Rep. Lindsey LaPointe

Creates the Higher Education in Prison Act. Provides that on or before September 1 of the year following the effective date of the Act and each subsequent September 1, the Department of Corrections shall release a report, to be published on the Department of Corrections's Internet website, detailing certain information pertaining to higher education within Department institutions and facilities. Requires the report to be filed with the Governor and General Assembly. Provides that the data provided in the report shall include an aggregate chart at the Department level and individual reports by each correctional institution or facility of the Department of Corrections. Provides that on or before September 1 of the year following the effective date of the Act and each subsequent September 1, each college and university that provides academic programs for committed persons shall report to the Board of Higher Education on enrollment, retention, completion, and student demographics, including race, ethnicity, age, and gender of committed students. Provides that the Board of Higher Education shall compile the information and, within 60 days after receipt of such information, issue a report reflecting the information for each institution required to report. Provides that the report must be filed with the Governor and General Assembly and made publicly available on the Board of Higher Education's Internet website.

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the State Universities Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that for the purposes of computing service for academic years for any participant, one month of service means a calendar month during which the participant qualifies as an employee for any fraction of the month (instead of at least 15 or more days). Provides that the change applies to all service periods of a member who is a participant on or after January 1, 2024, except for certain service periods subject to purchases of service credit, repayment of a refund or distribution, or transfers of service if payment for such purchase, repayment, or transfer commenced prior to January 1, 2024. Provides that a provision concerning calculating a retirement annuity for a participant who has been employed at 1/2 time or less for 3 or more years shall not apply to a member who is a participant on or after January 1, 2024. Provides that any benefit increase that results from the amendatory Act is excluded from the definition of "new benefit increase". Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Smoke Free Illinois Act. Includes the use of alternative nicotine products and electronic cigarettes in the definition of "smoke" or "smoking". Defines "electronic cigarette", "nicotine", and "tobacco product". Effective January 1, 2024.

Amends the Equitable Restrooms Act. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, any multiple-occupancy restroom may be identified as an all-gender multiple-occupancy restroom and designated for use by any person of any gender. Requires that an all-gender multiple-occupancy restroom must include specified signage, stall dividers, and partitions for urinals. Provides that any multiple-occupancy restroom may be converted into an all-gender multiple-occupancy restroom. Provides that, if a facility commences construction, or commences alterations exceeding 50% of the facility, and implements an all-gender multiple-occupancy restroom, the all-gender multiple-occupancy restroom must satisfy or include specified requirements. Requires certain newly constructed or previously existing restrooms to be designated as all-gender multiple-occupancy restrooms. Provides that when plumbing fixtures in a facility must meet female-to-male ratio requirements, each individual fixture in an all-gender multiple-occupancy restroom may be counted toward the required number of either female or male toilet stalls. Provides that if a fixture is counted toward the minimum required fixtures for females, that same fixture shall not also be counted toward the minimum required fixtures for males, and if a fixture is counted toward the minimum required fixtures for males, that same fixture shall not also be counted toward the minimum required fixtures for females. Provides that during any inspection of a facility by a health officer, health inspector, or building inspector, the health officer, health inspector, or building inspector may inspect the facility to determine whether it complies with the provisions. Requires the Department of Public Health to adopt rules to implement the provisions. Defines "multiple-occupancy restroom". Contains other provisions. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act. Provides that specified Advisory Committees shall include one representative from the labor organization recognized as the exclusive representative of specified entities' employees. Provides that an EMS Medical Director may only suspend any EMS personnel, EMS Lead Instructor, individual, individual provider, or other participant considered not to be meeting the requirements of the Program Plan if the EMS Medical Director obtains agreement from the Department of Public Health. Allows arbitration meeting specified requirements as alternative dispute resolution procedures for EMS System licensing and makes conforming changes throughout the Act. Provides that a member of a fire department's or fire protection district's collective bargaining unit shall be eligible to work under a silver spanner program for another fire department EMS System that is not the full time employer of that member, for a period not to exceed 12 months, without being required to test into the EMS System of the fire department or fire protection district. Makes other changes.

Amends the Transportation Network Providers Act. Deletes language: (i) providing that a Transportation Network Company is not deemed to own, control, operate, or manage the vehicles used by Transportation Network Company drivers, and is not a taxicab association or a for-hire vehicle owner; and (ii) providing that Transportation Network Companies or Transportation Network Company drivers are not common carriers, contract carriers or motor carriers, as defined by applicable State law, nor do they provide taxicab or for-hire vehicle service. Effective immediately.

Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1987. In provisions concerning application for medical licensure, provides that the Illinois State Medical Board, in determining mental capacity, shall ensure questions concerning mental health are compliant with the guidelines of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. Makes a corresponding change.

Amends the Developmental Disability and Mental Disability Services Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall establish the Long-Term Stabilization Support Program consisting of at least 8 homes across the State and the Short-Term Stabilization Support Program consisting of at least 10 homes across the State. Provides for the requirements of each program. Provides that the Department shall submit an annual report to the General Assembly and Governor that outlines the progress and effectiveness of the programs beginning December 31, 2025. Provides that the Department shall adopt rules to develop and implement the programs. Provides for the repeal of the Article on January 1, 2028.

Amends the Department of Transportation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Transportation to develop a policy which ensures the safety of pedestrians and cyclists on roadways within the State. Establishes that improvements will be made during routine maintenance and within a distance of 1,000 feet of the maintenance work on any State road within a municipality to include high visibility signage, crosswalk improvements, curb bump outs, barrier protected bike lanes, and bus shelters.