Amends the Managed Care Reform and Patient Rights Act. Provides that if a health care plan uses an automated process to make an initial adverse determination or relies on a utilization review organization's automated process for an initial adverse determination, the health care plan shall ensure that any appeal is processed as required by the provisions, including the restriction that only a clinical peer may review an appeal. Provides that an automated process of a health care plan or registered utilization review program may make an initial adverse determination for services not included under specified provisions. Provides that utilization review programs that use automated processes to render an adverse determination shall base all adverse determinations on objective, evidence-based criteria that have been accredited by the American Accreditation Healthcare Commission or by the National Committee for Quality Assurance and shall provide proof of such accreditation to the Department of Insurance with any required registration. Provides that the utilization review program shall include with its registration materials attachments that contain specified policies and procedures. Amends the Health Carrier External Review Act. Changes the definition of "adverse determination". Amends the Prior Authorization Reform Act. Provides that if a health insurance issuer imposes a penalty for the failure to obtain any form of prior authorization for any health care service, the penalty may not exceed the lesser of the actual cost of the health care service or $1,000 per occurrence in addition to the plan cost-sharing provisions. Provides that a health insurance issuer may not require both the enrollee and the health care professional or health care provider to obtain any form of prior authorization for the same instance of a health care service, nor otherwise require more than one prior authorization for the same instance of a health care service. Makes conforming changes in the Illinois Insurance Code and the Network Adequacy and Transparency Act. Effective January 1, 2024.
Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the Illinois Sentencing Policy Advisory Council shall study and identify discriminatory practices in sentencing across the State and make recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly regarding ways to remedy those discriminatory practices. Effective immediately.
Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall require health care facilities and health care professionals to conform to specified requirements regarding patient care during a public health emergency. Requires the Department to adopt rules necessary to effectuate the provisions. Effective immediately.
Amends the Prior Authorization Reform Act. Changes the definition of "emergency services" to provide that for the purposes of the provisions, emergency services are not required to be provided in the emergency department of a hospital. Provides that notwithstanding any other provision of law, a health insurance issuer or a contracted utilization review organization may not require prior authorization or approval by the health plan for emergency services.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows the Secretary of State to issue Air Force Combat Action Medal license plates to a resident who was awarded the Air Force Combat Action Medal. Makes other conforming changes.
Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that the statute of limitations for the execution of a certificate of error does not apply to a certificate of error correcting an assessment to $1 when the property is used as a common area by a subdivision, association, or planned development. Makes additional technical changes.
Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that no electric or gas public utility shall disconnect service for nonpayment of a bill or deposit to any residential customer or master metered apartment building if gas or electricity is used as the primary source of space heating or is used to control or operate the primary source of space heating equipment at the premises and the customer has provided documentation that he or she is applying for grants or financial resources to pay the utility bill until 75 days after the customer provides documented proof of the grant or financial resource application. Provides that during the grace period the electric or gas public utility shall waive any late fees. Provides that an electric or gas public utility is not required to provide a grace period for a 12-month period after the conclusion of the preceding grace period.
Amends the Energy Assistance Act. In a provision concerning energy assistance payments for qualifying applicants who are not the customer of record of an energy provider, who receive housing assistance under a rent subsidy or housing voucher program, or whose rental expenses for housing are a specified percentage of their household income, removes language making the provision inoperative after August 31, 2012.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows the Secretary of State to issue special registration plates designated as Navy Club license plates to residents of this State. Creates the Navy Club Fund. Provides that moneys in the Navy Club Fund shall be paid, subject to appropriation by the General Assembly and distribution by the Secretary, as grants to each Navy Club located in this State. Makes a conforming change in the State Finance Act.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows the Secretary of State to issue special registration plates designated as International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers plates to residents of the State.
Amends the Electronic Nontestamentary Estate Planning Documents Article of the Electronic Wills and Remote Witnesses Act. Provides that the Article does not apply to a nontestamentary estate planning document, will, or terms of a trust if the terms governing the document expressly preclude use of an electronic record or electronic signature (rather than does not apply to a nontestamentary estate planning document, will, or terms of a trust governing the document expressly preclude use of an electronic record or electronic signature).
This bill amends the Illinois Vehicle Code to allow tow trucks to use red, blue, and white oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights while operators are performing official duties. The change directly affects tow truck companies and drivers who need these lights to warn other motorists of hazardous conditions or stationary vehicles. By updating the list of vehicles authorized to use such lighting, the legislation clarifies that tow trucks now have the same visual signaling rights as other emergency vehicles. This update does not alter existing penalties for drivers who fail to yield to emergency vehicles or change the rules for which specific colors can be used, as those provisions remain unchanged.
