Rep. Charlie Meier

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled HEALTH-TECH, amends the Mold Remediation Registration Act to update technical details regarding the short title of the legislation. It directly affects companies and individuals in Illinois who perform mold removal and cleaning services in residential, public, and commercial buildings. The key provisions require these service providers to register with the state and prove they have financial responsibility, while also mandating that testing laboratories meet specific national accreditation standards. Additionally, the bill establishes a public awareness campaign to educate citizens about mold dangers and requires the Department of Public Health to review mold treatment technologies every five years. Certain exemptions apply, such as for home builders working on small residential structures under warranty periods and licensed pest control operators.

Amends the Food Handling Regulation Enforcement Act. Provides that if a county government does not have a local health department, the county government shall enter into an agreement or contract with an adjacent local health department to register cottage food operations in the county's jurisdiction. Provides that the adjacent local health department where the cottage food operation registers has the power to take specified actions pertaining to complaints, inspections, fees, and penalties. Makes a conforming change.

Creates the Reestablishing Integrity in Death Care Act. Provides that no later than January 1, 2025, when a death occurs within the State, the deceased's body, body bag, and any body part, organ, or tissue separated from the deceased to be used in nontransplant organ donation shall be affixed with a unique identifier, and chain of custody documentation shall be maintained for all dead bodies and human remains. Specifies requirements for the unique identifier and chain of custody documentation. Provides that the State Comptroller, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, and the Department of Public Health may inspect any business, provider, or facility in the State that handles dead bodies or human remains to ensure compliance with the Act and the rules adopted under the Act. Authorizes rulemaking to implement and enforce the Act. Amends the Funeral Directors and Embalmers Licensing Code, the Crematory Regulation Act, and the Vital Records Act to make conforming and other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Grocery Initiative Act. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may, subject to appropriation, provide grants for equipment upgrades for farmer-owned grocery stores or markets.

Amends the Wildlife Code. Deletes provisions that require a meat processor to be a member of the Illinois Sportsmen Against Hunger program in order for the meat processor to donate deer meat that the meat processor has processed. Provides that if a properly tagged deer is processed at a licensed meat processing facility and if the owner of the deer (i) fails to claim the processed deer within a reasonable time or (ii) notifies the licensed meat processing facility that the owner no longer wants the processed deer or wishes to donate the deer, then the deer meat may be given away by the licensed meat processor to another person or donated to a charitable organization or community food bank that receives wild game meat. Requires meat processors who donate deer meat to a charitable organization or community food bank that receives wild game meat to keep written records of all deer received.

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Provides that the Division of Developmental Disabilities of the Department of Human Services may impose progressive sanctions, excluding a situation in which a recipient of services is placed at immediate risk of harm, on providers that fail to comply with conditions specified by rule, contract, or policy as determined by the Division. Provides that sanctions include, but are not limited to, payment suspension, loss of payment, enrollment limitations including admission holds, or other actions up to and including contract termination. Provides that a service provider receiving a sanction may appeal the sanction in writing to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services within 30 days after receipt of the sanction.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a person who is convicted of obscene depiction of a purported child is ineligible to receive a school bus driver permit. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that "child pornography" includes the depiction of a part of an actual child under 18 who by manipulation, creation, or modification, appears to be engaged in sexual activity. Creates the offenses of obscene depiction of a purported child and non-consensual dissemination of sexually explicit digitized depictions. Defines offenses and provides criminal penalties for violations. Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides for the forfeiture to the State: (1) of any profits or proceeds and any property the person has acquired or maintained in violation of those offenses; (2) any interest in, securities of, claim against, or property or contractual right of any kind affording a source of influence over any enterprise that the person has established, operated, controlled, or conducted in violation of those offenses; and (3) any computer that contains an obscene depiction of a purported child. Amends the Bill of Rights for Children. Provides that under certain conditions, the parent or legal guardian of a child who is the victim of obscene depiction of a purported child may make a victim's impact statement on the impact which the defendant's criminal conduct or the juvenile's delinquent conduct has had upon the child. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that a period of probation, a term of periodic imprisonment, or conditional discharge shall not be imposed for specified violations of the offense of obscene depiction of a purported child. Provides for enhanced penalties for specified violations of obscene depiction of a purported child. Provides that the court shall impose a consecutive sentence when the defendant is convicted of specified violations of the offense of obscene depiction of a purported child. Amends the Sex Offender Registration Act to provide that a person convicted of obscene depiction of a purported child must register as a sex offender.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as Sami's Law, requires state-owned buildings and interstate rest stops to install private, enclosed changing stations with height-adjustable tables for adults. The law defines these stations as facilities equipped with safety rails, belts, and specific size and weight capacity standards to accommodate various needs. Owners and operators of these buildings must maintain at least one such station and provide clear signage and directory listings to help the public locate them. The changes take effect on January 1, 2025, ensuring that these accessible amenities are available in public spaces across the state.

Amends the Administration Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to develop, post, and maintain on its official website a comprehensive informational guide that explains the Medicaid 5-year look-back period as it applies to eligibility for long-term care coverage under the medical assistance program. Provides that the informational guide must be posted within 6 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Provides that the contents of the informational guide must include a detailed explanation of the 5-year look-back period, including its purpose and relevance to eligibility for medical assistance; clear information on how the 5-year look-back period affects eligibility criteria, including income and asset requirements; step-by-step guidance on how the 5-year look-back period is calculated, including the start date and end date considerations; explanation of the consequences and implications of transfers or gifts made during the 5-year look-back period; information on exceptions and exemptions to the 5-year look-back period, clarifying circumstances where certain transfers or assets may not be subject to scrutiny; guidance on the documentation individuals may need to provide or maintain to demonstrate compliance with the 5-year look-back period; tips and considerations for individuals and families on how to plan for eligibility for medical assistance, taking into account the 5-year look-back period; information on the process for appeals and dispute resolution related to decisions made based on the 5-year look-back period; and other matters. Provides that to ensure user-friendly navigation and visibility, the Department shall post on the main page of its official website detailed information on how users can easily access the comprehensive guide on the website and a hyperlink that directs users to the comprehensive guide. Requires the Department to develop and implement strategies and initiatives to promote awareness and utilization of the guide, including outreach efforts through community organizations, healthcare providers, and other relevant channels.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that no person shall operate a second division vehicle having a gross vehicle weight rating of 8,000 pounds or more loaded with dirt, aggregate, garbage, refuse, or other similar material on any highway, unless a cover or tarpaulin of sufficient size is attached so as to prevent any load, residue, or other material from escaping. Allows a vehicle owner to be found in violation of the provisions. Provides that any violation of the provisions shall be a petty offense and the owner or operator of the vehicle in violation shall be subject to mandatory minimum fine of $150 (rather than a fine not to exceed $250). Amends the Criminal and Traffic Assessment Act. In provisions concerning conditional assessments, provides for distribution of a conditional assessment for a violation of the provisions requiring covers or tarpaulins for certain loads.