Rep. Sonya Harper

Creates the Farmer Equity Act. Provides that the Department of Agriculture shall ensure the inclusion of socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, including socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers in urbanized areas, in the development, adoption, implementation, and enforcement of food and agriculture laws, regulations, policies, and programs. Provides that the Department shall: (1) consult with the Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Director of Natural Resources, the Executive Director of the Illinois Housing Development Authority, the Secretary of Human Services, and other interested parties of the public and private sector of the State on opportunities for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers to coordinate State programs; (2) disseminate information regarding opportunities provided by, including, but not limited to, the United States Department of Agriculture, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the General Accounting Office, the Office of Management and Budget, and other federal agencies that that have programs that may assist socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; and (3) evaluate opportunities for the inclusion of socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers in boards, committees, commissions, and other similar positions created by the Department. Provides that on or before January 1, 2020, the Department shall submit a report to the Governor and the General Assembly on efforts to serve socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and female farmers and ranchers in this State. Effective immediately.

Creates the Community-Law Enforcement Partnership for Deflection and Addiction Treatment Act. Allows a law enforcement agency to establish a program to facilitate contact between a person and a licensed substance abuse treatment provider for assessment and coordination of treatment. Requires the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, in conjunction with a Police Chief's Association and Department of Human Services to develop the type of data to collect and measure performance of program. Provides for civil liability immunity and eligibility for funding.

Amends the Higher Education Veterans Service Act. Provides that each public college or university that is required to have a Coordinator of Veterans and Military Personnel Student Services shall report to the Board of Higher Education information on the its efforts in attracting, recruiting, and retaining veterans and military personnel at the institution. Effective immediately.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to reimburse psychiatrists, federally qualified health centers as defined in the Social Security Act, clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, advanced practice registered nurses certified in psychiatric and mental health nursing, and mental health professionals and clinicians authorized by Illinois law to provide mental health services to recipients via telehealth (rather than psychiatrists and federally qualified health centers). Requires the Department to reimburse any Medicaid certified eligible facility or provider organization that acts as the location of the patient at the time a telehealth service is rendered, including substance abuse centers licensed by the Department of Human Services' Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse.

Creates the Pollinator Friendly Solar Site Act. Provides that an owner of a ground-mounted solar site may follow practices that: (1) provide native perennial vegetation and foraging habitat which is beneficial to game birds, songbirds, and pollinators; and (2) reduce storm water runoff and erosion at the solar site. Provides that an owner or manager of a solar site with a generating capacity of more than 40 kilowatts implementing site management practices under the Act may claim that the site is "pollinator-friendly" or provides benefits to game birds, songbirds, and pollinators only if the site adheres to guidance set forth by the pollinator friendly scorecard published by the Department of Natural Resources in consultation with stakeholders. Provides that an owner making a beneficial habitat claim shall make the solar site's pollinator score card, and where available, related vegetation management plans, available to the public and provide a copy to the Department of Natural Resources and a nonprofit solar industry trade association of the State. Effective immediately.

Amends the Chicago School District Article of the School Code. Adds to the definition of "school action". Provides that, beginning on July 1, 2019, the facility performance standards published by the district must include the performance standards of safety measures in the district. Requires the data, information, and analysis published on the district's Internet website regarding the 10-year educational facility master plan to include a brief description of specific plans for special education programs, early childhood education programs, career and technical education programs, and any other programs that are space sensitive to avoid space irregularities, a description of a communications and community involvement plan for each community in the City of Chicago, historical and projected enrollment of each school, and other items. Requires the chief executive officer to publish a procedure for conducting an annual capital improvement hearing that shall discuss the district's annual capital budget. Adds to the requirements of the capital improvement plan published annually by the chief executive officer. Provides that beginning on June 1, 2019, and annually thereafter, the district shall conduct a regional capital budget hearing that describes planned projects for the year and reviews the 5-year capital budget and the educational facility master plan. Adds to the requirements of a school transition plan. Makes other changes.

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that on or before June 1, 2019, every facility that houses a circuit court room shall include at least one lactation room or area for members of the public to express breast milk in private that is located outside the confines of a restroom and includes, at minimum, a chair, a table, and an electrical outlet, as well as a sink with running water where possible. Provides that the lactation rooms and areas shall also meet with reasonable minimum standards prescribed by the Supreme Court of Illinois, which the Supreme Court is requested to create, including requirements for posting of notice to the public regarding location and access to lactation rooms and areas, as well as requirements for the addition of a sink with running water in the event of renovation to the facilities. Requests the Supreme Court to create minimum standards for training of courthouse staff and personnel regarding location and access to lactation rooms and areas for all people present in the courthouse who need to use lactation rooms and areas.

Creates the Government Severance Pay Act. Provides that a unit of government that enters into a contract or employment agreement, or renewal or renegotiation of an existing contract or employment agreement, that contains a provision for severance pay with an officer, agent, employee, or contractor must include specified provisions in the contract. Provides that nothing in the Act creates an entitlement to severance pay in the absence of its contractual authorization or as otherwise authorized by law. Defines terms.

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the purpose of the Act.

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the purpose of the Entrepreneur Learner's Permit pilot program is to encourage and assist beginning entrepreneurs in starting new businesses (instead of "new information services, biotechnology, and green technology businesses"). Removes provisions limiting the aggregate amount of all reimbursements under the Entrepreneur Learner's Permit pilot program to $500,000 per State fiscal year. Effective immediately.