Rep. Terra Costa Howard

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2024 and that provides coverage for prescription drugs shall provide coverage for vaginal estrogen, and that coverage for vaginal estrogen shall not impose a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or any other cost-sharing requirement. Makes conforming changes in the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, the Limited Health Service Organization Act, the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act, and the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2024 and that provides coverage for prescription drugs shall include coverage for one or more therapeutic equivalent versions of vaginal estrogen in its formulary (rather than provide coverage for vaginal estrogen), and that a policy is not required to include all therapeutic equivalent versions of vaginal estrogen in its formulary so long as at least one is included and covered without cost sharing and in accordance with the provisions. Provides that if an individual's attending provider recommends a particular vaginal estrogen product or its therapeutic equivalent version approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration based on the provider's determination, the issuer must cover that service or item without cost sharing. Provides that coverage for vaginal estrogen shall not impose a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or any other cost-sharing requirement on the coverage provided, except to the extent such coverage would disqualify a high-deductible health plan from eligibility for a health savings account pursuant to specified federal law. Defines "therapeutic equivalent version".

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that of the federal funds received by the State for purposes related to the COVID-19 public health emergency, 25% of any such funds shall be allocated as grants to businesses with less than 50 employees. Provides eligibility requirements for businesses seeking to receive such grants. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall award grants in the amount of $5,000 to eligible businesses. Provides that a business shall only be eligible for one such grant. Requires the Department to publish the names of the businesses that are awarded grants on its Internet website. Provides for the adoption of rules.

Amends the Downstate Forest Preserve District Act. Provides that a contract may be entered into by the corporate authorities acting as the governing body of a forest preserve district, without advertising for bids, if authorized by a vote of two-thirds of all the aldermen, trustees, or commissioners then holding office.

Amends the Nurse Practice Act. Ratifies and approves the Nurse Licensure Compact, which allows for the issuance of multistate licenses that allow nurses to practice in their home state and other compact states. Provides that the Compact does not supersede existing State labor laws. Provides that the State may not share with or disclose to the Interstate Commission of Nurse Licensure Compact Administrators or any other state any of the contents of a nationwide criminal history records check conducted for the purpose of multistate licensure under the Nurse Licensure Compact.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Creates the offense of disorderly conduct in a school zone. Provides that a person commits the offense when he or she: (1) knowingly displays signs, engages in oral protest, education, or passing leaflets or handbills within 300 feet of school premises, from one hour prior to the start of the school day until one hour after the school day ends; or (2) knowingly approaches within 8 feet of an individual who is within 300 feet of school premises for purposes of displaying signs, engaging in oral protest, education, or passing leaflets or handbills, from one hour prior to the start of the school day until one hour after the school day ends. Provides that disorderly conduct in a school zone is a Class A misdemeanor. Defines "school". Contains a severability provision. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Reduces the trailer flat weight tax for maximum loads of 3,000 pounds and less from $118 to $18. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code to provide that an insurer that provides coverage for prescription insulin drugs pursuant to the terms of a health coverage plan the insurer offers shall limit the total amount that an insured is required to pay for a 30-day supply of covered prescription insulin drugs at an amount not to exceed $30 (rather than $100). Makes a conforming change in the Illinois Public Aid Code. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Makes changes in the School Boards Article relating to policies addressing sexual abuse. In the Courses of Study Article, repeals the sex education, family life, and instruction on diseases provisions. Instead, sets forth comprehensive sex education requirements for course materials and instruction, requires the State Board of Education to post on its website comprehensive sex education resources for use in pre-kindergarten through the 12th grade, provides for school disclosure, parental requests, and notice, allows a school district to collaborate with a local public health department to identify and designate a qualified employee of the local public health department as the school district's point of contact for the purposes of responding to inquiries and comments about course instruction and materials, requires the State Board to develop, maintain, and make publicly available State standards, and provides for rulemaking. Makes changes in the Chicago School District Article concerning AIDS training. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the School Code. Makes changes in the School Boards Article relating to policies addressing sexual abuse. In the Courses of Study Article, repeals the sex education, family life, and instruction on diseases provisions. Instead, sets forth comprehensive personal health and safety education requirements for course materials and instruction, requires the State Board of Education to post on its website personal health and safety education resources for use in pre-kindergarten through the 12th grade, provides for school disclosure, parental requests, and notice, allows a school district to collaborate with a local public health department to identify and designate a qualified employee of the local public health department as the school district's point of contact for the purposes of responding to inquiries and comments about course instruction and materials, requires the State Board to develop, maintain, and make publicly available State standards, and provides for rulemaking. Makes changes in the Chicago School District Article concerning AIDS training. Effective immediately. State Mandates Fiscal Note, House Committee Amendment No. 1 (Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity) HB 1736 (H-AM 1) does not create a State Mandate. Fiscal Note, House Committee Amendment No. 1 (State Board of Education) HB 1736 (H-AM 1) includes new requirements for the State Board of Education (Board) and school districts that will have a fiscal impact. This fiscal impact estimate only addresses known or estimated costs for the Board and not PreK-12 public school districts, other State agencies or other entities impacted by the amendments. The Board is tasked with adopting sex education standards by July 1, 2022, develop and maintain sex education resources, and provide technical assistance to school district as needed. ISBE anticipates needing to hire additional staff to implement the requirements of HB 1736 (H-AM 1). ISBE estimates the cost of implementing this amendment will be $1.45m in years 1 and 2 and $100,000 in future years.

Creates the Family and Medical Leave Act. Provides that employees are entitled to 12 weeks of leave during a calendar year. Provides that leave may be used for absence from work due to (1) personal illness, injury, or medical appointment of the employee, (2) illness, injury, or medical appointment of a member of the employee's family, or (3) the birth of a child or the adoption of a child under one year of age. Requires the employer to pay the cost of health insurance applicable to the employee during the period of leave. Requires that the employee be returned to his or her position or an equivalent position upon completion of the family and medical leave period.

Declares March 15, 2022 as Equal Pay Day.