Rep. Omar Williams

Appropriates $10,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Public Health for local health protection grants for health protection programs. Effective July 1, 2026.

Directs the Auditor General to conduct a comprehensive investigation of the utilization of the 340B Drug Pricing Program by covered entities within Illinois to assess the amount of 340B profit, defined as total patient and payer reimbursement less the total 340B acquisition cost, generated by 340B covered entities from both self-administered and physician-administered drugs, the amount spent on third party administrators for the management of the 340B Program, the amount going to pharmacy benefit managers (PBM) in contract pharmacy arrangements, the amount going to contract pharmacies, whether covered entities maintain title to 340B drugs in contract pharmacy locations, the average mark-up imposed by covered entities on 340B priced drugs, and the extent to which 340B entities pass 340B discounts to vulnerable patients at the point of sale for both in-house and contracted pharmacies and to also examine the impact of these practices on state health programs, such as Medicaid and the State Employees Group Insurance Program, and to make recommendations for improvement.

Amends the Mine Subsidence Insurance Article of the Illinois Insurance Code. Makes changes to defined terms. Provides that the moneys in the Illinois Mine Subsidence Insurance Fund shall be derived primarily from premiums for mine subsidence insurance ceded by insurers to the Fund pursuant to the Article and from investment income. In establishing mine subsidence insurance premium rates, provides that the Fund shall give due consideration to factors reasonably considered by an insurer when setting premium rates. Changes terms related to the appointment of directors in provisions concerning management of the Fund and establishes 3-year staggered terms for the directors. Provides that all directors shall be independent and owe a duty of care and duty of loyalty to the Fund. In provisions concerning mine subsidence coverage, provides that the loss covered shall be the loss in excess of any applicable deductible or retention in the policy, subject to the limit of insurance for mine subsidence damage stated in the policy. For all policies issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2027, provides that there shall be no deductible or retention applicable to mine subsidence damage. For all policies issued or renewed on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act, provides that the maximum amount of reinsured loss per residence, per commercial building, and per living unit shall be the amounts established by the Fund and approved by the Director. Provides that the residential and living unit coverage provided under the Article may also cover specified costs of debris removal, moving and storage of contents, and repair or replacement of landscaping. Makes changes in provisions concerning division of the Fund; exemptions; rights of insurers to refuse to provide mine subsidence coverage; arbitration; reinsurance agreements; distribution of premiums; reporting requirements; right of recourse and setoffs; subrogation; and powers of the Director of Insurance.

Specifies that the Act may be referred to as the Rabies Vaccination Access for Shelters and Public Health Act. Amends the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice Act of 2004 and the Animal Control Act. Allows a licensed veterinarian to delegate rabies vaccination within an animal shelter, animal control facility, or government-authorized public health vaccination clinic to a certified veterinary technician or trained shelter vaccine administrator who is acting under the veterinarian's indirect supervision. Requires written protocols, training verification, and oversight by the supervising veterinarian. Directs the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation under the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice Act of 2004 and the Department of Agriculture under the Animal Control Act to adopt rules within 12 months of the effective date of the amendatory Act. Effective January 1, 2027.

Amends the Know Before You Owe Private Education Loan Act. Provides that the annual report to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and the Student Loan Ombudsman shall include the total number and dollar amount (instead of the volume) of private education loans made annually by a private educational lender, the total number and dollar amount (instead of the volume) of private education loans made annually at institutions of higher education, the total number and dollar amount of private education loans made annually with a cosigner, and the default rate for the private education loans reported by the private educational lender pursuant to specified provisions for the previous reporting period. Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that, for any general rate increase requested by a gas, electric, water, or sewer public utility under the provisions of the Act, the Commission shall hold at least one public hearing during which members of the public can provide input on the requested general rate increase. Provides that any affected ratepayer of a requested general rate increase may testify at the public hearing and may file statements that pertain to the subject matter of the public hearing with the person or persons conducting the public hearing. Provides that a public hearing shall be held in the service territory of the public utility that requested a general rate increase at a time and location to be determined by the Commission. Requires the Commission to comply with certain requirements when determining the location of a public hearing. Provides that the Commission shall provide reasonable notice that complies with the Open Meetings Act to members of the public regarding a public hearing. Provides that "reasonable notice" means notice that is provided at least 14 days before a public hearing. Provides that public hearings shall be conducted by the full Commission, a single commissioner, or an administrative law judge from the Commission. Provides that the Commission shall take into consideration any testimony or comments received from members of the public during the public hearing in its deliberations on the requested general rate increase. Makes other changes.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2028 that provides coverage for: habilitative services shall provide coverage for habilitative speech therapy as a treatment for stuttering, regardless of whether the stuttering is classified as developmental; rehabilitative services shall provide coverage for rehabilitative speech therapy as a treatment for stuttering; or both habilitative services and rehabilitative services shall provide coverage for habilitative speech therapy as a treatment for stuttering, regardless of whether the stuttering is classified as developmental, and shall provide coverage for rehabilitative speech therapy as a treatment for stuttering. Sets forth requirements and limitations for the coverage. Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, the Limited Health Service Organization Act, the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act, and the Illinois Public Aid Code to require coverage under the provisions of those Acts. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective January 1, 2028.

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act and the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities Act. Required the Department of Human Services to provide informational materials about the Senator Scott Bennett ABLE Program to: persons who are placed in a facility licensed under the ID/DD Community Care Act, the MC/DD Act, or the Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Act of 2013; persons with disabilities who receive services funded by or administered in conjunction with the Department, including, but not limited to, home and community based services, home-based support services, PUNS services, home care services, and services at a Center for Independent Living. Provides that the informational materials shall be provided when a person first enrolls for such services and as part of any annual process required for the person to maintain eligibility for such services. Requires the Office of the State Treasurer to prepare and deliver the informational materials in an electronic format to the Department and distribute the materials to eligible persons.

Maddy summaryHB 879 amends the State Comptroller Act by making a technical change to a section concerning its short title. This bill does not introduce new policy or directly affect citizens, but rather updates the official designation of the act within state government records.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires hospitals and birthing centers to adopt and maintain written policies and procedures authorizing a patient enrolled in the medical assistance program to select an Illinois Medicaid certified and enrolled doula of the patient's choice to accompany the patient within the facility's premises for the purposes of providing support before, during, and after labor and childbirth, and during the patient's entire postpartum stay. Provides that the doula shall be considered part of the patient's care team and shall not be counted as a support person or against any guest quota. Requires hospitals and birthing centers to provide a written copy of their policies and procedures to maternity patients, the facilities' maternity health care providers, and any other person at the patient's request. Requires publication of the written policies on each facility's website. Contains provisions concerning hospital and birthing center liaisons and doulas certification acknowledgment requirements. Permits the Department of Healthcare and Family Services and the Department of Public Health to establish standing recommendations to meet Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services requirements and ensure access to preventive services, including Medicaid-covered maternal and reproductive health supports and services.