Rep. Joyce Mason

Amends the Hearing Instrument Consumer Protection Act. Defines terms. Makes changes of references to "hearing instruments" to "hearing aids" when referring to the instrument or device. Provides that all hearing instruments or hearing aids must be dispensed or sold in accordance with Food and Drug Administration and Federal Trade Commission regulations governing the dispensing and sale of personal sound amplification products or hearing aids. Provides that a person age 17 or younger must be evaluated in person by either a licensed audiologist or a physician before receiving a prescription for a hearing aid. Provides requirements for a hearing aid prescription for individuals age 17 or younger. Provides that a person age 18 or older must be evaluated by a hearing instrument professional in person or via telehealth before receiving a prescription for a hearing aid. Provides requirements for a hearing aid prescription for individuals age 18 or older. Provides that hearing aid dispensing technicians are exempt from licensure under this Act but are otherwise subject to the practices and provisions of this Act. Provides that a trainee may be supervised by more than one licensed hearing instrument professional. Provides that hearing aid dispensing technicians may be employed by a hearing instrument professional to assist in the dispensing and servicing of hearing instruments without a license. Provides for duties of a hearing aid dispensing technician. Provides that continuing education credit per licensing period must include a minimum of (1) 2 hours in Illinois law and ethics, (2) one hour in sexual harassment prevention training, and (3) one hour in implicit bias awareness (rather than just a minimum of 2 hours in Illinois law and ethics). Makes other changes. Makes a corresponding change to the Public Utilities Act. Effective January 1, 2024.

Amends the Illinois Pesticide Act. Provides that no person, other than a pesticide applicator under the direct supervision of a supervisory pesticide applicator, may apply a pesticide within any school building or on the grounds of any school. Exempts emergency application of a pesticide meeting specified requirements from the provisions.

Amends the Employment of Teachers Article of the School Code. Makes changes to the probationary periods pertaining to attaining contractual continued service. For the first probationary period, requires the teacher to be employed for 3 (rather than 4) consecutive school terms of service in which the teacher receives overall annual evaluation ratings of at least "Proficient" in the second and third school terms (rather than overall annual evaluation ratings of at least "Proficient" in the last school term and at least "Proficient" in either the second or third school term). For the second probationary period, requires the teacher to serve for 2 (rather than 3) consecutive school terms of service in which the teacher receives 2 (rather than 3) overall annual evaluations of "Excellent". Effective July 1, 2023.

Creates the State Building and Residential Codes Act. Provides that the Capital Development Board, in consultation with the Department of Natural Resources, shall adopt a Building Code that establishes minimum requirements for the construction of commercial buildings, that shall apply to the construction of, renovations to, and additions to all commercial buildings in the State. Provides that the Board, in consultation with the Environmental Protection Agency, shall also adopt a Residential Code as the minimum and maximum requirements for the construction of residential buildings, that shall apply to the construction of, renovations to, and additions to all residential buildings in the State. Contains provisions concerning applicability; technical assistance; enforcement; rules; input from interested parties; and a prohibition on grants. Preempts home rule powers. Amends the Capital Development Board Act to make conforming changes. Repeals the Illinois Residential Building Codes Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Employee Blood Donation Leave Act. Changes the name of the Act to the Employee Blood and Organ Donation Leave Act. Provides that an employee may use up to 10 days of leave in any 12-month period to serve as an organ donor or bone marrow donor. Defines terms. Makes corresponding changes.

Amends the Evaluation of Certified Employees Article of the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Educations shall analyze and assess teacher evaluation data from each school in the State. Provides that the State Board analysis and assessment shall include: (1) rating data for the last evaluation cycle and current evaluation cycle for all probationary teachers and teachers in continued contractual service broken down by race and ethnicity of teachers, and (2) rating data for the last evaluation cycle and current evaluation cycle for all probationary teachers and teachers in continued contractual service broken down by race, ethnicity, and free and reduced-price lunch status of the students in the school where the teacher works. Provides that each probationary teacher and each teacher in continued contractual service rated "needs improvement" or "unsatisfactory" shall be provided a peer mentor or coach to assist in improving their practice as educators. Provides for a continuing appropriation for the teacher mentoring programs established under Article 21A of the School Code.

Amends the Pharmacy Benefit Managers Article of the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a pharmacy benefit manager shall not prohibit a pharmacist or pharmacy from, or indirectly punish a pharmacist or pharmacy for, making any written or oral statement or otherwise disclosing information to any federal, State, county, or municipal official, including the Director of Insurance or law enforcement, or before any State, county, or municipal committee, body, or proceeding under specified circumstances. Provides that the provisions apply to contracts entered into or renewed on or after July 1, 2023 (rather than July 1, 2022).

Amends the School Code. Provides that each school district must create, implement, and maintain an age-appropriate policy on race-related harassment and discrimination. In provisions concerning bullying prevention, provides that the required policy on bullying shall also include age-appropriate information about the definitions of harassment and sexual harassment, the procedures for reporting harassment, and the protections and relief available under the Illinois Human Rights Act. Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that harassment by an elementary, secondary, or higher education representative or the failure of an institution of elementary, secondary, or higher education to take remedial action or appropriate disciplinary action against a student or an elementary, secondary, or higher education representative employed by the institution (if the institution knows that the student or representative committed or engaged in harassment) is a civil rights violation. Provides that each institution of elementary, secondary, or higher education shall establish, implement, and maintain a continuing race-related discrimination and harassment program. Sets forth requirements concerning policies and procedures, a model training program, and reporting. Makes other changes. Effective August 1, 2024.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Makes a technical change in the short title Section.

Creates the Public Higher Education Act. Provides that the intent of the Act is for the requirements of the Act to apply equally to the governing board of each public institution of higher education in this State. Defines "governing board of each public institution of higher education" and "public institution of higher education". Adds provisions requiring each public institution of higher education to make emergency contraception available for purchase through at least one vending machine located on each campus under its jurisdiction; defines "emergency contraception". Sets forth minimum requirements concerning the packaging, storage, cost, and dispensing of the emergency contraception. Effective immediately.