Rep. Joyce Mason

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Data Security on State Computers Act by creating an Office of the Inspector General within the Department of Human Services. The new office is tasked with investigating and reporting on allegations of abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation against individuals receiving mental health or developmental disability services. Key provisions establish clear definitions for terms like "employee," "neglect," and "material obstruction of an investigation" to guide these inquiries. The legislation applies to a wide range of service providers, including state-operated facilities, licensed community agencies, and various staff members such as contractors and volunteers. Effective January 1, 2025, the changes aim to strengthen oversight and protect vulnerable populations from harm within the state's human services system.

Amends the Massage Licensing Act. Provides that, immediately after a person licensed under the Act has been charged with the offense of prostitution, rape, or sexual misconduct or with any crime that subjects the licensee to compliance with the requirements of the Sex Offender Registration Act, then the prosecuting attorney shall provide notice to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation of the licensee's name, address, practice address, and license number and a copy of the criminal charges filed. Provides that, within 5 business days after receiving notice from the prosecuting attorney, the Secretary shall issue an administrative order that the licensee shall practice only with a chaperone who is a licensed health care worker present during all patient encounters pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings. Provides that the chaperone shall provide written notice to all of the licensee's patients before treatment explaining the Department's order to use a chaperone and each patient shall sign an acknowledgement that he or she received the notice. Provides that, within 5 business days after receipt of the administrative order, the licensee shall provide to the Department a written plan of compliance with the administrative order that is acceptable to the Department. Provides that failure to comply with the administrative order, failure to file a compliance plan, or failure to follow the compliance plan shall subject the licensed massage therapist to temporary suspension of his or her license until the completion of the criminal proceedings. Provides that, if the licensee is not convicted of the charge or if any conviction is later overturned by a reviewing court, the administrative order shall be vacated and removed from the licensee's record. Provides that the Department may adopt rules to implement the provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Accident and Health Article of the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that if a generic drug is unavailable due to a supply issue and dosage cannot be adjusted, a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed after January 1, 2025 shall provide coverage for a brand name eligible prescription drug until supply of the generic drug is available. Defines "eligible prescription drug" and "generic drug". Makes conforming changes in the Health Maintenance Organization Act, the Limited Health Service Organization Act, the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act, and the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code.

Amends the Regional Board of School Trustees Article of the School Code. Provides that a vacancy on a regional board of school trustees shall be subject to the residency provisions in the Article unless the vacancy occurs in a single county educational service region (instead of providing that any vacancy is subject to the residency provisions in the Article). Provides that if a vacancy occurs in a single county educational service region, then the vacancy may be filled by a person who is a resident of a congressional township not represented on the board. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Treasurer Act. In provisions concerning the College Savings Pool, provides that an account may be rolled over into a Roth IRA account, to the extent permitted by Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code. In provisions concerning the Illinois Higher Education Savings Program, provides that the definition of "eligible child" includes a child born or adopted after December 31, 2022, to a parent who is a resident of Illinois at the time of the birth or adoption, as evidenced by documentation received by the Treasurer from a parent or legal guardian of the child. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the County Department of Corrections Law. In provisions about pregnant prisoners, modifies the definitions of "post-partum" and "correctional institution", including that "correctional institution" includes institutions in all counties (rather than only in counties more than 3,000,000 inhabitants). Modifies and removes provisions relating to security restraints on a prisoner who is pregnant or in postpartum recovery. Adds provisions relating to annual reports by sheriffs documenting the number of pregnant prisoners in custody each year and the number of people who deliver or miscarry while in custody, relating to county department of corrections providing informational materials concerning the laws pertaining to pregnant prisoners to any pregnant or postpartum prisoner, and relating to supplemental nutrition for prisoners who are pregnant or lactating. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections and the County Jail Act making similar changes. In the Unified Code of Corrections, also adds language relating to restraints of committed persons who are pregnant. Amends the Health Care Violence Prevention Act. In provisions relating to pregnant prisoners, removes a limitation on the provisions to pregnant prisoners in the custody of the Cook County. Provides that restraint of a pregnant prisoner shall comply with specified provisions of the Counties Code, the Unified Code of Corrections, and the County Jail Act (rather than only the Counties Code provisions).

Amends the Accident and Health Article of the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual plan of accident and health insurance or managed care plan amended, delivered, issued, or renewed after the effective date of the amendatory Act must provide coverage for wigs or other scalp prostheses worn for hair loss caused by alopecia, chemotherapy, or radiation treatment for cancer or other conditions. Makes a conforming change in the Health Maintenance Organization Act and the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Provides that each school district shall provide to students, in addition to and not substituting recess, at least once a week, relaxation activities to enhance the mental and physical health of students as part of the school day. Specifies which activities may be considered relaxation activities. Provides that a school district may partner with local community-based organizations to provide relaxation activities. Provides that these activities may take place in a physical education class, social-emotional learning class, or student-support or advisory class or as a part of another similar class, including a new class.

Creates the Language Equity and Access Act. Requires the Governor's Office of New Americans, in partnership with the Department of Human Services, to: prepare a Language Needs Assessment Report that identifies the languages spoken throughout the State; assist State agencies in the creation of language access plans; provide oversight and central coordination to State agencies in the implementation of language access requirements under this Act; ensure that each State agency develops an internal complaint and review process specific to the provision of language assistance services in addressing complaints in a timely manner; and perform other duties. Requires the Office and Department to work with State agencies to compile available United States Census data on language used across the State to inform the Language Needs Assessment Report. Provides that the report shall be updated every 10 years in conjunction with the decennial federal census. Requires each State agency to prepare and submit a language access plan to the Governor's Office of New Americans.

Creates the Worker Freedom of Speech Act. Provides that an employer or the employer's agent, representative, or designee may not discharge, discipline, or otherwise penalize, threaten to discharge, discipline, or otherwise penalize, or take any adverse employment action against an employee: (1) because the employee declines to attend or participate in an employer-sponsored meeting or declines to receive or listen to communications from the employer or the agent, representative, or designee of the employer if the meeting or communication is to communicate the opinion of the employer about religious or political matters; (2) as a means of inducing an employee to attend or participate in meetings or receive or listen to communications; or (3) because the employee, or a person acting on behalf of the employee, makes a good faith report, orally or in writing, of a violation or a suspected violation of the Act. Provides for a private right of action to enforce the provisions of the Act. Sets forth the duties and powers of the Department of Labor under the Act. Provides that, within 30 days after the effective date of the Act, an employer shall post and keep posted a notice of employee rights under the Act where employee notices are customarily placed. Provides for exceptions under the Act.