Rep. Carol Ammons

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that it is the intent of the General Assembly to ensure that all youth in the care of the Department of Children and Family Services have increased access to health care under the YouthCare Program. Provides that in order to maximize the accessibility of health care services for youth in care and former youth in care enrolled in the YouthCare Program, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall amend its managed care contracts such that a managed care organization (MCO) that manages health care for youth in care and former youth in care must pay for services rendered by a non-affiliated provider, for which the health plan would pay if rendered by an affiliated provider, at the rate paid under the Illinois Medicaid fee-for-service program methodology for such services, including all policy adjusters, including, but not limited to, Medicaid High Volume Adjustments, Medicaid Percentage Adjustments, Outpatient High Volume Adjustments, and all outlier add-on adjustments to the extent such adjustments are incorporated in the development of the applicable MCO capitated rates, unless a different rate was agreed upon by the health plan and the non-affiliated provider. Provides that the payment requirement under the amendatory Act shall not apply if: (i) the services provided by the non-affiliated provider were not emergency services; (ii) the non-affiliated provider has, within the 12 months preceding the date of service, rejected a contract that was offered in good faith by the health plan as determined by the Department; and (iii) the health plan has terminated a contract with the non-affiliated provider for cause, and the Department has not deemed the termination to have been without merit. Effective immediately.

Amends the Nurse Practice Act. Provides that an individual licensed under this Section may apply for a program that provides a full tuition reimbursement to individuals who: (1) attended and graduated from an education program based in the State; and (2) commit to working in a safety-net hospital in the State for at least 5 years.

Amends the Industrial Hemp Act. Sets forth provisions concerning hemp extract for human consumption. Provides that hemp extract distributed or sold in violation of the provisions shall be considered adulterated or misbranded. Provides that each establishment distributing products consisting of or containing hemp extract intended for human consumption must be permitted as a hemp food establishment by the Department of Agriculture. Provides that hemp or hemp extract intended for ingestion must be manufactured by an approved source. Provides that hemp or hemp extract intended for inhalation must be manufactured by a source permitted to manufacture hemp or hemp extract intended for inhalation. Provides that hemp extract intended for human consumption may not be manufactured, processed, packaged, held, prepared, or sold under specified provisions. Provides that hemp extract intended for human consumption shall not contain a total delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol concentration that exceeds 0.3%. Provides that products intended for human consumption shall be considered adulterated if contaminants are detected at levels greater than the limits listed in the provisions. Sets forth limits concerning contaminants prohibited in hemp cultivation or processing; residual solvent limits for ingestion or inhalation; metals limits; biological limits for ingestion or inhalation; mycotoxin limits; total combined yeast and mold limit; and cannabinoid limits. Sets forth provisions concerning hemp extracts labeling, disposal, and age limits. Provides that hemp or hemp extract products that do not meet the requirements of the provisions may not be sold in the State. Provides that violations of the provisions shall result in the imposition of stop-sale or stop-use orders, an administrative fine of up to $5,000 per violation, permit suspension, permit revocation, or any combination of those penalties. Provides that the sale of hemp extract intended for inhalation to persons under the age of 21 shall result in an administrative fine of $5,000 per occurrence. Defines terms. Makes other changes.

Mourns the loss of life and the loss of the Black economy of Tulsa, Oklahoma that took place on May 31 and June 1, 1921. Expresses support for the efforts in Tulsa to have the Historic Greenwood District Main Street added to the historic registry.

Creates the Task Force on Black Immigrants to study the state of Black immigrants in Illinois and provide recommendations on how to assist them.

Urges the Administration of President Biden to publish and certify without delay the Equal Rights Amendment as the Twenty-Eighth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Urges Congress to pass a joint resolution affirming the Equal Rights Amendment as the Twenty-Eighth Amendment. Calls on other states to join in this action by passing the same or similar resolutions.

Amends the evidence-based funding provisions of the School Code. Provides that the Minimum Funding Level is equal to $550,000,000 (instead of $350,000,000). Provides for a continuing appropriation. Effective July 1, 2023.

Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. In provisions concerning the Community Care Program, provides that within 30 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act, rates for adult day services shall be increased to $16.84 per hour and rates for each way transportation services for adult day services shall be increased to $12.44 per unit transportation. Effective immediately.

States that Illinois hospitals should be required to report instances of preterm birth, infant mortality, and maternal mortality within reporting under the Hospital Report Card Act, including racial and ethnic information about the mother and the disparity of these occurrences across racial and ethnic groups. Urges the Illinois Department of Public Health to work with the review committees to implement policy and corrective actions to address causes of preventable maternal death.

Declares March 14, 2023 as "Equal Pay Day". Encourages the citizens of this State to learn about the pay gap that women experience in society and to learn about these various dates that bring attention to the pay gap that specific groups experience.