Rep. Robyn Gabel

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Prohibits extended term sentences of incarceration and removes references to extended term sentencing. Provides that a person currently serving a sentence of incarceration for one or more felonies who was sentenced to an extended term may petition the court to be resentenced. Provides that a person who is resentenced shall be given credit for time served. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code and the Criminal Code of 2012 to make conforming changes.

Amends the Pawnbroker Regulation Act. Clarifies that it shall be unlawful for any pawnbroker to charge or collect a greater benefit or percentage upon money advanced, and for the use and forbearance thereof, than permitted under the Predatory Loan Prevention Act. Amends the Predatory Loan Prevention Act. Provides that the definition of "loan" includes transactions subject to the Pawnbroker Regulation Act. Provides that it is a violation of the Act for any person or entity to solicit, broker, or otherwise engage in any other activity intended to facilitate or result in, or that in fact facilitates or results in, the origination of a loan that violates the Act. Provides that it is a violation of the Act for any person or entity to advertise or cause to be advertised a loan that violates the Act. Provides that a violation of the Act by a person or entity licensed under the Pawnbroker Regulation Act shall subject the person or entity to discipline in accordance with that Act. Makes other changes. Effective June 1, 2023.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Deletes provision that no person serving a term of natural life imprisonment may be paroled or released except through executive clemency. Provides that a person serving a term of natural life imprisonment is eligible for parole or mandatory supervised release. Provides that a committed person who has attained the age of 60 years and served at least 20 consecutive years of imprisonment or a committed person who has served 25 consecutive years of imprisonment may submit a petition to the Prisoner Review Board seeking parole. Provides for the requirements of the petition. Provides that victims' families shall be notified in a timely manner and provided opportunity to participate at the parole hearing concerning the petitioner's application for parole under this provision in accordance with the Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act, the Open Parole Hearings Act, and this Code. Provides that Prisoner Review Board hearings under this provision shall be conducted by a panel of at least 8 members of the Board and a majority vote of the panel is required to grant the petition and release the petitioner on parole. Provides that if parole is denied, the petitioner shall be eligible to reapply for parole no later than 3 years after denial. Effective immediately. Fiscal Note, House Floor Amendment No. 1 (Prisoner Review Board) HB 2399 (H-AM 1) will have an increased cost to the Prisoner Review Board of over $4.0 Million in first 10 years of program.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning applications to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to obtain certification as a supportive living facility, provides that, to ensure all entities that are capable of providing supportive living services have the ability to apply to the Department, the criteria for selection shall be clear and transparent and the application to apply for the supportive living facilities program shall be publicly available. Provides that those entities whose applications are not accepted shall be informed why their applications were not accepted; and those entities inquiring about the application process who are told they should not apply shall be told the reason why they should not apply. Requires the Department to inform entities applying for certification or inquiring about the application process what, if anything, they can do to remedy their applications or inquiries so as to submit applications that are ultimately successful.

Creates the Freedom to Subscribe Directly Act. Provides that a provider of a digital application distribution platform for which cumulative downloads of software applications from the digital application distribution platform to Illinois users exceed 1,000,000 downloads in the previous or current calendar year may not: (i) require a software application developer that is domiciled in the State to use a particular in-application payment system as the exclusive mode of accepting payments from a user for software application downloads or digital purchases; (ii) require use of a particular in-application payment system for accepting payments from Illinois users to download a software application or purchase a digital or physical copy; or (iii) retaliate against a developer that is domiciled in the State or an Illinois user for using an in-application payment system or digital application distribution platform that is not owned by, operated by, or affiliated with the provider. Exempts special-purpose digital application distribution platforms from the Act. Provides that the Attorney General may receive complaints and investigate violations of the Act. Provides that any person aggrieved by a violation of the Act may commence a civil action. Defines terms.

Amends the Smoke Free Illinois Act. Includes the use of electronic cigarettes in the definition of "smoke" or "smoking". Changes the definition of "retail tobacco store" to include references to electronic cigarettes. Defines "electronic cigarette".

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that the 16th day of July of each year is designated a commemorative holiday to be known as Atomic Veterans Day and to be observed throughout the State as a day in honor and remembrance of the men and women of this Nation who during their time of service experienced exposure to nuclear radiation while on active duty and served so valiantly in the cause of freedom.

Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that it is the public policy of the State to secure from all individuals within the State the freedom from discrimination against any individual because of the individual's family responsibilities. Defines "family responsibilities" as an employee's actual or perceived provision of care to a family member, whether in the past, present, or future. Makes a corresponding change in the definition of "unlawful discrimination". House Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 775 ILCS 5/1-102 from Ch. 68, par. 1-102 775 ILCS 5/1-103 from Ch. 68, par. 1-103 Adds reference to: 775 ILCS 5/2-101 775 ILCS 5/2-102 from Ch. 68, par. 2-102 775 ILCS 5/2-103.2 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Employment Article of the Illinois Human Rights Act. Defines "family responsibilities" as an employee's actual or perceived provision of personal care to a family member. Provides that it is a civil rights violation for: any employer to refuse to hire, to segregate, to engage in harassment, or to act with respect to recruitment, hiring, promotion, renewal of employment, selection for training or apprenticeship, discharge, discipline, tenure or terms, privileges or conditions of employment on the basis of family responsibilities; any employment agency to fail or refuse to classify properly, accept applications and register for employment referral or apprenticeship referral, refer for employment, or refer for apprenticeship on the basis of family responsibilities; and any labor organization to limit, segregate or classify its membership, or to limit employment opportunities, selection and training for apprenticeship in any trade or craft, or otherwise to take, or fail to take, any action which affects adversely any person's status as an employee or as an applicant for employment or as an apprentice, or as an applicant for apprenticeships, or wages, tenure, hours of employment or apprenticeship conditions on the basis of family responsibilities. Provides that the right to be free of family responsibilities discrimination is in addition to any other rights or remedies afforded by contract or under other provisions of law.

Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Exempts from disclosure as private information all patient-related information that may be contained in any record held by a public hospital system outside of a medical records information system that alone or compiled, or under circumstances in which the patient information combined with other information could allow for patient identification, and also in compliance with State and federal medical privacy laws and regulations. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds references to covered entities under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

Amends the School Visitation Rights Act. Provides that an employer that terminates an employee for absences to attend school conferences is liable in a civil action for damages resulting to the employee. Imposes upon the employer the burden of proof to demonstrate that termination is not related to an employee's absence for attendance at a school conference, behavioral meeting, or academic meeting. Effective August 1, 2021.