Rep. Jenn Ladisch-Douglass

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education shall establish a content area test for applicants seeking a State license to teach in any of grades kindergarten through 8. Provides that the test shall include foundational teaching skills and methods that are developmentally and educationally appropriate for students in grades kindergarten through 8. Provides that, in addition to this test, the State Board of Education shall establish specialty content area tests in mathematics, music, and science that are optional for applicants seeking an endorsement in mathematics, music, or science.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as Sami's Law, requires state-owned buildings and interstate rest stops to install private, enclosed changing stations with height-adjustable tables for adults. The law defines these stations as facilities equipped with safety rails, belts, and specific size and weight capacity standards to accommodate various needs. Owners and operators of these buildings must maintain at least one such station and provide clear signage and directory listings to help the public locate them. The changes take effect on January 1, 2025, ensuring that these accessible amenities are available in public spaces across the state.

Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971. Requires the State Employees Group Insurance Program to provide coverage for all FDA-approved treatments or medications prescribed to slow the progression of Alzheimer's Disease or another related dementia, as determined by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches. Provides that diagnostic testing necessary for a physician to determine the appropriate use of treatments or medications shall be covered by the State Employees Group Insurance Program.

Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that, if a municipality or county, including a home rule municipality or county, is a self-insurer for purposes of providing health insurance coverage for its employees, the insurance coverage shall include mental health counseling for any employee who is a first responder, including police and corrections officers, deputy sheriffs, firefighters, or emergency medical services personnel, without imposing a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or any other cost-sharing requirement on the coverage provided. Specifies that this requirement does not apply to the extent such coverage would disqualify a high-deductible health plan from eligibility for a health savings account pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code. Limits home rule powers by providing that the requirement that mental health counseling be included in health insurance coverage is an exclusive power and function of the State.

Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Deletes, from a provision concerning breast cancer-related educational materials that are to be prepared by the Department of Public Health, language recommending clinical breast exams as a method for detecting breast cancer. Amends the Radiation Protect Act of 1990. Requires mammography patients to receive the educational materials developed by the Department of Public Health. Effective immediately.

Maddy summaryHB 305 is a technical amendment to the Private Business and Vocational Schools Act of 2012 that updates the short title of a specific section within the law. This change does not alter the actual rules or requirements for private business and vocational schools but serves to correct the official name used in the statute. The bill affects the administrative record-keeping and legal references related to these schools by ensuring the title is accurate. Once signed into law, it clarifies the document's nomenclature without changing how the schools operate or are regulated.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or managed care plan amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2024 shall provide coverage for a colonoscopy determined to be medically necessary for persons aged 39 years old to 75 years old.

Creates the Summary of Rights for Safer Homes Act. Requires the Department of Human Rights to create a summary form advising tenants who have suffered domestic violence or sexual violence of the rights that they have under Illinois law that provide protection in their ability to have safe housing. Requires landlords to attach a copy of the summary as the first page of any written residential lease entered into with a tenant.

Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. In provisions concerning deceptive practices targeting veterans and military members, changes the definition of "veteran or military benefits services" to any services offered or provided to a veteran, military member, or family member who is entitled to receive benefits under federal, State, or local law, policy, or practice as a result of, at least in part, qualifying military service. Adds a veterans services disclosure to be made by any person providing veteran or military benefits services. Makes it an unlawful practice for any person providing veteran or military benefits services to fail at the outset of the business relationship to clearly provide, both orally and in writing, veterans services disclosures when veteran or military benefits services are provided in exchange for any financial compensation, benefit, or thing of value. Makes other changes.

Amends the Statute on Statutes. Provides that whenever there is a reference in any Act to "armed forces", "armed forces of the United States", "U.S. Armed Forces", "United States Armed Forces", or "uniformed services", these terms shall be construed to include the United States Space Force. Amends the Flag Display Act, the Secretary of State Merit Employment Code, the Veterans Preference Act, the Veterans Burial Places Act, and various other Acts. In all occurrences of the definition for "armed forces of the United States" and "member of the Armed Services or Reserve Forces of the United States" expands the list of armed forces branches to include the Space Force. Makes conforming changes in the definition of "veteran" under the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law, in the definition of "military service" under the Illinois Pension Code, and in a provision under the Veterans Burial Places Act that lists the various military branches that make up the Reserve Officers Training Corps. Makes other conforming changes.