Rep. Maurice West

Amends the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act. Provides that a local government may submit a request to the Grant Accountability and Transparency Unit to be exempt from certain audit requirements if the local government is unable to meet the audit requirements due to circumstances beyond the local government's control, including, but not limited to, a natural disaster in which financial records of the local government are destroyed or alleged employee misconduct involving the destruction or withholding of financial records. Effective immediately.

Declares the week of September 18 to September 24, 2023 as "Diaper Need Awareness Week".

Creates the Second Chance Public Health and Safety Act and amends the Freedom of Information Act, the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, and the Unified Code of Corrections. Contains declarations and findings. Creates the Department of Returning Resident Affairs and sets forth its powers in relation to returning residents (residents who have been detained, are defendants in criminal prosecutions, are incarcerated, or have been incarcerated) and other matters. Provides that the Department shall develop and administer the Second Chance State Program for returning residents and provides for the establishment of hub sites to provide specified services to eligible individuals and other elements of the Program. Provides for the appointment of a Director of Returning Resident Affairs who has experience working with or for a community-based organization and was incarcerated in an Illinois Department of Corrections facility for not less than one year, as well as an Assistant Director and a General Counsel. Contains provisions regarding other matters. Provides that the provisions of the Act are severable. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Commercial Feed Act of 1961. Provides that pet food and specialty pet food are misbranded if the label fails to disclose whether the pet food contains a major food allergen. Defines "major food allergen" as milk, eggs, fish, crustaceans, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, soybeans, and food ingredients that contain protein derived from those foods.

Amends the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act. Provides that grants shall not restrict the amount of money used to pay for fringe benefits. Provides that grants shall not restrict administrative costs to less than 20% of the grant award. Defines "fringe benefits".

Amends the Juvenile Court Act. Repeals a provision excluding certain minors accused of committing specified crimes from the jurisdiction of the juvenile court. In provisions concerning presumptive transfers, provides that a State's Attorney may file a petition for transfer to criminal court for a minor who is at least 16 years of age and charged with first degree murder, aggravated criminal sexual assault, or specified instances of aggravated battery with a firearm.

Amends the Early Childhood Workforce Act. Creates the Early Childhood Workforce Standards Board (Board). Provides that Board members must be appointed within 60 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Sets forth the Board's membership. Provides that for State Fiscal Year 2025, and for each state fiscal year thereafter, the Board shall: (1) determine an hourly wage floor, and salaried equivalent, for workers in State-funded early childhood programs which the Board believes will serve to recruit and retain early childhood workers; and (2) determine minimum increments above the wage floor as may be necessary to retain workers in State-funded early childhood programs such as for years of experience or job title. Provides that subject to appropriation, beginning in State Fiscal Year 2025 the Department of Human Services shall implement and administer a program making grants to early childhood worker training programs that value experience, inclusion, equity, and racial justice; and center worker voices and needs such as mentorship, apprenticeships, and peer-led learning. Amends the School Code. Provides that in order to ensure the quality and continuity of services, within 6 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act, all grant agreements shall require each child care center to (i) comply with the wage floor and compensation policies set forth in the Early Childhood Workforce Act, (ii) report quarterly up-to-date contact information for staff to the Department to allow the State Board of Education to communicate with the workers about their rights and supports available to them, (iii) supply the State Board of Education with current copies of its wage scales for classroom and support staff and other matters, and (iv) reconcile expenses quarterly and annually submit a year-end comprehensive financial report in a form prescribed by the State Board of Education. Imposes similar requirements on child care centers in a purchase of service contract with the Department of Human Services under its Child Care Assistance Program.

Recognizes and applauds Tonya Lamia's many years of dedicated service to the economic well-being of Illinois businesses. Wishes her happiness and great success in her future endeavors.

Amends the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act. Provides that cannabis packaging must not contain neon or fluorescent colors; the words "candy", "candies", or any variant of those words, such as "kandy" or "kandeez"; things that are commonly used to market products to individuals under the age of 21, including symbols, images, characters, public figures, or phrases; or images of individuals who could reasonably appear to be under the age of 21. Modifies a prohibition of images on labels designed or likely to appeal to minors to include games. Makes conforming changes.