Rep. Maria Antonia Berrios

Amends the Nursing Education Scholarship Law. Authorizes scholarships for registered nurses pursuing graduate degrees in nursing and to students in areas identified as designated shortage areas. Provides that 20% of scholarships shall be for recipients pursuing graduate degrees and reduces percentages for other recipients. Removes provisions concerning scholarships for pursuing a hospital-based diploma in nursing.

Creates the African-American Family Commission Act. Establishes a 15-member African-American Family Commission to serve as a coordinating and advocating body that acts on behalf of the interests of African-Americans in the State. Provides that members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Governor and serve 2-year terms. Provides that the Commission shall submit an annual report of its activities to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 31 each year. Sets forth the responsibilities of the Commission and its Director. Provides that the Commission may accept offers, gifts, or grants from federal, State, local, or private sources and may expend these receipts on projects that it deems suitably related to performance of Commission duties. Provides that the Department of Central Management Services shall provide the Commission the same type and level of services it provides to other State agencies.

Amends the Illinois Consortium for Educational Opportunity Act. Changes the short title to the Diversifying Faculty in Illinois Program Act. Makes changes concerning the definition of "institution of higher education", the Program Board, assistance to graduates, subcommittees, reporting, grants, and other matters. Effective July 1, 2004.

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that upon the filing of a written request demonstrating reasonable cause, the State's Attorney may request a source of bail hearing either before or after the posting of any funds. Provides that if the hearing is granted, before the posting of any bail, the accused must file a written notice requesting that the court conduct a source of bail hearing. Establishes factors that the court must consider at the hearing. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Creates a K-3 class size reduction grant program to be implemented and administered by the State Board of Education. Provides that only those schools that are on the early academic warning list or academic watch list and that maintain grades K-3 are grant eligible. Limits use of the grant funds to operating and maintaining classes in grades K-3 with a class size of no more than 20 pupils. Effective immediately.

Amends the Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act. Permits the grandparent of the victim of a violent crime to present a victim impact statement. Provides that the court has discretion to determine the number of oral presentations of victim impact statements. Provides that any written victim impact statement submitted to the Office of the State's Attorney shall be considered by the court during its consideration of aggravation and mitigation in plea proceedings under Supreme Court Rule 402. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Creates the offense of criminal trespass to a motion picture exhibition facility. Provides that it is a Class 4 felony to knowingly possess, carry, bear, or transport an audiovisual recording device into a motion picture exhibition facility without the consent of the owner or lessee of that exhibition facility and the licensor of the motion picture being exhibited. Establishes immunity from civil liability for an owner, lessee, employee, or agent of a motion picture exhibition facility who in good faith detains a person suspected of a violation of these provisions until law enforcement officers arrive. Permits law enforcement officers to carry audiovisual equipment into a motion picture exhibition facility during a lawful investigation. Effective immediately.

Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. Makes changes regarding the Department of Children and Family Service's obligation to inform child care facilities of unsafe children's products. Requires the Department to make the comprehensive list of unsafe children's products available to those facilities that do not have Internet access. Requires child care facilities to maintain any written information provided in a file accessible to both facility staff and parents of children attending the facility and to post in prominent locations regularly visited by parents written notification of the existence of the comprehensive list of unsafe children's products available on the Internet. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the State aid formula.

Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department to establish and administer a nursing workforce database. Provides that the objective of establishing the database shall be the collection and analysis of data that is related to nursing and to the nursing workforce, so that conclusions may be drawn relating to current nursing supply, demand, and workforce concerns in the State and to future workforce projections and needs. Sets forth the information that must be contained in the database. Provides that no later than January 15, 2006, the Department shall submit a report to the Governor and members of the General Assembly regarding the development of the database and the effectiveness of its use.