Rep. Cyril Nichols

Creates the Agriculture Equity Commission Act. Establishes the Agriculture Equity Commission. Provides for membership of the Commission. Provides that members shall serve without compensation. Provides for the filling of Commission vacancies. Provides for administrative and other support to the Commission. Provides for the duties of the Commission. Requires the Commission to annually report to the Governor and the General Assembly on its findings, recommendations, and other relevant matters concerning and based upon its duties.

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that upon receiving custody or guardianship of a youth in care, and at least annually thereafter, the Department of Children and Family Services shall determine whether the youth may be eligible for Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income, or Veterans benefits. Provides that if it is determined that the youth may be eligible for benefits, the Department shall ensure that an application is filed on behalf of the youth. Requires the Department to ensure that any youth in care eligible for benefits beyond the age of 18 has a timely application filed. Requires the Department to immediately notify a youth over the age of 16, the youth's attorney and guardian ad litem, and the youth's parent or legal guardian or another responsible adult of: (1) any application for or any application to become representative payee for benefits on behalf of a youth in care; (2) any decisions or communications from the Social Security Administration or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs regarding an application for benefits or for representative payee status; and (3) any appeal or other action requested by the Department regarding an application for benefits. Requires the Department to ensure that when the youth attains the age of 14 years and until the Department no longer serves as the representative payee or fiduciary, a minimum percentage of the youth's benefits are conserved in a way that avoids violating any federal asset or resource limits that would affect the youth's eligibility to receive the benefits, including, but not limited to, establishing for the youth a Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) Account; an ABLE account, a Social Security Plan to Achieve Self-Support account, or other specified savings accounts. Contains provisions concerning annual accounting reports to a youth's attorney and guardian ad litem of how a youth's benefits have been used and conserved; financial literacy training and support for youth in care; the adoption of rules; reporting requirements for the Department; and other matters. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that upon receiving temporary custody or guardianship of a youth in care, the Department of Children and Family Services shall assess the youth to determine whether the youth may be eligible for Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income, Veterans benefits, or Railroad Retirement benefits. Provides that if, after the assessment, the Department determines that the youth may be eligible for such benefits, the Department shall ensure that an application is filed on behalf of the youth. Requires the Department to prescribe by rule how it will review cases of youth in care at regular intervals to determine whether the youth may have become eligible for benefits after the initial assessment. Provides that the Department shall make reasonable efforts to encourage youth in care over the age of 18 who are likely eligible for benefits to cooperate with the application process and to assist youth with the application process. Provides that when applying for benefits, the Department shall identify a representative payee in accordance with specified federal requirements. Requires the Department to immediately notify a youth over the age of 16, the youth's attorney and guardian ad litem, and the youth's parent or legal guardian or another responsible adult of: (1) any application for or any application to become representative payee for benefits on behalf of a youth in care; (2) any communications from the Social Security Administration, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, or the Railroad Retirement Board pertaining to the acceptance or denial of benefits or the selection of a representative payee; and (3) any appeal or other action requested by the Department regarding an application for benefits. Provides that when the Department serves as the representative payee for a youth receiving benefits, the Department shall: (i) beginning January 1, 2023, ensure that when the youth attains the age of 14 years and until the Department no longer serves as the representative payee, a minimum percentage of the youth's Supplemental Security Income benefits are conserved as specified under the amendatory Act; (2) beginning January 1, 2024, ensure that when the youth attains the age of 14 years and until the Department no longer serves as the representative payee a minimum percentage of the youth's Social Security benefits, Veterans benefits, or Railroad Retirement benefits are conserved as specified under the amendatory Act; (3) appropriately monitor any federal asset or resource limits for the benefits and ensure that the youth's best interest is served by using or conserving the benefits in a way that avoids violating any federal asset or resource limits that would affect the youth's eligibility to receive the benefits; and other matters. Contains provisions concerning annual accounting reports to a youth's attorney and guardian ad litem on how a youth's benefits have been used and conserved; financial literacy training and support for youth in care; the adoption of rules; reporting requirements for the Department; and other matters. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Requires a school district to offer a program to prepare students enrolled in grades 6 through 12 for a career and technical education pathway by introducing students to career exploration opportunities that allow students to explore a wide variety of high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand career fields. Sets forth what a school district shall provide in its career and technical education pathway program. Provides for rulemaking. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 105 ILCS 5/10-20.73 new 105 ILCS 5/34-18.67 new Adds reference to: 105 ILCS 5/10-20.83 new 105 ILCS 5/34-18.78 new 110 ILCS 148/15 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the School Code. Requires a school district that enrolls students in any of grades 6 through 12 to adopt and implement a postsecondary and career expectations framework; sets forth requirements concerning the framework. Provides that a school district that enrolls students in any of grades 9 through 12 shall become an eligible school district and award College and Career Pathway Endorsements pursuant to the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act and pursuant to a specified schedule. Allows a school board of a school district to opt out of implementation of all or any part of these provisions through a finding that the board has in place alternative systems for college and career readiness and that such systems are more likely to successfully prepare students for college and career expectations. Authorizes the State Board of Education to adopt rules. Amends the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act. Requires the State Board of Education, Illinois Community College Board, Board of Higher Education, and Illinois Student Assistance Commission to, by July 1, 2023 and in consultation with appropriate stakeholders, jointly adopt and publicize an update to the model postsecondary and career expectations that extends the expectations to grade 6 and includes such other revisions and updates as the agencies deem appropriate. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 3 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the bill as amended by House Amendment No. 2 with the following changes. Provides that by July 1, 2024 (rather than July 1, 2025) a school district that enrolls students in any of grades 6 through 12 shall adopt and commence implementation of career exploration and career development activities in accordance with (rather than shall adopt and implement) a postsecondary and career expectations framework for each of grades 6 through 12 served by the district that substantially aligns to the model framework adopted by State agencies. Makes conforming changes. Provides that the career exploration and career development activities offered in alignment with the postsecondary and career expectations framework shall prepare students enrolled in grades 6 through 12 to make informed plans and decisions about their future education and career goals, including possible participation in a career and technical education pathway, by providing students with opportunities to explore a wide variety of high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand career fields. Allows a school board of a school district to opt out of implementation if the board adopts a specified set of findings (rather than through a finding that the board has in place alternative systems for college and career readiness and that such systems are more likely to successfully prepare students for college and career expectation). Removes the immediate effective date. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes. Specifies that by July 1, 2025, a school district that enrolls students in any of grades 9 through 12 shall either elect to implement College and Career Pathway Endorsements or opt out of implementation. Provides that a school district may elect to implement College and Career Pathway Endorsements either by submitting the necessary application materials to the State Board of Education or by the school board of the district adopting a timeline for implementation. Adds to the enumerated findings that a school board of a school district must adopt in order to opt out of implementation the willingness of institutions of higher education to partner with the school district for successful implementation of the pathway and whether the district has sought and established a partnership agreement with a community college district incorporating the provisions of the Model Partnership Agreement under the Dual Credit Quality Act. Provides that a school district electing to opt out of implementation may reverse its decision in whole or in part at any time. Requires the State Board of Education to publish and maintain on its website an inventory of resources available to support school districts in implementing College and Career Pathway Endorsements. Makes other changes.

Amends the School Code. Provides that any child from a public school, subject to guidelines established by the State Board of Education, shall be permitted by a school board at least one school day-long excused absence per school year for any middle school or high school student for a child that is absent from school to engage in a civic event. A school board may require that the student provide advance notice of the intended absence and require that the student provide documentation of participation in a civic event. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 105 ILCS 5/26-2 from Ch. 122, par. 26-2 105 ILCS 5/26-2a from Ch. 122, par. 26-2a Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes: Provides that school boards may require reasonable advance notice (instead of requiring advance notice) of the intended absence. Provides that the reasonable advance notification and documentation shall be provided to the appropriate school administrator. Further amends the Compulsory Attendance for Pupils Article of the School Code. Defines "civic event", and provides that the State Board of Education may adopt rules to further define "civic event". Adds attending a civic event as part of the definition of "valid cause". Makes corresponding, grammatical, and stylistic changes.

Amends the State Treasurer Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning bond. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 15 ILCS 505/1 Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 1305/1-75 new 30 ILCS 105/5.970 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the First Responders Child Care Act. Provides that subject to appropriation, the Department of Human Services shall establish and administer an Off-Hours Child Care Grant Program to provide grants to licensed child care facilities to expand their program of services to include off hours, night, or sleep time child care for first responders and third shift workers who, on account of their work schedule, need child care outside of the hours when licensed child care facilities typically operate. Provides that services funded under the grant program must address the child care needs of first responders. Provides that grants provided under the program may also be used to cover any capital and operating expenses related to the provision of off-hours, night, or sleep time child care for first responders. Requires child care facilities seeking funding under the grant program to apply to the Department in a form and manner prescribed by the Department. Requires the Department to implement the grant program by the date the Child Care Advisory Council submits its final report to the General Assembly as provided under Senate Resolution 862 of the 102nd General Assembly or by December 31, 2022, whichever is earlier. Permits the Department to adopt any rules necessary to implement the program. Defines "first responders" to mean emergency medical services personnel as defined in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and, as determined by the Department, any other workers who, on account of their work schedule, need child care outside of the hours when licensed child care facilities typically operate. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Off-Hours Child Care Grant Program Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 15 ILCS 505/1 Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 1305/1-75 new 30 ILCS 105/5.970 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the First Responders Child Care Act. Provides that subject to appropriation, the Department of Human Services shall establish and administer an Off-Hours Child Care Program to help first responders and other workers identify and access off-hours, night, or sleep time child care. Provides that services funded under the program must address the child care needs of first responders. Provides that funding provided under the program may also be used to cover any capital and operating expenses related to the provision of off-hours, night, or sleep time child care for first responders. Requires the Department to implement the program by July 1, 2023. Permits the Department to adopt any rules necessary to implement the program. Defines "first responders" to mean emergency medical services personnel as defined in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and, as determined by the Department, any other workers who, on account of their work schedule, need child care outside of the hours when licensed child care facilities typically operate. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Off-Hours Child Care Program Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 3 Provides that that amendatory Act shall be referred to as the Off-Hours Child Care Act (rather than the First Responders Child Care Act). In a provision concerning legislative intent, provides that only 435 of the State's group day care homes (rather than group home care programs) provide night care.

Amends the Criminal Identification Act. Provides that notwithstanding a positive test for the presence of cannabis within the petitioner's body from a drug test taken within 30 days before the filing of the petition for expungement or sealing or the failure of the petitioner to take such test, the petitioner may petition for the sealing or expungement of his or her felony records for a violation of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act, or the Cannabis Control Act or felony records of a qualified probation for a felony drug offense. Defines "cannabis" and "felony drug offense". House Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Criminal Identification Act. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, the court shall not deny a petition for expungement or sealing because the petitioner has submitted a drug test taken within 30 days before the filing of the petition for expungement or sealing that indicates a positive test for the presence of cannabis within the petitioner's body. Defines "cannabis".

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that in order to maximize the accessibility of preventive prenatal and perinatal health care services, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall amend its managed care contracts such that an managed care organization must pay for preventive prenatal and perinatal healthcare services rendered by a non-affiliated provider, for which the health plan would pay if rendered by an affiliated provider, at the same rate the Department would pay for such services exclusive of disproportionate share payments and Medicaid percentage adjustments, unless a different rate was agreed upon by the health plan and the non-affiliated provider. Effective January 1, 2023. House Committee Amendment No. 2 Adds reference to: 210 ILCS 170/5 210 ILCS 170/25 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the bill as amended by Senate Amendment No. 1 with the following changes. Amends the Birth Center Licensing Act. Provides that a licensed certified professional midwife may attend or be delegated to attend to each person in labor from the time of admission through birth and throughout the immediate postpartum period. Defines "licensed certified professional midwife". Makes a conforming change. Effective January 1, 2023. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes: Further amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that a managed care organization must pay for preventative prenatal services, perinatal healthcare services, and postpartum services rendered by a non-affiliated provider, for which the health plan would pay if rendered by an affiliated provider, at the rate paid (rather than at no less than the rate paid) under the Illinois Medicaid fee-for-service program methodology for such services. Provides that, in cases where a managed care organization must pay for preventive prenatal services, perinatal healthcare services, and postpartum services rendered by a non-affiliated provider, the payment rate requirements under the amendatory Act shall not apply if the services were not emergency services, as defined in a specified provision of the Code, and: (1) the non-affiliated provider is a perinatal hospital and has, within the 12 months preceding the date of service, rejected a contract that was offered in good faith by the health plan as determined by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services; or (2) the health plan has terminated a contract with the non-affiliated provider for cause, and the Department has not deemed the termination to have been without merit. Provides that the Department may deem that a determination for cause has merit if: (i) an institutional provider has repeatedly failed to conduct discharge planning; or (ii) the provider's conduct adversely and substantially impacts the health of Medicaid patients; or (iii) the provider's conduct constitutes fraud, waste, or abuse; or (iv) the provider's conduct violates the code of ethics governing his or her profession. Effective January 1, 2023.

Amends the Community Mental Health Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 405 ILCS 20/0.1 from Ch. 91 1/2, par. 300.1 Adds reference to: 410 ILCS 50/3.2 from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 5403.2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Medical Patient Rights Act. Removes language providing that nothing in the Act shall restrict the ability of a health care facility to regulate the hours of visitation, the number of visitors per patient or the movement of visitors within the facility. Provides that, during a period for which the Governor has issued a proclamation declaring that a disaster exists or in the event of an outbreak or epidemic of a communicable disease in the community in which the health care facility is located, a health care facility shall ensure an opportunity for at least one visitor, not counting a clergy person, to visit a resident or patient of the health care facility. Requires visitation to be subject to the guidelines, conditions, and limitations of the health care facility's visitation policy and any rules or guidelines established by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Provides that visitors may be required by the health care facility to submit to health screenings necessary to prevent the spread of infectious disease. Provides that a health care facility may restrict a visitor who does not pass its health screening requirement and require a visitor to adhere to infection control procedures. Provides that a health care facility may deny visitation under the Act if the situation demands. Makes other changes. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes. Authorizes a skilled nursing home, extended care facility, or intermediate care facility to prohibit an individual from visiting a resident or patient of the nursing home or facility if specific facts demonstrate that the individual would endanger his or her physical health or safety or the health or safety of a resident, patient, or health care worker of the nursing home or facility. Requires such a denial to be in writing and provided to the individual and the resident or patient with whom the individual was denied visitation. Requires each skilled nursing home, extended care facility, and intermediate care facility to inform each resident of the nursing home or facility (or that individual's representative) of the resident's visitation rights and the facility's visitation-related policies and procedures. Specifies that these nursing homes and facilities must not restrict, limit, or otherwise deny visitation privileges on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability. Requires the nursing homes and facilities to ensure that all visitors enjoy full and equal visitation privileges, consistent with the residents' preferences.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that each institution or facility of the Department of Corrections shall hire a reentry specialist to assist with the reentry of offenders into the community. Provides that the Department shall by rule provide for the duties and responsibilities of reentry specialists.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the registration fee paid by any vehicle owner who is eligible under the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities Property Tax Relief Act or who is the spouse of such a person shall be $10 instead of $24.