Rep. Patricia R. Bellock

Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Creates the Domestic Violence Healthcare Response Training Pilot Project Program. Subject to appropriation, requires the Department to fund at least 3 community pilot projects for the advocacy of and training in the healthcare needs of domestic violence victims. Community healthcare organizations may make proposals. Requires the Department to adopt rules to implement the program. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Domestic Violence Healthcare Response Training Fund. Effective immediately.

Amends the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the Department of Public Aid.

Amends provisions of the Public Safety Employee Benefits Act requiring an employer that employs a full-time law enforcement, correctional or correctional probation officer or firefighter who suffers a catastrophic injury or is killed in the line of duty to pay the health insurance premium for the injured employee and his or her spouse and dependent children. Defines "catastrophic injury" as a permanent grievous or serious injury or impairment of a nature that is sufficient to preclude subsequent employment or re-employment, and excludes from the definition: conditions that are temporary or short-term in nature; common injuries; or injuries the effects of which may be mitigated by work-related rehabilitative or vocational training. Provides that an employer-selected physician's determination as to the seriousness and permanency of an employee's injury may be appealed to the employer's governing body and the final administrative decision of a governing body is subject to judicial review under the Administrative Review Law.

Creates the Payday Loan Act. Contains only a short title provision.

Amends provisions of the Illinois Human Rights Act prohibiting sexual harassment in higher education so that they also apply to sexual harassment in elementary schools and high schools. Effective immediately.

Amends the Building and Construction Contract Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the application of laws of another state to building and construction contracts.

Amends the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education, in coordination with the Illinois Board of Higher Education, shall implement a Giant Steps Autism Center for Excellence program for the study and evaluation of autism and to provide related teacher training and other services. The program shall be operated over a period of 3 school years, beginning with the 2004-2005 school year. The State Board of Education is authorized to make grants to school districts that apply to participate in the Giant Steps Autism Center for Excellence program. The State Board of Education shall by rule provide the form of application and criteria to be used and applied in selecting participating school districts. Effective immediately.

Amends the Cannabis Control Act. Creates the offense of illegal transmission of cannabis information by the Internet. Provides that it is a Class A misdemeanor to transmit information about cannabis by the Internet to a specific individual with the intent that the information will be used by that individual in furtherance of illegal activity. Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Creates the offense of illegal transmission of controlled substance information by the Internet. Provides that it is a Class A misdemeanor to transmit information by the Internet about a controlled substance to a specific individual with the intent that the information will be used by that individual in furtherance of illegal activity. Exempts a library that provides Internet access and is unaware of the transmission made by the library patron who uses a library computer to access the Internet.

Amends the Health Maintenance Organization Act. Makes technical changes in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Children's Health Insurance Program Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the legislative intent of the Act.