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 May 15, 2017:
House Consumer Protection Committee
May 16, 2017, 11:00 a.m.
Room 115, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SB 193, Representative Ann Williams
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that coverage concerning multiple sclerosis preventative physical therapy shall be subject to the same deductible and coinsurance requirements or other limitations as provided for other physical or rehabilitative therapy benefits covered by the policy. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance shall offer an exception process from treatment limitations for individuals diagnosed with primary or secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. Provides requirements for the exception process and that a health insurer shall, within 72 hours after receiving an exception request, either approve or deny the request. Provides that coverage required by the provisions shall be subject to certain other general exclusions and limitations of the policy.
House Special Needs Services Committee
May 16, 2017, 4:00 p.m.
Room 115, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SB 84, Representative Robyn Gabel
Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Requires the Secretary of Human Services to appoint a task force to review current and potential federal funds for home and community-based service options for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Provides that the task force shall consist of: (i) the Secretary of Human Services who shall serve as chairperson of the task force; (ii) one representative of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services; (iii) 2 persons who are guardians or family members of individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities and who do not have responsibility for management or formation of policy regarding the programs subject to review; (iv) 3 persons who self-identify as individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities and who are engaged in advocacy for the rights of individuals with disabilities; and (v) other specified persons. Requires the task force to review: the current federal Medicaid matching funds for services provided in the State; ways to maximize federal supports for the current services provided, including attendant services, housing, and other services to promote independent living; options that require federal approval and federal funding; ways to minimize the impact of constituents awaiting services; and all avenues to utilize federal funding involving home and community-based services identified by the task force. Requires appointments to the task force to be made by July 1, 2017. Provides that the task force shall report its findings to the Governor and General Assembly no later than July 1, 2018, and, upon filing its report, the task force is dissolved.
House Veterans Affairs Committee
May 16, 2017, 4:00 p.m.
Room 413, Stratton Building
Springfield, IL
SB 266, Representative
Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act. Establishes the Illinois Veterans Home at Chicago. Provides that the Department of Veterans’ Affairs shall operate and maintain the Home. Establishes the Chicago Veterans Home Fund for the Home and makes a corresponding change in the State Finance Act. Provides that for admission to the Home, a veteran must have developed a specified disability, and, for purposes of eligibility for nursing home care, require nursing care because of the disability. Amends the Illinois Library System Act. Provides that the State Librarian shall distribute specified annual grants to the Home upon the approval by the State Librarian of a certain application.
House Human Services Committee
May 17, 2017, 9:00 a.m.
Room 122B, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SUBJECT MATTER: DCFS case management.
- To file an electronic witness slip for the subject matter hearing: Click
SB 752, Representative Michelle Mussman
Amends the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission Act. Provides that the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission shall be composed of 11 Commissioners (currently, members) that are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. Requires at least 8 (currently, 6) commissioners of the Commission to be people who are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing. Specifies the membership of the Commission. Modifies the qualifications and duties of the Director of the Commission. Provides that the added Director qualifications shall apply to anyone who becomes Director on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act. Establishes the Director as the chief executive officer of the Commission. Modifies a Section concerning the powers and duties of the Commission. Defines “commissioner”.
SB 931, Representative Scott Drury
Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that the public agency that is the custodian or guardian of the minor shall file a written report with the court no later than 15 days after a minor in the agency’s care remains: (1) in a shelter placement beyond 30 days; (2) in a psychiatric hospital past the time when the minor is clinically ready for discharge or beyond medical necessity for the minor’s health; or (3) in a detention center or Department of Juvenile Justice facility solely because the public agency cannot find an appropriate placement for the minor. Provides that the report shall explain the steps the agency is taking to ensure the minor is placed appropriately, how the minor’s needs are being met in the minor’s shelter placement, and if a future placement has been identified by the Department, why the anticipated placement is appropriate for the needs of the minor and the anticipated placement date. Provides that if not contained in the agency’s service plan, the agency’s report shall specify if a minor is placed in a licensed child care facility under a corrective plan by the Department due to concerns impacting the minor’s safety and well-being. Provides that the report shall explain the steps the Department is taking to ensure the safety and well-being of the minor and that the minor’s needs are met in the facility. Defines “shelter placement.”
House Appropriations-Elementary & Secondary Education
May 17, 2017, 3:00 p.m.
Room 114, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SUBJECT MATTER: Comprehensive hearing on education funding formula.
- To file an electronic witness slip for the subject matter hearing: Click
House Appropriations-Public Safety Committee
May 18, 2017, 9:00 a.m.
Room 118, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SUBJECT MATTER: FY 18 Budget: Illinois Department Corrections.
- To file an electronic witness slip for the subject matter hearing: Click
Senate Insurance Committee
May 15, 2017, 4:30 p.m.
Room 400, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SB 1906, Senator Ira I. Silverstein
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, and the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act to require coverage for hearing instruments and related services for all individuals under the age of 18 when a hearing care professional prescribes a hearing instrument. Provides that an insurer shall provide coverage for hearing aids subject to certain restrictions. Provides that an insurer shall not be required to pay a claim if the insured filed such a claim 12 months prior to the date of filing the claim with the insurer and the claim was paid by any insurer.
HB 3223, Senator Terry Link
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.
Senate Revenue Committee
May 15, 2017, 4:30 p.m.
Room 212, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
HB 3163, Senator Scott M. Bennett
Amends the State Treasurer Act. Provides that contributions to an ABLE account during the taxable year may be deducted from adjusted gross income as provided under a specified Section of the Illinois Income Tax Act. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. In a Section concerning base income, provides that the adjusted gross income shall be modified by adding a maximum amount of, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2018, $10,000 contributed in the taxable year to an ABLE account under a specified Section of the State Treasurer Act. Provides for an exemption from a Section concerning the sunset of exemptions, credits, and deductions under the Act.
Senate Education Committee
May 16, 2017, 9:00 a.m.
Room 212, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
HB 2545, Senator Chuck Weaver
Amends the School Code. With regard to training to identify the warning signs of mental illness and suicidal behavior, requires school personnel who work with pupils in grades kindergarten through 12 to undergo the training annually.
Senate Judiciary Committee
May 16, 2017, 10:30 a.m.
Room 400, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
HB 238, Senator Omar Aquino
Amends the Nursing Home Care Act, MC/DD Act, ID/DD Community Care Act, and Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Act of 2013. Provides that a facility must not enter into a pre-dispute agreement for binding arbitration with any resident or consumer, or the resident’s representative or consumer’s guardian, nor require that a resident or consumer sign an arbitration agreement as a condition of admission to the facility. Provides that after a dispute arises, a facility may ask a resident or consumer, or his or her representative or guardian, to enter into an agreement for binding arbitration if the facility and agreement meets specified requirements.
HB 2626, Senator Sue Rezin
Creates the Parental Rights for the Blind Act. Contains statements of legislative findings and purpose. Defines terms. Provides that a person’s blindness shall not serve as a basis for denial or restriction of parenting time, the allocation of parental responsibilities, participation in adoption proceedings, foster care placement, or guardianship appointment. Provides that the Department of Children and Family Services shall develop and implement procedures that ensure and provide equal access to child welfare services, programs, and activities in a nondiscriminatory manner and provide training to child welfare investigators and caseworkers on these procedures. Provides that if a court determines that a blind person’s parental rights should be denied or limited in any manner, the court shall make specific written findings stating why supportive parenting services cannot prevent the denial or limitation.
Senate Labor Committee
May 17, 2017, 10:45 a.m.
Room 212, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
HB 2771, Senator Toi W. Hutchinson
Creates the Healthy Workplace Act and amends the State Finance Act. Requires employers to
provide specified paid sick days to employees. Sets forth the purposes for and manner in which the sick days may be used. Provides that an employee may earn sick days 180 days after beginning employment. Contains provisions regarding employer responsibilities, unlawful employer practices, and other matters. Provides an exemption for the construction industry. Excludes school districts, park districts, and certain City of Chicago sister agencies. Provides that the Department of Labor shall administer the Act. Authorizes the imposition of civil penalties. Authorizes individuals to file civil actions with respect to violations. Creates the Healthy Workplace Fund as a special fund in the State treasury.
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
