Rep. Jay Hoffman

Amends the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act. Provides that the requirements established under the Act do not apply to awards, including capital appropriated funds, made by the Department of Transportation to units of local government for the purposes of surface transportation projects utilizing State and federal funds. Provides that the Act shall recognize that federal and federal pass-through awards from the Department of Transportation to units of local government are governed by and must comply with specified federal guidelines. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that the requirements established under the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act do not apply to awards, including capital appropriated funds, made by the Department of Transportation to units of local government for the purposes of transportation (rather than surface transportation) projects utilizing State and federal funds. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Makes changes to the engrossed bill to provide that the requirements do not apply to awards made by the Department of Transportation to units of local government for the purposes of transportation projects utilizing State funds, federal funds, or both State and federal funds (rather than State and federal funds).

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Secretary of State shall conduct a study on the feasibility of allowing the use of digital electronic license plates on passenger and commercial vehicles registered in the State. Provides that the report shall include information on the following areas: (1) jurisdictions currently offering digital electronic license plates for passenger vehicles and their creation and implementation comments; (2) jurisdictions currently offering digital electronic license plates for commercial vehicles; (3) cost of implementation and issuance in Illinois for both passenger and commercial vehicles; and (4) any benefits or deterrents to electronic vehicle registration. Provides that the report shall also examine and provide jurisdictional information concerning: (i) interaction with law enforcement and automated license plate readers; (ii) oversight of messaging on digital electronic license plates; and (iii) any other information the Secretary deems pertinent to the report. Provides that the Secretary of State shall update the report issued in 2016, pursuant to Senate Joint Resolution 11 of the 99th General Assembly, regarding the issuance of an electronic driver's license to eligible drivers. Provides that the report shall include, but not be limited to: (1) advancements in technology since the initial report; (2) production information on other states offering an electronic driver's license to qualified drivers in their jurisdictions; and (3) cost and timeline to implement an electronic driver's license program in Illinois. Requires that the reports be filed with the General Assembly by July 1, 2022. Repeals the provisions on January 1, 2023. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 625 ILCS 5/2-130 new Adds reference to: 5 ILCS 140/7.5 605 ILCS 140/3 new 605 ILCS 140/5 605 ILCS 140/90 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that until July 1, 2023, images from cameras are exempt from disclosure. Amends the Expressway Camera Act. Provides that the program conducted by the Illinois State Police, the Illinois Department of Transportation, and the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority to increase the amount of cameras along the expressways in Cook County shall also increase cameras along Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Drive. Requires details about the program objectives, counties where the program is operational, and policies under which the program operates to be made publicly available and posted online within 90 days of the effective date of the amendatory Act. Provides that a law enforcement agency may use images from an expressway camera to investigate vehicular hijacking, aggravated vehicular hijacking, terrorism, motor vehicle theft, or any forcible felony, including, but not limited to, offenses involving the use of a firearm (instead of only an offense involving the use of a firearm) and to detect highway conditions and facilitate highway safety and incident management. Adds provisions concerning retention of images from cameras, reporting requirements, and prosecutorial jurisdiction. Relocates the definition of "expressway" and defines terms. Changes the Act repeal date to July 1, 2025 (instead of July 1, 2023). Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Adds a licensed physical therapist as a person who can verify that a person is a person with disabilities for the purposes of the Code. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 625 ILCS 5/1-159.1 Adds reference to: 605 ILCS 140/5 605 ILCS 140/90 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Expressway Camera Act. Provides that the Illinois State Police, the Illinois Department of Transportation, and the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority shall work together to conduct a program to increase the amount of cameras along expressways and the State highway system in the counties of Boone, Bureau, Champaign, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Henry, Kane, Kendall, Lake, LaSalle, Macon, Madison, McHenry, Morgan, Peoria, Rock Island, Sangamon, St. Clair, Will, and Winnebago (instead of only Cook County). Provides that any funds needed to conduct the program for use on expressways or State highway system under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation shall be taken from the Road Fund and shall be included in requests for qualification processes. Provides that any funds needed to conduct the program for use on expressways under the jurisdiction of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority shall be paid for by funds from the Illinois State Tollway Highway Authority and shall be included in requests for qualification processes. Changes the Act repeal date to July 1, 2025 (instead of July 1, 2023). Effective immediately.

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the definition of "care and custody". House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 405 ILCS 5/1-102 Adds reference to: New Act 50 ILCS 705/6 from Ch. 85, par. 506 50 ILCS 705/6.8 new 30 ILCS 105/5.970 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the First Responder Mental Health Grant Program Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, there is created within the Department of Human Services a First Responder Behavioral Health Grant Program to provide grants to the following recipients: (1) units of local government; (2) law enforcement agencies; (3) fire protection districts; (4) school districts; (5) public or private hospitals; or (6) ambulance services that employ first responders. Creates a First Responder Behavioral Health Grant Fund in the State treasury, which shall be used by the Secretary of Human Services to make grants to eligible recipients. Provides that recipients eligible for grants shall use the grants for expenses related to behavioral health care services for first responders, including, but not limited to, telehealth services. Provides that an employer may not reduce behavioral health care provided through a first responder's employee benefit package as a result of the receipt of grant funds under the Act. Provides that all records, notes, and conclusions by a treatment provider providing behavioral health care to first responders whose employers receive grants under the Act shall not be shared with the employer unless otherwise mandated by law. Amends the State Finance Act to make conforming changes. Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Replaces provisions stating that the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board has the power and duty to establish statewide standards regarding regular mental health screenings of probationary and permanent police officers with provisions giving the Board the power and duty to establish statewide minimum standards regarding: (1) psychological screenings of recruit officers hired after the standards go into effect and annual psychological screenings of probationary and permanent officers; and (2) regular, confidential mental health counseling for probationary and permanent police officers in addition to the mental health counseling related to an officer's fitness for duty examinations. Lists specific items required to be included in the standards relating to psychological screenings and mental health counseling. Provides that records of psychological screenings and mental health counseling sessions, as well as any portions of documents referencing the psychological screenings or mental health counseling sessions that contain a personally identifiable information of an officer who underwent the screening or counseling session, are exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 405 ILCS 5/1-102 Adds reference to: New Act Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the First Responder Mental Health Grant Program Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, there is created within the Department of Human Services a First Responder Behavioral Health Grant Program to provide grants to the following recipients: (1) units of local government; (2) law enforcement agencies; (3) fire protection districts; (4) school districts; (5) public or private hospitals; or (6) ambulance services that employ first responders. Creates a First Responder Behavioral Health Grant Fund in the State treasury, which shall be used by the Secretary of Human Services to make grants to eligible recipients. Provides that recipients eligible for grants shall use the grants for expenses related to behavioral health care services for first responders, including, but not limited to, telehealth services. Provides that an employer may not reduce behavioral health care provided through a first responder's employee benefit package as a result of the receipt of grant funds under the Act. Provides that all records, notes, and conclusions by a treatment provider providing behavioral health care to first responders whose employers receive grants under the Act shall not be shared with the employer unless otherwise mandated by law. House Floor Amendment No. 3 Adds reference to: 30 ILCS 105/5.970 new Makes changes to the bill as amended by House Amendment No. 2 to provide that the First Responder Behavioral Health Grant Fund is a special fund in the State treasury. Adds provisions amending the State Finance Act to make conforming changes.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows the money in the Illinois Police Association Fund to be used for providing death benefits for the families of members of the Illinois Police Association dying of natural causes, and for providing scholarships to children and spouses of members of the Illinois Police Association dying of natural causes.

Amends the Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 215 ILCS 105/1 Adds reference to: New Act Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Consumer Legal Funding Act. Sets forth provisions concerning consumer legal funding contract requirements and right of rescission. Sets forth consumer legal funding company prohibitions. Sets forth the fees that may be charged by a consumer legal funding company and provides that a consumer legal funding company shall not collect any additional fees besides those specified in the Act. Provides that all consumer legal funding contracts shall contain specified disclosures. Provides that the contingent right to receive an amount of the potential proceeds of a legal claim is assignable by a consumer. Provides that an attorney or law firm retained by the consumer in the legal claim shall not have a financial interest in the consumer legal funding company offering consumer legal funding to that consumer. Sets forth provisions concerning application and fees for a consumer legal funding license. Provides that every consumer legal funding licensee shall appoint the Director of Financial Institutions as attorney-in-fact upon whom all lawful process against the licensee may be served. Sets forth provisions concerning investigation to determine whether a consumer legal funding license shall be issued, the license, the issuance of more than one license to a licensee, and an annual license fee. Provides that the Director may fine a licensee an amount not exceeding $10,000 per violation or revoke or suspend a license if he or she finds specified information. Provides that the Division of Financial Institutions shall establish rules and a schedule of fines for the administration and enforcement of the Act. Sets forth provisions concerning closing of business and surrender of a consumer legal funding license, investigation of conduct of business, books and records that shall be retained by every licensee, and other business that may be conducted by a licensee. Provides that the Director may issue a cease and desist order to a licensee in specified circumstances. Provides that the Division may adopt rules that are necessary and appropriate for the protection of consumers in the State. Provides that the Director may apply to a court for an injunction or civil penalty against a violation of the Act. Defines terms. Makes other changes. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 815 ILCS 205/4 from Ch. 17, par. 6404 815 ILCS 505/2AAAA new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Consumer Legal Funding Act. Sets forth provisions concerning consumer legal funding contract requirements, right of rescission, and consumer legal funding company prohibitions. Sets forth the fees that may be charged by a consumer legal funding company and provides that a consumer legal funding company shall not collect any additional fees besides those specified in the Act. Provides that all consumer legal funding contracts shall contain specified disclosures. Provides that the contingent right to receive an amount of the potential proceeds of a legal claim is assignable by a consumer. Provides that an attorney or law firm retained by the consumer in the legal claim shall not have a financial interest in the consumer legal funding company offering consumer legal funding to that consumer. Provides that a violation of the Act constitutes a violation of the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Sets forth provisions concerning the functions and powers of the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation. Provides that the Secretary may issue a cease and desist order to any licensee or a person doing business without a license in specified circumstances. Provides that the Secretary may apply for an injunction against a violation of the Act. Provides that any person who engages in business as a licensee without the license required by the Act commits a Class 4 felony. Provides that a violation of the Act may be asserted in a civil action. Sets forth provisions concerning definitions; consumer legal funding license scope; license application process and forms; surrender of license; license renewal; examination of business; suspension or revocation of license; license fees; investigation of complaints; additional investigation and examination authority; confidential information; information sharing; reports of violations; and rulemaking. Amends the Interest Act. Provides that it is lawful to receive or to contract to receive and collect interest and charges as authorized by specified law including the Consumer Legal Funding Act. Makes a conforming change in the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2023 that provides coverage for prescription drugs shall provide coverage for prenatal vitamins when prescribed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2024 (rather than January 1, 2023) that provides coverage for prescription drugs shall provide coverage for prenatal vitamins when prescribed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2024 that provides coverage for prescription drugs shall provide coverage for prenatal vitamins when prescribed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches or an advanced practice registered nurse licensed under the Nurse Practice Act (rather than only a physician).

Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act. Provides that the Funeral Directors and Embalmers Licensing Code is repealed on January 1, 2028 (instead of January 1, 2023). Amends the Funeral Directors and Embalmers Licensing Code. Defines "email address of record". Removes a provision providing that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall maintain rosters of the licensees and those whose licenses were suspended, revoked, denied renewal, or otherwise disciplined. Provides that licensees shall provide a valid email address to the Department and inform of any change of the email address. Removes a provision that provides that licensees who have not engaged in the practice of funeral directing for at least 40 years by January 1, 2016 shall not receive the continuing education exemption after that date. Provides that the Department shall determine an inactive licensee's fitness to resume active status and may require successful completion of a practical examination or any other method the Department deems appropriate. Provides that the licensee is authorized to effect a final disposition of unclaimed cremated remains if no person lawfully entitled to the custody of the remains makes or has made a proper request for them within 60 days (instead of 1 year) of the date of death of the cremated person. Allows licenses to be applied for electronically. Allows the written notice of proceedings to be served by email. Provides that the Department shall provide a certified shorthand reporter to take down the testimony and preserve a record of all proceedings at specified hearings. Includes additional factors that the Funeral Directors and Embalmers Licensing and Disciplinary Board may take into consideration in making recommendations for any disciplinary action. Provides that any person who practices, offers to practice, attempts to practice, or holds one's self out as a funeral director, embalmer, or embalmer intern without being licensed shall pay a civil penalty to the Department in an amount not to exceed $10,000 for each offense. Repeals provisions concerning: Social Security Numbers on license applications; consent orders; and conflicts of interest. Makes other changes. Provisions amending the Regulatory Sunset Act are effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 5 ILCS 80/4.33 5 ILCS 80/4.38 225 ILCS 41/1-10 225 ILCS 41/1-15 225 ILCS 41/1-30 225 ILCS 41/5-7 225 ILCS 41/5-10 225 ILCS 41/5-15 225 ILCS 41/5-18 225 ILCS 41/5-20 225 ILCS 41/10-7 225 ILCS 41/10-20 225 ILCS 41/10-30 225 ILCS 41/10-43 225 ILCS 41/15-10 225 ILCS 41/15-15 225 ILCS 41/15-18 225 ILCS 41/15-20 225 ILCS 41/15-21 225 ILCS 41/15-22 225 ILCS 41/15-30 225 ILCS 41/15-40 225 ILCS 41/15-41 225 ILCS 41/15-65 225 ILCS 41/15-75 225 ILCS 41/15-80 225 ILCS 41/15-91 225 ILCS 41/10-22 rep. 225 ILCS 41/15-17 rep. 225 ILCS 41/15-100 rep. Adds reference to: 5 ILCS 140/7.5 225 ILCS 510/3 from Ch. 111, par. 953 225 ILCS 510/5 from Ch. 111, par. 955 225 ILCS 510/7 from Ch. 111, par. 957 225 ILCS 510/13 from Ch. 111, par. 963 225 ILCS 510/14 from Ch. 111, par. 964 225 ILCS 510/14.1 225 ILCS 510/14.3 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Nurse Agency Licensing Act. Defines "covenant not to compete" and "employee". Changes the definitions of "health care facility" and "nurse". Provides that an application for licensure shall contain evidence of general and professional liability insurance (rather than only professional liability insurance) in the amount of at least $1,000,000 (instead of $500,000) per incident and $3,000,000 (instead of $1,000,000) in the aggregate and workers' compensation coverage (rather than only in the aggregate). Provides that for the renewal of a license, the licensee shall also submit an attestation detailing specified information. Provides that prior to employing, assigning, or referring a certified nurse aide to a position at a health care employer or long-term facility, the nurse agency shall review the information provided on the Health Care Worker Registry to verify that the certified nurse aide is not ineligible for the position. Provides that knowingly employing, assigning, or referring to a health care facility a nurse or certified nurse aid with an illegally or fraudulently obtained or issued diploma, registration, license, certificate, or background study constitutes negligent hiring and is a violation of the Act. Changes the minimum standards for the operation of nurse agencies. Provides that no less than 100% of the nurse or certified nurse aide hourly rate shall be paid to the nurse or certified nurse aide employee. Provides that nurse agencies are prohibited from entering into covenants not to compete with nurses and certified nurse aides. Provides that a nurse agency shall submit a report quarterly to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for each health care entity with whom the agency contracts. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall publish on its website the reports yearly by county. Provides that the Department of Labor shall compel production of the maintained records by the nurse agencies. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall establish a system of reporting complaints against a health care staffing agency. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall publish on its website how an interested party may submit a complaint of a violation of the Act to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Provides that complaints against a nurse agency shall be investigated by the Department of Labor. Increases the civil penalty for violation of the Act to $10,000 per occurrence (currently $1,000 per day for each violation). Provides that any nurse staffing agency that has been found not to have paid an employee 100% of the hourly wage rate identified in the contract shall be liable to the employee for the actual amount of the underpayment, plus damages of 5% of the amount of the underpayment. Provides that a contract entered into on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act between the nurse agency and health care facility must contain specified provisions. Provides that a party's failure to comply with the requirements of the provisions concerning a contract between a nurse agency and a health care facility shall be a defense to the enforcement of a contract between a nurse agency and a health care facility. Provides that a prevailing party may recover specified damages, specified fees and costs, and other relief for each violation. Makes other changes. Makes a corresponding change in the Freedom of Information Act. Effective July 1, 2022.

Amends the State Employee Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that the alternative retirement annuity provisions apply to a Tier 2 investigator for the Office of the Attorney General. Authorizes a Tier 2 investigator for the Office of the Attorney General to convert up to 8 years of certain service credit established before the effective date of the amendatory Act into eligible creditable service under the alternative retirement annuity provisions upon application and payment of a specified contribution. Provides that any benefit increase that results from the amendatory Act is excluded from the definition of "new benefit increase". Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that an insured or any other person who may be the owner of rights under a policy of life insurance may make an irrevocable assignment of all or a part of his or her rights under the policy to a funeral home in accordance with a specified provision of the Illinois Funeral or Burial Funds Act. Provides that a policy owner who executes a designation beneficiary form irrevocably waives and cannot exercise certain rights. Amends the Illinois Funeral or Burial Funds Act. In a provision concerning pre-need contracts funded through the purchase of a life insurance policy or tax-deferred annuity contract, provides that nothing shall prohibit the purchaser from irrevocably assigning ownership of the policy or annuity to a person or trust or from irrevocably assigning the benefits of the policy or annuity to a funeral home for the purpose of obtaining favorable consideration for Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, or another public assistance program. Requires the insured or any other person who may be the owner of rights under the policy of whole life insurance to sign a guaranteed pre-need contract with the provider that describes the cost of the goods and services to be provided upon the person's death, up to $6,774, except that any portion of a contract that clearly represents the purchase of burial space is exempt regardless of value. Amends the Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In a provision requiring the Department of Human Services to exempt certain prepaid funeral or burial contracts from consideration when making an eligibility determination for medical assistance, provides that at any time after submitting an application for medical assistance and before the Department makes a final determination of eligibility, an applicant may use available resources to purchase one of the exempted prepaid funeral or burial contracts. Exempts up to $6,774 (rather than $5,874) in funds under an irrevocable prepaid funeral or burial contract when determining an individual's resources and eligibility for medical assistance. Contains provisions concerning exemptions; irrevocable designation of beneficiary forms; and other matters. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 215 ILCS 5/245.3 new 225 ILCS 45/2a 225 ILCS 45/2b new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. In a provision requiring the Department of Human Services to exempt certain prepaid funeral or burial contracts from consideration when making an eligibility determination for medical assistance, provides that at any time after submitting an application for medical assistance and before a final determination of eligibility has been made by the Department, an applicant may use available resources to purchase one of the exempted prepaid funeral or burial contracts. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 215 ILCS 5/245.3 new 225 ILCS 45/2a 225 ILCS 45/2b new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that an insured or any other person who may be the owner of rights under a policy of life insurance may make an irrevocable assignment of all or a part of his or her rights under the policy to a funeral home in accordance with a specified provision of the Illinois Funeral or Burial Funds Act. Provides that a policy owner who executes a designation beneficiary form irrevocably waives and cannot exercise certain rights. Amends the Illinois Funeral or Burial Funds Act. In a provision concerning pre-need contracts funded through the purchase of a life insurance policy or tax-deferred annuity contract, provides that nothing shall prohibit the purchaser from irrevocably assigning ownership of the policy or annuity to a person or trust or from irrevocably assigning the benefits of the policy or annuity to a funeral home for the purpose of obtaining favorable consideration for Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, or another public assistance program. Requires the insured or any other person who may be the owner of rights under an existing policy of life insurance to sign a guaranteed pre-need contract with the provider that describes the cost of the funeral goods and services to be provided upon the person's death, up to $7,248, except that any portion of a contract that clearly represents the purchase of burial space, as that term is defined for purposes of the Supplemental Security Income program, is exempt regardless of value. Provides that the form to effectuate the irrevocable assignment and thereby provide for the irrevocable designation of beneficiary of one or more life insurance policies shall be prepared by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services or such form, approved by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, that has been prepared by an insurance company licensed to operate in the State of Illinois. Contains provisions concerning disclosure statements under pre-need contracts with cash advances; the distribution of proceeds under a life insurance policy upon the death of the insured; and other matters. Amends the Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that at any time prior to or after submitting an application for medical assistance and before a final determination of eligibility has been made, an applicant may use available resources to purchase one of the prepaid funeral or burial contracts exempted under the Article. Provides that existing life insurance policies are exempt if there has been an irrevocable assignment in compliance with a specified provision under the Illinois Funeral or Burial Funds Act. Requires a person to sign a contract with a funeral home, which is licensed under the Illinois Funeral or Burial Funds Act, that describes the cost of the funeral goods and services to be provided upon the person's death, up to $7,248, except that any portion of a contract that clearly represents the purchase of burial space, as that term is defined for purposes of the Supplemental Security Income program, is exempt regardless of value. Provides that the amount shall be adjusted annually for any increase in the Consumer Price Index. Requires the licensed funeral home to which the life insurance policy benefits have been irrevocably assigned to retain copies for inspection by the Comptroller and to report annually to the Comptroller certain information. Provides that certain provisions under the amendatory Act shall be subject to federal approval. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to apply for any necessary federal waivers or approvals to implement certain changes made under the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.