Rep. Lisa Hernandez

Maddy summaryHB 581, titled REGULATION-TECH, is a technical amendment to the Community Benefits Act that updates the short title of a specific section within the law. This procedural change does not alter the underlying policies or create new obligations for any individuals or organizations. The bill was passed by both legislative houses and signed into law by the Governor, becoming effective on August 7, 2024. Its primary function is to correct the official name of a section rather than to introduce substantive new regulations.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends state laws to require specific health benefits for employees of the State Employees Group Insurance Program and for employees of self-insured county governments. It mandates that these health plans cover infertility diagnosis and treatment, including procedures like in vitro fertilization and genetic screening, starting on January 1, 2024. The coverage is limited to a two-year period ending on July 1, 2026, and applies only when procedures meet established medical standards and are performed at accredited facilities. Additionally, the bill ensures that fertility medications are treated the same as other prescription drugs regarding cost-sharing and restrictions.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Prohibits medical devices, including hearing instruments, from being subjected to the liens that are ordinarily imposed on personal property in a vehicle that is subject to removal under the Code. Provides that a person who has indicated in a timely filed report to the appropriate law enforcement agency that a vehicle has been stolen or hijacked is not liable for a violation, fee, fine, lien, or penalty that is imposed under the Code's vehicle removal provisions while the vehicle is stolen or hijacked or that results from the vehicle being stolen or hijacked.

Amends the Accident and Health Article of the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual plan of accident and health insurance or managed care plan amended, delivered, issued, or renewed after the effective date of the amendatory Act must provide coverage for wigs or other scalp prostheses worn for hair loss caused by alopecia, chemotherapy, or radiation treatment for cancer or other conditions. Makes a conforming change in the Health Maintenance Organization Act and the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act. Effective immediately.

Creates the Language Equity and Access Act. Requires the Governor's Office of New Americans, in partnership with the Department of Human Services, to: prepare a Language Needs Assessment Report that identifies the languages spoken throughout the State; assist State agencies in the creation of language access plans; provide oversight and central coordination to State agencies in the implementation of language access requirements under this Act; ensure that each State agency develops an internal complaint and review process specific to the provision of language assistance services in addressing complaints in a timely manner; and perform other duties. Requires the Office and Department to work with State agencies to compile available United States Census data on language used across the State to inform the Language Needs Assessment Report. Provides that the report shall be updated every 10 years in conjunction with the decennial federal census. Requires each State agency to prepare and submit a language access plan to the Governor's Office of New Americans.

Amends the Landlord and Tenant Act. Requires every landlord to clearly disclose to each of the landlord's tenants in writing prior to signing the lease for the rental property that a rental property is located in the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Special Flood Hazard Area and if the landlord has actual knowledge that the rental property or any portion of the parking areas of the real property containing the rental property has been subjected to flooding and the frequency of such flooding. Provides that if a landlord fails to comply with such provision and the tenant subsequently becomes aware that the property is located in the FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area the tenant may terminate the lease by giving written notice of termination to the landlord no later than the 30th day after the flood occurred, and the landlord shall return all rent and fees paid in advance no later than the 15th day after the tenant gave notice. Requires every landlord who leases a lower-level unit to clearly disclose to each of the landlord's lower-level unit tenants in writing prior to the signing of the lease for the lower-level unit if the lower-level unit or any portion of the real property containing the lower-level unit has experienced flooding in the last 10 years and shall disclose the frequency of such flooding. Provides that if a landlord fails to comply with either of the above provisions and flooding occurs that results in damage to the tenant's personal property, affects the habitability of the leased property, or affects the tenant's access to the leased property, the tenant may: (1) terminate the lease by giving written notice to the landlord no later than the 30th day after the flood occurred and the landlord shall return all rent and fees paid in advance no later than the 15th day after the tenant gave notice; and (2) bring an action against the landlord of the property to recover damages for personal property lost or damaged as a result of flooding. Provides a sample written disclosure.

Amends the Personnel Code. Provides, in provisions concerning a trainee program for persons with a disability, that "disability" includes a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder by a medical professional. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed in this State shall provide coverage for medically necessary hormone therapy treatment to treat menopause (instead of to treat menopause that has been induced by a hysterectomy). Effective January 1, 2026.

Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall adopt rules requiring the nursing assistant certification exam to be offered in both English and Spanish. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Construction Law. In provisions concerning school maintenance project grants, provides that the State Board of Education is authorized to make grants to school districts, regional offices of education, intermediate service centers, and special education cooperatives established by school districts (instead of school districts and special education cooperatives established by school districts). Effective immediately.