Rep. Jen Gong-Gershowitz

Creates the Lake Michigan Rescue Equipment Act. Provides that the owner of a pier or drop-off on Lake Michigan shall install public rescue equipment, including, at a minimum, ring life buoys, on each of the owner's piers and drop-offs along the Lake Michigan coast. Provides that public rescue equipment shall also be installed in all high-incident drowning areas on an owner's property. Includes requirements for ring life buoys. Provides that each unit of local government owning a pier or drop-off on Lake Michigan shall track and report to the Department of Public Health, in a form prescribed by the Department, Lake Michigan lakefront drownings, both fatal and non-fatal drownings, near the unit's piers and drop-offs. Includes tracking and reporting requirements. Provides that the Department shall analyze the tracking and reporting and appropriately provide a plan and recommendations for reduction in drowning incidents. Defines terms. Effective 180 days after becoming law. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes: Modifies definitions. Provides that, to reduce vandalism and theft, the rescue equipment station shall have signage (rather than an alarm, signage, and a warning of cameras) that warns lakefront patrons that tampering with or misuse of public rescue equipment is strictly prohibited. Removes provisions about automatic contacting of 9-1-1 and compliance with a specified guide. Provides that the buoyant line attached to each ring life buoy must be at least 100 feet in length (rather than 100 inches). Provides that each unit of local government owning a pier or drop-off on Lake Michigan shall track and publish a report on the unit's website lakefront drownings if such drownings occur within 100 feet of the unit's piers and drop-offs and if the unit was made aware of such drowning (rather than making a report to the Department of Public Health). Provides that, if there have been drownings during the reporting period, each unit of local government must also publish a water safety plan on the unit's website. Adds provisions relating to high-incident drowning area plans. Makes other changes. Changes the effective date from 180 days after becoming law to one year after becoming law.

Creates the Landscape Architecture Registration Act. Provides that no person shall use the title "registered landscape architect" or "landscape architect" without being registered by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Creates the Registered Landscape Architecture Registration Board. Provides for the membership, meetings, and powers of the Board. Provides that the Department may seek the expert advice and knowledge of the Board on any matter relating to the enforcement of the Act, including qualifications of applicants for registration. Provides that the Department may issue certificates of registration to those who meet the requirements of the Act. Provides that the Department may authorize examinations to ascertain the fitness and qualifications of applicants for registration. Provides that the Department may conduct investigations and hearings to refuse to issue, renew, or restore registrations, revoke, suspend, place on probation, or reprimand persons registered under provisions of the Act. Provides that the Department may take disciplinary action with regard to any certificate of registration issued under the Act. Makes corresponding changes in the Park District Code, the Chicago Park District Act, the Professional Geologist Licensing Act, and the Unified Code of Corrections. Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act to repeal the Landscape Architecture Registration Act on January 1, 2032. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: New Act 5 ILCS 80/4.41 new 70 ILCS 1205/8-50 70 ILCS 1505/26.10-4 225 ILCS 745/20 730 ILCS 5/5-5-5 from Ch. 38, par. 1005-5-5 Adds reference to: 5 ILCS 100/5-45.21 new 305 ILCS 5/5-5.2 from Ch. 23, par. 5-5.2 305 ILCS 5/5-5.8 from Ch. 23, par. 5-5.8 305 ILCS 5/5B-2 from Ch. 23, par. 5B-2 305 ILCS 5/5B-4 from Ch. 23, par. 5B-4 305 ILCS 5/5B-5 from Ch. 23, par. 5B-5 305 ILCS 5/5B-8 from Ch. 23, par. 5B-8 305 ILCS 5/5E-10 305 ILCS 5/5E-20 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. In the Medical Assistance Article, provides that notwithstanding any other provisions of the Code, the methodologies for reimbursement of nursing services shall no longer be applicable for bills payable for nursing services rendered on or after a new reimbursement system based on the Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM) has been fully operationalized, which shall take effect for services provided on or after the implementation of the PDPM reimbursement system begins. Establishes an implementation date for the PDPM reimbursement system if certain conditions are met. Contains provisions concerning the establishment of a variable per diem staffing add-on for nursing facilities with specified staffing levels; utilization of the Staff Time and Resource Intensity Verification study; the PDPM nursing component per diem for nursing facilities for certain dates of services; a Medicaid Access Adjustment; incentive payments determined by facility performance on specified quality measures; payments based on CNA tenure, promotion, and CNA training for the purpose of increasing CNA compensation; and other matters. In the Long-Term Care Provider Funding Article, provides that for the privilege of engaging in the occupation of long-term care provider for each occupied non-Medicare bed day, beginning July 1, 2022, an assessment is imposed upon each long-term care provider in an amount varying with the number of paid Medicaid resident days per annum in the facility. Sets forth a schedule of occupied bed tax amounts. Makes changes concerning reporting requirements, the Long-Term Care Provider Fund, and other matters. In the Nursing Home License Fee Article, provides that a specified provision imposing licensing fees on nursing home providers is repealed on July 1, 2024. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Grants the Department of Healthcare and Family Services emergency rulemaking authority to implement certain provisions of the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that a pyrethroid pesticide may only be applied by a commercial applicator for commercial or residential use if an evidence-based model of application complying with specified requirements is used. Requires the Environmental Protection Agency to adopt rules creating a process meeting specified requirements for the licensure of commercial applicators for residential treatment of pyrethroid pesticides. Provides that the Agency may adopt any rules it deems necessary to implement and administer the amendatory provisions. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 415 ILCS 5/21.8 new Adds reference to: 415 ILCS 60/4 415 ILCS 60/13.4 new 415 ILCS 60/13.5 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Pesticide Act. Defines "barrier mosquitocide" and "barrier mosquitocide treatment". Prohibits the application of a barrier mosquitocide by a commercial applicator between October 15 an April 15 unless (1) the Department of Agriculture determines, as a part of a rulemaking proceeding, that there is evidence of a significant unmet need for the commercial application of barrier mosquitocides between October 15 and April 15 due to the abundance of target mosquito populations in the State during that period or (2) the barrier mosquitocide treatment is made for public health purposes by or on behalf of a mosquito abatement district, public health department, township, municipality, or other unit of local government. Requires a commercial applicator of barrier mosquitocides to meet specified minimum requirements regarding the application of barrier mosquitocides. Requires the Department to adopt rules to expand its existing commercial applicator licensure and testing program to include training in the residential application of barrier mosquitocides. Provides that the Department may partner with the University of Illinois to develop and administer a voluntary continuing education curriculum to include in-depth pollinator and ecological protection. Prohibits the installation or use of a residential automatic pesticide misting system in the State. Makes other changes. Effective January 1, 2023. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Specifies that a product that is exempt from registration under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (or rules adopted under that Act) is not a barrier mosquitocide. Provides that no commercial applicator shall apply a barrier mosquitocide between October 16 and April 14 (rather than between October 15 and April 15).

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the definition of "care and custody". House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 405 ILCS 5/1-102 Adds reference to: New Act 50 ILCS 705/6 from Ch. 85, par. 506 50 ILCS 705/6.8 new 30 ILCS 105/5.970 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the First Responder Mental Health Grant Program Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, there is created within the Department of Human Services a First Responder Behavioral Health Grant Program to provide grants to the following recipients: (1) units of local government; (2) law enforcement agencies; (3) fire protection districts; (4) school districts; (5) public or private hospitals; or (6) ambulance services that employ first responders. Creates a First Responder Behavioral Health Grant Fund in the State treasury, which shall be used by the Secretary of Human Services to make grants to eligible recipients. Provides that recipients eligible for grants shall use the grants for expenses related to behavioral health care services for first responders, including, but not limited to, telehealth services. Provides that an employer may not reduce behavioral health care provided through a first responder's employee benefit package as a result of the receipt of grant funds under the Act. Provides that all records, notes, and conclusions by a treatment provider providing behavioral health care to first responders whose employers receive grants under the Act shall not be shared with the employer unless otherwise mandated by law. Amends the State Finance Act to make conforming changes. Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Replaces provisions stating that the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board has the power and duty to establish statewide standards regarding regular mental health screenings of probationary and permanent police officers with provisions giving the Board the power and duty to establish statewide minimum standards regarding: (1) psychological screenings of recruit officers hired after the standards go into effect and annual psychological screenings of probationary and permanent officers; and (2) regular, confidential mental health counseling for probationary and permanent police officers in addition to the mental health counseling related to an officer's fitness for duty examinations. Lists specific items required to be included in the standards relating to psychological screenings and mental health counseling. Provides that records of psychological screenings and mental health counseling sessions, as well as any portions of documents referencing the psychological screenings or mental health counseling sessions that contain a personally identifiable information of an officer who underwent the screening or counseling session, are exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 405 ILCS 5/1-102 Adds reference to: New Act Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the First Responder Mental Health Grant Program Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, there is created within the Department of Human Services a First Responder Behavioral Health Grant Program to provide grants to the following recipients: (1) units of local government; (2) law enforcement agencies; (3) fire protection districts; (4) school districts; (5) public or private hospitals; or (6) ambulance services that employ first responders. Creates a First Responder Behavioral Health Grant Fund in the State treasury, which shall be used by the Secretary of Human Services to make grants to eligible recipients. Provides that recipients eligible for grants shall use the grants for expenses related to behavioral health care services for first responders, including, but not limited to, telehealth services. Provides that an employer may not reduce behavioral health care provided through a first responder's employee benefit package as a result of the receipt of grant funds under the Act. Provides that all records, notes, and conclusions by a treatment provider providing behavioral health care to first responders whose employers receive grants under the Act shall not be shared with the employer unless otherwise mandated by law. House Floor Amendment No. 3 Adds reference to: 30 ILCS 105/5.970 new Makes changes to the bill as amended by House Amendment No. 2 to provide that the First Responder Behavioral Health Grant Fund is a special fund in the State treasury. Adds provisions amending the State Finance Act to make conforming changes.

Amends the School Code. Provides that every school district shall include safe gun storage information in schools' student handbooks. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 105 ILCS 5/10-20.83 new 105 ILCS 5/34-18.78 new Adds reference to: 105 ILCS 5/27-17 from Ch. 122, par. 27-17 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Course of Study Article of the School Code. Provides that the safety education that school boards and other boards may provide instruction in includes safe gun storage.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Renames the School Social Work Shortage Loan Repayment Program to School and Municipal Social Work Shortage Loan Repayment Program. Expands the Program to require the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to, each year, receive and consider applications from eligible social workers working for an Illinois municipality who do not report directly to a police department (now the Program only accepts applications from social workers who are employed by a public elementary or secondary school in this State) to encourage a grant recipient to use the financial assistance for the repayment of educational loans.

Amends the Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 320 ILCS 30/1 Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 105/4.04b new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. Provides that the purpose of the Senior Housing Residents' Advisory Council established under the amendatory Act is to create a space and opportunity for senior Illinoisans to connect with each other and meet with representatives from the Department on Aging and the Department of Public Health in order to share their ideas on how the State can improve the quality of life for its senior residents. Provides that the Council will also give senior Illinoisans the opportunity to share their findings and recommendations on targeted services and supports for seniors with the Governor and the General Assembly. Provides that the Council is created in the Department on Aging and shall consist of 20 members, including seniors who reside in affordable housing developments and assisted living facilities and seniors who come from each region of the State. Provides that the Council shall meet quarterly beginning no later than January 1, 2023 and shall thereafter meet on the date of each quarterly meeting with personnel from the Department of Public Health and the Department on Aging. Requires all meetings to be open to the public in accordance with the Open Meetings Act. Permits the Council to form subcommittees that can meet more frequently than once per quarter. Provides that members of the Council shall receive no compensation for their service but shall be reimbursed for any necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties from appropriations made by the General Assembly for that purpose. Provides that the Council has the following duties: (i) identify barriers to seniors feeling supported by and connected to their communities; (ii) evaluate available resources and services for seniors; (iii) evaluate State outreach to seniors; and (iv) evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on congregate living arrangements for seniors. Requires the Council to submit its first written report to the Governor and the General Assembly no later than December 31 in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Provides that the reports shall contain the results of the Council's findings and evaluations and shall include advice and recommendations on (1) how best to disseminate information to seniors on available supports and services through the use of State agency websites, informational materials, and outreach; (2) how to ensure of the availability of targeted services for seniors and to eliminate any gaps in services for seniors; and (3) how to improve State policy concerning seniors and congregate living arrangements for seniors in response to COVID-19. Provides that the Council shall terminate and dissolve after it submits its third report on December 31, 2025. Repeals the new provisions on January 1, 2027. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Expands membership on the Senior Housing Residents' Advisory Council to include one senior, appointed by the Department on Aging, who lives in one of the following counties: DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, or Will.

Creates the Student Debt Assistance Act. Prohibits an institution of higher learning or a public or private entity that provides academic transcripts from (i) withholding academic transcripts from a current or former student because the student owes a debt to the institution, (ii) conditioning the provision of an academic transcript on the payment of a debt, other than a fee charged to provide the transcript, (iii) charging a higher fee to obtain an academic transcript or providing less favorable treatment of a request for an academic transcript because a current or former student owes a debt, or (iv) using academic transcript issuance as a tool for debt collection. Beginning with the 2022-2023 academic year, requires an institution of higher learning to make a good faith effort to offer a debt repayment plan to any student who owes a debt of $250 or more to the institution. Sets forth provisions concerning the debt repayment plan and enrollment procedures. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Student Debt Assistance Act. Prohibits an institution of higher education from refusing to provide an unofficial transcript to a current or former student on the grounds that the student owes a debt; conditioning the provision of an unofficial transcript on the payment of a debt, other than a fee charged to provide the transcript; or charging a higher fee for obtaining an unofficial transcript or providing less favorable treatment of a request for an unofficial transcript because a current or former student owes a debt. Provides that an institution of higher education (1) must provide an official transcript of a current or former student to a current or potential employer, even if the current or former student owes a debt; (2) may not condition the provision of an official transcript to a current or potential employer on the payment of a debt, other than a fee charged to provide the transcript; and (3) may not charge a higher fee for transferring an official transcript to a current or potential employer or provide less favorable treatment for such a request because a current or former student owes a debt. Beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, requires every institution of higher education to have a policy instituting a financial or physical hardship withdrawal process; sets forth requirements concerning the process. Provides that if an institution of higher education chooses to send a current or former student's past due debt to a debt collection agency, the past due debt may not be reported to any credit reporting agencies or used against that student in a credit report or credit score. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Provides that if an institution of higher education chooses to send a current or former student's past due debt to a debt collection agency, the past due debt may not be reported to any credit reporting agencies, except as provided by federal law (instead of may not be reported to any credit reporting agencies or used against that student in a credit report or credit score).

Amends the State Treasurer Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning bond. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 15 ILCS 505/1 Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 1305/1-75 new 30 ILCS 105/5.970 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the First Responders Child Care Act. Provides that subject to appropriation, the Department of Human Services shall establish and administer an Off-Hours Child Care Grant Program to provide grants to licensed child care facilities to expand their program of services to include off hours, night, or sleep time child care for first responders and third shift workers who, on account of their work schedule, need child care outside of the hours when licensed child care facilities typically operate. Provides that services funded under the grant program must address the child care needs of first responders. Provides that grants provided under the program may also be used to cover any capital and operating expenses related to the provision of off-hours, night, or sleep time child care for first responders. Requires child care facilities seeking funding under the grant program to apply to the Department in a form and manner prescribed by the Department. Requires the Department to implement the grant program by the date the Child Care Advisory Council submits its final report to the General Assembly as provided under Senate Resolution 862 of the 102nd General Assembly or by December 31, 2022, whichever is earlier. Permits the Department to adopt any rules necessary to implement the program. Defines "first responders" to mean emergency medical services personnel as defined in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and, as determined by the Department, any other workers who, on account of their work schedule, need child care outside of the hours when licensed child care facilities typically operate. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Off-Hours Child Care Grant Program Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 15 ILCS 505/1 Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 1305/1-75 new 30 ILCS 105/5.970 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the First Responders Child Care Act. Provides that subject to appropriation, the Department of Human Services shall establish and administer an Off-Hours Child Care Program to help first responders and other workers identify and access off-hours, night, or sleep time child care. Provides that services funded under the program must address the child care needs of first responders. Provides that funding provided under the program may also be used to cover any capital and operating expenses related to the provision of off-hours, night, or sleep time child care for first responders. Requires the Department to implement the program by July 1, 2023. Permits the Department to adopt any rules necessary to implement the program. Defines "first responders" to mean emergency medical services personnel as defined in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and, as determined by the Department, any other workers who, on account of their work schedule, need child care outside of the hours when licensed child care facilities typically operate. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Off-Hours Child Care Program Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 3 Provides that that amendatory Act shall be referred to as the Off-Hours Child Care Act (rather than the First Responders Child Care Act). In a provision concerning legislative intent, provides that only 435 of the State's group day care homes (rather than group home care programs) provide night care.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Removes language requiring the phrase "The Susan G. Komen Foundation" to be placed on mammogram license plates. Removes language requiring all money in the Mammogram Fund to be paid as grants to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for breast cancer research, education, screening, and treatment. Provides that all money in the Mammogram Fund shall be paid to the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program for patient navigation services specifically for populations with the highest rates of breast cancer mortality in the State. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that all money in the Mammogram Fund shall be paid to the Illinois Department of Public Health for the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the bill, as amended by Senate Amendment No. 1, with the following changes. Provides that all money in the Mammogram Fund shall be distributed by the Illinois Department of Public Health to the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (rather than distribution by the Secretary of State to the Illinois Department of Public Health for the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program).