Rep. Jen Gong-Gershowitz

Amends the Descent and Distribution Article of the Probate Act of 1975. Creates Pam's Law. Provides that a person who intentionally and unjustifiably causes the death of another is disqualified from being: (1) a personal representative of the decedent; (2) the executor or administrator of the decedent's estate; and (3) the person who has the right to determine the method for disposing of the body. Provides that in any case in which a preponderance of the evidence shows that the surviving spouse or next of kin caused the death of another, the court may disqualify the spouse or next of kin on an interim basis and appoint a special administrator for the limited purpose of investigating, presenting, and proving a claim. Provides that the Act applies retroactively to any death caused by intentional and unjustifiable means that is still subject to prosecution under any applicable criminal statute of limitations.

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission shall study and make recommendations to the General Assembly regarding the availability of youth services to reduce the use of detention and prevent deeper criminal involvement. Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that a provision providing a minor 10 years of age or older arrested under the Act where there is probable cause to believe that the minor is a delinquent minor and that: (i) secure custody is a matter of immediate and urgent necessity for the protection of the minor or of the person or property of another; (ii) the minor is likely to flee the jurisdiction of the court; or (iii) the minor was taken into custody under a warrant, may be kept or detained in an authorized detention facility and that a minor under 13 years of age shall not be admitted, kept, or detained in a detention facility unless a local youth service provider has been contacted and has not been able to accept the minor for services shall be inoperative on and after July 1, 2019. Provides that on and after July 1, 2019, any minor 13 years of age or older arrested under this Act where there is probable cause to believe that the minor is a delinquent minor and that: (i) secure custody is a matter of immediate and urgent necessity for the protection of the minor or of the person or property of another; (ii) the minor is likely to flee the jurisdiction of the court; or (iii) the minor was taken into custody under a warrant, may be kept or detained in an authorized detention facility. Makes conforming changes. Fiscal Note (Dept. of Children & Family Services) This bill has no fiscal impact to the Department of Children & Family Services. Fiscal Note (Dept. of Healthcare & Family Services) This bill has no fiscal impact to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services. State Debt Impact Note (Government Forecasting & Accountability) This bill would not change the amount of authorization for any type of State-issued or State-supported bond, and, therefore, would not affect the level of State indebtedness. Land Conveyance Appraisal Note (Dept. of Transportation) No land conveyances are included in this bill; therefore, there are no appraisals to be filed. State Mandates Fiscal Note (Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity) This bill does not create a State mandate. Pension Note (Government Forecasting & Accountability) HB 1468 amends the Children and Family Services Act and the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 in a way that does not impact any public pension fund or retirement system in Illinois. Balanced Budget Note (Office of Management and Budget) Please be advised that the Balanced Budget Note Act does not apply to this bill, as it is not a supplemental appropriation that increases or decreases appropriations. Under the Act, a balanced budget note must be prepared only for bills that change a general funds appropriation for the fiscal year in which the new bill is enacted. Judicial Note (Admin Office of the Illinois Courts) This bill would neither increase nor decrease the number of judges needed in the State of Illinois. Housing Affordability Impact Note (Housing Development Authority) This bill will have no effect on the cost of constructing, purchasing, owning, or selling a single-family residence. Home Rule Note (Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity) This bill does not pre-empt home rule authority. Correctional Note (Dept of Corrections) There is no fiscal or population impact on the department.

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 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 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 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.

Appropriates certain amounts from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services for family and community services and related distributive purposes , including federal funds that are made available for grants and expenses associated with Parents Too Soon and the Healthy Families Program . Effective immediately.

Amends the Employment Article of the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that "citizenship status" includes, among other things, the status of being a person who is authorized by the federal government to work in the United States. Provides that it is a civil rights violation for an employer, for purposes of complying with federal employment eligibility requirements, to refuse to honor work authorization based upon the specific status or term of status that accompanies the authorization to work. Effective immediately.