Rep. Joyce Mason

Amends the Counties Code, the Township Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, and the Fire Protection District Act. Provides that a nongovernmental entity with which a county, township, municipality, or fire protection district contracts to furnish fire protection services that displays a logo of the unit of local government on the entity's vehicles or uniform shall conspicuously display on all vehicles and uniforms a disclosure with specified information. Defines "vehicle". Provides that a violation is a business offense with a $1,000 fine per occurrence. Limits home rule powers. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Provides that a school district operating one or more high schools, a charter school, or a private secondary school shall not make or enforce a rule subjecting a high school student to disciplinary sanctions solely on the basis of conduct that is speech or other communication that, when engaged in outside of the campus, is protected from governmental restriction by the United States Constitution or the Illinois Constitution. Provides that a student who is enrolled in a school at the time that the school has made or enforced a rule that the student would be protected from may commence a civil action to obtain appropriate injunctive and declaratory relief as determined by the court. Provides that the new provisions do not apply to a private secondary school that is controlled by a religious organization to the extent that the application would not be consistent with the religious tenets of the organization. Provides that an employee shall not be dismissed, suspended, disciplined, reassigned, transferred, or otherwise retaliated against solely for acting to protect a student engaged in conduct authorized under the new provisions, or refusing to infringe upon conduct that is protected.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Creates an assessment freeze homestead exemption for persons with a disability. Sets forth the amount of the exemption. Provides that applicants must reapply on an annual basis. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Pesticide Act. Provides that for any person applying a pesticide that results in exposure to the pesticide by a human, the penalty shall be $2,500. Provides that an additional penalty of $1,000 shall be assessed for each individual human exposed to the pesticide. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Prohibits the transfer, purchase, manufacture, importation, possession of unfinished frames or receivers and unserialized firearms. Provides a process for serializing unfinished frames or receivers and unserialized firearms. Provides that it is unlawful for a person to manufacture or distribute a firearm using a three-dimensional printer under specified circumstances. Provides that a first violation is a Class A misdemeanor and that a second or subsequent violation is a Class X felony.

Creates the First Responders Behavioral Healthcare Bill of Rights Act. Provides that first responders have certain specified statutory rights in seeking behavioral health services and treatment. Provides that the rights guaranteed to first responders in these provisions are judicially enforceable. Provides that an aggrieved employee may, under the Civil Practice Law, bring an action for damages, attorney's fee, or injunctive relief against an employer for violating these rights. Defines various terms. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that the right of full access to behavioral health services and treatment that are responsive to the needs of the individual are available to the profession of emergency medical technician (EMT). Deletes provision that the right of first responders includes the right to have behavioral health services and treatment in a manner that reduces stigma to those services and treatment.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a municipally owned water utility may not charge a fee to reconnect water following a water disconnection. Limits home rule powers.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that it shall be a matter of State policy that the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall set nursing facility rates by rule utilizing an evidenced-based methodology that rewards appropriate staffing, quality-of-life improvements for nursing facility residents, including the cessation of payments for rooms with 3 or more people residing in them by January 1, 2027, and the reduction of racial inequities and health disparities for nursing facility residents enrolled in Medicaid. Provides that the new nursing services reimbursement methodology taking effect January 1, 2022, upon federal approval, shall utilize the Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM) (rather than the RUG-IV 48 grouper model). Sets the statewide base rate for dates of service on and after January 1, 2022 at $85.25. Requires the Department to establish, by rule, a multiplier based on information from the Payroll Based Journal. Provides that, beginning on and after January 1, 2022, the Department shall allocate funding, by rule, for per diem add-ons to the PDPM methodology for each resident with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Contains provisions concerning funds allocated for certain incentive payments to nursing facilities; emergency rules; payments to improve the quality of care delivered by nursing facilities; long-term care provider assessments; and other matters. Amends the Nurse Agency Licensing Act. Prohibits nurse agencies from entering into covenants not to compete with certified nurse aides. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Permits the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to adopt emergency rules. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Removes the age limitation for coverage in provisions concerning coverage for epinephrine injectors. Effective immediately.

Appropriates $50,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Lake County State's Attorney's Office for a 2-year pilot program to send electronic text messages to remind victims and surviving family members of upcoming court dates. Effective July 1, 2022.