Rep. Dan Didech

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as Sami's Law, requires state-owned buildings and interstate rest stops to install private, enclosed changing stations with height-adjustable tables for adults. The law defines these stations as facilities equipped with safety rails, belts, and specific size and weight capacity standards to accommodate various needs. Owners and operators of these buildings must maintain at least one such station and provide clear signage and directory listings to help the public locate them. The changes take effect on January 1, 2025, ensuring that these accessible amenities are available in public spaces across the state.

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 Code of Civil Procedure. Provides a conviction that was the result of a negotiated plea may be challenged under the post-judgment relief provisions that require evidence of a forcible felony, domestic violence, or gender-based violence.

Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that it is the public policy of the State to prevent discrimination based on family responsibilities in employment. Defines "family responsibilities" as an employee's actual or perceived provision of care to a family member, whether in the past, present, or future. Provides that it is a civil rights violation for: (1) any employer to refuse to hire, to segregate, to engage in harassment, or to act with respect to recruitment, hiring, promotion, renewal of employment, selection for training or apprenticeship, discharge, discipline, tenure or terms, privileges or conditions of employment on the basis of family responsibilities; (2) any employment agency to fail or refuse to classify properly, accept applications and register for employment referral or apprenticeship referral, refer for employment, or refer for apprenticeship on the basis of family responsibilities; and (3) any labor organization to limit, segregate, or classify its membership, or to limit employment opportunities, selection and training for apprenticeship in any trade or craft, or otherwise to take or fail to take, any action which affects adversely any person's status as an employee or as an applicant for employment or as an apprentice, or as an applicant for apprenticeships, or wages, tenure, hours of employment, or apprenticeship conditions on the basis of family responsibilities. Provides that it is a civil rights violation for a person, or for 2 or more persons, to conspire to retaliate against a person because he or she has opposed that which he or she reasonably and in good faith believes to be discrimination based on family responsibilities. Makes conforming changes.

Amends the Illinois Dental Practice Act. Provides that a dentist, employee of a dentist, or agent of a dentist shall provide the patient with a written treatment plan that includes a description of each anticipated service to be provided and a good faith estimate of expected charges before arranging for, offering, brokering, or establishing open-end credit, a line of credit, or a loan extended by a third party. Provides a form that a dentist, employee of a dentist, or agent of a dentist must provide before arranging for, offering, brokering, or establishing open-end credit, a line of credit, or a loan extended by a third party. Provides that a dentist, employee of a dentist, or agent of a dentist may not complete any portion of an application for open-end credit, a line of credit, or a loan extended by a third party. Provides that a dentist, employee of a dentist, or agent of a dentist may not arrange for, offer, broker, or establish open-end credit, a line of credit, or a loan extended by a third party that contains a deferred interest provision. Provides that a dentist, employee of a dentist, or agent of a dentist may not arrange for, offer, broker, or establish open-end credit, a line of credit, or a loan extended by a third party if (i) the treatment has yet to be rendered or costs associated with the treatment have yet to be incurred; (ii) the dentist, employee of a dentist, or agent of a dentist has not provided the patient with a treatment plan, and informed the patient in writing about which costs associated with the treatment are being charged in advance; and (iii) that dentist's office arranged for, offered, brokered, or established the open-end credit, line of credit, or loan extended by a third party. Provides that a dentist, employee of a dentist, or agent of a dentist shall, within 15 days business days of a patient's request or within 15 business days of the dentist, employee of a dentist, or agent of a dentist becoming aware of treatment that has not been rendered or costs that have not been incurred, whichever occurs first, refund to the lender any payment received through open-end credit, a line of credit, or a loan extended by a third party that is arranged for, offered, brokered, or established in that dentist's office. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation may adopt rules to implement these provisions. Effective January 1, 2025.

Amends the Coal Mining Act. Provides for State mine rescue stations that are maintained by the Department of Natural Resources for the sole purpose of responding to and preparing for emergencies in the coal mines of Illinois. Provides that recovery operations that are intended solely for the purpose of securing property are not covered under a provision concerning State mine rescue services. Provides that additional mine rescue services for the purpose of securing property are the responsibility of the operator of the property. Provides that mine rescue teams shall be based out of each State mine rescue station to serve the Illinois coal industry as either a primary or secondary responder. Provides that every coal producing mine in the State must assign its mine rescue team or mine complex rescue team to a State mine rescue station and must compensate these employees at their regular rate of pay. Provides that the Mining Board shall establish training requirements for mine rescue teams and mine complex rescue teams. Provides that coal producing mines that maintain a mine rescue station are exempt from providing a mine rescue team or mine complex rescue team to serve the State mine rescue station if certain conditions are met. Sets forth provisions concerning the Department providing suitably located sites for State mine rescue stations; supervision of State mine rescue operations; definitions; and mine rescue teams.

Amends the Statute on Statutes. Provides that whenever there is a reference in any Act to "armed forces", "armed forces of the United States", "U.S. Armed Forces", "United States Armed Forces", or "uniformed services", these terms shall be construed to include the United States Space Force. Amends the Flag Display Act, the Secretary of State Merit Employment Code, the Veterans Preference Act, the Veterans Burial Places Act, and various other Acts. In all occurrences of the definition for "armed forces of the United States" and "member of the Armed Services or Reserve Forces of the United States" expands the list of armed forces branches to include the Space Force. Makes conforming changes in the definition of "veteran" under the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law, in the definition of "military service" under the Illinois Pension Code, and in a provision under the Veterans Burial Places Act that lists the various military branches that make up the Reserve Officers Training Corps. Makes other conforming changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends state laws to require specific health benefits for employees of the State Employees Group Insurance Program and for employees of self-insured county governments. It mandates that these health plans cover infertility diagnosis and treatment, including procedures like in vitro fertilization and genetic screening, starting on January 1, 2024. The coverage is limited to a two-year period ending on July 1, 2026, and applies only when procedures meet established medical standards and are performed at accredited facilities. Additionally, the bill ensures that fertility medications are treated the same as other prescription drugs regarding cost-sharing and restrictions.

Amends the State Treasurer Act. In provisions concerning the College Savings Pool, provides that an account may be rolled over into a Roth IRA account, to the extent permitted by Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code. In provisions concerning the Illinois Higher Education Savings Program, provides that the definition of "eligible child" includes a child born or adopted after December 31, 2022, to a parent who is a resident of Illinois at the time of the birth or adoption, as evidenced by documentation received by the Treasurer from a parent or legal guardian of the child. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.