Amends the School Code. Provides that each school district must create, implement, and maintain an age-appropriate policy on race-related harassment and discrimination. In provisions concerning bullying prevention, provides that the required policy on bullying shall also include age-appropriate information about the definitions of harassment and sexual harassment, the procedures for reporting harassment, and the protections and relief available under Illinois Human Rights Act. Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that harassment by an elementary, secondary, or higher education representative or the failure of an institution of elementary, secondary, or higher education to take remedial action or appropriate disciplinary action against a student or an elementary, secondary, or higher education representative employed by the institution (if the institution knows that the student or representative committed or engaged in harassment) is a civil rights violation. Provides that each institution of elementary, secondary, or higher education shall establish, implement, and maintain a continuing race-related discrimination and harassment program. Sets forth requirements concerning policies and procedures, a model training program, and reporting. Makes other changes. Effective August 1, 2024.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Act. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, moneys in the Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development Fund may not be appropriated, assigned, or transferred to another State fund. Effective immediately.
Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that, by January 1, 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency shall propose and, within one year after receipt of the Agency's proposal, the Board shall adopt: (1) amendments to the Board's primary drinking water standards that will repeal the prohibition on the use of recycled sewage treatment plant effluent under the Illinois Administrative Code and that will make any other revisions to those rules that are necessary to facilitate water reuse in the State; and (2) rules establishing programs for both direct potable and nonpotable reuse of treated wastewater, including rules establishing permitting standards and a permit application process. Effective immediately.
Amends the Right of Publicity Act. Grants additional enforcement rights and remedies to recording artists. Provides for the liability of any person who materially contributes to, induces, or otherwise facilitates a violation of a specified provision of the Act by another party after having reason to know that the other party is in violation. Defines "artificial intelligence" and "generative artificial intelligence". Changes the definition of "commercial purpose" and "identity".
Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, every public high school shall require a unit of instruction addressing climate change in either a required science class or a required social studies class. Sets forth what the unit of instruction shall include. Provides that the State Superintendent of Education, in consultation with the Director of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency or the Director's designee, shall prepare and make available to school boards instructional materials and professional development training for educators that may be used as guidelines for development of the instruction. Provides that, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, every public high school shall include instruction on climate change and the impacts and causes of climate change in grades 9 through 12 in specified courses. Provides that the State Board of Education shall convene a working group of students, educators, and experts in the area of climate change. Sets forth the membership of the working group. Sets forth tasks for the working group concerning State learning standards. Provides that the State Superintendent of Education shall prepare and make available to school boards instructional materials and professional development training for educators that may be used as guidelines for development of the instruction. Effective immediately.
Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that every youth in care must have a Haircare Plan included in their case plan unless the youth explicitly indicates to the youth's caseworker that a Haircare Plan is not needed due to the youth's ability to maintain haircare without assistance. Provides that a caseworker or placement plan specialist must develop the Haircare Plan in consultation with the youth and parents. Provides that at a minimum, the Haircare Plan must address: (1) necessary haircare steps to be taken to preserve the youth's desired connection to their race, culture, gender, religion, and identity; (2) the desires of the youth as it pertains to the youth's hair; (3) the guidance and desires of the youth's parents, unless the parents cannot be contacted; and (4) steps to be taken specific to the youth's hair during emergency situations, including, but not limited to, lice infestations and scalp rashes and infections. Provides that by June 1, 2025, the Department of Children and Family Services must develop training for caregivers on how to provide culturally competent haircare. Provides that each time a youth is placed with a caregiver, the caregiver must sign a declaration stating that the caregiver has reviewed the training materials and will follow the Haircare Plan for the youth. Requires each Department office location to provide a list of affordable, accessible, and culturally competent haircare providers and resources in each of the Department's geographic regions. Requires the Department to adopt rules, by June 1, 2025, to facilitate the implementation of Haircare Plans.
Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Sets forth requirements for any State entity or hospital that receives funding from the National Institutes of Health to conduct clinical trials of drugs or medical devices. Provides that the Department of Public Health, in consultation with relevant research organizations, shall analyze and provide recommendations on: (i) the demographic groups and populations that are currently represented and underrepresented in clinical trials in the State, including representation of groups based on their geographic location; (ii) the barriers that prevent persons who are members of underrepresented demographic groups from participating in clinical trials in the State, including barriers related to transportation; and (iii) approaches for how clinical trials can successfully partner with others to provide outreach to underrepresented communities. Provides that the Department shall report to the General Assembly on the results of the study by July 1, 2025. Sets forth definitions of underrepresented community and underrepresented demographic group. Provides that the Department shall review guidance published by the United States Food and Drug Administration and use existing infrastructure to encourage participation in clinical trials of drugs and medical devices by persons who are members of underrepresented demographic groups. Authorizes the Department to apply for any grants related to the encouragement of underrepresented demographic groups related to the United Food and Drug Administration's guidance.
Maddy summaryThis bill, known as HEALTH-TECH, establishes a framework for implementing universal mental health screenings for students in Illinois public schools from kindergarten through grade 12. It requires the State Board of Education to submit a report with implementation recommendations by December 2023 and to release a strategy for measuring district readiness by October 2024, with a final plan due by April 2025. Additionally, the legislation repeals the previous Wellness Checks in Schools Program Act and strengthens protections for Medicaid enrollees by ensuring managed care organizations cover emergency services without requiring prior approval and by setting specific rules for post-stabilization care payments.
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Defines terms. Provides that a group policy of accident and health insurance that provides coverage for hospital or medical treatment or services for illness on an expense-incurred basis and that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed after January 1, 2025 shall provide coverage, without imposing any cost-sharing requirement, for clinical genetic testing for an inherited gene mutation for individuals with a personal or family history of cancer that is recommended by a health care professional; and evidence-based cancer imaging for individuals with an increased risk of cancer as recommended by National Comprehensive Cancer Network clinical practice guidelines. Provides that the requirements do not apply to coverage of genetic testing or evidence-based cancer imaging 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.
Creates the Water Plan Task Force Act. Establishes the State Water Plan Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall be chaired by the Director of the Office of Water Resources of the Department of Natural Resources and composed of the directors, or their designee, from various other State entities. Requires the Task Force to identify critical water issues, to develop and implement recommendations that address the critical water issues, and to reevaluate critical water issues and needs. Requires the Task Force to publish a State Water Plan not less than every 10 years. Provides that the Task Force shall develop and maintain a publicly available website or portal that summarizes projects of the Task Force. Requires the Task Force to meet not less than once per quarter each calendar year. Enumerates the authority granted to the Task Force.