Rep. Kevin Schmidt

Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Creates under the authority of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board the Statewide PTSD Mental Health Coordinator, appointed by the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, for a term of 4 years. Provides that the Statewide PTSD Mental Health Coordinator shall receive a salary as provided by law and is eligible for reappointment. Provides that the Statewide PTSD Mental Health Coordinator shall be responsible for implementing a program of mental health support and education for law enforcement officers. Establishes qualifications for the Coordinator. Provides that the Statewide PTSD Mental Health Coordinator shall report to the Board on the development and implementation of programs and training for law enforcement officers and shall advise the Board and receive advice from the Board on direction and training needs for law enforcement agencies that vary in size, location, and demographics.

Creates the Outdoor Rx Program Act. Authorizes the Department of Public Health, subject to appropriation, to make grants for outdoor environmental, ecological, agricultural, or other natural resource-based or outdoor-based therapy programs serving the citizens of the State of Illinois. Requires the Department to establish an advisory committee to assist and advise the Department in the development and administration of the Outdoor Rx Program, including developing the form for an application for receipt of a grant. Provides that the Department shall set priorities and develop criteria for the awarding of grants to natural resource-based or outdoor-based therapy programs. Provides criteria for grant eligibility and selection. Provides that the Director of Public Health shall make the final decision on funding a program. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Outdoor Rx Program Fund as a special fund in the State treasury.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. In the statute concerning abuse or criminal neglect of a long term care facility resident, changes references to "an elderly person's or person with a disability's life" to references to "a resident's life". In the statute concerning financial exploitation of an elderly person or a person with a disability, provides that a person who violates the provisions is guilty of a Class 1 felony if the elderly person is 70 years of age or older (instead of "over 70 years of age") and the value of the property is $15,000 or more.

Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging and the Illinois Public Aid Code by changing all references to the Illinois State Police Medicaid Fraud Control Unit to the Office of the Attorney General Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Amends the Illinois False Claims Act. Removes references to the Illinois State Police from the definition of "investigator". Provides that the Attorney General (rather than the Attorney General or the Illinois State Police) shall diligently investigate a civil violation for false claims under the Act. Provides that the Attorney General may issue subpoenas under the Act (rather than the Attorney General may delegate the authority to issue subpoenas under the Act to the Department of State Police). In provisions concerning the State Whistleblower Reward and Protection Fund, provides that for all cases settled on or after October 1, 2023, one-third of the monies shall be paid to the Attorney General Whistleblower Reward and Protection Fund. Provides that the remaining two-thirds of the monies in the Fund shall be used for payment of awards to Qui Tam plaintiffs and as otherwise specified in this Act, with any remainder to the General Revenue Fund. Provides that the Attorney General shall direct the State Treasurer to make disbursement of funds. Effective immediately.

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that there is a rebuttable presumption that the testimony of a victim who is a child under 13 years of age shall testify outside the courtroom and the child's testimony shall be shown in the courtroom by means of a closed circuit television. Provides that this presumption may be overcome if the defendant can prove by clear and convincing evidence that the child victim will not suffer severe emotional distress.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a prosecution for any offense based upon fraudulent activity connected to COVID-19-related relief programs, to include the Paycheck Protection Program, COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program, and the Unemployment Benefit Programs shall be commenced within one year after discovery of the offense by a person having a legal duty to report such offense, or in the absence of such discovery, within one year after the proper prosecuting officer becomes aware of the offense. Provides that in no such case is the period of limitation so extended more than 3 years beyond the expiration of the period otherwise applicable.

Amends the Underserved Health Care Provider Workforce Act. Includes a student studying chiropractic medicine and chiropractic physicians in the Act's provisions. Amends the Loan Repayment for Physicians Act. Provides that the term "physician" means a person licensed under the Medical Practice Act of 1987 (instead of a person licensed under the Medical Practice Act of 1987 to practice medicine in all of its branches). Provides that the term "educational loans" means higher education student loans that a person has incurred in attending a registered professional physician education program, including a registered medical school or a registered chiropractic college or institution (instead of higher education student loans that a person has incurred in attending a registered professional physician education program).

Creates the Firefighter Training Leave of Absence Act. Defines terms. Provides that a State employee shall be granted leave from his or her State employment for firefighter training as follows: (1) on one occasion, for up to 200 hours, to participate in training necessary to obtain Basic Operations Firefighter certification from the State Fire Marshal while attending a State Fire Marshal-approved fire academy; and (2) special or advanced training annually, not to exceed 80 hours, after obtaining Basic Operations Firefighter certification from the State Fire Marshal for courses that will lead to additional certification by the State Fire Marshal. Provides that, during leaves for basic, special, or advanced training, the State employee shall continue to receive his or her regular compensation as a State employee, but, if the State employee receives compensation for basic, special, or advanced training, the State employee shall receive his or her regular compensation as a State employee minus the amount of his or her compensation for basic, special, or advanced training. Provides that a State employee who wishes to obtain a leave of absence under this Act shall request in advance for the leave of absence and may take the leave of absence only after obtaining approval from the State employee's agency.

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that, as part of transition planning, a school district shall provide a student and the parent or guardian of the student (instead of just the student) with information about the district's career and technical education opportunities. Provides that a student and the parent or guardian of the student shall be provided with information about dual credit courses offered by the school district. Provides that if the student is enrolled in a dual credit course for dual credit or for high school credit only, the student's participation in the course shall be included as part of the student's transition Individualized Education Program activities. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Provides that Constitution Day (September 17) shall also be a commemorative holiday. Effective July 1, 2023.