Rep. Lisa Hernandez

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Defines "automated license plates reader" (ALPR). Establishes that an ALPR user shall not sell, share, or transfer ALPR information, except to another local law enforcement agency, a local law enforcement agency of the State, the federal government, or a state other than Illinois, and only to the extent necessary to locate a vehicle or person reasonably suspected of being involved in the commission of a crime as defined by State or federal laws. Provides that an ALPR user shall not sell, share, or transfer ALPR information to any state that has enacted laws that deny or interfere with a woman's right to choose or obtain an abortion prior to viability of the fetus, or when the abortion is necessary to protect the life or health of the woman for the purposes of investigation or enforcement of that law. Provides that an ALPR user shall only share information obtained through the use of an ALPR with the federal government or a state other than Illinois if the entity requesting the information first discloses to the State entity a criminal predicate necessitating a lawful purpose and that the criminal predicate would be a violation of the laws of the State. Provides that ALPR information shall be retained for a period of only 30 days, after which it must be destroyed, unless particularized information is the subject of a criminal investigation. Provides that ALPR information shall be held confidentially to the fullest extent permitted by law, and an ALPR user shall not sell, share, or transfer ALPR information for any commercial purpose and shall not disclose ALPR information to any entity for the purposes of public disclosure. Makes a conforming change in the Freedom of Information Act.

Amends the Illinois Dental Practice Act. Defines "public health supervision" as the supervision of a public health dental hygienist by a licensed dentist who has a written public health supervision agreement with that public health dental hygienist while working in an approved facility or program that allows the public health dental hygienist to treat patients without a dentist first examining the patient and being present in the facility during treatment who are uninsured and whose household income is not greater than 300% (rather than 200%) of the federal poverty level. Provides that the holder of a faculty limited license may advertise a specialty degree as part of the licensee's ability to practice in a faculty practice. Provides that a licensed dentist or dental hygienist who is a military service member or the spouse of a military service member may receive, without examination, in the discretion of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, a limited military license. Provides that a limited military license issued shall be valid for a period of 2 years and may be extended or renewed based on the military service member's or spouse's duty status. Provides that any person may be granted a license to practice dentistry, a dental specialty, or dental hygiene in the State as a member of the military service which has and maintains a standard for the practice of dentistry at least equal to that now maintained in the State and who has been lawfully engaged in the practice of dentistry or dental hygiene for at least 2 years (rather than 3 of the 5 years) immediately preceding the filing of his or her application, along with other specified requirements. Provides that dental records are the property of the office in which dentistry is practiced. Provides that a dental office that is closing and will not continue to offer dentistry services must provide notice to the public at least 30 days prior to the closure. Provides that the notice to the public shall include an explanation of how copies of the patient's records may be accessed or obtained by the patient. Makes other changes.

Amends the Uniform Racial Classification Act. Provides that when a State agency is required by law to compile or report statistical data using racial or ethnic classifications, that State agency shall also include people who are Middle Eastern or North African.

Amends the Labor Dispute Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Human Skeletal Remains Protection Act. Changes references from "Indian" to "Native American" and "Historic Preservation Agency" to "Department of Natural Resources". Provides that the Director of Natural Resources, in cooperation with the Illinois State Museum, may create a cemetery on existing State lands for the reburial of repatriated Native American remains and materials. Provides that the cemetery shall not be used by the public and shall be protected by the State of Illinois. Provides that the Director of Natural Resources shall cooperate with the State Archaeologist and the Illinois State Museum to coordinate reinterment in the cemetery.

Amends the Employee Blood Donation Leave Act. Changes the name of the Act to the Employee Blood and Organ Donation Leave Act. Provides that an employee may use up to 10 days of leave in any 12-month period to serve as an organ donor or bone marrow donor. Defines terms. Makes corresponding changes.

Amends the Evaluation of Certified Employees Article of the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Educations shall analyze and assess teacher evaluation data from each school in the State. Provides that the State Board analysis and assessment shall include: (1) rating data for the last evaluation cycle and current evaluation cycle for all probationary teachers and teachers in continued contractual service broken down by race and ethnicity of teachers, and (2) rating data for the last evaluation cycle and current evaluation cycle for all probationary teachers and teachers in continued contractual service broken down by race, ethnicity, and free and reduced-price lunch status of the students in the school where the teacher works. Provides that each probationary teacher and each teacher in continued contractual service rated "needs improvement" or "unsatisfactory" shall be provided a peer mentor or coach to assist in improving their practice as educators. Provides for a continuing appropriation for the teacher mentoring programs established under Article 21A of the School Code.

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 the 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.

Creates the Counseling Compact Act. Provides that the State of Illinois enters into the Counseling Compact. Specifies that the Compact's purpose is to facilitate interstate practice of licensed professional counselors with the goal of improving public access to professional counseling services. Sets out provisions concerning the privilege to practice, obtaining a new home state license, active duty military personnel, telehealth, adverse actions, Counseling Compact Commission, data systems, rulemaking, oversight, dispute resolution, and enforcement. Contains other provisions concerning the Commission, the Compact, and the procedures governing participating in and construction of the Compact. Amends the Professional Counselor and Clinical Professional Counselor Licensing and Practice Act. Requires the Professional Counselor Licensing and Disciplinary Board to submit a report to the General Assembly with recommendations of any statutory changes and budgetary changes needed to comply with the requirements of the Counseling Compact. Requires the Board and Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to modify, if needed, Board and Department rules to comply with the requirements of the Counseling Compact. Provides that the changes to the Professional Counselor and Clinical Professional Counselor Licensing and Practice Act are effective immediately.

Creates the Access to Public Health Data Act. Provides that the Department of Public Health, the Department of Human Services, and the Department of Children and Family Services shall, at the request of a local health department in Illinois, make any and all public health data related to residents of that local health department's jurisdiction available to that local health department for the purposes of preventing or controlling disease, injury, or disability. Provides that the Department of Public Health, the Department of Human Services, and the Department of Healthcare and Family Services may adopt any rules necessary to implement the Act. Exempts specified information from inspection and copying under the Freedom of Information Act and makes a conforming change in that Act. Contains other provisions. Amends the Vital Records Act. Provides that no rule adopted by the Department of Public Health shall be construed as restricting access to vital records by any municipality, county, multicounty, public health district, or regional health officer recognized by the Department for the purposes described in specified provisions.