Rep. Lee A. Daniels

Amends the Workers' Compensation Act. Makes a technical change to a Section concerning self-insurance.

Creates the Legislative and Congressional Redistricting Act. Requires that in each year ending in one, the Legislative Research Unit prepare one or more bills for introduction in the General Assembly that embody legislative and congressional redistricting plans. Specifies the standards for the plans. Requires appointment by the legislative leaders of a temporary commission to advise the Legislative Research Unit and report to the General Assembly upon public hearings it conducts on the initial legislation.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that effective January 1, 2006, Medicaid rates for nursing homes and other community providers serving the developmentally disabled or mentally ill licensed by the Department of Public Health shall be increased by the difference between (i) a facility's per diem property, liability, and malpractice insurance costs as reported in the cost report filed with the Department of Public Aid and used to establish rates effective July 1, 2001 and (ii) those same costs as reported in the facility's 2002 cost report. Requires that these costs be passed through to facilities licensed by the Department under the Nursing Home Care Act as skilled nursing facilities or intermediate care facilities or other Department-licensed community providers serving the developmentally disabled or mentally ill without caps or limitations, except for adjustments required under normal auditing procedures. Effective January 1, 2006.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall extend traditional services under the Medicaid program to individuals with autism. Provides that these services shall include, but need not be limited to, applied behavioral therapy, speech services, and other necessary healthcare services. Effective immediately.

Creates the Olmstead Readiness Act. Requires the Department of Human Services (DHS) to conduct an assessment of individuals with disabilities to determine whether they have an interest in moving and are appropriate to move out of their current setting to the most integrated setting. Defines "most integrated setting" as a setting that enables a person with a disability to interact with non-disabled persons to the fullest extent possible and that is appropriate to meet the needs of the person with a disability. Requires DHS to maintain a viable network of home and community based providers to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities in the most integrated setting. Provides that discharge plans to most integrated settings must include provisions for an individual's return to a more intensive level of support or service when the individual's health or personal safety requires it or when the individual's treatment plan suggests a need for crisis or emergency intervention or long-term supports and services. Requires DHS to make a report by December 1, 2007. Provides that before full implementation of the Act, DHS must review all applicable rules and regulations governing staffing requirements for maintaining levels of quality supports and services by January 31, 2008 and make a report by April 15, 2008.

Appropriates $15,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services to cover the cost of new community-integrated living arrangement (CILA) placements in State fiscal year 2006. Effective immediately.

Creates the Higher Education Mandate Waiver Act. Allows an institution of higher education to petition the Board of Higher Education for the waiver or modification of mandates contained in State law or administrative rules adopted by the Board of Higher Education if certain conditions are met. Provides for a hearing on the petition, petition requirements, an approval process, and General Assembly input. Provides that if a petition is approved, the waiver or modification is valid for up to 10 years and may be renewed.

Amends the State Prompt Payment Act. Defines "qualified provider" as certain organizations that provide non-residential services for the elderly, mentally ill, or developmentally disabled, with certain exceptions. Provides that a bill or invoice for goods or services furnished to the State submitted by a qualified provider and grant award payments to a qualified provider must be given priority in processing and that a voucher for payment submitted by an official or agency to the Comptroller for payment must be given priority in payment. Provides that the processing and payment of (i) debt service obligations of the State and (ii) payroll obligations of the State shall have priority over the processing and payment of items as required by these provisions. Effective immediately.

Creates the MR/DD Community Care Act and amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Provides that all intermediate care facilities for the developmentally disabled and long-term care for under age 22 facilities shall be licensed by the Department of Public Health under the MR/DD Community Care Act instead of under the Nursing Home Care Act. Makes the provisions in the MR/DD Community Care Act substantially the same as those in the Nursing Home Care Act, including provisions for the rights of residents and responsibilities of facilities, licensing, violations and penalties, and transfer or discharge of residents. Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging, the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act, the Illinois Income Tax Act, the Nursing Home Administrators Licensing and Disciplinary Act, the Illinois Public Aid Code, the Nursing Home Grant Assistance Act, and the Unified Code of Corrections to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to apply for a waiver from the United States Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to allow payment for in-home and community-based treatment, therapies, training including parent training, and other necessary aids and services for children up to the age of 21 who are diagnosed with a developmental disability or autism spectrum disorder, including those children whose families would not otherwise qualify for Medicaid due to family income or assets. Effective immediately.