Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Knight-Silas Act. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person commits aggravated battery when, in committing a battery, other than by the discharge of a firearm, he or she: (1) knowingly causes great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement to an individual whom the person knows to be a Department of Children and Family Services employee; and (2) is, at the time of the commission of the offense, 21 years of age or older and causes great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement to an individual whom the person knows to be a Department of Children and Family Services employee: (i) performing his or her official duties; (ii) battered to prevent performance of his or her official duties; or (iii) battered in retaliation for performing his or her official duties. Provides that "Department of Children and Family Services employee" includes any (i) Department case worker or (ii) investigator employed by an agency or organization providing social work, case work, or investigative services under a contract with or a grant from the Department of Children and Family Services. Provides that a violation is a Class 2 felony. Provides that if the battery causes great bodily harm or permanent disability or disfigurement to the employee, the penalty is a Class 1 felony.
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Amends the Network Adequacy and Transparency Act. Provides that a network plan shall, at least annually, audit (instead of audit periodically) at least 25% of its provider directories for accuracy, make any corrections necessary, and retain documentation of the audit. Provides that the network plan shall submit the audit to the Department of Insurance (instead of to the Director of Insurance upon request). Provides that the Department shall make the audit publicly available. Provides that a network plan shall include in the print format provider directory (i) a detailed description of the process to dispute charges for out-of-network providers or facilities that were incorrectly listed as in-network prior to the provision of care and (ii) a telephone number and email address to dispute those charges. Makes changes to the information that must be provided in a network plan's electronic and print directory. Requires the Director to conduct random audits of the accuracy of provider directories for at least 10% of plans each year. Provides that a consumer who incurs a cost for inappropriate out-of-network charges for a provider, facility, or hospital that was listed as in-network prior to the provision of services may file a verified complaint with the Department, and the Department shall conduct an investigation of the verified complaint and determine whether the complaint is sufficient. Provides that, upon a finding of sufficiency, the Director shall have the authority to levy a fine for not less than the cost incurred by the consumer for inappropriate out-of-network charges for a provider, facility, or hospital that was listed in-network. Provides that the fines collected by the Director shall be remitted to the consumer.
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that no group policy of accident and health insurance providing coverage for more than 25 employees that provides pregnancy related benefits may be issued, amended, delivered, or renewed in this State on or after January 1, 2025 unless the policy contains coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of infertility. Requires such coverage to include procedures necessary to screen or diagnose a fertilized egg before implantation. Provides that coverage for in vitro fertilization, gamete intrafallopian tube transfer, or zygote intrafallopian tube transfer shall be required only if the procedures: (1) are considered medically appropriate based on clinical guidelines or standards developed by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, or the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology; and (2) are performed at medical facilities or clinics that conform to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists guidelines for in vitro fertilization or the American Society for Reproductive Medicine minimum standards for practices offering assisted reproductive technologies. Makes changes in the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Limited Health Service Organization Act, the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act, and the Illinois Public Aid Code to provide that infertility insurance must be included in health insurance coverage for employees. Effective immediately.
Congratulates Sarah F. King on her installation as president of the Women's Bar Association of Illinois for the 2024-2025 bar year. Wishes her all the best in her new position.
Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act. In provisions concerning the directory of new hires, provides that the definition of "newly hired employee" includes an individual under an independent contractor arrangement. Effective January 1, 2024.
Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Provides for the issuance of a Montessori educator license to qualified individuals to teach using the Montessori method in public school programs that use the Montessori method as the primary method of instruction. Sets forth the requirements that an individual must satisfy to be issued a Montessori educator license, which include requiring the applicant to have (i) graduated from a regionally accredited institution of higher education with a bachelor's degree, (ii) a Montessori certificate or credential issued by an institution accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education, by the American Montessori Society, or by the Association Montessori Internationale, and (iii) successfully completed required testing. Makes related changes to provisions concerning educator testing and fees.
Amends the State Budget Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that any amendment to a budget implementation bill or an omnibus bill that has the effect of increasing or decreasing the balance in the General Revenue Fund or affecting capital expenditures for the upcoming State fiscal year must be reported to the applicable appropriations committee of each chamber of the General Assembly at least 2 business days before being heard in that committee. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the Illinois Commerce Commission shall allow commercial relocators to recover, as part of their lawful fees and charges, towing permit fees or vehicle release fees that are lawfully adopted by a unit of local government and imposed by a law enforcement agency as a necessary administrative fee in order to effectuate an existing relocator program in the unit of local government where the law enforcement agency and relocator operates.
Declares the week of May 5-11, 2024 as Youth Apprenticeship Week. Encourages business leaders, educators, families, and young people to learn more about the opportunities that youth apprenticeship programs provide and to encourage the development and expansion of youth apprenticeship programs in Illinois.
Creates the Child Labor Law of 2024. Reinserts provisions of the Child Labor Law. Sets forth additional provisions concerning definitions; exemptions; employer requirements; restrictions on employment of minors; employment certificates; civil penalties; and criminal penalties. Repeals the Child Labor Law. Amends various Acts to make conforming changes. Effective January 1, 2025, except provisions concerning minors featured in vlogs and trust funds are effective July 1, 2024.