Rep. Joyce Mason

Amends the Statute on Statutes. Provides that, in determining the meaning of any statute or rule or interpretation by the various administrative agencies of this State, for purposes of determining eligibility for any veterans benefit available from the State, the words "honorable discharge" and "honorably discharged" include a discharge under other than honorable conditions due to post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, status as a survivor of sexual assault or harassment, LGBTQ-related issues, or mental health issues, but do not include a bad conduct discharge or a dishonorable discharge.

Amends the Stalking No Contact Order Act, the Civil No Contact Order Act, and the Domestic Violence Act of 1986. Provides that when a petition for an emergency stalking no contact order, civil no contact order, or emergency order of protection is filed, the petition and file shall not be public and shall only be accessible to the court, petitioner, counsel of record for either party, and State's Attorney for the county until the petition is served on the respondent. Provides that when an emergency stalking no contact order, civil no contact order, emergency order of protection is granted, the petition, order, and file shall not be public and shall only be accessible to the court, petitioner, counsel of record for either party, and State's Attorney for the county until the order is served on the respondent. Effective immediately.

Creates the Higher Education Fair Admissions Act. Provides that a public institution of higher education may not require applicants to submit standardized college admissions test scores to the institution as a part of the admissions process. Provides that the submission of standardized test scores to the institution shall be at the option of the applicant. Requires the adoption of a policy. Effective immediately.

Creates the Behavior Analyst Licensing Act. Provides for licensure of behavior analysts and assistant behavior analysts. Creates the Advisory Board of Behavior Analysts. Provides qualifications for licensure application, including for those who have met certain requirements before the effective date of the Act. Establishes the powers and duties of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, including, but not limited to, adopting rules setting forth minimum standards for licensure, taking disciplinary or nondisciplinary actions, and authorizing examinations. Provides for grounds for disciplinary actions and for civil and criminal penalties for violations of the Act. Creates provisions concerning hearings, appointment of hearing officers, and rehearings. Provides for judicial review of all final administrative decisions of the Department. Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act. Provides that the Behavior Analyst Licensing Act is repealed on January 1, 2030. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Creates the offense of misrepresentation of a service animal. Provides that a person commits the offense when he or she knowingly represents, expressly or impliedly, that the animal is a service animal for the purpose of securing the rights and privileges afforded to a person with a disability accompanied by a service animal and the person knew that the animal is not a service animal. Provides that a law enforcement officer may require the person to remove an animal that is not a service animal from a place of public accommodation if its behavior is disruptive or displays negative behaviors as provided in the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Provides that the person remains responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of the animal. Defines "service animal". Provides that misrepresentation of a service animal is a Class C misdemeanor. Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act to make conforming changes.

Creates the Pangolin Protection Act. Prohibits the possession, sale, trade, and distribution of pangolin products. Establishes an exemption for organizations engaged in pangolin research or conservation. Provides that a violation is a Class A misdemeanor.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a deduction for the full amount of union dues paid by the taxpayer during the taxable year if the taxpayer was not allowed a federal deduction under the Internal Revenue Code. Provides that, if any amount of union dues representing federal miscellaneous itemized deductions was allowed as a federal deduction, then the amount allowed as an Illinois deduction shall be a percentage of the union dues disallowed under the Internal Revenue Code. Provides that the deduction is exempt from the Act's automatic sunset provision. Effective immediately.

Amends the Workers' Compensation Act and the Workers' Occupational Diseases Act. Provides that a person employed as a firefighter, emergency medical technician (EMT), emergency medical technician-intermediate (EMT-I), advanced emergency medical technician (A-EMT), or paramedic may recover for post-traumatic stress disorder. Effective immediately.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that the privilege extended to members of the clergy shall not apply (i) when a member of the clergy is required to report child abuse or neglect pursuant to the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act, (ii) in a case involving domestic violence, or (iii) in a case involving violent criminal matters. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Exempts from the eavesdropping prohibitions recordings made under the reasonable suspicion that the person is committing, is about to commit, or has committed an act of abuse and that the recording will contain evidence of the abuse. Amends the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986. Provides that all judges who preside over family law or domestic violence courtrooms, mandated reporters, victim assistance professionals, family law attorneys, family law mediators, court-appointed guardians ad litem, court-appointed child representatives, court-appointed therapists and counselors, and court-appointed experts who practice in the area of family law shall complete the Domestic Violence Foundation Training Course offered by the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Provides that the clerk of the court shall provide to all petitioners seeking an order of protection resources and information on domestic violence and how to obtain assistance as a victim of domestic violence. Provides that, when determining whether to issue an order of protection, the court shall consider the law enforcement records relating to domestic violence committed by the respondent for a period of at least 10 years. Provides that if an order of protection is issued, the petitioner is entitled to attorney's fees incurred in bringing the petition. Provides that the Department of State Police shall maintain a complete and systematic record and index of all valid or expired and recorded orders of protection for a period of at least 20 years. Makes additional changes to provisions concerning: purposes and rules of construction; definitions; remedies; law enforcement recordkeeping; and the National Crime Information Center. Makes a corresponding change in the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Counties Code. Changes definitions of "population" to be the total number of inhabitants according to the last preceding federal decennial census (rather than number of inhabitants or number of persons). Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Adds a definition of "population" in the general definition Section.