Rep. Kelly Cassidy

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that in a prosecution of any violent crime as defined in the Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act, the court may set any conditions it finds just and appropriate on the taking of testimony of a victim who is a child under the age of 18 years or a moderately, severely, or profoundly intellectually disabled person or a person affected by a developmental disability, involving the use of a facility dog in any proceeding involving that offense.

Amends the Probate Act of 1975. Provides that no petition for the appointment of a guardian of a minor shall be filed in which the primary purpose of the filing is to reduce the financial resources available to the minor in order to cause the minor to qualify for public or private financial assistance from an educational institution. Provides that the court may deny such a petition if it finds that the primary purpose of the filing is to enable the minor to declare financial independence so that the minor may obtain public or private financial assistance from an educational institution or a State or federal student financial aid program.

Amends the Vital Records Act. Removes language requiring that the State Registrar of Vital Records establish a new certificate of birth when he receives a declaration stating that a person has undergone treatment for the purpose of gender transition, or that the individual has an intersex condition, and that the sex designation on such person's birth record should therefore be changed. Provides that the State Registrar of Vital Records must establish a new certificate of birth when he receives a statement signed by the person in which the person attests to making the request for the purpose of affirming the person's gender identity or intersex condition and that the sex designation on the person's certificate of birth should therefore be changed. Provides that the fee for a new certificate of birth shall not be required from persons upon release from the Department of Corrections or the Department of Juvenile Justice, but the person is entitled to only one new certificate of birth fee waiver. Provides that the fee for a new certificate of birth shall be waived for homeless persons, youths in care, and persons under the age of 27 who were youths in care. Effective January 1, 2021. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 410 ILCS 535/25.6 new Provides that fees for a new certificate of birth and for a search of a birth record or a certified copy of a birth record shall be waived for all requests by a person who resides in a shelter for domestic violence. Requires the State Registrar of Vital Records to establish standards and procedures for the waiver of fees. Provides that a person who resides in a shelter for domestic violence must not be charged for verification. Provides that a person who knowingly or purposefully falsifies verification is subject to a penalty of $100. Provides that a person who resides in a shelter for domestic violence shall be provided no more than 4 birth records annually under the provisions.

Creates the Reporting of Deaths in Custody Act. Provides that in any case in which a person dies while in the custody of: (1) any law enforcement agency, (2) a local or State correctional facility in the State, or (3) a peace officer or as a result of the peace officer's use of force, the law enforcement agency shall investigate and report the death in writing to the Attorney General, no later than 30 days after the date on which the person in custody or incarcerated died. Provides information that must be contained in the report. Provides that the report shall be a public record under the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that the Attorney General shall issue a public annual report tabulating and evaluating trends and information on deaths in custody. Provides that the family, next of kin, or any other person reasonably nominated by the decedent as an emergency contact shall be notified as soon as possible in a suitable manner giving an accurate factual account of the cause of death and circumstances surrounding the death in custody. Amends the Illinois Identification Card Act and the Unified Code of Corrections concerning reports the Secretary of State, Department of Juvenile Justice, and the Department of Corrections shall make to the General Assembly. Provides that the Secretary of State, Department of Juvenile Justice, and the Department of Corrections shall publish the reports on their respective websites. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that the report of deaths of persons in custody shall be submitted to the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (rather than the Attorney General). Provides that the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority shall submit its annual report about deaths in custody to the Attorney General and the Governor as well as to the General Assembly. Provides that the Secretary of State shall submit his or her annual report concerning permanent identification cards issued to persons in custody of the Departments of Corrections and Juvenile Justice to the Attorney General and the Governor as well as to the General Assembly. Provides that the Departments of Corrections and Juvenile Justice shall submit their annual reports concerning the number of birth certificates, social security cards, and verification forms issued to persons within their custody within 30 days of their release from custody to the Attorney General and the Governor as well as to the General Assembly. Correctional Note, House Committee Amendment No. 1 (Dept of Corrections) This bill will have no corrections population or fiscal impact on the Department.

Creates the Right to Counsel in Immigration Proceedings Act. Establishes the Task Force on Counsel in Immigration Proceedings. Provides for members, compensation, and support staff. Provides that the Task Force shall investigate the implementation of universal representation for covered individuals in immigration removal proceedings. Provides that the Task Force shall submit a report of its findings in the investigation and its recommendations for how to fully provide legal representation for covered individuals facing immigration proceedings no later than July 1, 2021. Repeals the Act July 1, 2022. Effective immediately.

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that fees for a coroner's or medical examiner's permit to cremate a human body is $100 (rather than $50). Provides that fees for a certified copy of a transcript of sworn testimony of a coroner's inquest made by written request declaring the request is for research or genealogy purposes is $15.00 for the entire transcript. Provides that a request shall be deemed a proper request for purpose of research or genealogy if the requested inquest occurred not less than 20 years prior to the date of the written request and that the transcript shall be stamped with the words "FOR GENEALOGY OR RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY". Provides that a coroner may waive, at his or her discretion, fees if the coroner determines that the person is indigent and unable to pay the permit fee or under other special circumstances as determined by the coroner.

Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Relocates a provision regarding special immigrant minors from the Abused, Neglected, or Dependent Minors Article to the General Provisions Article. Amends the Probate Act of 1975. Provides that a petition for guardianship of the person of a minor who is 18 years of age or older, but who has not yet attained 21 years of age, may be filed by a parent, relative, or nonrelative person over the age of 21. Provides that a court making determinations concerning such a petition shall consider the best interest of the minor. Provides that an appointed guardian shall have responsibility for the custody, nurture, and tuition of the minor, and shall have the right to determine the minor's residence based on the minor's best interest. Provides that a minor who is the subject of a petition for guardianship or for extension of guardianship may be referred for psychological, educational, medical, or social services under certain circumstances. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Central Management Services Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that each State building constructed, acquired, or of which more than 50% of the façade is substantially altered shall meet specified standards concerning bird safety. Provides requirements for the Director of Central Management Services in implementing the standards. Specifies that the provisions shall not apply to any acquisition or substantial alteration if the Director, after consideration of multiple options, determines that the use of the required building materials and design features would result in a significant additional cost for the project. Exempts specified buildings from the requirements.

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Requires the Department of Human Services, in consultation with other specified State agencies, to conduct a public information campaign to educate immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and other noncitizens residing in Illinois of their rights under the U.S. Constitution and Illinois laws that apply regardless of immigration status. Requires the public information campaign to include resources and contact information for organizations that can aid residents in protecting and enforcing these rights. Requires the Department of Human Services, in consultation with the Department of Transportation and other agencies, when necessary, to post resources and other information regarding immigrant, refugee, and asylum seekers' rights in high-traffic public areas, including, but not limited to, train stations, airports, and highway rest stops. Permits the Department of Human Services to adopt rules or joint rules with other agencies to implement the requirements of the amendatory Act. Fiscal Note (Dept. of Human Services) Expected fiscal impact for the Department of Human Services is minimal. Most of the cost can be absorbed by programs already in place.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2022, a store may not sell or distribute in this State a disposable food service container that is composed in whole or in part of polystyrene foam. Directs the Environmental Protection Agency to adopt rules to implement the amendatory Act's provisions.