Rep. Bob Rita

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Sets forth the following findings of the General Assembly: (i) access to ground ambulance services improves health equity, increases access to quality care, and reduces health disparities in underserved communities; (ii) due to the underfunding of these critical services by the federal Medicare and Medicaid programs, there is a growing scarcity of non-emergency ground ambulance services in underserved, minority communities in this State; and (iii) the State has an interest in providing funding to nonemergency ground ambulance service providers in affected communities. Creates the Safety-Net Ambulance Sustainability Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Provides that the Fund shall consist of any federal, State, or private moneys designated for deposit into the Fund and all interest earned on moneys in the Fund. Provides that moneys in the Fund, including all accrued interest thereon, shall only be used and disbursed by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to support the operating expenses of nongovernmental ground ambulance providers in high-Medicaid communities. Provides that any amounts expended from the Fund that are later recouped by the Department following an audit or otherwise shall be returned to the Fund. Amends the State Finance Act. Adds the Safety-Net Ambulance Sustainability Fund to the list of special funds under the Act.

Maddy summaryHB 890 is a technical amendment to the Child Passenger Protection Act that updates the short title of a specific section within the law. This change does not alter any existing rules, penalties, or requirements for child car seats or booster seats. The bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process and has not yet been debated or voted on by the full legislature.

Declares April 1 through April 6, 2024 as Black Farmers Week in the State of Illinois. Encourages the people of Illinois and their representatives in government to learn about the history of Black farming communities and the contributions made by African Americans to agriculture in the United States.

Maddy summaryHB 299 is a technical amendment to the Green Cleaning Schools Act that updates the bill's short title. This change does not alter the existing requirements for schools to use environmentally friendly cleaning products. The legislation affects school districts and facilities currently covered by the Green Cleaning Schools Act. It is a procedural update intended to correct the official name of the law without changing its operational provisions.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that no group policy of accident and health insurance providing coverage for more than 25 employees that provides pregnancy related benefits may be issued, amended, delivered, or renewed in this State on or after January 1, 2025 unless the policy contains coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of infertility. Requires such coverage to include procedures necessary to screen or diagnose a fertilized egg before implantation. Provides that coverage for in vitro fertilization, gamete intrafallopian tube transfer, or zygote intrafallopian tube transfer shall be required only if the procedures: (1) are considered medically appropriate based on clinical guidelines or standards developed by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, or the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology; and (2) are performed at medical facilities or clinics that conform to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists guidelines for in vitro fertilization or the American Society for Reproductive Medicine minimum standards for practices offering assisted reproductive technologies. Makes changes in the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Limited Health Service Organization Act, the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act, and the Illinois Public Aid Code to provide that infertility insurance must be included in health insurance coverage for employees. Effective immediately.

Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning bullying and cyber-bullying, provides that, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, the term "cyber-bullying" includes bullying through the distribution by electronic means or the posting of a digital replica of an individual who is engaged in an activity in which the depicted individual did not engage in, including, but not limited to, sexually explicit digitized depictions of the individual. Defines "artificial intelligence", "digital replica", and "generative artificial intelligence".

Amends the State Board of Education Article of the School Code. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education shall provide stipends for teachers who participate in externships with a manufacturing company in the State.

Creates the Family Amusement Wagering Prohibition Act. Prohibits a family amusement establishment from facilitating wagering on amusement games. Prohibits a family amusement establishment from engaging in advertising that promotes wagering on amusement games. Provides that nothing in the Act shall prohibit a family amusement establishment from offering: (1) an amusement game that entitles or enables a single player to receive a coupon or a point that may only be redeemed onsite for merchandise and the coupon or point has no value other than for redemption onsite for merchandise; or (2) an amusement game that allows a single player to manipulate a claw or similar device within an enclosure that entitles or enables a person to receive merchandise directly from the amusement game. Defines terms. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person commits gambling, and is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor, when he or she knowingly facilitates wagering on amusement games or knowingly engages in advertising that promotes wagering on amusement games in violation of the Family Amusement Wagering Prohibition Act.

Amends the Governmental Account Audit Act. In provisions requiring an annual audit by a governmental unit to be performed of all the accounts and funds of the governmental unit, provides that township accounts and funds audited under the provisions do not include road district accounts or funds. In provisions relating to the type of audit report a governmental unit must provide based upon whether the unit has revenue of less or more than $850,000, provides that township revenue shall be calculated exclusive of road district funds. Effective immediately.

Urges the passage of important policies to better support family caregivers, particularly by enacting policies that: (1) provide increased funding for Illinois' Community Care Program, Home Delivered Meals, the Illinois Family Caregiver Act, Illinois Area Agencies on Aging, Illinois Case Coordination Units, Long-Term and Home Care Ombudsman, and other older adult programs and resources for Illinois caregivers at the Illinois Department on Aging and other State agencies, and examine policy changes to improve the navigability of these resources, (2) improve the inclusion of family caregivers in their loved one's care and hospital discharge and planning, and provide them with the education, training, and support they need, including as their loved one moves from one place of care to another, in Hospital at Home programs, in Medicare more broadly, and in measures of provider engagement with and in support of family caregivers and family caregivers' experience of care and support, and support veterans and their caregivers, (3) increase access to options and eligibility for care at home, including but not limited to providing permanent financial protections for the spouses of individuals receiving Medicaid Home and Community Based Services, incentivizing Home and Community Based Services expansion, expanding caregiver and senior support options and resources in the State's Community Care Program, and more, (4) attract and retain direct care workers through increased pay and benefits, improved training, career pathways, and other job improvement initiatives, and (5) provide financial relief for family caregivers, such as through a family caregiver income tax credit, to help offset a portion of caregiving expenses paid by caregivers.