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 November 11, 2019:
House Human Services Committee
November 12, 2019, 3:00 p.m.
Room C-1, Stratton Building
Springfield, IL
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).
HR 579, Representative Katie Stuart
Declares the week of March 10 through March 16, 2020 as Illinois Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week. Declares March 31, 2020 as Illinois Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Day. Encourages municipalities and media organizations to participate in Illinois Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week and Day. Recognizes those living with MS, their families, and the healthcare professionals and medical researchers who provide assistance to those affected by MS.
SB 639, Representative Robyn Gabel
Amends the Early Intervention Services System Act. In a provision requiring the Department of Human Services to adopt rules to expand the list of Medical Conditions Resulting in High Probability of Developmental Delay to include lead poisoning, provides that the Department shall adopt such rules no later than July 1, 2020
House Elementary & Secondary Education: School Curriculum & Policies Committee
November 12, 2019, 3:30 p.m.
Room 118, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SB 460, Representative Fred Crespo
Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Delays until July 1, 2020 the requirement that, no later than 3 school days prior to a child’s individualized education program eligibility meeting or meeting to review a child’s individualized education program, or as soon as possible if an individualized education program meeting is scheduled within 3 school days with the written consent of the child’s parent or guardian, the local education agency must provide the child’s parent or guardian with copies of all written material that will be considered by the individualized education program team at the meeting so that the parent or guardian may participate in the meeting as a fully-informed team member. Provides that a school district may (rather than must) utilize response to scientific, research-based intervention or multi-tiered systems of support as part of an evaluation procedure to determine if a child is eligible for special education services due to a specific learning disability.
Joint Hearing of House Appropriations-Human Services Committee and Senate Human Services Committee
November 12, 2019, 4:01 p.m.
Room 212, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SUBJECT MATTER HEARING: Sub-minimum Wage
- To file an electronic witness slip for the subject matter hearing: Click
House Appropriations-Higher Education Committee
November 13, 2019, 9:00 a.m.
Room C-1, Stratton Building
Springfield, IL
SUBJECT MATTER: Illinois Higher Education’s 10-Year Plan.
- To file an electronic witness slip for the subject matter hearing: Click
House Judiciary-Criminal Committee
November 13, 2019, 9:00 a.m.
Room D-1, Stratton Building
Springfield, IL
SUBJECT MATTER HEARING: SB 1188
SB 1188, Representative Cellina Villanueva
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 State and the defendant agree to the diversion and 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.
- To read the full text of SB 1188: Click
- To file an electronic witness slip for the subject matter hearing: Click
NOTE: If you wish to take any action regarding any of these bills/issues, you may wish to 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
