Rep. Mary Flowers

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Adds drug dependency to the definition of "serious mental illness". Provides that a group health benefit plan is not required to provide coverage for the treatment of an addiction to a controlled substance or a mental illness resulting from the use of a controlled substance (now, an addiction to a controlled substance or a mental illness resulting from the use of a controlled substance used in violation of law).

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that in the event that a public utility that provides electric service reorganizes to plan an electrical power generating facility in an unregulated subsidiary, and notwithstanding specified provisions, the Illinois Commerce Commission shall approve rates for the public utility that include the wholesale cost of electricity that are equal to or less than the price of comparable power purchased from other electric suppliers on the spot market, exchange market, and other market-based mechanisms for electric power. Effective immediately.

Creates the Premium and Loss Data Reporting Act. Provides that all insurers subject to the Act shall report to the Director of the Division of Insurance accurate and complete information for each accident and health coverage type requested. Sets forth the specific types of accident and health coverage requested for reporting.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning Medicaid rates for nursing homes, provides that for facilities licensed by the Department of Public Health under the Nursing Home Care Act as skilled nursing facilities or intermediate care facilities, the support component of the rates taking effect on July 1, 2008 shall be computed using the most recent cost reports on file with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services no later than April 1, 2006, updated for inflation to January 1, 2007. Provides that facilities shall have the support component of their Medicaid rate computed every year using the most recent cost reports on file with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services no later than April 1, 2 years prior to the year in which the new rate takes effect, updated for inflation to January 1 of the year prior to the year in which the new rate takes effect. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Illinois Insurance Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, and the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act. Provides that an individual or group policy of accident and health insurance or managed care plan must provide coverage for intravenous feeding, prescription nutritional supplements, and physician prescribed or ordered pain medication. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement by the State.

Amends the Chicago School District Article of the School Code. Provides that the Chicago Board of Education shall require that schools provide recess for all students in kindergarten through grade 8. Provides that recess must be at least 10 minutes in length. Provides that if the principal determines that the weather is inclement, the principal shall direct that a recess be held indoors. Requires the principal to ensure that students are given the opportunity to engage in physical exercise during each recess. Provides that the time required for recesses is included in the minimum number of hours necessary to constitute a full day of attendance under the State aid formula provisions.

Amends the School Code. Provides that a school board shall require that schools provide recess for all students in kindergarten through grade 6. Provides that recess must be at least 10 minutes in length and must occur once in the middle of each morning and once in the middle of each afternoon during which school is in session. Provides that if the principal determines that the weather is inclement, the principal shall direct that a recess be held indoors. Requires the principal to ensure that students are given the opportunity to engage in physical exercise during each recess. Provides that the time required for recesses is included in the minimum number of hours necessary to constitute a full day of attendance under the State aid formula provisions.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that notwithstanding any other provision of the Act or any other law to the contrary, a public utility that, on December 31, 2005, served at least 100,000 electric customers in Illinois may not terminate electric service to a residential customer for nonpayment prior to December 1, 2008. Effective immediately.

Amends the MRSA Screening and Reporting Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act and the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Provides that an animal control officer or a humane society investigator with reasonable cause to suspect or believe that a child is being abused or neglected or is in danger of being abused or neglected must immediately make a written or oral report to the Department of Children and Family Services. Provides that any person required to report suspected child abuse or neglect under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act must also immediately report suspected animal abuse or neglect or danger of animal abuse or neglect to the Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Animal Welfare. Preempts the exercise of home rule powers. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.