Creates the Pembroke Township Natural Gas Investment Pilot Program Act. Directs the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to create a pilot program for the distribution of grants for the construction of new natural gas pipelines and infrastructure in Pembroke Township. Requires applicants for grants to demonstrate that the grants will result in the construction of a new natural gas pipeline to provide natural gas to the residents of the township. Provides that the Department shall report annually to the Governor and General Assembly beginning in 2022 regarding cost estimates for the Pilot Program, recommendations for improvement to the Pilot Program, and a recommendation as to whether the Pilot Program should be continued. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Pembroke Township Natural Gas Investment Pilot Program Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that a gas public utility may apply for a certificate of public convenience and necessity to increase its gas service territory and extend its gas distribution system to serve a designated hardship area. Provides that the Illinois Commerce Commission shall, after notice and hearing, grant a certificate of public convenience and necessity if, based upon the application filed with the Commission and the evidentiary record, the Commission finds that specified criteria are satisfied. Makes other changes. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes: Replaces provisions concerning the Pembroke Township Natural Gas Investment Pilot Program with language providing that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall create the Pembroke Township Natural Gas Investment Pilot Program for a duration of 5 years. Provides that the Department shall distribute grants, subject to appropriation, from moneys in the Pembroke Township Natural Gas Investment Fund for the conversion of appliances to be compatible with natural gas. Provides that the Department shall adopt rules for the administration of the Program. Provides that, at a minimum, the rules shall require that the applicant for the grants demonstrate that the grants will result in the conversion of necessary equipment to have the ability to utilize natural gas. Provides that the rules shall allow for conversion grants awarded to residents of Pembroke Township and to Pembroke Township to provide assistance for the use of natural gas and shall ensure that the applicant complies with all other requirements of the rules. In provisions amending the Public Utilities Act, makes changes concerning what a gas public utility applying for a certificate of public convenience and necessity shall include in the application and the criteria the Illinois Commerce Commission shall consider in granting the certificate. Effective immediately.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act. Extends the repeal date of the Pharmacy Practice Act from January 1, 2023 to January 1, 2030. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 5 ILCS 80/4.33 5 ILCS 80/4.40 Adds reference to: 225 ILCS 85/9.5 225 ILCS 85/17.1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Pharmacy Practice Act. Provides that beginning January 1, 2024 (rather than January 1, 2022), it shall be the joint responsibility of a pharmacy and its pharmacist in charge to ensure that all new pharmacy technicians are educated and trained using a standard nationally accredited education and training program. Makes a corresponding change in provisions concerning the qualifications for licensure of a registered certified pharmacy technician. Effective immediately.
Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall require each long-term care facility in the State, as a condition of facility licensure, to adopt and implement written policies, provide for the availability of technology to facility residents, and ensure that appropriate staff and other capabilities are in place to prevent the social isolation of facility residents. Contains specified requirements for the social isolation prevention policies. Provides that the Department shall distribute civil monetary penalty funds, as approved by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and any other available federal and State funds, upon request, to facilities for communicative technologies and accessories needed for the purposes of the provisions. Provides that whenever the Department conducts an inspection of a long-term care facility, the Department's inspector shall determine whether the long-term facility is in compliance with the provisions and the policies, protocols, and procedures adopted pursuant to the provisions. Requires the Department to adopt rules necessary to implement the provisions within 60 days after the amendatory Act's effective date (and makes conforming changes in the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act). Contains other provisions. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Removes language providing that the Department of Public Health shall require each long-term care facility in the State to perform specified actions as a condition of facility licensure. Provides that the social isolation prevention policies shall not be interpreted as a substitute for in person visitation, but shall be wholly in addition to the existing in person visitation policies. Provides that a resident's individualized visitation plan shall give priority to the resident's preferences over the preferences of the resident's representative. Provides that a long-term care facility may apply for (rather than the Department shall distribute) civil monetary penalty fund grants, and may request other available federal and State funds to obtain assistive and supportive technologies and related accessories that would facilitate communication between residents and other family members, friends, and external support systems. Provides that the Department (rather than the Department's inspector) shall determine whether a long-term care facility is in compliance with the provisions whenever the Department conducts an annual licensure and certification survey, when a complaint is received, or as frequently as may be necessary (rather than whenever the Department conducts an inspection of a long-term care facility). Provides that a noncompliant long-term care facility shall be liable to pay an administrative penalty as a Type "C" violation. Provides that implementation of an administrative penalty as a Type "C" violation under the provisions shall not be imposed prior to January 1, 2023. Makes other changes. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 In provisions amending the Nursing Home Care Act, provides that the social isolation prevention policies adopted by each long-term care facility shall be consistent with the rights and privileges guaranteed to residents and constraints provided under specified provisions of the Nursing Home Care Act. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes. Adds provisions regarding legislative findings. Replaces references to specified types of equipment with references to assistive and supportive technology and devices. Requires appropriate staff to develop and update an individualized virtual visitation schedule while taking into account the individual's requests and preferences (rather than to assess and regularly reassess the individual needs and preferences of facility residents). Requires appropriate staff to develop an individualized virtual visitation schedule (rather than an individualized visitation plan) with specified requirements. Provides that specific protocols and procedures shall be developed to ensure that the quantity of assistive and supportive technology and devices maintained on-site at a facility remains sufficient, at all times, to meet the assessed social and activity needs and preferences of each facility resident. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that every insurer that amends, delivers, issues, or renews a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or a qualified health plan offered through the health insurance marketplace in the State and Medicaid managed care organizations providing coverage for hospital or medical treatment shall provide coverage for medically necessary treatment of mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorders or conditions. Provides that an insurer shall not limit benefits or coverage for medically necessary services on the basis that those services should be or could be covered by a public program. Provides that an insurer shall base any medical necessity determination or the utilization review criteria on current generally accepted standards of mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorder or condition care. Provides that in conducting utilization review of covered health care services and benefits for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of mental, emotional, and nervous disorders or conditions in children, adolescents, and adults, an insurer shall exclusively apply the criteria and guidelines set forth in the most recent versions of the treatment criteria developed by the nonprofit professional association for the relevant clinical specialty. Provides that an insurer shall not apply different, additional, conflicting, or more restrictive utilization review criteria than the criteria and guidelines set forth in the treatment criteria. Provides that the Director may, after appropriate notice and opportunity for hearing, assess a civil penalty between $5,000 and $20,000 for each violation. Amends the Health Carrier External Review Act. Provides that the independent review organization shall comply with specified requirements for an adverse determination or final adverse determination involving mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorders or conditions. Makes other changes. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 1 In provisions concerning mental and emotional disorders, provides that an insurer shall not set a specific limit on the duration of benefits or coverage of medically necessary treatment of mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorders or conditions or limit coverage only to alleviation of the insured's current symptoms. Provides that nothing shall require the insurer to cover a treatment when the authorization was granted based on a material misrepresentation by the insured, the policyholder, or the provider. Provides that an insurer may apply specified utilization review criteria to health care services and benefits for mental, emotional, and nervous disorders or conditions that are outside the scope of specified criteria and guidelines or relate to advancements in technology or types of care that are not covered in the most recent versions of specified sources. Provides that if the Director of Insurance determines that an insurer has violated the provisions, the Director may assess a civil penalty between $1,000 and $5,000 for each violation (rather than between $5,000 and $20,000). Removes language that provides that changes in terminology, organization, or classification of mental, emotional, nervous, substance use disorder or condition in future versions of specified publications shall not affect the conditions covered by provisions concerning mental and emotional disorders as long as a condition is commonly understood to be a mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorder or condition by health care providers practicing in relevant clinical specialties. Removes language that provides that an insurer shall not limit benefits or coverage for mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorders or conditions to short-term or acute treatment at any level of placement. Makes other changes. Changes the effective date to January 1, 2022 (rather than an immediate effective date). Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 215 ILCS 5/370c.1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes. Provides that every insurer that amends, delivers, issues, or renews a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or a qualified health plan offered through the health insurance marketplace in the State and Medicaid managed care organizations providing coverage for hospital or medical treatment shall provide coverage for medically necessary treatment of mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorders or conditions on or after January 1, 2023 (rather than January 1, 2022). Provides that an insurer or Medicaid managed care organization shall not be required to pay for services if the individual was not the insurer's enrollee or eligible for Medicaid at the time the service was rendered. Provides that an insurer shall not be required to cover benefits that have been authorized and provided for a covered person by a public entitlement program. Provides that for medical necessity determinations (rather than in conducting utilization review of covered health care services and benefits) relating to level of care placement, continued stay, and transfer or discharge of insureds diagnosed with mental, emotional, and nervous disorders or conditions, insurers and Medicaid managed care organizations shall apply specified patient placement criteria. Makes various changes to provisions concerning requirements for insurers regarding education of the insurer's staff and other stakeholders, publishing of utilization review criteria, and documentation of interrater reliability testing and remediation actions. Further amends the Illinois Insurance Code. In provisions concerning mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorder or condition parity, provides that not later than January 1 (rather than August 1) of each year, the Department of Insurance shall issue a joint report to the General Assembly and provide an educational presentation to the General Assembly. Removes language that provides that insurers shall base the duration of treatment on the insured's individual needs; that an insurer shall only engage applicable qualified providers in the treatment of mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorders or conditions or the appropriate subspecialty and who possess an active professional license or certificate to review, approve, or deny services; and that every insurer shall sponsor a formal education program by nonprofit clinical specialty associations. Makes other changes. Effective January 1, 2022, except that specified provisions take effect immediately.
Amends the Fire Protection District Act. Provides that, before a fire protection district may close a fire station or dissolve the district, a response-time study must be conducted that shows, at a minimum, estimated response times to the territory currently served by the fire station or district and estimated response times to that territory after closure of the fire station or district. Requires a response-time study before any territory may be involuntarily disconnected or consolidated with another fire protection district or municipal fire department.
Amends the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986. Provides that the Supreme Court may implement a program to issue a Hope Card to the petitioner of a plenary order of protection for the petitioner to distribute to any individual who may need to be aware of the order. Adds provisions concerning the design and details of a Hope Card. Provides that a Hope Card shall have the same effect as the underlying plenary order of protection. Provides that the program may provide for the issuance of a temporary Hope Card at the time of the entry of the plenary order of protection. Provides that the first Hope Card shall be free, and the Supreme Court may establish a fee for any additional Hope Card, not to exceed $7 per Hope Card. Makes a corresponding change. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that the Supreme Court shall (rather than may) implement a program to issue a Hope Card to the petitioner of a plenary order of protection. Provides that 3 three Hope Cards per protected party (rather than the first Hope Card) issued shall be free. Allows the Supreme Court to establish a fee for any additional Hope Card, not to exceed $5 (rather than $7) per Hope Card. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the contents of the introduced bill and House Amendment No. 1, but provides that the Supreme Court may (rather than shall) implement a program to issue a Hope Card to the petitioner of a plenary order of protection.
Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that a violation of the federal Eliminating Kickbacks in Recovery Act of 2018 constitutes a violation of the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends a provision of the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act concerning the deceptive marketing, advertising, and sale of mental health disorder and substance use disorder treatment. Provides that it is an unlawful practice for any person to solicit, offer, or enter into an arrangement under which a patient seeking mental health disorder or substance use disorder treatment is referred to a mental health disorder or substance use disorder treatment program or facility in exchange for a fee or any other remuneration. Provides that it is not an unlawful practice for programs and facilities to enter into personal services agreements or management services agreements with third parties that do not take into account the volume or value of referrals. Provides that it is not an unlawful practice for programs or facilities to provide discounts for treatment services to clients as long as the discount is based on financial necessity in accordance with the program's or facility's charity care plan, regardless of referral source or reason. Provides that compensation paid by programs or facilities to their employees and independent contractors related to identifying, locating, and securing referrals to that program or facility is not an unlawful practice if the amount of compensation provided to the employee or independent contractor does not vary based upon the volume or value of such referrals. Effective immediately.
Amends the Alternative Health Care Delivery Act. In provisions regarding demonstration program requirements, requires there to be 6 (rather than 4) birth center alternative health care models in the demonstration program located in the area comprising Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties, 2 (rather than one) of which shall be owned or operated by a federally qualified health center. Provides that one birth center alternative health care model in the demonstration program shall be located within Planning Area A-3 to address the disparate perinatal and child health outcomes in Planning Area A-3. Provides that birth centers located in Planning Area A-3 or operated by a federally qualified health center are exempt from the requirements of the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act or successor Acts. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Provides that there shall be no more than 17 (rather than 12) birth center alternative health care models in the demonstration program. Provides that: 10 (rather than 6) birth center alternative health care models shall be located in the area comprising Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties; 2 birth center alternative health care models shall be located in Planning Area A-2; 2 birth center alternative health care models shall be located in Planning Area A-4; and one birth center alternative health care model shall be located in the City of East St. Louis in Planning Area F-1. Removes language providing that a birth center located in Planning Area A-3 or operated by a federally qualified health center is exempt from the requirements of the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act or successor Acts.
Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Provides that the Department of Human Services when a recipient of services under this Code, whether admitted on a voluntary or involuntary basis, is being discharged from an inpatient facility, shall provide the recipient and the recipient's conservator, guardian, or other legally authorized representative a written aftercare plan prior to the recipient's discharge from the facility. Provides that the written aftercare plan shall include, to the extent known, all of the following components: (1) the nature of the illness and followup required; (2) medications including side effects and dosage schedules; (3) if the recipient was given an informed consent form with his or her medications, the form shall satisfy the requirement for information on side effects of the medications; 4) expected course of recovery; (5) recommendations regarding treatment that is relevant to the recipient's care; (6) referrals to providers of medical and mental health services; and (7) other relevant information. Provides that the recipient shall be advised by facility personnel that he or she may designate another person to receive a copy of the aftercare plan.
Amends the School Code and the Mental Health Early Action on Campus Act. Provides that if a school district issues an identification card to pupils in any of grades 7 through 12, the district shall provide contact information for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the Crisis Text Line, and a local suicide prevention hotline on the identification card. Provides that if a public college or university issues an identification card to students, the public college or university must provide on the identification card (i) contact information for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the Crisis Text Line, and a local suicide prevention hotline and (ii) the campus police or campus security telephone number or a local nonemergency telephone number. Effective July 1, 2022. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 105 ILCS 5/10-20.73 new 105 ILCS 5/27A-5 110 ILCS 58/25 Adds reference to: 105 ILCS 5/10-20.75 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Beyond Charity Law. Amends the School Code. Provides that each school district that serves pupils in any of grades 6 through 12 and that issues an identification card to pupils in any of grades 6 through 12 shall provide contact information for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988), the Crisis Text Line, and either the Safe2Help Illinois helpline or a local suicide prevention hotline or both on the identification card. Requires the contact information to identify each helpline that may be contacted through text messaging. Provides that the contact information shall also be included in the school's student handbook and student planner if a student planner is custom printed by the school for distribution to students in any of grades 6 through 12. Effective July 1, 2022. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 105 ILCS 5/10-20.73 new 105 ILCS 5/27A-5 Adds reference to: 105 ILCS 5/10-20.75 new 110 ILCS 58/25 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Beyond Charity Law. Amends the School Code. Provides that each school district that serves pupils in any of grades 6 through 12 and that issues an identification card to pupils in any of grades 6 through 12 shall provide contact information for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988), the Crisis Text Line, and either the Safe2Help Illinois helpline or a local suicide prevention hotline or both on the identification card. Amends the Mental Health Early Action on Campus Act. Provides that if a public higher education institution issues student identification cards to its students, the institution must provide contact information for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (988), the Crisis Text Line, and a local suicide prevention hotline on the identification card. Requires the contact information on the school's or institution's card to identify each helpline that may be contacted through text messaging. Provides that the contact information shall also be included in the student handbook and student planner if a student planner is custom printed by the school or institution. Effective July 1, 2022.