Rep. Mary Flowers

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of the Code, if a school district adopts, in a fiscal year, an additional or supplemental budget as a result of the voters in the school district having voted in favor of an increase in the annual tax rate for educational or operations and maintenance purposes or both at an election held after the adoption of the annual school budget adopted in that fiscal year, the county clerk shall include, in the extension of taxes made during that fiscal year, the extension of taxes for the supplemental or additional budget adopted by the school district.

Amends the School Code. Provides that if a student must be transferred from one attendance center to another within a school district because the attendance center the student is currently attending exceeds its attendance capacity, then the attendance center the student is to be transferred to must not be an attendance center that is on the academic watch list. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective July 1, 2003.

Creates the Parental Rights Termination Investigation Agency Act and amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act and the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Creates the Parental Rights Termination Investigation Agency in the Executive Branch of State Government, to investigate the circumstances of terminations of parental rights if certain criteria are met, including that a person's parental rights were allegedly terminated as a result of negligence by DCFS in investigating or prosecuting the case for termination of the person's parental rights. Provides that the Agency is entitled to access to records generated under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act and to juvenile court records. Authorizes a person whose parental rights have been terminated under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 to petition for restoration of those rights, based on the Agency's investigation.

Designates the week of May 9th-15th, 2004, as Falun Dafa Week.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Establishes the Universal Service Fund to provide a basic set of essential telecommunications services and access to advanced service capabilities to all customers in Illinois. Provides for an assessment upon telecommunications providers operating in Illinois. Provides for the Illinois Commerce Commission to administer the universal service programs. Requires the Commission to appoint a Universal Support Fund Council to advise the Commission concerning the administration of the universal service programs. Amends the State Finance Act to add the Universal Service Fund to the list of special State funds. Effective January 1, 2004.

Creates the Nursing Care and Quality Improvement Act. Provides that, by January 1, 2004, the Department of Public Health shall adopt rules that establish minimum, specific, and numerical registered nurse-to-patient ratios by registered nurse classification and by hospital unit for all hospitals. Provides that no registered nurse shall be assigned to a nursing unit or clinical area unless that nurse has first received orientation in that clinical area sufficient to provide competent care to patients in that area and has demonstrated current competence in providing care in that area. Provides that each hospital shall be responsible for the development and implementation of a written hospital-wide staffing plan for nursing services. Provides for civil penalties or disciplinary action on a hospital's license for violation of the Act. Provides that revenues collected under the Act be allocated to the Department of Public Health for nursing scholarships awarded pursuant to the Nursing Education Scholarship Law. 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 to provide coverage for a federally approved AIDS vaccine.

Creates the Use and Sale of Retractable Needles Act. Provides that hospitals may use and pharmacies may sell only retractable needles. Makes violation a ground for discipline under the Hospital Licensing Act and the Pharmacy Practice Act of 1987. Amends the disciplinary provisions of those Acts to add violation of the Use and Sale of Retractable Needles Act.

Amends the School Code. Requires school districts to employ receptionists who are on duty at all times during the regular school day to answer telephones at the district's administrative offices and attendance centers. Prohibits the use of answering machines, voice mail, or similar devices to respond to incoming telephone calls at an administrative office or attendance center. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the Critical Health Problems and Comprehensive Health Education Act. Requires a comprehensive health education program to include instruction in secondary schools on clinical depression and suicide prevention. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement.