Rep. Mary Beth Canty

Amends the Crime Victims Compensation Act. Expands the definition of "applicant" under the Act. Changes the definition of "victim" to include a grandparent solely for the purpose of compensating for pecuniary loss incurred for psychological treatment of a mental or emotional condition caused or aggravated by the crime. Provides that a victim or applicant who has been convicted of a felony not related to the crime for which the individual is seeking compensation may apply for assistance under this Act at any time but no ward of compensation may be considered or granted while the victim or applicant is held in a correctional institution. Authorizes the Attorney General to issue subpoenas to compel production of law enforcement reports maintained by law enforcement agencies. Prohibits the Attorney General's office from disclosing to the public law enforcement reports obtained from an applicant or victim under this Act. Allows the Attorney General and the Court of Claims to extend the time for reporting to law enforcement (rather than, for most crimes of violence, within 72 hours of the crime) if the Attorney General determines that the extension is justified by extraordinary circumstances. Provides that an application based on an allegation of police misconduct causing the injury or death may not be denied solely because a police report was not made the by victim. Amends the Juvenile Court. Provides that nothing in the Act prohibits law enforcement agencies from disclosing law enforcement reports and records to the Attorney General to comply with the Crime Victims Compensation Act. Makes other changes. Effective immediately, except that some provisions are effective January 1, 2025.

Creates the Portable Battery Stewardship Act. Requires those who sell or distribute covered batteries or battery-containing products in the State to implement and participate in a battery stewardship plan. Details the role of retailers in the State and stewardship plan components. States goals for the stewardship program. Provides for funding of the program. Provides requirements for the collection and management of batteries covered by this Act. Details the education and outreach requirements of the program. Outlines the Agency's role. Details the penalties for violations of the Act. Details requirements for the marking, disposal, and collection of batteries covered by this Act. Provides for the collection of batteries independent of a battery stewardship program. Defines terms. Effective immediately.

Amends the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act and the Good Samaritan Act. Provides that a licensed clinical social worker or licensed social worker may possess and administer opioid antagonists. Makes conforming changes. Provides that if a person employs a licensed clinical social worker or licensed social worker and the licensed clinical social worker or licensed social worker possess an opioid antagonist in a professional capacity, then the person must provide training in the administration of opioid antagonists and establish a policy to control the acquisition, storage, transportation, and administration of opioid antagonists. Makes other changes.

Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that the State Employees Group Insurance Program (for Illinois State Police officers), a county (for members of the sheriff's office), and a municipality (for members of the police department or fire department) shall provide coverage for joint mental health therapy services for the officer or firefighter and a spouse or partner of the officer or firefighter who resides with officer or firefighter. Specifies that the coverage shall be provided without imposing a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or any other cost-sharing requirement, except that, for Illinois State Police officers and the spouse or partner of the officer under the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, only if all resources available to those individuals through the State of Illinois' Employee Assistance Program and any first responder mental health program available are first exhausted. Directs the joint mental health therapy services to be provided by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches, a licensed clinical psychologist, a licensed clinical social worker, a licensed clinical professional counselor, a licensed marriage and family therapist, a licensed social worker, or a licensed professional counselor. Limits the concurrent exercise of home rule powers. Effective January 1, 2025.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a person who is convicted of obscene depiction of a purported child is ineligible to receive a school bus driver permit. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that "child pornography" includes the depiction of a part of an actual child under 18 who by manipulation, creation, or modification, appears to be engaged in sexual activity. Creates the offenses of obscene depiction of a purported child and non-consensual dissemination of sexually explicit digitized depictions. Defines offenses and provides criminal penalties for violations. Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides for the forfeiture to the State: (1) of any profits or proceeds and any property the person has acquired or maintained in violation of those offenses; (2) any interest in, securities of, claim against, or property or contractual right of any kind affording a source of influence over any enterprise that the person has established, operated, controlled, or conducted in violation of those offenses; and (3) any computer that contains an obscene depiction of a purported child. Amends the Bill of Rights for Children. Provides that under certain conditions, the parent or legal guardian of a child who is the victim of obscene depiction of a purported child may make a victim's impact statement on the impact which the defendant's criminal conduct or the juvenile's delinquent conduct has had upon the child. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that a period of probation, a term of periodic imprisonment, or conditional discharge shall not be imposed for specified violations of the offense of obscene depiction of a purported child. Provides for enhanced penalties for specified violations of obscene depiction of a purported child. Provides that the court shall impose a consecutive sentence when the defendant is convicted of specified violations of the offense of obscene depiction of a purported child. Amends the Sex Offender Registration Act to provide that a person convicted of obscene depiction of a purported child must register as a sex offender.

Maddy summaryThis Illinois law authorizes the Secretary of State to issue specialty license plates specifically for motorcycles. The legislation also expands these options to include autocycles, which are three-wheeled vehicles designed for riders with disabilities. By amending the state's vehicle code in multiple sections, the bill ensures that both motorcycles and autocycles can display these special plates under the same rules. The changes took effect on January 1, 2025, allowing eligible vehicle owners to apply for these plates starting that date.

Amends the Whistleblower Act. Changes the definitions of "employer" and "employee". Defines "adverse employment action", "public body", "retaliatory action", and "supervisor". Provides that an employer may not take retaliatory action against an employee who discloses or threatens to disclose information about an activity, policy, or practice of the employer that the employee has a good faith belief that such activity, policy, or practice violates a State or federal law, rule, or regulation or poses a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety. Includes additional relief, damages, and penalties for violation of 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 or entity is engaged in a practice prohibited by the Act. Provides that the changes made by the amendatory Act apply to claims arising or complaints filed on or after January 1, 2025. Effective January 1, 2025.

Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning student discipline policies, provides that the State Board of Education shall draft and publish model policy guidelines for the development of reciprocal reporting systems and school bus safety protocols and for evidence-based early intervention procedures. In provisions concerning the suspension or expulsion of students, makes changes concerning a student's gross disobedience or misconduct posing an immediate threat to the health or safety of students or school personnel, when school exclusions should be used, the number and duration of expulsions and suspensions, the implementation of proactive evidence-based interventions that improve behavioral outcomes for all students, non-exclusionary discipline, out-of-school suspensions of 3 days or less, model policy guidelines for the re-engagement of students, professional development, and the removal of children with disabilities who violate the student discipline policies from their current placement. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Nurse Practice Act. Changes the name of the Medication Aide Pilot Program to the Medication Aide Program. Makes conforming changes. Provides that to be approved as a qualified facility under the program (instead of for the duration of the pilot program), a facility must meet specified requirements. Removes provisions that provide that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall submit a report regarding patient safety, efficiency, and errors, as determined by rule, to the General Assembly no later than 6 months after termination of the pilot program. Removes language providing that licenses under the Medication Aide Program Article may not be renewed or restored. Makes corresponding changes.

Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that, if a municipality or county, including a home rule municipality or county, is a self-insurer for purposes of providing health insurance coverage for its employees, the insurance coverage shall include mental health counseling for any employee who is a first responder, including police and corrections officers, deputy sheriffs, firefighters, or emergency medical services personnel, without imposing a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or any other cost-sharing requirement on the coverage provided. Specifies that this requirement does not apply 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. Limits home rule powers by providing that the requirement that mental health counseling be included in health insurance coverage is an exclusive power and function of the State.