Rep. Thaddeus Jones

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Requires a utility to waive the utility's initial credit and deposit requirements for a period of 60 days for a residential customer or applicant who is a victim of domestic violence. Provides that the domestic violence must be certified by treating medical personnel, law enforcement personnel, a State's Attorney, the Attorney General, or a domestic violence shelter. The certification letter must be printed on the certifying entity's letterhead or accompanied by a letter on the certifying entity's letterhead that identifies the certifying individual.

Creates the Music Therapy Licensing and Practice Act. Provides for licensure of music therapists by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Establishes the powers and duties of the Department, including prescribing rules defining what constitutes an appropriate curriculum for music therapy, reviewing the qualifications of applicants for licenses, investigating alleged violations of the Act, conducting hearings on disciplinary and other matters, and establishing a schedule of fees for the administration and enforcement of the Act. Establishes qualifications for licensure as a music therapist. Provides that licenses issued under the Act shall be renewed biennially. Establishes the Music Therapy Advisory Committee. Establishes the powers and duties of the advisory committee, including advising the Department on all matters pertaining to licensure, education, and continuing education requirements for music therapists. Establishes grounds for discipline of a license. Provides for civil and criminal penalties for violations of the Act. Creates provisions concerning formal hearings, including transcripts of proceedings, appointment of hearing officers, subpoenas and depositions, and rehearings. Provides for judicial review of all final administrative decisions of the Department. Preempts home rule. Effective immediately.

Creates the Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act. Provides that a public community college student who earns an associate degree for transfer granted pursuant to the Act is deemed eligible for transfer into the baccalaureate program of a State university if the student (1) completes 60 semester units or 90 quarter units that are eligible for transfer to a State university and (2) obtains a minimum grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale. Requires a community college district to develop and grant associate degrees for transfer that meet the requirements of the Act. Requires a State university to guarantee admission with junior status to any community college student who meets all of the requirements of the Act. Provides that a State university shall grant a local community college student priority admission and admission to a program or major that is similar to his or her community college major or area of emphasis. Provides that a student admitted under the Act shall receive priority over all other community college transfer students. Sets forth provisions concerning coursework, reviews and reports by the Board of Higher Education, and implementation of the Act. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that subject to federal approval if required, a household that includes an elderly, blind, or disabled person shall be considered categorically eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits if the gross income of such household is at or below 200% of the nonfarm income poverty guidelines updated periodically in the Federal Register by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the authority of 42 U.S.C. 9902(2); and a household that does not include an elderly, blind, or disabled person shall be considered categorically eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits if the gross income of such household is at or below 165% of those nonfarm income poverty guidelines. Effective January 1, 2016.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2015, no person may knowingly mix sharps, including, but not limited to, hypodermic, intravenous, or other medical needles or syringes or other medical household waste containing used or unused sharps, including, but not limited to, hypodermic, intravenous, or other medical needles or syringes or other sharps, with any other material intended for collection as a recyclable material by a residential hauler. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2015, no person may knowingly place sharps into a container intended for collection by a commercial hauler for processing at a recycling center. Provides that, beginning on July 1, 2015, State agencies and local governments, as well as businesses and non-profit organizations may establish various specified sharps disposal programs. Provides that the Environmental Protection Agency may provide educational materials to the public about the safe management and proper disposal of household generated sharps through the use of literature, websites, DVDs, a toll-free number, or any other method which the Agency deems appropriate. Effective immediately.

Urges President Barack Obama and Congress to make federal funds available to the Illinois Community College System.

Congratulates Fr. Daniel Torson, CPPS on the occasion of his 25th pastoral anniversary and his 10 years of dedicated service at St. Victor's Parish in Calumet City.

Designates February 7, 2015 as National African-American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in the State of Illinois.

Congratulates the Calumet City Lions Club on its 75th anniversary.

Recognizes the Dolton School District 149 School Board on all members being Illinois Association of School Board Fellows.