis for the appointment of a guardian, the report may be performed by a clinical psychologist (instead of only a licensed physician).
- To read the full text of HB 4050, HCA 2: Click
- To file an electronic witness slip on HB 4050, HCA 2: Click
HB 4562, Representative Thomas M. Bennett
Amends the Guardians For Adults With Disabilities Article of the Probate Act of 1975. Provides that a guardian shall consider the ward’s current preferences to the extent the ward has the ability to participate in decision making when those preferences are known or reasonably ascertainable by the guardian. Provides that decisions by the guardian shall conform to the ward’s current preferences unless the guardian reasonably believes that doing so would result in substantial harm to the ward’s welfare or personal or financial interests. Provides that if the guardian is unable to ascertain the ward’s preferences, then the decisions may be made by conforming as closely as possible to what the ward would have done or intended under the circumstances. Makes conforming changes.
HB 4563, Representative Thomas M. Bennett
Amends the Guardians For Adults with Disabilities Article of the Probate Act of 1975. Provides that a petition for the appointment of a temporary guardian for an alleged person with a disability shall be filed at the time of or subsequent to the filing of a petition for adjudication of disability and appointment of a guardian. Provides that the petition for the appointment of a temporary guardian shall state specified facts. Provides that notice of the time and place of the hearing on a petition for the appointment of a temporary guardian or petition to revoke the appointment of a temporary guardian shall be given not less than 3 days before the hearing.
House Elementary & Secondary Education: School Curriculum & Policies Committee
March 4, 2020, 10:00 a.m.
Room 413, Stratton Building
Springfield, IL
HB 3973, Representative Keith R. Wheeler
Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Allows a private special education facility in this State that is a nonprofit entity and that provides special education services only to students who are referred to it by a public school district in this State to require tuition payments by a school district monthly prior to the provision of special education services in accordance with a student’s individualized education program for the period that the student is enrolled in the facility pursuant to a placement contract between the facility and the student’s school district. Provides that, at or before the end of each regular school term and each summer school term, the private special education facility shall refund to a school district any tuition funds collected by the facility for days that a student was not enrolled in the facility, and if, for any reason, the facility does not satisfy the requirements of the Article or any rules adopted by the State Board of Education regulating private special education facilities, then the State Board, at the request of the school district, may determine that the facility shall refund any tuition funds collected by the facility for days that it was determined by the State Board that the facility was in noncompliance with special education rules.
HB 4406, Representative Lindsay Parkhurst
Amends the School Code. Provides for dyslexia screening guidelines and rules. Requires the State Board of Education to employ at least 5 dyslexia specialists or dyslexia therapists with a minimum of 5 years of field experience in screening, identifying, and treating dyslexia and related disorders to provide technical assistance and training. Provides that, beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, each school district must screen students in grades kindergarten through second (and in higher grades under certain circumstances) for the risk factors of dyslexia using a universal screener approved by the State Board. 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 a 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.
House Transportation: Vehicles & Safety Committee
March 4, 2020, 10:00 a.m.
Room 115, Building
Springfield, IL
HB 4778, Representative Keith R. Wheeler
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows the Secretary of State to provide a disabilities motor decal or device to an expectant mother during her third trimester. Provides that a decal or device provided to an expectant mother shall be valid for no more than 90 days, and shall clearly set forth the date that the decal or device expires. Provides that a decal or device shall be issued only upon a showing by adequate documentation that the expectant mother has entered her third trimester.
House Labor & Commerce Committee
March 4, 2020, 2:00 p.m.
Room 114, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
HB 3340, Representative Theresa Mah
Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Contains a declaration of policy and
intent. Requires the Department of Human Services, in partnership with specified State agencies, to develop and implement a plan to phase out, by July 1, 2024, authorizations under the Minimum Wage Law to pay an employee with a disability less than the minimum wage. Requires the Department to consult with specified organizations when implementing the phase-out plan. Requires the Secretary of Human Services to submit reports to the Governor and the General Assembly on the benchmarks and status of achieving the outcomes included in the phase-out plan and recommendations for funding levels or other resources necessary to implement the phase-out plan. Amends the Department of Labor Law. Prohibits the Director of Labor from authorizing a work activities center or other sheltered workshop to pay an employee who has a disability less than the minimum wage unless certain requirements are met. Amends the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities Law. Requires the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities to commission an independent study of the phase-out plan; determine whether the plans are having their intended effects; and make recommendations for possible changes in State law or policy regarding the employment of individuals with disabilities. Requires the Council to report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by July 1, 2023. Amends the Minimum Wage Law. Provides that the State of Illinois shall not fund any entity that pays individuals less than the minimum wage under a certificate issued by the United States Department of Labor that authorizes Community Rehabilitation Programs to pay individuals less than the wage otherwise required for the individuals under federal law. Effective immediately, except that the provisions amending the Minimum Wage Law take effect July 1, 2024.
House State Government Administration Committee
March 4, 2020, 2:00 p.m.
Room 413, Stratton Building
Springfield, IL
HB 4630, Representative Sonya M. Harper
Amends the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act. Provides that the Business Enterprise Council for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities shall collaborate with each chief procurement officer to create a unified, searchable, statewide online database incorporating specified information. Requires the Council to annually report on trends and identify areas of State contracting for outreach to businesses owned by minorities, women, and persons with disabilities. Makes conforming changes.
HB 5232, Representative Michael D. Unes
Amends the Blind Vendors Act. In provisions permitting the Department of Human
Amends the Blind Vendors Act. In provisions permitting the Department of Human Services to provide, by rule, for set-asides similar to those provided under the federal Randolph-Sheppard Act, provides that the funds may be used only for: (1) the maintenance and replacement of equipment that is for use on State property; (2) the purchase of new equipment that is for use on State property; (3) the construction of new vending facilities that are for use on State property; and (4) the funding of functions of the Illinois Committee of Blind Vendors, including legal and other professional services, that are performed on State property.
House Appropriations-Human Services Committee
March 5, 2020, 8:00 a.m.
Room C-1, Stratton Building
Springfield, IL
SUBJECT MATTER: Aging
- To file an electronic witness slip for the subject matter hearing: Click
SB 2541, Representative Gregory Harris
Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that for facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the ID/DD Community Care Act as ID/DD Facilities and under the MC/DD Act as MC/DD Facilities, subject to federal approval, the rates taking effect on the latter of the approval date of the State Plan Amendment for these facilities or the Waiver Amendment for the home and community-based services settings shall include an increase sufficient to provide a $0.26 per hour wage increase to the base wage for non-executive staff. Requires the Department to adopt emergency rules. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Provides that emergency rules may be adopted to implement the provisions of the amendatory Act.
House Revenue & Finance Committee
March 5, 2020, 8:00 a.m.
Room 122B, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
HB 184, HCA 1, 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 Human Services for the purpose of making grants to providers of mental health services in the State.
- To read the full text of HB 184 as introduced: Click
- To read the full text of HCA 1: Click
- To file an electronic witness slip on HB 184, HA 1: Click
HB 3401, Representative Joyce Mason
Amends the Property Tax Code. Creates an assessment freeze homestead exemption for persons with a disability. Sets forth the amount of the exemption. Provides that applicants must reapply on an annual basis.
HB 4004, Representative Rita Mayfield
Amends the Property Tax Code. With respect to the homestead exemption for persons with disabilities, provides that the property is exempt from taxation if the person with a disability is 55 years of age or older at any point during the taxable year.
House Mental Health Committee
March 5, 2020, 9:00 a.m.
Room 114, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SUBJECT MATTER: Workforce Education
- To file an electronic witness slip for the subject matter hearing: Click
HB 3975, HCA 1, Representative Jonathan Carroll
Amends the School Code. Prohibits a school district employee or volunteer or an
independent contractor of a school district from placing a student in seclusion; defines seclusion. Provides that this prohibition does not apply to the use of seclusion in a court-ordered placement, other than a placement in an educational program of a school district, or in a placement or facility to which other laws or rules apply. Prohibits the use of physical restraints except as provided in rules adopted by the State Board of Education.
- To read the full text of HB 3975, HCA 1: Click
- To file an electronic witness slip on HB 3975, HCA 1: Click
HB 5498, Representative Deb Conroy
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that the Department of Insurance and the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall each appoint a Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Parity Compliance Officer to assist with the responsibilities of enforcing the requirements of the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that group accident and health policies providing coverage for hospital or medical treatment or services for illness on an expense-incurred basis shall provide specified coverage for the diagnosis and medically necessary treatment of mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorders or conditions. Provides criteria and standards for the types of treatment that constitute medically necessary treatment of mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorders or conditions. Provides that an insurer shall not limit benefits or coverage for chronic or pervasive mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorders or conditions to short-term treatment or to alleviating current symptoms. Provides that insurers shall perform specified actions to ensure the proper use of medical necessity criteria. Provides that if medically necessary services for mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorders or conditions are not available in-network within the geography and timeliness standards, the insurer must cover out-of-network services. Provides that if the Department of Insurance determines that an insurer has failed to meet the requirements of the amendatory Act, it shall impose a penalty per product line with respect to each beneficiary.
Senate Education Committee
March 3, 2020, 1:00 p.m.
Room 212, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SB 2281, 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 school year (rather than being eligible for services only until the day before his or her 22nd birthday).
SB 2473, Senator Robert F. Martwick
Amends the Compulsory Attendance Article of the School Code. Provides that a public school student shall be granted up to 5 days of excused absences in any school year for the reason of the mental or behavioral health of the student. Requires that a student whose absence is excused for this reason be provided the opportunity to make up any school work missed during the absence.
Senate Public Health Committee
March 3, 1:00 p.m.
Room 400, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SUBJECT MATTER: Regarding status of Coronavirus, SB 2751
- To file an electronic witness slip for the subject matter hearing: Click
SB 3425, Senator Melinda Bush
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a workgroup convened by the Department of Insurance and the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall provide recommendations to the General Assembly on health plan data reporting requirements that separately break out data on mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorder or condition benefits and data on other medical benefits no later than May 31, 2020 (rather than December 31, 2019).
SB 3449, Senator Robert Peters
Creates the Community Emergency Services and Support Act. Provides that every unit of local government that provides emergency medical services for individuals with physical health needs must also provide appropriate emergency response services to individuals experiencing a mental or behavioral health emergency. Amends the Emergency Telephone System Act to make conforming changes.
SR 993, Senator Heather A. Steans
Declares the date of March 19, 2020 as Illinois Epilepsy Advocacy Day in the State of
Illinois.
Senate Human Services Committee
March 3, 2020, 2:00 p.m.
Room 409, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SUBJECT MATTER:: Behavioral Health Workforce Education
- To file an electronic witness slip for the subject matter hearing: Click
Senate Human Services Committee
March 3, 2020, 3:00 p.m.
Room 409, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SB 2328, 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.
SB 2520, Senator Omar Aquino
Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that on and after July 1, 2020, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall administer a school-based dental program that allows for the out-of-office delivery of preventative dental services in a school setting to children under 19 years of age. Requires the Department to establish guidelines for participation by providers and set requirements for follow-up referral care based on each caries risk assessment code required for each student. Provides that every effort shall be made to ensure that children enrolled in the school-based dental program are assigned a primary dentist by allowing local dentists who practice within each school district the opportunity to participate in the school dental program prior to utilizing mobile dental services or dental providers outside the individual school boundaries. Provides that no provider shall be charged a fee by any unit of local government to participate in the school-based dental program administered by the Department.
SB 3333, Senator Robert F. Martwick
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 first responders with the goal of connecting those persons with mental health resources related to crisis services, wellness, trauma information, nutrition, stress reduction, anxiety, depression, violence prevention, suicide prevention, and substance use and of encouraging information sharing among families of first responders, first responder organizations, first responder professional organizations, and first responders.
SB 3335, Senator Sara Feigenholtz
Creates the Community Mental Health Reform Act. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, in partnership with the Department of Human Services, to revise administrative rules and other Department policies and practices concerning certification and service requirements for community mental health centers and behavioral health clinics. Provides that the primary goal of revising the administrative rules and Department policies is to develop a modernized regulatory framework that: (1) fosters the provision of services that results in the best mental health and health outcomes and is consistent with a Medicaid managed care environment; (2) enables innovation and integrated mental and physical health care; (3) harnesses the modern mental health workforce; and (4) reduces unnecessary process barriers that do not offer meaningful clinical value and that act as a barrier to treatment. Requires the Department of Human Services to revise administrative rules concerning the Medicaid Community Mental Health Services Program to be consistent with changes made to administrative rules concerning certification and service requirements for community mental health centers and behavioral health clinics. Contains provisions concerning reducing client mental health assessments; enabling workforce expertise for certain roles on multidisciplinary, team-based treatment models; streamlining fee-for-service documentation requirements to enable increased time for client care; the establishment of a working group of community mental health centers and behavioral health clinics; and other matters.
SB 3416: Senator Cristina Castro
Amends the Community Services Act. Removes language requiring the Department of Human Services to establish a Family Support Services Voucher Pilot Program and instead requires the Department to coordinate and fund the Voucher Respite Program. Provides that the Voucher Respite Program shall be a subset of specified programs with the exception that administration of the Program shall not be limited to agencies that provide respite services. Provides that the purpose of the Program is to increase the number of families who are able to access respite services; provide families with greater flexibility over services; and prevent or delay the need for more intensive long-term care and support. Makes other conforming changes.
SB 3431, Senator Laura Fine
Amends the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities Act. 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 the operation of a Rapid Reintegration Pilot Program by the Department of Human Services.
Senate Higher Education Committee
March 3, 2020, 3:00 p.m.
Room 212, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SB 2495, Senator Thomas Cullerton
Amends the Mental Health Early Action on Campus Act. Provides that if a public higher education institution issues student identification cards to its students, the institution must provide contact information for certain suicide prevention and mental health resources on each student identification card. Provides that if an institution does not issue student identification cards to its students, the institution must publish the contact information on its website.
Senate Judiciary Committee
March 3, 2020, 3:00 p.m.
Room 400, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SB 2796, Senator Robert F. Martwick
Amends the Guardians for Adults with Disabilities Article of the Probate Act of 1975.
Provides that one of the persons who performed the evaluations upon which the report relating to the adjudication of disability is based shall be a licensed physician or a licensed clinical psychologist (rather than “shall be a licensed physician”). Provides that the report in support of a verified petition to allow a ward to execute a will or codicil may be from a licensed clinical psychologist (rather than only a current physician).
SB 3012, Senator Julie A. Morrison
Amends the Guardians For Adults With Disabilities Article of the Probate Act of 1975. Provides that a petition for the appointment of a temporary guardian for an alleged person with a disability shall be filed at the time of or subsequent to the filing of a petition for adjudication of disability and appointment of a guardian. Provides that the petition for the appointment of a temporary guardian shall state specific facts. Provides that notice of the time and place of the hearing on a petition for the appointment of a temporary guardian or petition to revoke the appointment of a temporary guardian shall be given not less than 3 days before the hearing.
Senate State Government Committee
March 4, 2020, 3:00 p.m.
Room 409, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SB 3440, Senator Dan Mc Conchie
Amends the Environmental Barriers Act. Creates the ADA Compliance Commission to establish best practices for a person, entity, unit of local government, or the State to comply with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Provides that the Commission shall have 9 members appointed to serve 3-year terms by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate. Provides that Commission members shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for travel expenses incurred in performing their duties. Requires the Commission to review any plan or design submitted by a person, entity, unit of local government, or the State for accommodations, housing, public venues, parks, transit, or any other location requiring ADA-compliant access and to provide insight, recommendations, and suggestions on ADA compliance issues. Specifies a civil penalty the Commission may impose upon persons or entities who do not comply with the ADA. Requires the Capital Development Board to provide administrative and other support to the Commission. Provides that any moneys collected under the amendatory provisions shall be deposited into the Capital Development Fund to be used by the Capital Development Board for the purposes of administering and supporting the Commission. Provides that compliance with the insight, recommendations, suggestions, or best practices guide provided by the Commission is an affirmative defense for a person or entity charged in a State court with noncompliance with the ADA. Contains other provisions.
SB 3454, Senator Robert F. Martwick
Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Provides that the certified training programs in crisis intervention established by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board shall include addressing transportation of people with mental illnesses. Provides that the training includes understanding procedures for an involuntary transportation of people with mental illnesses to an evaluation setting.
Senate Insurance Committee
March 4, 2020, 5:00 p.m.
Room 212, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SB 2470, Senator Laura M. Murphy
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that an insurer that amends, delivers, issues, or renews group accident and health policies providing coverage for hospital or medical treatment or services for illness entered into on or after January 1, 2021 shall ensure that the insured have timely and proximate access to treatment for mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorders or conditions. Provides that network adequacy standards for timely and proximate access to treatment for mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorders or conditions must satisfy specified minimum requirements. Provides that if there is no in-network facility or provider available for an insured to receive timely and proximate access to treatment for mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorders or conditions in accordance with the minimum network adequacy standards, the insurer shall provide necessary exceptions to its network to ensure admission and treatment with a provider or at a treatment facility in accordance with those network adequacy standards.
NOTE: 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
cherylj2@equipforequality.org
217-544-0464 ext. 6013
