Rep. Mary Flowers

Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1987. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Requires that the training of probationary and permanent police officers, including those of home rule units, include sensitivity training with regard to the African American male population of Illinois. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. In the provisions concerning remittance advice and procedures and recoupment, provides that no recoupment or offset may be requested or withheld from future payments 60 or more days after the original payment was made. Provides that the provisions concerning administration and enforcement are deemed incorporated into health care professional and health care provider service contracts entered into on or before the effective date of the amendatory Act. Provides that the Director may require an insurance company that issues a policy in wilful violation of the Act to pay a penalty in a sum not exceeding $5,000 (instead of $1,000). Makes other changes.

Creates the Consumer Health Insurance Counsel Act. Creates the independent Office of Consumer Health Insurance Counsel for the purpose of representing the interests of health insurance consumers. Sets forth provisions concerning the appointment and qualifications of and prohibited activities regarding the position of Consumer Health Insurance Counsel. Provides that the Consumer Health Insurance Counsel may assess the impact of insurance rates, rules, and forms on consumers and shall advocate positions determined to be most advantageous to a substantial number of insurance consumers. Sets forth additional provisions.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code to require every operator and passenger on a motorcycle, motor driven cycle, or motorized pedalcycle to wear a helmet that meets federal safety standards.

Amends the School Code. Allows the Chicago Board of Education to develop a plan for implementing a program that seeks to establish common bonds between youth of various backgrounds and ethnicities, which may be similar to that of the Challenge Day organization.

Amends the Medical Patient Rights Act. Expands the definition of "health care provider" to include nursing homes (rather than skilled nursing homes only). Permits a patient to recover damages in a civil action brought under the Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning commencement of a mandamus action.

Amends the General Not For Profit Corporation Act of 1986. Requires a hospital incorporated under the Act to adopt and post in plain view the National Standards on Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) recommended by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services via the Office of Minority Health (OMS), and available for review at the OMS website. Provides that if (i) a court or administrative agency, in any proceeding properly before the court or agency, finds that a hospital that is incorporated under the General Not For Profit Corporation Act of 1986 has provided substandard care to a member of a minority group, (ii) that finding is incorporated into an order of the court or administrative agency that is final and not appealable, and (iii) the Secretary of State receives notice of that final and nonappealable order, then the Secretary of State shall require the hospital to dissolve voluntarily and, if the hospital wishes to continue to operate as a hospital, organize under the Business Corporation Act of 1983 within a period of time as provided by the Secretary by rule. Provides that if a not-for-profit hospital does not voluntarily dissolve within the period required by rule, the Secretary shall dissolve the corporation administratively. Effective immediately.

Creates the Nursing Care and Quality Improvement Act. Provides that each hospital shall implement a staffing plan that (i) provides adequate, appropriate, and quality delivery of health care services, (ii) protects patient safety, and (iii) is consistent with the requirements of the Act. Sets forth the minimum direct care registered nurse-to-patient ratios required in a unit of a hospital during each shift in that unit. Sets forth development and reevaluation requirements for the staffing plan. Prohibits a hospital from discharging, discriminating against, or retaliating against (i) a nurse in any manner with respect to any aspect of employment based on the nurse's refusal of a work assignment under certain conditions or (ii) a nurse or any individual, who, in good faith, reports a violation of the Act, initiates, cooperates, or otherwise participates in an investigation or proceeding under the Act, or informs or discusses with other individuals or with representatives of hospital employees a violation or suspected violation of the Act. Sets forth penalties for violation of the Act.