Rep. Joyce Mason

Expresses support for the Affordable Care Act and the Medicaid program.

Appropriates $15,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the African-American HIV/AIDS Response Fund. Effective immediately.

Declares the week of September 24 to October 2, 2022 as "Diaper Need Awareness Week".

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that all CCR generated by the electric generating industry located in a municipality bordering Lake Michigan with greater than 75,000 inhabitants but fewer than 150,000 inhabitants shall be removed from the site. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, the amendatory provisions do not impact any financial obligation arising before their effective date. Effective immediately. Pension Note, House Floor Amendment No. 3 (Government Forecasting & Accountability) HB 4358, as amended by HA 3, will not impact any public pension fund or retirement system in the State of Illinois. State Debt Impact Note, House Floor Amendment No. 3 (Government Forecasting & Accountability) HB 4358, as amended by House Amendment 3, would not change the amount of authorization for any type of State-issued bond, and, therefore, would not affect the level of State indebtedness. Balanced Budget Note, House Floor Amendment No. 3 (Office of Management and Budget) Please be advised that the Balanced Budget Note Act does not apply to House Bill 4358, [as amended by House Amendment 3] as it is not a supplemental appropriation that increases or decreases appropriations. Under the Act, a balanced budget note must be prepared only for bills that change a general funds appropriation for the fiscal year in which the new bill is enacted. Judicial Note, House Floor Amendment No. 3 (Admin Office of the Illinois Courts) The legislation will not increase or decrease the number of judges needed in the State of Illinois. Fiscal Note, House Floor Amendment No. 3 (Illinois Environmental Protection Agency) House Amendment #3 imposes no additional fiscal impact on the Illinois EPA. Land Conveyance Appraisal Note, House Floor Amendment No. 3 (Dept. of Transportation) No land conveyances are included in this bill, therefore, there are no appraisals to be filed. Housing Affordability Impact Note, House Floor Amendment No. 3 (Housing Development Authority) HB4358 (H-AM-3) is anticipated to have no effect on the cost of constructing, purchasing, owning, or selling a single-family residence. It is possible that some of the training requirements for construction/engineers could come with a cost that gets passed to the construction industry which could impact the affordability of housing in Illinois, but not enough information is provided in the bill to make this determination and the reviewer does not believe there will be any measurable impact. Correctional Note, House Floor Amendment No. 3 (Dept of Corrections) This amendment has no fiscal impact or population impact on the department.

Amends the Domestic Violence Act of 1986. In cases in which a petitioner seeks a prohibition on firearm possession, removes a requirement that the respondent receive actual notice of and an opportunity to participate in a hearing. Provides that an order of protection shall include a remedy that prohibits a respondent from possessing any firearms for a minimum of 2 years (instead of for the duration of the order of protection). Provides that any Firearm Owner's Identification Card in the possession of the respondent shall be suspended and turned over to a law enforcement agency of the court's choosing (rather than a local law enforcement agency). Makes other changes.

Creates the Veterans Bill of Rights Act. Requires the Department of Veterans' Affairs to make specified efforts to: (1) increase loans to small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans or service-disabled veterans; (2) increase veterans' access to health care coverage and services; (3) take specified steps toward preventing veteran suicide; and (4) develop and implement a strategy to end veteran homelessness within 3 years. Directs the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to review all State licenses for which military service members may have relevant training or experience, produce a report recommending steps that can be taken to increase recognition of military training and experience toward licensing, and take those steps within one year of issuing the report. Contains provisions regarding veterans at public institutions of higher education receiving college credit, registering for courses, and being called to active duty. Requires the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to annually review apprentice, training, and other vocational programs focused on providing job training and placement to returning military service members and veterans. Contains other provisions.

Amends the School Code. Provides that a charter school failing to adequately address racial, socioeconomic, or educational disparities between the local school district and the charter school or failing to align the charter mission and vision to the local school board's mission and vision are both causes for the local school board, State Board of Education, or State Charter School Commission to revoke or not renew a charter. Effective immediately.

Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that, with respect to diapers, infant formula, and breastfeeding supplies designed for human use, the tax is imposed at the rate of 1%.

Urges public and private schools and the Illinois State Board of Education to recognize that dyslexia has significant educational implications that can be addressed with appropriate intervention and supports. Further urges public and private schools to utilize the resources from the Illinois State Board of Education's Reading Improvement Advisory Group and the Illinois State Board of Education Dyslexia Handbook to assist them in addressing the needs of students with dyslexia.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that no person shall knowingly release or cause or organize the release of balloons into the air unless the balloons are (1) used by an institution of higher education or a governmental agency, or pursuant to a governmental contract, for bona fide scientific or meteorological purposes or (2) released indoors and remain indoors. Provides that persons who violate the amendatory Act's provisions shall be subject to a civil penalty of $500 for each offense, and that the release of 50 balloons or fewer at one time is a single offense. Effective January 1, 2022. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Adds reference to: 415 ILCS 5/42 from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 1042 Removes language providing that the release of balloons must be done knowingly. Provides that any person who violates the amendatory provisions shall be liable for a warning from the Agency for the first violation and a civil penalty of up to $500 for the second violation and a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for a third or subsequent violation. Provides that the release of more than 50 balloons shall constitute a separate violation for every 50 balloons released. Provides that the amendatory provisions do not apply to the release of a helium balloon used for the safe operation of a hot air balloon.