Rep. Debbie Meyers-Martin

Maddy summaryHB 307 makes a minor technical adjustment to the College Campus Press Act by updating its short title. This change directly affects the legal naming convention of the existing law governing student media on college campuses. The bill does not alter any substantive rules or policies but simply corrects the official name used to refer to the statute. Once signed into law, the updated title will take effect on January 1, 2025.

Amends the Information Technology Accessibility Act. Provides that the Department of Innovation and Technology (currently, the Department of Human Services) shall review certain accessibility standards. Removes a specific reference to the Department of Central Management Services. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall compile and publish a disparity study by December 31, 2027 (rather than December 31, 2022) that: (1) evaluates demographic data (rather than whether there exists intentional discrimination) at the supplier or distribution level for retailers of beauty products, cosmetics, hair care supplies, and personal care products in the State of Illinois; and (2) includes recommendations for reducing or eliminating any barriers to entry for underrepresented populations (rather than to those) wishing to establish businesses at the retail level involving such products. Removes language requiring the study to evaluate the impact of the discrimination evaluated under paragraph (1) on the State. Extends the repeal of the provisions to January 1, 2029 (rather than January 1, 2024). Effective immediately.

Amends the Statute on Statutes. Provides that whenever there is a reference in any Act to "armed forces", "armed forces of the United States", "U.S. Armed Forces", "United States Armed Forces", or "uniformed services", these terms shall be construed to include the United States Space Force. Amends the Flag Display Act, the Secretary of State Merit Employment Code, the Veterans Preference Act, the Veterans Burial Places Act, and various other Acts. In all occurrences of the definition for "armed forces of the United States" and "member of the Armed Services or Reserve Forces of the United States" expands the list of armed forces branches to include the Space Force. Makes conforming changes in the definition of "veteran" under the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law, in the definition of "military service" under the Illinois Pension Code, and in a provision under the Veterans Burial Places Act that lists the various military branches that make up the Reserve Officers Training Corps. Makes other conforming changes.

Amends the Historic Preservation Act. Creates the State Historic Preservation Board. Provides for appointment of members of the Board and the powers and duties of the Board. Provides that the Board may: (1) adopt rules in accordance with the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, for the administration and execution of the powers granted under the Act after consultation with and written approval by the Department of Natural Resources; (2) list, delist, create specific list designations, create designation definitions, create property assessment criteria, or change the listing designation of State Historic Sites; and (3) advise the Department of Natural Resources on methods of assistance, protection, conservation, and management of State Historic Sites, which are all subject to Department approval and available appropriations to implement those recommendations. Provides that the listing, delisting, creation of specific list designations or designation definitions, or change of listing designation by the Board shall be done only with the written approval of the Director of Natural Resources. Deletes the statutory listing of specific State Historic Sites, State Memorials, and Miscellaneous Properties. Provides that State Historic Sites shall be designated by administrative rule. Provides that the Department shall submit an annual report, on or before June 30, to the General Assembly containing a full list of the State Historic Sites and the site designations, as recommended by the Board and which received the approval of the Department. Defines "State Historic Site" as a property that has been deemed by the Board and the Department to have a State, national, or international level of historic significance. Makes conforming changes. Amends the Illinois Historic Sites Advisory Council Act. Changes the short title of the Act to the Illinois National Register Advisory Council Act. Repeals the Historical Sites Listing Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning a comprehensive strategic plan, provides that the State Board of Education shall annually review the strategic plan, update the contents of the plan if necessary, and provide updates to the Governor and General Assembly (instead of requiring the plan to be updated and issued to the Governor and General Assembly). Makes changes concerning property tax relief pool grants and tuition for non-resident pupils. In provisions concerning hazardous materials training, provides that the State Board may identify in-service training programs to be used by school boards (instead of shall approve in-service training programs). In provisions concerning e-learning days, provides that a research-based program for e-learning days shall be verified annually before the implementation of any e-learning days in a school year (instead of requiring verification on or before September 1st annually); makes other changes. In provisions concerning school counseling services, provides that school counseling services shall (instead of may) be provided by school counselors and may be delivered through a comprehensive school counseling program; makes other changes. Makes changes concerning the reporting of firearms and drug-related incidents in schools, educator licensure, reenrolled students, and career and technical education. Amends the School Safety Drill Act. Makes changes concerning threat assessment team members, and fixes a typographical error. Amends the Vocational Education Act. Makes changes regarding the Gender Equity Advisory Committee.

Amends the County Department of Corrections Law. In provisions about pregnant prisoners, modifies the definitions of "post-partum" and "correctional institution", including that "correctional institution" includes institutions in all counties (rather than only in counties more than 3,000,000 inhabitants). Modifies and removes provisions relating to security restraints on a prisoner who is pregnant or in postpartum recovery. Adds provisions relating to annual reports by sheriffs documenting the number of pregnant prisoners in custody each year and the number of people who deliver or miscarry while in custody, relating to county department of corrections providing informational materials concerning the laws pertaining to pregnant prisoners to any pregnant or postpartum prisoner, and relating to supplemental nutrition for prisoners who are pregnant or lactating. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections and the County Jail Act making similar changes. In the Unified Code of Corrections, also adds language relating to restraints of committed persons who are pregnant. Amends the Health Care Violence Prevention Act. In provisions relating to pregnant prisoners, removes a limitation on the provisions to pregnant prisoners in the custody of the Cook County. Provides that restraint of a pregnant prisoner shall comply with specified provisions of the Counties Code, the Unified Code of Corrections, and the County Jail Act (rather than only the Counties Code provisions).

Amends the Accident and Health Article of the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual plan of accident and health insurance or managed care plan amended, delivered, issued, or renewed after the effective date of the amendatory Act must provide coverage for wigs or other scalp prostheses worn for hair loss caused by alopecia, chemotherapy, or radiation treatment for cancer or other conditions. Makes a conforming change in the Health Maintenance Organization Act and the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Provides that each school district shall provide to students, in addition to and not substituting recess, at least once a week, relaxation activities to enhance the mental and physical health of students as part of the school day. Specifies which activities may be considered relaxation activities. Provides that a school district may partner with local community-based organizations to provide relaxation activities. Provides that these activities may take place in a physical education class, social-emotional learning class, or student-support or advisory class or as a part of another similar class, including a new class.

Creates the Worker Freedom of Speech Act. Provides that an employer or the employer's agent, representative, or designee may not discharge, discipline, or otherwise penalize, threaten to discharge, discipline, or otherwise penalize, or take any adverse employment action against an employee: (1) because the employee declines to attend or participate in an employer-sponsored meeting or declines to receive or listen to communications from the employer or the agent, representative, or designee of the employer if the meeting or communication is to communicate the opinion of the employer about religious or political matters; (2) as a means of inducing an employee to attend or participate in meetings or receive or listen to communications; or (3) because the employee, or a person acting on behalf of the employee, makes a good faith report, orally or in writing, of a violation or a suspected violation of the Act. Provides for a private right of action to enforce the provisions of the Act. Sets forth the duties and powers of the Department of Labor under the Act. Provides that, within 30 days after the effective date of the Act, an employer shall post and keep posted a notice of employee rights under the Act where employee notices are customarily placed. Provides for exceptions under the Act.