Rep. Nabeela Syed

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that in the development of the individualized education program for a student who is 17 years of age or older, or will be during that school year, the IEP team shall consider voter registration as an appropriate goal or competency to be included in the IEP, and, if appropriate, when and how voter registration shall be accomplished. Provides that any resulting decisions shall be included in the IEP. Effective July 1, 2024.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that 20% of the lesser of (rather than the lesser of): (i) the purchase price or (ii) the fair market value shall constitute the rate base associated with the water or sewer utility as acquired by and incorporated into the rate base of the district designated by the acquiring large public utility, subject to any adjustments that the Illinois Commerce Commission deems necessary to ensure such rate base reflects prudent and useful investments in the provision of public utility service. Provides that the difference between the rate base and the purchase price or fair market value shall be borne by the shareholders of the acquiring large public utility. In provisions concerning the acquisition of a water or sewer utility, provides that, at the next election following the public meeting and notice requirements, a referendum shall be placed on the ballot for all electors within the area the water or sewer utility operates. Provides that, if a majority of the electors voting on the referendum within the service area of the water or sewer utility vote in favor of the referendum, then the acquisition may continue. Provides that, if less than a majority of the electors voting on the referendum within the service area of the water or sewer utility vote in favor of the referendum, the Commission shall not approve the large public utility's acquisition of the water or sewer utility. Removes a provision that provides that the Commission may authorize a water or sewer utility to file a surcharge which adjusts rates and charges to provide for recovery of costs associated with an investment in qualifying infrastructure plant, independent of any other matters related to the utility's revenue requirement. Makes other changes.

Creates the Scholarship Displacement Act. Provides that the Act applies beginning with the 2024-2025 academic year. Provides that a public institution of higher education may reduce a student's institutional financial aid as a result of the awarding of private scholarships to the student only if the student's total financial aid from all sources exceeds the student's financial need until the student's total financial aid no longer exceeds the student's financial need or only if the student is a student-athlete and the institution is complying with the individual or team financial aid restrictions of any athletic association, conference, or other group or organization with authority over intercollegiate athletics. Effective immediately.

Amends the Gasoline Storage Act. Provides that, if a leak of petroleum, a petroleum product, a hazardous substance, or a regulated substance occurs from an underground storage tank regulated by the Act and if the leak results in injury to any person or damage to any person's property, then the owner of the underground storage tank is strictly liable in civil damages to the person for the full amount of the injury or property damage proximately caused by the leak.

Amends the Election Code. Provides that a person shall not distribute, or enter into an agreement with another person to distribute, materially deceptive media if: (1) the person knows the media falsely represents a depicted individual; (2) the distribution occurs within 90 days before an election; (3) the person intends the distribution to harm the reputation or electoral prospects of a candidate in an election and the distribution is reasonably likely to cause that result; and (4) the person intends the distribution to change the voting behavior of electors in an election by deceiving the electors into incorrectly believing that the depicted individual in fact engaged in the speech or conduct depicted, and the distribution is reasonably likely to cause that result. Sets forth exceptions to the provision and penalties for violations of the provision. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that the Public Act may be referred to as the Safe Firearm Storage Act. Provides that it is unlawful for any person to store or leave a firearm outside of that person's immediate possession or control (rather than within premises under his or her control if the person knows or has reason to believe that a minor under the age of 14 years who does not have a Firearm Owners Identification Card is likely to gain access to the firearm without the lawful permission of the minor's parent, guardian, or person having charge of the minor, and the minor causes death or great bodily harm with the firearm) unless the firearm is secured in a manner that renders it inaccessible to anyone but the owner or another lawfully authorized user: (1) by a device or mechanism, other than the firearm safety, designed to render a firearm temporarily inoperable; or (2) locked box or container. Deletes provisions that the law does not apply: (1) if a minor under 14 years of age gains access to a firearm and uses it in a lawful act of self-defense or defense of another; or (2) to any firearm obtained by a minor under the age of 14 because of an unlawful entry of the premises by the minor or another person. Deletes a provision that the firearm may be placed in some other location that a reasonable person would believe to be secure from a minor under the age of 14 years. Effective January 1, 2025.

Creates the Work Without Fear Act. Provides that it is unlawful for any person to engage in, or to direct another person to engage in, immigration-related retaliation against any person or his or her family member or household member for the purpose of, or with the effect of, retaliating against any person for exercising any right protected under State employment laws or by any local employment ordinance. Sets forth the duties and powers of the Department of Labor under the Act. Allows the Attorney General to initiate or intervene in a civil action to obtain appropriate relief if the Attorney General has reasonable cause to believe that any person has violated the Act. Provides that nothing in the Act shall be construed to prevent any person from making complaint or prosecuting his or her own claim for damages caused by retaliation. Allows a person who is the subject of retaliation prohibited by the Act to bring a civil action for: (1) back pay, with interest, and front pay, or, in lieu of actual damages, liquidated damages of $30,000; (2) a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $10,000; (3) reasonable attorney's fees and court costs; and (4) equitable relief as the court may deem appropriate and just. Provides that a person that violates any provision of the Act shall be subject to an additional civil penalty in an amount of $25,000 for each violation, or $50,000 for each repeat violation within a 5-year period. Sets forth license suspension penalties for violations of the Act. Effective January 1, 2025.

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, 2025 shall provide coverage for continuous glucose monitors, related supplies, and training in the use of continuous glucose monitors for any individual who is diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and meets other requirements, including that the prescriber had an in-person or covered telehealth visit with the individual to evaluate the individual's diabetes control and has determined that the eligibility criteria is met. Provides that to qualify for a continuous glucose monitor, a patient is not required to have a diagnosis of uncontrolled diabetes; have a history of emergency room visits or hospitalizations; or show improved glycemic control. Provides that an individual who is diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and meets the requirements shall not be required to obtain prior authorization for coverage for a continuous glucose monitor, and coverage shall be continuous once the continuous glucose monitor is prescribed. Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall adopt rules to implement the changes made by the amendatory Act. Specifies that the rules shall, at a minimum contain certain provisions concerning the ordering provider, continuous glucose monitors not being required to have certain functionalities, eligibility requirements for a beneficiary, and not requiring prior authorization. Effective July 1, 2024.

Amends the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Allows a grandparent to file a petition seeking visitation if there has been a complete denial of visitation, subject to specified criteria.

Declares April 2024 as Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month in the State of Illinois to help increase public awareness of the need to support individuals with autism and the family members, medical professionals, and human services professionals who help care for individuals with autism.