Rep. Suzanne Ness

Amends the Education for Homeless Children Act. Requires the Office of the Coordinator for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth to create the School District Homeless Student Identification Performance Assessment and submit the Assessment to the State Board of Education for a school district with an enrollment greater than 100 students. Sets forth what information shall be included in the Assessment. Amends the School Code to provide that the information in the Assessment shall be included in the school report card. Further amends the Education for Homeless Children Act. In provisions concerning the Education of Homeless Children and Youth State Grant Program, provides that when awarding competitive grants under the Education of Homeless Children and Youth State Grant Program, grants shall be made to applicant school districts based on the percentage of students experiencing homelessness in the applicant school district in accordance with the Program (instead of to applicant school districts in accordance with the Program). Removes specified provisions concerning what factors the State Board of Education may use in awarding grants. Specifies other activities eligible for assistance. Provides that the State Board of Education may use up to 25% (instead 5%) of the funds appropriated for the purposes of the Program for administrative costs. Makes other changes.

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 Child Care Act of 1969. Removes a requirement that the Department of Children and Family Services notify the public when a child care institution, maternity center, or group home licensed by the Department undergoes a change in the area within the facility used by children or a change in the age of children served.

Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. In a provision requiring a long term care facility to permit the Office of State Long Term Care Ombudsman to examine and copy a resident's clinical and other records, includes access to facility incident reports. In the definition of "access", changes "express written consent" to "express consent".

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 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 Criminal Identification Act. Provides that, in anticipation of the successful completion of a diversion program, a petitioner may file a petition for expungement at least 61 days before the anticipated dismissal of the case. Provides that, if a petition is filed, and upon the successful completion of the diversion program and dismissal of the case, the court shall review the petition and shall grant expungement if the petitioner meets all requirements. Amends the Drug Court Treatment Act, the Veterans and Servicemembers Court Treatment Act, and the Mental Health Court Treatment Act to make conforming changes.

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.