Photo of Terra Costa Howard
D Illinois House · District 42 · Former member

Rep. Terra Costa Howard

Compare
Total votes
5,964
all sessions
Attendance
99%
74 missed
Near the chamber average
With party
98%
of cast votes
Near the chamber average
Bipartisan score
1%
crosses aisle rarely
Near the chamber average
Sponsored
962
bills & resolutions
Lower than 85% of chamber peers
Committees
0
assignments
962 bills and resolutions

Sponsored bills

Total
962
Primary
136
Co-sponsor
826
This page
962
matching current filters
Co-sponsor HB 3027
Signed into law · Illinois House · Co-sponsor
VEH CD-SPECIAL PARKING DECALS

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows the Secretary of State to provide a disabilities motor decal or device to an expectant mother during her third trimester. Provides that a decal or device provided to an expectant mother shall be valid for no more than 90 days, and shall clearly set forth the date that the decal or device expires. Provides that a decal or device shall be issued only upon a showing by adequate documentation that the expectant mother has entered her third trimester.

Signed into law Aug 20, 2021 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor HB 3223
Signed into law · Illinois House · Co-sponsor
SCHOOL STUDENT-PARENT/VICTIM

Amends the School Code and the Illinois School Student Records Act. In provisions concerning the suspension or expulsion of a pupil, adds references to guardians (rather than just parents). Provides that a student may disclose mitigating factors, such as the student's status as a parent, expectant parent, or victim of domestic or sexual violence, in suspension or expulsion hearings. Provides that home instruction or correspondence courses must be made available to students who are unable to attend school because of pregnancy-related conditions, parenting obligations related to the health of a child, or health and safety concerns arising from domestic or sexual violence. Includes attendance at a medical or therapeutic appointment and appointments with a victim services provider as a valid cause for absence from school. Adds provisions to the Code concerning children and students who are parents, expectant parents, or victims of domestic or sexual violence, the purpose of which is to ensure that Illinois schools have policies, procedures, and protocols in place that ensure children and students who are parents, expectant parents, or victims of domestic or sexual violence are identified by schools in a manner respectful of their privacy and safety, treated with dignity and regard, and provided the protection, instruction, and related accommodations and services necessary to enable them to meet State educational standards and successfully attain a school diploma. Makes changes to the Chicago School District Article of the School Code concerning the transfer of students. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Makes other changes. Effective July 1, 2022. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 105 ILCS 5/26A-55 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the contents of the bill with the following changes. Provides that the complainant and respondent and any named perpetrator directly impacted by the results of the complaint resolution procedure are entitled to simultaneous written notification of the results of the complaint resolution procedure within 10 business days (instead of 7 calendar days) after a decision or sooner if required by State or federal law or district policy. Provides that the complainant and respondent and any perpetrators directly impacted by the results of the complaint resolution procedure must receive the appeal decision, in writing, within 10 business days but in no case more than 15 business days (rather than within 7 calendar days but in no case more than 14 calendar days) after the conclusion of the review of findings or remedies or sooner if required by State or federal law. Removes a provision concerning enforcement; makes corresponding changes. Corrects typographical errors. Effective July 1, 2022. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the contents of the bill as amended by House Amendment 1 with the following change. Adds one member who represents an association representing rural school superintendents to the Ensuring Success in School Task Force. Effective July 1, 2022. Fiscal Note, House Floor Amendment No. 1 (IL State Board of Education) As amended by HA 1, HB 3223 will have a fiscal impact of$139,652.04 annually to the State Board of Education. The amendment will have an unknown fiscal impact on school districts_ State Mandates Fiscal Note, House Floor Amendment No. 1 (Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity) This bill does not create a State Mandate. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the School Code and the Illinois School Student Records Act. In provisions concerning the suspension or expulsion of a pupil, adds references to guardians (rather than just parents). Provides that a student may disclose mitigating factors, such as the student's status as a parent, expectant parent, or victim of domestic or sexual violence, in suspension or expulsion hearings. Sets forth provisions concerning suspension and expulsion hearings. Provides that home instruction or correspondence courses must be made available to students who are unable to attend school because of pregnancy-related conditions, parenting obligations related to the health of a child, or health and safety concerns arising from domestic or sexual violence. Includes attendance at a medical or therapeutic appointment and appointments with a victim services provider as a valid cause for absence from school. Adds provisions to the Code concerning children and students who are parents, expectant parents, or victims of domestic or sexual violence, the purpose of which is to ensure that Illinois schools have policies, procedures, and protocols in place that ensure children and students who are parents, expectant parents, or victims of domestic or sexual violence are identified by schools in a manner respectful of their privacy and safety, treated with dignity and regard, and provided the protection, instruction, and related accommodations and services necessary to enable them to meet State educational standards and successfully attain a school diploma. Creates the Ensuring Success in School Task Force. Sets forth provisions concerning complaint resolution procedures and confidentiality. Makes changes to the Chicago School District Article of the School Code concerning the transfer of students. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Makes a conforming change to the Charter Schools Law. Makes other changes. Effective July 1, 2023. Senate Committee Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the contents of the engrossed bill as amended by Senate Amendment No. 1 with the following changes. Repeals the Section concerning the Ensuring Success in School Task Force on December 1, 2025 (instead of December 1, 2023). Amends the provisions concerning confidentiality. Requires each school district to adopt and ensure that the school has and implements a confidentiality policy regarding students. Provides that information about a student concerning whether the student has obtained assistance, support, or services (rather than only assistance or services) must be kept in strictest of confidence, except if the disclosure is permitted under (rather than in conflict with) certain State or federal laws or consented to in writing by the student or the student's parent or guardian. Provides that information about students may not be disclosed to any other individual outside of the district (rather than may not be disclosed to any other individual). With regard to domestic or sexual violence, provides that except as permitted (rather than except as required) under State or federal law, a school official may contact (instead of must not contact) the person named to be the perpetrator if the school official determines that the school official has an obligation to do so based on safety concerns or threats to the community, including the victim. Provides that a school district must not contact a person named by a student or the student's parent or guardian without providing prior written notice to the student or the student's parent or guardian (rather than without obtaining written permission from the student or the student's parent or guardian). Removes provisions requiring a school district to comply with the confidentiality provisions no later than July 1, 2024. Effective July 1, 2025.

Signed into law Aug 20, 2021 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor HB 3265
Signed into law · Illinois House · Co-sponsor
CIVIL EVIDENCE-RAPE CRISIS ORG

Amends the Evidence Article of the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that "rape crisis organization" includes, but is not limited to, rape crisis centers certified by a statewide sexual assault coalition. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Changes the definition of "rape crisis organization" to mean any organization or association a major purpose of which (instead of "the major purpose of which") is providing information, counseling, and psychological support to victims of any or all of the crimes of aggravated criminal sexual assault, predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, criminal sexual assault, sexual relations between siblings, criminal sexual abuse, and aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

Signed into law Aug 20, 2021 1 co-sponsor
Primary SB 1904
Signed into law · Illinois Senate · Lead sponsor
DCFS-JUV CT-ABUSE RPT&PETITION

Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. In provisions concerning persons authorized to have access to reports of child abuse or neglect, provides that State's Attorneys are authorized to receive unfounded reports for the purposes of screening and prosecuting court petitions making an allegation of abuse or neglect relating to the same child, a sibling of the child involving the same perpetrator, or a child or perpetrator in the same household as the child for whom the petition is being filed. Provides that parties to juvenile court proceedings are entitled to receive copies of unfounded reports regarding the same child, a sibling of the child, or a child or perpetrator in the same household as the child, including a household from which a child was removed or into which a child may be placed for purposes of certain types of juvenile court hearings. Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to notify parties of the final finding on a report of alleged abuse or neglect within 5 days after the Department classifies the report. Provides that a court shall not terminate wardship if there is a pending investigation involving any person acting in a caretaker role in the minor's household, unless the court makes written factual findings that, despite the pending investigation, there is no risk of abuse or neglect to the minor, that good cause exists to terminate wardship, and it is in the minor's best interest to terminate wardship. Effective upon becoming law, except some provisions take effect January 1, 2022. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Further amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act by providing that parties to juvenile court proceedings are entitled to receive copies of unfounded reports regarding the same child, a sibling of the child, the same perpetrator, or a child or perpetrator in the same household as the child for purposes of certain types of juvenile court hearings (rather than parties to juvenile court proceedings are entitled to receive copies of unfounded reports regarding the same child, a sibling of the child, or a child or perpetrator in the same household as the child, including a household from which a child was removed or into which a child may be placed, for purposes of certain types of juvenile court hearings). Makes revisions to language in the introduced bill concerning the admissibility of unfounded reports in certain judicial proceedings and hearings. Further amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. In a provision requiring the Department of Children and Family Services to notify parties of its final finding in an abuse or neglect report, requires the Department to notify the parties within 10 days (rather than 5 days) after the abuse or neglect report is classified by the Department. Removes language requiring the Department to provide the parties with copies of the abuse or neglect report. In a provision concerning the duration of wardship, provides that to terminate wardship, the court shall consider a pending investigation in accordance with the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act, if any, involving any person acting in a caretaker role in the minor's household, and make written factual findings that, despite the pending investigation, there is no risk of abuse or neglect to the minor, and it is in the minor's best interest to terminate wardship. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 705 ILCS 405/2-8.1 new 705 ILCS 405/2-31 from Ch. 37, par. 802-31 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Further amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act by providing that parties to juvenile court proceedings are entitled to receive copies of unfounded reports regarding the same child, a sibling of the child, the same perpetrator, or a child or perpetrator in the same household as the child for purposes of certain types of juvenile court hearings (rather than parties to juvenile court proceedings are entitled to receive copies of unfounded reports regarding the same child, a sibling of the child, or a child or perpetrator in the same household as the child, including a household from which a child was removed or into which a child may be placed, for purposes of certain types of juvenile court hearings). Makes revisions to language in the introduced bill concerning the admissibility of unfounded reports in certain judicial proceedings and hearings. Removes the amendatory changes made to the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 in the introduced bill. Changes the effective date to immediate.

Signed into law Aug 20, 2021 0 co-sponsors
Co-sponsor HB 711
Signed into law · Illinois House · Co-sponsor
PRIOR AUTHORIZATION REFORM ACT

Creates the Prior Authorization Reform Act. Provides requirements concerning disclosure and review of prior authorization requirements, denial of claims or coverage by a utilization review organization, and the implementation of prior authorization requirements or restrictions. Provides requirements concerning a utilization review organization's obligations with respect to prior authorizations in nonurgent circumstances, urgent health care services, and emergency health care services. Provides that a utilization review organization shall not require prior authorization under specified circumstances. Provides requirements concerning the length of prior authorizations. Provides that health care services are automatically deemed authorized if a utilization review organization fails to comply with the requirements of the Act. Provides that the Director of Insurance may impose an administrative fine not to exceed $250,000 for violations of the Act. Defines terms. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code to change the definition of "emergency medical condition". Amends the Managed Care Reform and Patient Rights Act to provide that companies that transact accident and health insurance shall comply with specified requirements of the Managed Care Reform and Patient Rights Act. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code to provide that all managed care organizations shall comply with the requirements of the Prior Authorization Reform Act. Makes other changes. Effective January 1, 2022. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Changes references from "utilization review organization" to "health insurance issuer" or "health insurance issuer or its contracted utilization review organization". Provides that a health insurance issuer or its contracted utilization review organization must ensure that all adverse determinations are made by a physician when the request is by a physician or a representative of a physician. Provides that a health insurance issuer shall periodically review its prior authorization requirements and consider removal of prior authorization requirements in specified circumstances (rather than a utilization review organization shall not require prior authorization in specified circumstances). In provisions concerning length of prior authorization approval, provides that a prior authorization approval shall be valid for the lesser of 12 months after the date the health care professional or health care provider receives the prior authorization approval or the length of treatment as determined by the patient's health care professional. In provisions concerning clinical review criteria of prior authorization requirements, removes language that provides that a utilization review organization shall seek input from actively practicing physicians representing major areas of the specialty who are not employees of the utilization review organization or consultants to the utilization review organization before establishing or substantially or materially altering written clinical review criteria. Removes language that provides that a utilization review organization shall not deny prior authorization of a health care service solely based on the grounds that a health care professional or health care provider judges a service, product, or procedure is medically appropriate for his or her patient even if it has not been formally approved for the specific condition being treated. In provisions concerning statistics that shall be made available regarding prior authorization approvals and denials, removes specified categories of information. In provisions concerning requirements applicable to the physician who can review consultations and appeals, removes language that provides that the physician must not be employed by a utilization review organization, be under contract with the utilization review organization other than to participate in one or more of the utilization review organization's health care professional networks or to perform reviews of appeals, or otherwise have any financial interest in the outcome of the appeal. Makes other changes. Effective January 1, 2022. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 215 ILCS 134/65 Adds reference to: 215 ILCS 5/155.36 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill, and makes the following changes: In the Prior Authorization Reform Act, deletes a Section concerning obligations with respect to prior authorization concerning emergency health care services, and makes changes in provisions governing applicability; definitions; disclosure and review of prior authorization requirements; obligations with respect to prior authorizations; personnel qualified to make adverse determinations of a prior authorization request; adverse determinations; review of appeals; denials; length of prior authorization approval; continuity of care; effect of failure to comply with the Act; and administration and enforcement. Makes further changes in the Illinois Insurance Code in a Section concerning obligations under the Managed Care Reform and Patient Rights Act. Deletes changes made to the Managed Care Reform and Patient Rights Act in a Section concerning emergency services prior to stabilization. Effective January 1, 2022.

Signed into law Aug 19, 2021 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor HB 2400
Signed into law · Illinois House · Co-sponsor
SCHOOL LAW ENFORCEMENT DRILLS

Amends the School Safety Drill Act. Provides that parents or guardians must receive prior notice of a law enforcement drill not less than 5 days prior to the drill. Provides that a law enforcement drill (i) must not include simulations that mimic an actual school shooting incident or active shooter event, (ii) must be announced in advance to all school personnel and students prior to the commencement of the drill, (iii) must include content that is age appropriate and developmentally appropriate, (iv) must include and involve school personnel, including school-based mental health professionals, and (v) must include trauma-informed approaches to address the concerns and well-being of students and school personnel. Requires a school district to include in its annual review of each school building's emergency and crisis response plans, protocols, and procedures an examination of the efficacy and effects of law enforcement drills. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Changes certain references relating to law enforcement drills to law enforcement lockdown drills. Removes the requirement that parents or guardians must receive prior notice of a law enforcement drill not less than 5 days prior to the drill. Provides that (i) school administrators and school support personnel may, in their discretion, exempt a student or students from participating in a walk-through lockdown drill; (ii) schools must provide sufficient information and notification to parents and guardians in advance of any walk-through lockdown drill that involves the participation of students and must also provide to parents and guardians an opportunity to exempt their child for any reason from participating in the walk-through lockdown drill; (iii) schools must provide alternative safety education and instruction related to an active threat or active shooter event to students who do not participate in a walk-through lockdown drill to provide them with essential information, training, and instruction through less sensorial safety training methods; (iv) during a drill, students must be allowed to ask questions related to the drill; and (v) law enforcement may choose to run an active shooter simulation, but only on school days when students are not present, and parental notification is not required if students are not required to be present. Corrects a typographical error.

Signed into law Aug 16, 2021 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor HB 292
Signed into law · Illinois House · Co-sponsor
DHFS-PERSONAL NEEDS ALLOWANCE

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to increase rates and reimbursements in effect on June 30, 2021 payable to Illinois not-for-profit community-based agencies in order to increase access utilization of individual and group supported employment, increase acuity-based rate differentials in on-site and off-site community day services, and other matters. Provides that beginning January 1, 2022, for a medical assistance recipient who is a resident in a facility licensed under the Community-Integrated Living Arrangements (CILA) Licensure and Certification Act, the State shall pay an amount in addition to the minimum monthly personal needs allowance authorized under the Social Security Act so that the person's total monthly personal needs allowance from both State and federal sources equals $90. Provides that beginning no later than October 1, 2022, residents of CILA facilities who are eligible for medical assistance and are enrolled in the State's home and community-based services waiver program for adults with developmental disabilities shall retain all earned income from employment or community day services activities. Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. In a provision requiring the State Use Committee to review the pricing of supplies and services procured by the State from a qualified not-for-profit agency for persons with significant disabilities, provides that the Committee may consider during its review certain factors including, but not limited to, amounts private businesses would pay for similar products or services. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 305 ILCS 5/5-5.4i 305 ILCS 5/5-35 Further amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Removes language stating that the purpose of the Code's provisions concerning not-for-profit agencies for persons with significant disabilities is to further the State's Employment First Policy via the Illinois Employment First Act by maximizing its investment in job opportunities that afford individuals with disabilities competitive wages and allow those individuals to achieve maximum independence through employment. Removes language requiring that supplies and services be procured without advertising or calling for bids from any qualified not-for-profit agency for persons with significant disabilities that pays at least minimum wage or better. Removes the amendatory changes made to the Illinois Public Aid Code concerning an increase in rates and reimbursements to not-for-profit community-based agencies and an increase in personal needs allowances for residents of Community-Integrated Living Arrangements. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that beginning July 1, 2021 (rather than October 1, 2022) residents of community-integrated living arrangements who meet specified criteria shall retain all earned income from employment or community day services activities.

Signed into law Aug 13, 2021 1 co-sponsor
Co-sponsor HB 156
Signed into law · Illinois House · Co-sponsor
EDUC-MENSTRUAL HYGIENE PRODUCT

Amends the School Code. Provides that a school district shall make menstrual (rather than feminine) hygiene products available, at no cost to students, in each bathroom of every school building (rather than in bathrooms of school buildings). Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Provides that menstrual hygiene products shall be made available in bathrooms of every school building that are open for student use in grades 4 through 12 during the regular school day (rather than in each bathroom of every school building). Fiscal Note, House Floor Amendment No. 2 (IL State Board of Education) HB 156 (H-AM 2) will not have a fiscal impact to the State Board of Education. State Mandates Fiscal Note, House Floor Amendment No. 2 (Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity) This bill does not create a State mandate.

Signed into law Aug 13, 2021 1 co-sponsor
Primary HB 12
Signed into law · Illinois House · Lead sponsor
EDUC-FAMILY LEAVE ELIGIBILITY

Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public schools, public universities, and public community colleges in Illinois. Provides that an employee of a school district, public university, or community college district who has been employed for at least 12 months and who has worked at least 1,000 hours in the previous 12-month period shall be eligible for family and medical leave under the same terms and conditions as leave provided to eligible employees under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993.

Signed into law Aug 10, 2021 0 co-sponsors
Primary SB 317
Signed into law · Illinois Senate · Lead sponsor
ILLINOIS PROMOTION-LOCAL GOVT

Amends Illinois Promotion Act. Adds park districts, forest preserve districts, and conservation districts to the list of units of local government, not-for-profit organizations, local promotion groups, and for-profit businesses that are eligible to receive certain tourism grants from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Defines terms. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 20 ILCS 665/5 20 ILCS 665/8 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with changes. Specifies that other units of local government (rather than park districts, forest preserve districts, and conservation districts) are added to the list of not-for-profit organizations, local promotion groups, and for-profit businesses that are eligible to receive certain tourism grants from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Removes provisions concerning marketing and private sector programs and allocation of appropriations. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Signed into law Aug 6, 2021 0 co-sponsors
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