Rep. Lisa Hernandez

Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Specifies that the notice in contested case hearings must include an enclosure that notifies the recipient of the ability to request interpretive assistance for the hearing and to receive language assistance in translating the contents of the notice. Provides that an administrative law judge has the duty to inquire and determine whether a self-represented litigant or witness in a hearing needs interpretive assistance to participate in or understand the hearing. Authorizes any self-represented litigant, witness, or indigent person to request, at any time during the course of a hearing, interpretive assistance needed to participate in or understand the hearing. Provides that, if interpretive assistance is requested by a self-represented litigant, a witness, or an indigent person or if interpretive assistance is determined to be necessary by the administrative law judge, the administrative agency must appoint a foreign language interpreter at no cost to the person in need of the assistance for use in a substantive hearing. Authorizes an administrative agency to provide interpretive assistance during a nonsubstantive hearing through use of an interpreter who is not a foreign language interpreter, provided the administrative law judge examines the interpreter for competency for the purposes of the nonsubstantive hearing. Requires all persons appointed to provide interpretive assistance in substantive and nonsubstantive hearings to make certain affirmations. Contains provisions concerning waiver of these language assistance provisions.

Amends the Commission on Equity and Inclusion Act. Requires the Commission to prepare and submit a report to the General Assembly evaluating whether the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority has met the equity goals of the Commission and Authority. Amends the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority Act. Modifies legislative findings. Provides that "facility" includes stadiums, arenas, or other structures for the holding of athletic contests and other events and gatherings, including professional women's sports (among other illustrative examples). Requires the Authority to work with the Executive Director of the Commission on Equity and Inclusion to evaluate and propose policies that promote equity in decision-making regarding the development and funding of sports facilities. Provides that a person may not be prohibited from participation in, or any of the benefits of, programs or activities at facilities funded under the Act, including facilities established or supported by bonds issued under the Act, on the basis of sex. Provides that, if bonds are issued under the Act to fund facilities for professional men's sports, some bonds must also be issued to fund facilities for professional women's sports; and provides that, if the Authority does not have a professional women's sports facility project to work on at the time of issuance of the bonds, then either: (i) the proceeds from the bonds issued for professional women's sports shall be placed into a dedicated fund until the Authority has a professional women's sports facility project on which to work, or (ii) a portion of the revenue source supporting the bonds must be left unused and dedicated to support a future bond issuance solely focused on professional women's sports facility projects. Provides that the portion required under item (ii) shall be as required by statute or, if no statute sets the portion, shall be in an amount set by the Commission on Equity and Inclusion. Provides that a person may not be prohibited from participation in, or any of the benefits of, programs or activities at facilities funded under this Act, including facilities established or supported by bonds issued under the Act, on the basis of sex. Removes and modifies outdated language, including provisions relating to a dissolved advisory board. Effective immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes a minor technical correction to the official short title of a section within the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. It does not create new laws, change existing policies, or directly affect any individuals or organizations. The change was approved by both the House and Senate and has been sent to the Governor for final approval.

Amends the Department of Public Health Act. Establishes the role of HIV Treatment Innovation Coordinator to be housed within the Department. Provides that the Department shall create and fill the Coordinator role within 6 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Requires the Coordinator to develop and execute a comprehensive strategy to adopt a Rapid Start model for HIV treatment as the standard of care. Requires compensation and benefits for the Coordinator be at the Program Director level. Describes the specific job responsibilities of the Coordinator. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that an individual or group policy of accident and health insurance amended, delivered, issued, or renewed in this State on or after January 1, 2025 shall provide coverage for home test kits for sexually transmitted infections, including any laboratory costs of processing the home test kit, that are deemed medically necessary or appropriate and ordered directly by a clinician or furnished through a standing order for patient use based on clinical guidelines and individual patient health needs. Makes a conforming change to the Illinois Public Aid Code regarding coverage for home test kits for sexually transmitted infections. Amends the AIDS Confidentiality Act. Creates the Illinois AIDS Drug Assistance Program. Provides that Illinois AIDS Drug Assistance Program applications shall be processed within 72 hours after the time of submission. Provides for conditional approval of Illinois AIDS Drug Assistance Program applications within 24 hours after time of submission. Requires Illinois AIDS Drug Assistance Program applicants to document residency within the State of Illinois. Provides for 8 Rapid Start for HIV Treatment pilot sites established by the Department of Public Health. Provides that the Department shall publish a report on the operation of the pilot program 15 months after the pilot sites have launched. Establishes requirements for the report, requires that the report be shared with the General Assembly, the Governor's Office, and requires that the report be made available on the Department's Internet website. Amends the County Jail Act. Creates new annual adult correctional facility public inspection report requirements on the topics of HIV and AIDS.

Congratulates Sylvia Puente on her retirement as president and CEO of the Latino Policy Forum. Recognizes her impact on Latino empowerment across the State of Illinois.

Creates the Health Care Availability and Access Board Act. Establishes the Health Care Availability and Access Board to protect State residents, State and local governments, commercial health plans, health care providers, pharmacies licensed in the State, and other stakeholders within the health care system from the high costs of prescription drug products. Contains provisions concerning Board membership and terms; staff for the Board; Board meetings; circumstances under which Board members must recuse themselves; and other matters. Provides that the Board shall perform the following actions in open session: (i) deliberations on whether to subject a prescription drug product to a cost review; and (ii) any vote on whether to impose an upper payment limit on purchases, payments, and payor reimbursements of prescription drug products in the State. Permits the Board to adopt rules to implement the Act and to enter into a contract with a qualified, independent third party for any service necessary to carry out the powers and duties of the Board. Creates the Health Care Availability and Access Stakeholder Council to provide stakeholder input to assist the Board in making decisions as required by the Act. Contains provisions concerning Council membership, member terms, and other matters. Provides that the Board shall adopt the federal Medicare Maximum Fair Price as the upper payment limit for a prescription drug product intended for use by individuals in the State. Provides that the Attorney General shall have authority to enforce the Act and may pursue any available remedy under State law when enforcing the Act. Effective 180 days after becoming law.

Amends the School Code. Provides that each school district must create, implement, and maintain an age-appropriate policy on race-related harassment and discrimination. In provisions concerning bullying prevention, provides that the required policy on bullying shall also include age-appropriate information about the definitions of harassment and sexual harassment, the procedures for reporting harassment, and the protections and relief available under Illinois Human Rights Act. Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that harassment by an elementary, secondary, or higher education representative or the failure of an institution of elementary, secondary, or higher education to take remedial action or appropriate disciplinary action against a student or an elementary, secondary, or higher education representative employed by the institution (if the institution knows that the student or representative committed or engaged in harassment) is a civil rights violation. Provides that each institution of elementary, secondary, or higher education shall establish, implement, and maintain a continuing race-related discrimination and harassment program. Sets forth requirements concerning policies and procedures, a model training program, and reporting. Makes other changes. Effective August 1, 2024.

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Provides that the operating procedures of the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board may provide for the inclusion of nonvoting, ex officio members on the Board. With respect to a for-profit or not-for-profit entity being recognized as an educator preparation institution, provides that any for-profit or not-for-profit entity with a presence in this State must also be approved by the Board of Higher Education or the Illinois Community College Board (instead of providing that any for-profit or not-for-profit entity must also be approved by the Board of Higher Education).

Amends the Genetic Information Privacy Act. Provides that in accordance with the Sexual Assault Evidence Submission Act, genetic information derived from reference specimens of DNA from: (1) a victim of a sexual assault crime or alleged sexual assault crime; (2) known reference samples of DNA from any individual that were voluntarily provided for the purpose of exclusion: and (3) any profiles developed from those samples, may be used only for purposes directly related to the investigation of the sexual assault crime or alleged sexual assault crime through which the victim's genetic information was obtained. Amends the Sexual Assault Evidence Submission Act. Establishes procedures for the use by law enforcement of known reference specimens of DNA from a victim of a sexual assault crime or alleged sexual assault crime, and to known reference samples of DNA from any individual that were voluntarily provided for the purpose of exclusion, and to any profiles developed from those samples. Adds various definitions to the Act.

Amends the State Designations Act. Provides that the mushroom calvatia gigantea, commonly known as the "giant puffball", is designated the official State mushroom of the State of Illinois. Effective immediately.