Rep. Kathleen A. Ryg

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Allows a deduction from federal adjusted gross income, in arriving at base income for Illinois income tax purposes, of an amount equal to earnings in a special needs trust, to the extent included in adjusted gross income. Defines "special needs trust" as a trust that is not liable to pay or reimburse the State or any public agency for financial aid or services to the individual, as provided in the Trusts and Trustees Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, the Limited Health Service Organization Act, and the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act. Requires individual and group accident and health insurance policies and coverage by a health maintenance organization or limited health service organization or under a health service plan to include coverage for prescription enteral and oral formulas and reduced-protein foods that are necessary for the treatment or management of certain gastrointestinal conditions or inherited diseases involving amino acids. Effective immediately.

Calls upon the Office of Management and Budget and the Department of Human Services to act to ensure that agencies serving the developmentally disabled through contracts with the State receive the full 4% cost-of-living increase mandated by the General Assembly.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Creates an accessible housing exemption. Provides that any component of residential property that is specifically designed and built for persons with disabilities in compliance with the accessibility guidelines and standards of the United States Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (the "Access Board"), the construction of which is completed on or after 10 years before the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 93rd General Assembly, is exempt from property taxes, if it meets all of the requirements for exemption. Exempts the components of new construction as well as new components installed in existing residential property that meet Access Board standards to the extent of the value added by the components. Provides that the exemption applies only if the owner of the property who applies for the exemption or a member of the applicant's household is disabled. Provides that if a component of residential property is not in compliance with the Access Board's standards but it is constructed to and it does meet the accessibility needs of the disabled person, then that component is eligible for the exemption. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement from the State. Effective immediately.

Creates the Drug Repository Program Act. Requires the Department of Public Health to establish a drug repository program to accept and dispense prescription drugs donated for the purpose of being dispensed to Illinois residents who meet eligibility standards adopted by the Department. Provides for donations of drugs by drug manufacturers and health care facilities. Prohibits the acceptance of drugs with an expiration date less than 6 months from the date the drug is donated. Provides immunity from civil and criminal liability for persons who donate, accept, or dispense drugs in accordance with the program. Amends the Pharmacy Practice Act of 1987, the Wholesale Drug Distribution Licensing Act, the Senior Pharmaceutical Assistance Act, the Illinois Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, and the Cannabis and Controlled Substances Tort Claims Act to provide that persons engaged in donating or accepting, or packaging, repackaging, or labeling, prescription drugs to the extent permitted or required under the Drug Repository Program Act are exempt from provisions of those other Acts that might prohibit or otherwise regulate such activity.

Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that no person shall sell or issue a gift certificate that is subject to an expiration date. Provides that no gift certificate or any agreement with respect to the gift certificate may contain language suggesting that an expiration date may apply. Provides that fees and penalties shall not be imposed for inactivity with respect to a gift certificate. Provides that the value of a gift certificate that is not redeemed within 3 years is presumed abandoned. Provides that any person who sells a gift certificate shall obtain the address of the owner of the gift certificate and maintain a record of such address. Provides that any person who sells a gift certificate subject to an expiration date shall be fined not more than $500 per occurrence. Defines gift certificate.

Amends the State Finance Act. Makes technical changes in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Department of Insurance Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Insurance to conduct a study of the costs and benefits of insurance coverage requirements for the treatment of brain injuries. Requires the Department to report its findings to the General Assembly and the Governor on or before March 1, 2008. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code to require coverage for rehabilitation therapy for brain injuries until December 31, 2008. Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, and the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act to require the same coverage under those Acts. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement.

Amends the Health Care Worker Background Check Act. Provides that Uniform Conviction Information Act criminal history records checks and searches of the Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal history records database must be initiated for persons entering a nurse aid training program, persons seeking to be included on the nurse aide registry, and employees of health care workers with duties that involve direct care for clients, patients, or residents. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Finance Act. Provides that no transfers may be made, in order to help defray the State's operating costs for the fiscal year, from the Road Fund or the State Construction Account Fund on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act. Effective July 1, 2004.