Rep. Elizabeth Coulson

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Increases the special education reimbursement amount to school districts for teachers, professional workers, directors, and school psychologists (from $9,000 to $11,000) and non-certified employees (from $3,500 to $4,900) for the 2007-2008 school year and thereafter. Effective July 1, 2008.

Amends the Physician Assistant Practice Act of 1987. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Creates the Structural Pest Control Act of 2008. Contains only a short title provision.

Creates the Homeowners' Solar Energy Act. Provides that no bylaw or action of a homeowners' association, property owners' association, or a condominium unit owners' association shall prohibit or be interpreted to prohibit a solar energy system or other energy device based on a renewable resource. Provides that no deed restrictions, covenants, or similar binding agreements running with the land shall prohibit or have the effect of prohibiting a solar energy system or other renewable resource energy device from being installed on residential dwelling property that does not exceed 3 stories. Provides that an owners' association may determine the location of a solar energy system. Provides that solar energy systems shall be certified by the Solar Rating and Certification Corporation (SRCC) or another nationally recognized certification entity. Provides that an application for the installation of a solar energy system shall be processed and approved as an application for architectural modification and shall not be willfully avoided or delayed. Provides that any entity, other than a public entity, that willfully violates this Act shall be liable to the applicant or other party adversely affected for actual damages. Provides that in any litigation under this Act, the prevailing party is entitled to reasonable attorney's fees. Provides that the legislative purpose of this Act is to protect the public health, safety, and welfare by encouraging the use of renewable resource energy systems to conserve and protect land and resources and prevent measures which will drive the cost of owning residential property beyond the capacity of private owners.

Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Illinois Insurance Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, the Limited Health Service Organization Act, the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act, and the Illinois Public Aid Code to provide coverage for autism spectrum disorders to the extent that the diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorders are not already covered by the policy or plan. Provides that this coverage shall be subject to a maximum benefit of $36,000 per year, but shall not be subject to any limits on the number of visits to an autism service provider. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act. Makes a technical change to a Section concerning the legislative declaration of policy.

Amends the Firearm Owner Identification Card Act. Requires (instead of permits) the Department of State Police to deny an application or to revoke and seize a Firearm Owner's Identification Card previously issued under the Act if the Department finds that the applicant or person to whom such card was issued is or was at the time of issuance the subject to an existing order of protection. Amends the Domestic Violence Article of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963 and the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986. Provides that if the court is satisfied that there is any danger of the illegal use of firearms, it shall include in the order of protection the requirement that any Firearm Owner's Identification Card of the respondent be turned over to the local law enforcement agency for safekeeping.

Creates the Statewide Central Abuse and Neglect Hotline Act. Requires the establishment of a statewide central hotline to receive reports of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation under the various Acts that require or permit the reporting of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation. Provides that hotline operators shall immediately connect callers with intake personnel at the appropriate State agency. Designates the Department of Human Services as the lead agency to establish and administer the hotline. Creates a task force composed of the Director of Aging, the Director of Children and Family Services, the Director of Healthcare and Family Services, the Secretary of Human Services, and the Director of Public Health to develop a plan to establish and implement the hotline and to perform other functions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the requirement of a license.

Amends the Community Health Center Expansion Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the reporting requirement for grant recipients.