Rep. Barbara Hernandez

Amends the Illinois Notary Public Act. Provides that every applicant for appointment and commission as a notary shall complete an application in a format prescribed by the Secretary of State stating, among other things, that the applicant has not been convicted of a felony within the 10 years immediately preceding the date of application (now, the applicant must state that the applicant has not been convicted of a felony).

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2028 that provides coverage for: habilitative services shall provide coverage for habilitative speech therapy as a treatment for stuttering, regardless of whether the stuttering is classified as developmental; rehabilitative services shall provide coverage for rehabilitative speech therapy as a treatment for stuttering; or both habilitative services and rehabilitative services shall provide coverage for habilitative speech therapy as a treatment for stuttering, regardless of whether the stuttering is classified as developmental, and shall provide coverage for rehabilitative speech therapy as a treatment for stuttering. Sets forth requirements and limitations for the coverage. Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, the Limited Health Service Organization Act, the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act, and the Illinois Public Aid Code to require coverage under the provisions of those Acts. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective January 1, 2028.

Amends the Secretary of State Act. Provides that the Secretary of State shall establish a program to be known as the Blue Envelope Program through which the Office of the Secretary of State shall design and make publicly available blue envelopes that may be used by individuals who have been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder to hold documents required for the operation of a motor vehicle. Sets forth additional requirements. Provides that an individual diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder may voluntarily participate in the program. Provides that any information provided on the outside of the envelope shall be used solely to support safe and effective communication during interactions with first responders and law enforcement officers and shall not be entered into any federal, State, or local database. Provides that the Secretary of State may adopt rules to implement and administer the program.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the Department of Corrections shall ensure that a committed person and the committed person's correspondents are not charged any fee, surcharge, or cost for mail communication or mail scanning services that exceed the standard postage rate set by the United States Postal Service. Provides that the Department shall not charge the committed person or correspondent any fee, surcharge, or cost for any incoming mail addressed to and received by the committed person, including any material received through mail scanning services. Provides that the Department shall not charge the committed person any fee, surcharge, or cost for outgoing mail delivery or mail scanning services that exceeds the postage rate set by the United States Postal Service for any outgoing mail. Provides that the Department or any third-party vendor that the Department contracts with, shall not impose any fee, surcharge, or cost to the committed person above the United States Postal Service rate for mail communication, including the delivery or scanning of mail. Provides that the Department shall not use the provision of voice communication services, mail communication, mail scanning services, or any other communication services to supplant in-person contact visits. Provides that the Department shall not receive revenue, directly or indirectly, from the provision of voice communications, mail communication, mail scanning services, or other communication services to a person in custody in any institutions and facilities of the Department. Provides that beginning July 1, 2027, the Department shall annually report to the General Assembly on the status of any communication services contracts and plans to consolidate contracts to maximize purchasing power for voice communication services, mail communication services, and all other communication services. Provides that the Department shall post the report on its website. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that the statute prohibiting elephants from performing in traveling animal acts applies to "covered animals" rather than just elephants. Defines "covered animal" as any of the following animals, and hybrids of those animals: (1) elephantidae; (2) felidae, but excluding a domestic cat; (3) non-human primate; or (4) ursidae. Provides that the provisions of the amendatory Act are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other laws protecting animal welfare. Provides that the provisions may not be construed to limit any State law or rules protecting the welfare of animals or to prevent a unit of local government from adopting and enforcing its own animal welfare ordinances and regulations. Contains a severability provision. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Hair Braiding, and Nail Technology Act of 1985. Provides that all apprentices shall be employed under an apprenticeship agreement between the sponsoring salon or shop and the apprentice that is approved by the Department of Labor. Provides requirements for the completion of an apprenticeship program, including training hours and supplemental instruction. Provides that an apprentice shall only provide licensed services under the supervision of a cosmetologist, barber, esthetician, or nail technician with an active license and for the scope of services for which the supervising licensed professional is licensed to practice. Requires apprentices to be trained in all branches of practical work and related supplemental instruction for the scope of practice for the license the apprentice seeks to obtain. Defines "apprentice". Provides that a person is qualified for a license as a barber if the person has graduated from a school of barbering or school of cosmetology approved by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation or completed an apprenticeship under the Act (rather than only if the person has graduated from a school). Provides that the Department shall prescribe reasonable rules for the registration of apprentices.

Amends the Illinois Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2027, a person or entity shall not manufacture a food product for human consumption that contains brominated vegetable oil, potassium bromate, propylparaben, or red dye 3. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2028, a person or entity shall not sell, deliver, distribute, hold, or offer for sale a food product for human consumption that contains any of those substances. Provides that a person or entity that violates the prohibition shall be liable for a civil penalty not to exceed $5,000 for a first violation and not to exceed $10,000 for each subsequent violation, with enforcement by the Attorney General or a State's Attorney. Makes a conforming change.

Amends the Preventing Sexual Violence in Higher Education Act. Makes changes concerning definitions. Requires a higher education institution's comprehensive policy to include sexual harassment. Provides that a confidential advisor is separate from a complaint advisor, unless a complainant chooses to have the confidential advisor also serve as the complaint advisor. Makes changes to the complaint resolution procedure, including the timeline of the complaint resolution procedure, protective measures and accommodations, the distribution of evidence that includes a private or intentionally digitally altered sexual image, the direct questioning of either party, support persons for survivors and respondents, and the notice of appeal. Provides that violations of the Act are actionable in civil court. Sets forth the relief a prevailing survivor is entitled to. Amends the Code of Civil Procedure to make changes concerning confidential advisors. Makes other changes. Effective July 1, 2027.

Amends the State Comptroller Act. Provides that the Comptroller may provide in his or her rules and regulations for periodic transfers, with the approval of the State Treasurer, for use in accordance with the imprest system, subject to the rules and regulations of the Comptroller as respects vouchers, controls, and reports to the Department of Agriculture to pay State Fair competition personnel and entertainment support contracts necessary to provide the entertainment at each State Fair. Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. In provisions concerning applicants with criminal convictions, requires the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to consider various factors when considering whether a prior conviction is directly related to the ability of an applicant to safely perform the duties, functions, and responsibilities of the position (instead of whether a prior conviction will impair the ability of the applicant to engage in the practice). Removes the requirement that a person who is licensed or registered to engage in any of the professions licensed or registered by the Department be of good moral character. Prohibits the Department from using a vague term in its consideration of a criminal record and decision regarding whether a criminal record is disqualifying for licensure, certification, or registration, including, but not limited to, "good moral character", "moral turpitude", or "character and fitness". Makes other changes. Amends the Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Hair Braiding, and Nail Technology Act of 1985. Provides that no application shall be automatically placed on hold, delayed, denied, or otherwise not processed by the Department because it was submitted by a person who is incarcerated. Provides that when determining the qualifications for a license, the Department shall include practice that is supervised by a licensee while a person is incarcerated.