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 May 3, 2021:
House Judiciary-Criminal Committee
May 4, 2021, 4:30 p.m.
Virtual Room 2 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
SB 2364, Representative Justin Slaughter
Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that a defendant charged with one or more misdemeanors and for whom a court has determined under the Code that a bona fide doubt of the defendant’s fitness has been raised may be admitted into an unfit misdemeanant diversion program only upon the approval of the court. Provides that the court shall require an eligibility screening and an assessment of the defendant to determine whether the defendant may be able to receive mental health services under the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code which shall reasonably assure her or his safety and that of the public and her or his continued participation in treatment. Provides that if, following this screening, the court determines that the defendant is appropriate for diversion, the criminal charges may be dismissed with or without prejudice. Provides that the misdemeanant diversion program may maintain or collaborate with mental health and substance use treatment providers necessary to provide a continuum of treatment options commensurate with the needs of the defendant and available resources. Makes other changes.
Joint Hearing of House Human Services Committee and House Mental Health & Addiction Committee
May 5, 2021, 8:30 a.m.
Virtual Room 2 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
SUBJECT MATTER: State of Long Term Care and COVID.
- To file an electronic witness slip for the subject matter hearing: Click
HR 205, Representative Thomas Morrison
Acknowledges the hardships faced by those with a disability and the need to increase education and awareness of these issues for people throughout the State of Illinois.
HR 212, Representative Robyn Gabel
Declares May 25, 2021 as Trauma-Informed Awareness Day in Illinois to highlight the
impact of trauma and the importance of prevention of adversity and fostering individual and community resilience through trauma-informed, healing-centered care.
SB 100, Representative Bob Morgan
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 be provided up to 6 consecutive months to submit and have medical receipts and bills processed by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services as evidence of payment of the person’s monthly spend-down amount before becoming ineligible for medical assistance. Effective immediately.
SB 2323, Representative Stefanie Kifowit
Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Prohibits the use of restraints on youth in care, including chemical, manual, and mechanical restraints, during the provision of any transportation services provided or arranged by the Department of Children and Family Services or its contractual assigns. Provides that any known, alleged, or suspected violation of the prohibition shall immediately be reported to the Department’s Office of the Inspector General, the court presiding over the youth’s case in accordance with the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, and the youth’s attorney and guardian ad litem. Requires the Department to make a significant events report for any known, alleged, or suspected violation of the prohibition. Sets forth a list of circumstances that require the Department to prepare a written individualized trauma-sensitive transportation plan for any youth in care. Requires the Department to obtain court approval of the transportation plan in accordance with the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 as well as written approval of the transportation plan from the Department’s Chief Deputy Director and the Chief Deputy Director of its Clinical Division. Contains provisions concerning information that must be included in a written individualized trauma-sensitive transportation plan; and Department reporting requirements. Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Requires the Department to ensure the provision of trauma-sensitive transport to minors placed in its care. Contains provisions concerning factors a court must consider when determining whether to approve an individualized trauma-sensitive transportation plan submitted by the Department. Effective immediately.
House State Government Administration Committee
May 5, 2021, 2:00 p.m.
Virtual Room 3 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
HR 60, Representative Jehan Gordon-Booth
Recognizes the importance, effectiveness, and need for trauma-informed care among existing programs and agencies in the State of Illinois and expresses support for the establishment of such care.
House Higher Education Committee
May 5, 2021, 3:00 p.m.
Virtual Room 3 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
SB 2014, Representative Deb Conroy
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.
House Appropriations-General Services Committee
May 5, 2021, 4:00 p.m.
Virtual Room 1 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
SUBJECT MATTER: Attorney General, Environmental Protection Agency, Procurement Policy Board, Department of Natural Resources, Department of Revenue, Department of Innovation and Technology, State Board of Elections, Illinois Commerce Commission.
- To file an electronic witness slip for the subject matter hearing: Click
House Appropriations-Human Services Committee
May 6, 2021, 8:00 a.m.
Virtual Room 2 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
HR 130, Representative Dagmara Avelar
Expresses support for the Affordable Care Act and the Medicaid program.
HR 181, Representative Theresa Mah
The State fiscal year 2022 health and human services budget should ensure that people and communities have access to essential services, including services that address the social determinants of health, economic support, and family well-being.
HR 194, Representative Anna Moeller
Urges the State of Illinois to fully fund the Guidehouse final rate recommendations in FY 22.
House Mental Health & Addiction Committee
May 6, 2021, 11:00 a.m.
Virtual Room 1 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
HR 4, HCA 1, Representative Maurice A. West, II
Acknowledges that toxic stress and adverse childhood experiences can have significantly negative short-term, long-term, and generational impacts and that early interventions through trauma-informed care is the most efficient and cost effective way to combat these impacts. Urges the Illinois General Assembly to seek out opportunities to enhance legislation through the science of resiliency and a trauma informed lens and funding around early intervention services for children and families that centers the principles of brain development, the intimate connection between mental and physical health, and the concepts of toxic stress and adverse childhood experiences.
- To read the full text of HR 4: Click
- To read the text of HCA 1: Click
- To file an electronic witness slip on HR 4, HCA 1: Click
HR 106, Representative Camille Y. Lilly
Acknowledges the seriousness of mental health issues in Illinois and strives to improve awareness and treatment of these issues. Urges the members of the General Assembly to have discussions and forums with their communities to promote awareness of mental health issues and access to mental health resources. Encourages the members of the General Assembly and all school districts in Illinois to post information on mental health issues and local treatment resources on their public websites. Encourages all school districts in Illinois to implement mental health screenings to properly identify students with mental health problems. Encourages the federal government to improve mental health awareness, treatment, and funding to improve the lives of citizens struggling with mental health issues.
SB 1786, Representative Deb Conroy
Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services, subject to appropriation, 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. Provides that nothing in the provision shall be construed to authorize or permit the sharing or disclosure of any individual’s identity, health, or other personal information, or any information from an individual’s record, in connection with the creation or use of the post-secondary mental health database and resource page. Effective immediately.
SB 1966, Representative Rita Mayfield
Creates the Interstate Contracts for Mental Health 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 disorder to obtain appropriate treatment across state lines in qualified private hospitals and facilities that are closer to their homes than are facilities available in their home states. Provides that the Act does not apply to state-operated or public facilities or hospitals located in Wisconsin or Illinois.
Senate Education Committee
May 4, 2021, 1:00 p.m.
Room 212, Capitol Building
or
Virtual Room 1 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
HB 40, 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). Effective immediately.
HB 576, Senator Robert F. Martwick
Amends the Compulsory Attendance Article of the School Code. With respect to the exceptions to the compulsory attendance requirement, provides that absence for cause by illness shall include the mental or behavioral health of a student.
HB 577, Senator Robert F. Martwick
Amends the School Code. Makes changes to provisions regarding youth suicide awareness and prevention. Sets forth some of the characteristics of students at an increased risk of suicide. Effective July 1, 2022.
HB 597, Senator Scott M. Bennett
Amends the School Code. Requires school districts to provide contact information for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and for the Crisis Text Line on the back of each student identification card issued by the school district. Provides that if the school district does not issue student identification cards to its students or to all of its students, the school district must publish this information on its website. Effective July 1, 2021.
Senate Health Committee
May 4, 2021, 3:00 p.m.
Room 400, Capitol Building
or
Virtual Room 2 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
HB 684, Senator Ram Villivalam
Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Exempts ground ambulance services from the State’s managed care medical assistance program. Provides that these services shall continue to be paid under the State’s traditional fee-for-service program.
Senate Behavioral and Mental Health Committee
May 4, 2021, 5:00p.m.
Room 409, Capitol Building
or
Virtual Room 3 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
HB 449, Senator Cristina Castro
Creates the Housing is Recovery Pilot Program Act. Creates the Housing is Recovery Pilot Program within the Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health, subject to appriation. 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.
Senate State Government Committee
May 5, 2021, 1:00 p.m.
Virtual Room 3 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
SB 921, SFA 2, Senator Julie A. Morrison
Amends the Illinois Emergency Management Act. Creates the Access and Functionality Needs Advisory Committee to investigate and provide recommendations for identifying and effectively responding to the needs of persons with access and functional needs before, during and after a disaster and how to ensure that persons with a disability are included in disaster strategies and emergency management plans.
- To read the full text of SB 921, SFA 2: Click
- To file an electronic witness slip on SB 921, SFA 2: Click
Senate Insurance Committee
May 5, 2021, 3:30 p.m.
Room 212, Capitol Building
or
Virtual Room 1 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
HB 711, Senator Linda Holmes
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 organization, and the implementation of prior authorization requirements or restrictions. Provides requirements concerning a utilization review organization’s obligations with respect to prior authorizations in nonurgent circumstances, urgent health care services, and emergency health care services. Provides that a utilization review organization 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 organization 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 Illinois Insurance Code to change the definition of “emergency medical condition”. Amends the Managed Care Reform and Patient Rights Act to provide that companies that transact accident and health insurance shall comply with specified requirements of the Managed Care Reform and Patient Rights 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. Effective January 1, 2022.
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.
SPECIAL NOTE: Due to the COVID 19 pandemic, 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
