Rep. Terra Costa Howard

Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Provides that the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board shall conduct or approve training programs in crimes motivated by bias. Includes requirements for the training programs. Requires the training for new law enforcement officers and allows continuing education credits for current law enforcement officers who complete the training.

Amends the Commission on Equity and Inclusion Act. Requires the Commission to prepare and submit a report to the General Assembly evaluating whether the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority has met the equity goals of the Commission and Authority. Amends the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority Act. Modifies legislative findings. Provides that "facility" includes stadiums, arenas, or other structures for the holding of athletic contests and other events and gatherings, including professional women's sports (among other illustrative examples). Requires the Authority to work with the Executive Director of the Commission on Equity and Inclusion to evaluate and propose policies that promote equity in decision-making regarding the development and funding of sports facilities. Provides that a person may not be prohibited from participation in, or any of the benefits of, programs or activities at facilities funded under the Act, including facilities established or supported by bonds issued under the Act, on the basis of sex. Provides that, if bonds are issued under the Act to fund facilities for professional men's sports, some bonds must also be issued to fund facilities for professional women's sports; and provides that, if the Authority does not have a professional women's sports facility project to work on at the time of issuance of the bonds, then either: (i) the proceeds from the bonds issued for professional women's sports shall be placed into a dedicated fund until the Authority has a professional women's sports facility project on which to work, or (ii) a portion of the revenue source supporting the bonds must be left unused and dedicated to support a future bond issuance solely focused on professional women's sports facility projects. Provides that the portion required under item (ii) shall be as required by statute or, if no statute sets the portion, shall be in an amount set by the Commission on Equity and Inclusion. Provides that a person may not be prohibited from participation in, or any of the benefits of, programs or activities at facilities funded under this Act, including facilities established or supported by bonds issued under the Act, on the basis of sex. Removes and modifies outdated language, including provisions relating to a dissolved advisory board. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the Strengthening Mental Health and Substance Use Parity Act. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2025, or any third-party administrator administering the behavioral health benefits for the insurer, shall cover all out-of-network medically necessary mental health and substance use benefits and services (inpatient and outpatient) as if they were in-network for purposes of cost sharing for the insured. Provides that the insured has the right to select the provider or facility of their choice and the modality, whether the care is provided via in-person visit or telehealth, for medically necessary care. Sets forth minimum reimbursement rates for certain behavioral health benefits. Sets forth provisions concerning responsibility for compliance with parity requirements; coverage and payment for multiple covered mental health and substance use services, mental health or substance use services provided under the supervision of a licensed mental health or substance treatment provider, and 60-minute individual psychotherapy; timely credentialing of mental health and substance use providers; Department of Insurance enforcement and rulemaking; civil penalties; and other matters. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to authorize emergency rulemaking. Effective immediately.

Maddy summaryThis bill makes a minor technical correction to the official short title of a section within the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. It does not create new laws, change existing policies, or directly affect any individuals or organizations. The change was approved by both the House and Senate and has been sent to the Governor for final approval.

Amends the Department of Public Health Act. Establishes the role of HIV Treatment Innovation Coordinator to be housed within the Department. Provides that the Department shall create and fill the Coordinator role within 6 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Requires the Coordinator to develop and execute a comprehensive strategy to adopt a Rapid Start model for HIV treatment as the standard of care. Requires compensation and benefits for the Coordinator be at the Program Director level. Describes the specific job responsibilities of the Coordinator. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that an individual or group policy of accident and health insurance amended, delivered, issued, or renewed in this State on or after January 1, 2025 shall provide coverage for home test kits for sexually transmitted infections, including any laboratory costs of processing the home test kit, that are deemed medically necessary or appropriate and ordered directly by a clinician or furnished through a standing order for patient use based on clinical guidelines and individual patient health needs. Makes a conforming change to the Illinois Public Aid Code regarding coverage for home test kits for sexually transmitted infections. Amends the AIDS Confidentiality Act. Creates the Illinois AIDS Drug Assistance Program. Provides that Illinois AIDS Drug Assistance Program applications shall be processed within 72 hours after the time of submission. Provides for conditional approval of Illinois AIDS Drug Assistance Program applications within 24 hours after time of submission. Requires Illinois AIDS Drug Assistance Program applicants to document residency within the State of Illinois. Provides for 8 Rapid Start for HIV Treatment pilot sites established by the Department of Public Health. Provides that the Department shall publish a report on the operation of the pilot program 15 months after the pilot sites have launched. Establishes requirements for the report, requires that the report be shared with the General Assembly, the Governor's Office, and requires that the report be made available on the Department's Internet website. Amends the County Jail Act. Creates new annual adult correctional facility public inspection report requirements on the topics of HIV and AIDS.

Declares November 11 through November 15, 2024 as School Psychology Week in the State of Illinois and commends observance of this week to all of our citizens.

Congratulates the Naperville Fire Department on its 150 years of service. Commends all individuals who have served and are currently serving the Naperville Fire Department for their commitment to the safety of their community and the residents of the City of Naperville. Honors all firefighters who have perished in the line of service to the Naperville Fire Department, recognizing their ultimate sacrifice while protecting their community.

Amends the Illinois Local Library Act and the Public Library District Act of 1991. Authorizes costs paid by persons residing outside of the relevant library jurisdiction to be paid quarterly or biannually if permitted by board regulations. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Provides that each school district must create, implement, and maintain an age-appropriate policy on race-related harassment and discrimination. In provisions concerning bullying prevention, provides that the required policy on bullying shall also include age-appropriate information about the definitions of harassment and sexual harassment, the procedures for reporting harassment, and the protections and relief available under Illinois Human Rights Act. Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that harassment by an elementary, secondary, or higher education representative or the failure of an institution of elementary, secondary, or higher education to take remedial action or appropriate disciplinary action against a student or an elementary, secondary, or higher education representative employed by the institution (if the institution knows that the student or representative committed or engaged in harassment) is a civil rights violation. Provides that each institution of elementary, secondary, or higher education shall establish, implement, and maintain a continuing race-related discrimination and harassment program. Sets forth requirements concerning policies and procedures, a model training program, and reporting. Makes other changes. Effective August 1, 2024.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Defines terms. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2025, a retail establishment may not sell or distribute in this State a disposable food service container that is composed in whole or in part of polystyrene foam. Exempts specified entities from the prohibition until one year after the amendatory Act's effective date. Effective immediately.