Rep. Kelly Cassidy

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Includes persons who are foreign-born victims of trafficking, torture, or other serious crimes in the categories of non-citizens who are eligible for cash or medical assistance under the Code. Defines "foreign-born victims of trafficking, torture, or other serious crimes". Provides that beginning January 1, 2017, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall provide medical assistance coverage to foreign-born victims of human trafficking, torture, or other serious crimes and to their derivative family members who: reside in Illinois; are not otherwise eligible under the Code; meet certain income guidelines; and have filed or are preparing to file a formal application for status pursuant to specified provisions of the United States Code. Provides that such a person is ineligible for continued medical assistance coverage if he or she has not filed a formal application for status within one year after the date of his or her application for cash assistance or SNAP benefits; and that if there is a final denial of the person's visa or asylum application, any medical assistance coverage provided to that person and his or her derivative family members shall be terminated. Adds the Survivor Support and Trafficking Prevention Article to the Code with provisions concerning: cash assistance and SNAP benefits for persons who are foreign-born victims of trafficking, torture, or other serious crimes and their derivative family members; eligibility determinations; work requirements and exemptions; and termination of benefits. Grants the Department rulemaking authority to implement these provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Breakfast and Lunch Program Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning applications.

Amends the Illinois Seed Law. Provides that specified provisions do not apply to seed distributed within this State by means of noncommercial, interpersonal seed sharing activities, including, but not limited to, seed libraries, seed exchanges, or other formal or informal seed sharing activities. Effective immediately.

Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Provides that the Department of State Police also has authority to deny an application for or to revoke and seize a Firearm Owner's Identification Card previously issued under the Act if the Department finds that the applicant or the person to whom the card was issued is or was at the time of issuance: (1) a person who is subject to an order of protection, or similar protective order entered by another state, tribal, or territorial court; or (2) a person who is subject to a stalking no contact order prohibiting him or her from possessing a firearm. Provides that in counties with more than 3,000,000 inhabitants, in conjunction with the service of the protective order, the sheriff may serve a notice of revocation on behalf of the Department of State Police if the revocation is based on the issuance of an order of protection or of a stalking no contact order that prohibits the person from possessing a firearm. Provides that if the person is served by the sheriff with a notice of revocation based on the issuance of an order of protection or of a stalking no contact order that prohibits the person from possessing a firearm, establishes procedures for the person to surrender his or her firearms and Firearm Owner's Identification Card.

Amends the Common Interest Community Association Act. Deletes language providing that all provisions of the declaration, bylaws, and other community instruments severed by the Act shall be revised by the board of directors independent of the membership to comply with the Act.

Amends the Illinois Lottery Law. Provides that the Quality of Life scratch-off game shall be discontinued on December 31, 2025 (rather than December 31, 2017). Effective immediately.

Amends the Arthritis Prevention, Control, and Cure Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act. Provides that upon adjudication of any individual as a person with a mental disability or a finding that a person has been involuntarily admitted, the circuit court clerk shall (rather than the court shall direct the circuit court clerk to) immediately notify the Department of State Police, Firearm Owner's Identification (FOID) department. Provides that beginning July 1, 2016, and each July 1 and December 30 of every year thereafter, the court shall direct the circuit court clerk to notify the Department of State Police, Firearm Owner's Identification (FOID) department if the court has not adjudicated any individual as a person with a mentally disability within the preceding 6 months. Provides that any clerk who knowingly fails to perform these duties is guilty of a petty offense and shall be fined by the court not exceeding $100, and for any subsequent offense he or she is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor and if convicted may be removed from office by the court. Effective immediately.

Amends the Health Care Right of Conscience Act. Makes changes in the Section concerning findings and policy. Defines "access to care and information protocols" and "material information". Provides that notwithstanding any other law, a health care facility, or any physician or health care personnel working in the facility, may refuse to permit, perform, assist in, counsel about, suggest, recommend, refer for, or participate in health care services because of a conscience-based objection only if the refusal occurs in accordance with written access to care and information protocols designed to ensure that (1) the patient receives material information in a timely fashion; and (2) the refusal will not impair the patient's health by causing delay of or inability to access the refused health care service. Provides that nothing in the Act shall be construed to prevent a health care facility from requiring that physicians or health care personnel working in the facility comply with access to care and information protocols. Makes other changes in Sections concerning: (i) discrimination by employers or institutions; and (ii) liability.

Creates the Child Bereavement Leave Act and amends the State Finance Act. Provides that an employee may use specified amounts of bereavement leave to grieve the death of the employee's child, attend services in relation to the death of the employee's child, or make arrangements necessitated by the death of the employee's child. Provides for enforcement by the Department of Labor. Provides for civil penalties. Authorizes the Attorney General to collect penalties. Creates the Child Bereavement Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Effective immediately.