Rep. Maurice West

Amends the Military Veterans Assistance Act. Defines "veteran" to mean any person who: (i) served on active duty in any branch of the United States Armed Forces and whose last discharge or release was under conditions other than dishonorable; (ii) served on active duty in any branch of the United States Armed Forces, including active duty solely for training purposes, and was either awarded a service-connected disability or died in such service under conditions other than dishonorable; (iii) served in the National Guard or as a reservist in any branch of the United States Armed Forces, including active duty solely for training purposes; or (iv) is determined to be a veteran according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; provided, that in any case, the service of such person qualified under items (i) through (iv) was entered into or served in Illinois, or such person has resided in the State for at least one day, except for the purpose of determining the residential eligibility of a deceased veteran's dependents.

Recognizes the Gold Star 500 and celebrates its mission to continue the legacy of Gold Star families. Pays tribute to our fallen service members and their families who have sacrificed so greatly for our freedom.

Creates the Family Neonatal Intensive Care Leave Act. Provides that all employees shall be entitled to use a maximum of 10 days of unpaid neonatal intensive care leave while a child of the employee is a patient in a neonatal intensive care unit. Provides that an employer shall not require that an employee use leave the employee is entitled to under the Family Medical Leave Act instead of leave the employee is entitled to under the Act. Sets forth provisions concerning unlawful employer practices; Department of Labor responsibilities; and enforcement. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Neonatal Intensive Care Leave Fund.

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 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 Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that it is an unlawful practice within the meaning of the Act for a person to advertise, display, or offer a price for goods or services that does not include all mandatory fees and charges other than: (1) taxes or fees imposed by a unit of government on the transaction; and (2) postage or carriage charges that will be reasonably and actually incurred to ship the physical goods to the consumer. Provides that specified transactions are excluded from the provision.

Appropriates $10,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Public Health for local health protection grants for health protection programs. Effective July 1, 2024.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. In provisions concerning surplus line insurance, changes the definition of "home state". Amends the Farm Mutual Insurance Company Act of 1986. Sets forth provisions concerning farm mutual insurance company investments in home office real estate. Makes other changes.

Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning fentanyl education, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, provides that in at least one unit in the State-required health courses for grades 6 through 8 a school district shall provide instruction, study, and discussion on the dangers of fentanyl.

Amends the Energy Assistance Act. Removes the January 1, 2025 repealer date for the Supplemental Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund. Effective immediately.

Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. Provides that a qualified child care director must be present at the open or close of the facility. Provides that a qualified early childhood teacher who has been employed by the facility continuously for at least 24 months may otherwise be present for the first or last hour of the workday.