Rep. Sandra M. Pihos

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Under the Medicaid program, authorizes the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to provide for the services of persons licensed as a clinical social worker in supplying medical assistance. Prohibits the Department's rules from requiring that services for a specific Medicaid recipient provided by a licensed clinical social worker be recommended by a physician. Effective immediately.

Amends the State and Regional Development Strategy Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Creates the Illinois Cool Cities Act. Provides that the Environmental Protection Agency shall provide technical assistance, if needed, to units of local government in the State that have endorsed the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. Provides that any unit of local government may request designation as an Illinois Cool City if the unit of local government has (i) endorsed the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement and (ii) prepared and approved a plan to achieve a 7% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by the year 2012. Provides for designation of Illinois Cool Cities upon certain findings by the Director of the Environmental Protection Agency. Effective immediately.

Amends the Secretary of State Act. Makes a technical change in a Section regarding the oath of office.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Prohibits the installation of thermostats containing mercury in new construction beginning July 1, 2008. Prohibits the installation or sale of thermostats that contain mercury beginning July 1, 2010. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2008, thermostats that contain mercury must not be disposed of in a landfill or incinerated. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Dental Practice Act. Provides that "dental service", as the term relates to those services performed by a dental assistant under the supervision and full responsibility of a dentist and therefore exempt from the operation of the Act, does not include the administration of anesthetics, except for (A) the application of topical anesthetics and (B) the monitoring of nitrous oxide, conscious sedation, deep sedation, and general anesthesia (now, except for the application of topical anesthetics and monitoring of nitrous oxide), each of which may be performed after successful completion of a training program approved by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Provides that it is unlawful for any dentist licensed under the Act to use the term "sedation dentistry" or similar terms in advertising unless the advertising dentist holds a valid and current permit issued by the Department to administer either general anesthesia or conscious sedation. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code and the Health Maintenance Organization Act. Requires coverage for a mammogram at the age and intervals considered medically necessary by the woman's health care provider for women under 40 years of age and having a family history of breast cancer, prior personal history of breast cancer, positive genetic testing, or other risk factors (now, only for women under 40 years of age and having a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors). Also requires coverage for a comprehensive ultrasound screening of an entire breast or breasts if a mammogram demonstrates heterogeneous or dense breast tissue based on the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System established by the American College of Radiology or if the woman is believed to be at increased risk for breast cancer due to family history or prior personal history of breast cancer, positive genetic testing, or other indications as determined by a woman's health care provider. Effective immediately.

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that when a child who is eligible for special education reaches the majority age of 18 years, rights accorded to the child's parents transfer to the child. Provides that rights shall not transfer from the parents to the child if the child has been determined to be incompetent under State law or the child has not been determined to be incompetent, but does not have the ability to provide informed consent with respect to the child's educational program. Requires the State Board of Education to adopt rules establishing criteria for school districts to determine if a child lacks the ability to provide informed consent and uniform procedures for allowing the parents of the child, another adult caregiver, or another responsible adult to exercise rights on behalf of the child. Effective immediately.

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Adds school counselor and school counselor intern to the list of professions included in the definition of "professional worker". Effective immediately.

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that, in the development of the individualized education program for a student who has a disability on the autism spectrum, the IEP team shall consider and shall specifically address certain factors. Provides that consideration of these factors shall result in the clarification of a school district's responsibility to deliver appropriate educational services for children with disabilities on the autism spectrum, but shall not be construed to require or mandate any specific services. Effective January 1, 2008.