Rep. Kelly Cassidy

Amends the School Code. In provisions requiring a criminal history records check to be performed with regard to applicants for employment with a school district or non-public school and whether those applicants may be employed, makes changes concerning the types of convictions checked for and when those convictions occurred. In provisions concerning the conviction of certain offenses as grounds for revocation of an educator license, changes the definitions of "narcotics offense" and "sex offense". Effective immediately.

Amends the Cannabis Control Act. Provides that the knowing possession of not more than 30 grams of any substance containing cannabis is a petty offense charged by a Uniform Cannabis Ticket with a fine of $100 (rather than a Class C misdemeanor for 2.5 grams or less, a Class B misdemeanor for more than 2.5 grams to 10 grams, and a Class A misdemeanor for more than 10 grams to 30 grams). Provides that knowing possession of more than 30 grams but not more than 500 grams of any substance containing cannabis is a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense (rather than a Class 4 felony) and a Class 4 felony for a subsequent offense (rather than a Class 3 felony). Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Establishes procedures concerning the Uniform Cannabis Ticket.

Amends the Condominium Property Act. Restricts the applicability of a Section concerning the rights of the board of managers to actions taken under provisions stating that the board of managers has standing and capacity to act in a representative capacity in relation to matters involving the common elements or more than one unit, on behalf of the unit owners, as their interests may appear. Deletes language providing that a provision in a declaration which would otherwise be void and ineffective may be enforced if it is approved by a vote of not less than 75% of the unit owners at any time after the election of the first unit owner board of managers.

Amends the Illinois Oil and Gas Act. In provisions concerning hearings with regard to a finding of the Department of Natural Resources' that a well has been abandoned or is leaking salt water, oil, gas, or other deleterious substances into any fresh water formation or onto the surface of the land in the vicinity of the well, provides that the notice of hearing shall consist of written notice served to the permittee personally or by certified mail sent to the permittee's last known address. Provides that if the Department determines that the permittee resides or has gone out of this State or, on due inquiry, cannot be found or is concealed within the State so that process cannot be served upon him or her, the Department may cause publication to be made in some newspaper published in the county in which the well is located, and, if there is no newspaper published in that county, then the publication shall be in a newspaper published in the adjoining county in this State having a circulation in the county in which action is pending. Provides that, in addition, the Department may cause notice of hearing to be posted at the tank battery located on the lease containing the well at issue for at least 30 days prior to the scheduled date of the hearing. Requires the publication to contain notice of the pendency of the hearing, the name of the permittee, the name of the well, the names of the parties to be served by publication, and the date on or after which the default may be entered against the party. Requires that the Department also, within 10 days of the first publication of the notice of posting at the tank battery, send a copy of the publication by mail to the permittee's last known place of residence.

Amends the Condominium Property Act. Makes changes in provisions governing: portions of board of managers' meetings which may be closed to the unit owners; participation by board members in meetings via acceptable technological means; and notice requirements for board of managers meetings.

Amends the Crime Victims Compensation Act. Provides procedures for providing notice to a vendor waiting for payment of a claim for compensation filed under the Act. Provides that a vendor who has been provided notice of the claim may not engage in debt collection activities against the applicant until the Court of Claims awards compensation for the debt and the payment is processed. Provides that if the court denies compensation, the vendor may not engage in debt collection activities until 45 days after the date the court enters an order denying the compensation. Provides that the vendor may engage in specified activities. Provides that the statute of limitations for collection of a related debt is tolled upon the filing of the claim for compensation and any related civil actions are stayed until 45 days after the Court of Claims enters an order denying the compensation. Defines terms.

Amends the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education to (i) develop a model youth suicide awareness and prevention policy; (ii) compile, develop, and post on its Internet website recommended guidelines and educational materials for professional educator training and recommended resources and age-appropriate educational materials on youth suicide awareness and prevention; and (iii) develop a model youth suicide awareness and prevention curriculum and make such curriculum available to all school districts and, upon request, to nonpublic schools. Requires each school board to (i) adopt an age-appropriate youth suicide awareness and prevention policy and (ii) require 4 hours of training in youth suicide awareness and prevention every 5 years for professional educators in school buildings serving students in any of grades 6 through 12. Effective immediately.

Creates the Youth Mental Health Protection Act. Defines "mental health provider" and "sexual orientation change efforts" or "conversion therapy". Provides that no mental health provider shall engage in sexual orientation change efforts with a person under the age of 18. Provides that a mental health provider shall not refer a client or patient to any individual for the purpose of sexual orientation change efforts. Further provides that any sexual orientation change effort attempted on a person under the age of 18 or any referral made by a mental health provider shall be considered unprofessional conduct and shall be subject to discipline by the licensing entity or disciplinary review board with competent jurisdiction.

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. In provision regarding refund of costs, fines, or fees upon reversal of conviction on a finding of actual innocence, the refund shall be determined by the judge and paid by the clerk of the court based upon the availability of funds in the subject fund account.

Amends the Department of State Police Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of State Police shall develop a coordinated program for a statewide emergency alert system when a person 21 years old or older who is believed to have Alzheimer's disease or related dementias is reported missing. Provides that the system shall be referred to as the Silver Alert system and shall include, but is not limited to, an electronic message sent to all law enforcement agencies; use of the emergency alert system; the use of electronic billboards and message signs in coordination with the Illinois Department of Transportation if a vehicle is involved; posting of the Silver Alert message on Illinois Lottery terminals; the designation by the Department of a contact name and toll-free telephone number for tips and information; blast email and fax messages to media outlets; activation of a local reverse 911 systems to all businesses and residents if the person is on foot. Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Transportation shall coordinate with the Department of State Police in the use of electronic message signs on roads and highways to immediately provide critical information to the public concerning missing persons with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias. Amends the Missing Persons Identification Act to make conforming changes.