Rep. Terra Costa Howard

Amends the General Assembly Operations Act. Provides that the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall not convene the House of Representatives in regular or perfunctory session after 4:00 p.m. on the day before Memorial Day or before 4:00 p.m. on Memorial Day. Provides that on a regular session day reasonably close to Memorial Day, the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall include in the business on the Daily Calendar for the House of Representatives for that session a remembrance ceremony for Memorial Day.

Amends the Department of Veterans' Affairs Act. Requires the Department of Veterans' Affairs to create a mental health pilot program to provide supportive services to active duty service members, veterans, and their families. Contains requirements for the pilot program. Requires the Department to provide follow-up interviews with families who participate in the pilot program to determine the effectiveness of services and classes offered under the pilot program. Provides that the Department may adopt any rules necessary to implement the pilot program.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for taxpayers who are caregivers of a veteran with a disability. Provides that the credit shall be in an amount equal to 5% of the costs incurred in caring for the veteran, not to exceed $1,000 in credits in any taxable year. Effective immediately.

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that in a proceeding for the prosecution of an offense of criminal sexual assault, predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, aggravated criminal sexual assault, criminal sexual abuse, or aggravated criminal sexual abuse the court on a motion by the prosecuting attorney, may order that the defendant question the victim through a court-appointed attorney if the defendant has waived his or her right to counsel and is representing himself or herself pro se, when the victim's testimony will describe an act or attempted act of sexual conduct, and the court finds that requiring the victim to be questioned directly by the defendant will cause the victim to suffer serious emotional or mental distress. Provides that the defendant shall be allowed to communicate with the court-appointed attorney.

Amends the Eviction Article of the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that, in counties that have a website that the staff of the county maintains, if the plaintiff is unable to obtain personal service on the defendant, the sheriff shall cause the notice of the eviction action to be posted on the website of the county where the cause is to be tried at least 10 days before the day set for the appearance.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, after January 1, 2020, no non-home rule unit within the counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, Madison, McHenry, St. Clair, and Will may enact or continue to enforce an ordinance for an automated traffic law enforcement system to enforce violations of intersection traffic control signals. Makes corresponding changes. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement from the State. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that the amendatory Act is operative on January 1, 2021 (instead of January 1, 2020).

Creates the Prescription Drug Affordability Act. Defines terms. Creates the Prescription Drug Affordability Board and includes provisions regarding: purpose; members; alternate members; conflict of interest; terms; additional staff; salary; compensation and reimbursement; and meetings. Creates the Prescription Drug Affordability Stakeholder Council and includes provisions regarding: purpose; members; knowledge requirements; terms; and compensation. Provides the manner in which a conflict of interest shall be disclosed. Provides that gifts or donations of services or property that indicate a potential conflict of interest may not be accepted by any member of the Board, Board staff, or third-party contractor. Includes provisions on applicability. Provides that the Board shall identify specified prescription drug products and determine whether each prescription drug product should be subject to a cost review. Provides that if the Board finds that spending on a prescription drug product creates affordability challenges, the Board shall establish an upper payment limit that applies to all purchases and payor reimbursements. Includes provisions regarding remedies and an appeal process. Creates the Prescription Drug Affordability Fund. Provides that the Board shall submit a report to the General Assembly including specified information. Includes a provision on term expiration for Board and Council members. Provides that the Board shall conduct a study of the operation of the generic drug market that includes specified information on or before June 1, 2020. Makes conforming changes in the State Finance Act. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 30 ILCS 105/5.891 new Adds reference to: 30 ILCS 105/5.930 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill creating the Prescription Drug Affordability Act, and makes changes. Modifies provisions concerning the membership and powers of the Prescription Drug Affordability Board. Modifies provisions concerning the membership of the Prescription Drug Affordability Stakeholder Council. Specifies requirements concerning drug cost affordability review. Provides additional duties power and duties for the Attorney General concerning remedies under the Act. Provides additional Board reporting requirements under the Act. Provides requirements concerning Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) plans and Medicare Part D plans. Provides findings provisions. Makes other changes. Effective January 1, 2021.

Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1987. Provides for the licensure of naturopathic physicians. Makes conforming changes in various other Acts. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Provides that sex education course material and instruction in grades 6 through 12 must include an age-appropriate discussion on sexting; defines "sexting". Provides that the discussion on sexting must include an exploration of: (i) the possible consequences of sexting, (ii) the identification of situations in which bullying or harassment result from sexting, (iii) the possible long-term consequences of sexting, (iv) the importance of using the Internet safely, (v) the identification of individuals in the school or community that may be contacted for assistance with issues, concerns, or problems, and (vi) the development of strategies for resisting peer pressure and for communicating in a positive manner. Effective immediately.

Creates the Wholesale Importation of Prescription Drugs Act. Requires the Department of Public Health to design an importation program where the State is the licensed wholesaler of imported drugs from licensed, regulated Canadian suppliers. Requires the program to address specified issues, including billing issues, cost savings issues, and safety and regulatory issues. Contains auditing and reporting requirements. Provides that the Department shall enlist the assistance of the Attorney General to identify the potential for anti-competitive behavior in industries that would be affected by an importation program. Requires the Department to submit a formal request to the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services for certification of the importation program. Requires the Department to have the program operational within 6 months after receiving the certification. Contains provisions concerning implementation requirements. Land Conveyance Appraisal Note (Dept. of Transportation) No land conveyances are included in this bill; therefore, there are no appraisals to be filed. Correctional Note (Dept of Corrections) There is no fiscal or population impact on the department. Pension Note (Government Forecasting & Accountability) HB 1441 creates the Wholesale Importation of Prescription Drugs Act in a way that does not impact any pension system. State Debt Impact Note (Government Forecasting & Accountability) This bill would not change the amount of authorization for any type of State-issued or State-supported bond, and, therefore, would not affect the level of State indebtedness. Balanced Budget Note (Office of Management and Budget) Please be advised that the Balanced Budget Note Act does not apply to House Bill 1441, as it is not a supplemental appropriation that increases or decreases appropriations. Under the Act, a balanced budget note must be prepared only for bills that change a general funds appropriation for the fiscal year in which the new bill is enacted. Judicial Note (Admin Office of the Illinois Courts) This legislation would neither increase nor decrease the number of judges needed in the State of Illinois. Housing Affordability Impact Note (Housing Development Authority) This bill will have no effect on the cost of constructing, purchasing, owning, or selling a single-family residence. State Mandates Fiscal Note (Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity) This bill does not create a State mandate. Home Rule Note (Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity) This bill does not pre-empt home rule authority.