Rep. Maurice West

Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that when a State contract is to be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, an otherwise qualified bidder who will fulfill the contract through the use of compostable foodware or recyclable foodware may be given preference over other bidders unable to do so. Prohibits the procurement and use of single-use plastic disposable foodware at State parks, natural areas, and the Illinois State Fair. Provides that the prohibition does not apply to the procurement of single-use plastic disposable straws if a State agency is servicing medically vulnerable persons. Defines terms. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that when a State agency or institution of higher education contract (rather than only a State contract) is to be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, an otherwise qualified bidder who will fulfill the contract through the use of compostable foodware or recyclable foodware may be given preference over other bidders unable to do so. Provides that the contract awarded the cost preference shall also include the option of providing the State agency or institution of higher education with single-use plastic straws. Provides that when any State contract is to be awarded for or including single-use disposable foodware, the State agency or institution of higher education shall include a requirement that the responsible bidder or offeror provide a compostable or recyclable alternative to single-use disposable foodware. Prohibits the procurement and use of single-use plastic disposable foodware at State parks and natural areas (removes the Illinois State Fair from this prohibition). Removes provision specifying that the prohibition does not apply to the procurement of single-use plastic disposable straws if a State agency is servicing medically vulnerable persons. Makes conforming changes. Senate Committee Amendment No. 2 Provides that the prohibition on the use of single-use plastic disposable foodware does not apply to the procurement of contracts for the Illinois State Fair. Makes conforming changes. Senate Floor Amendment No. 4 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with changes. Provides that when a State agency or institution of higher education contract (rather than only a State contract) is to be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, an otherwise qualified bidder who will fulfill the contract through the use of compostable foodware or recyclable foodware may be given preference over other bidders unable to do so; provided that the bid is not more than 5% greater than the cost of products that are single-use plastic disposable foodware. Provides that the contract awarded the cost preference shall also include the option of providing the State agency or institution of higher education with single-use plastic straws. Prohibits the procurement and use of single-use plastic disposable foodware at State parks and natural areas (removes the Illinois State Fair from this prohibition). Removes provision specifying that the prohibition does not apply to the procurement of single-use plastic disposable straws if a State agency is servicing medically vulnerable persons. Provides that the prohibition on the use of single-use plastic disposable foodware does not apply to the procurement of supplies for the Illinois State Fair. Makes conforming changes.

Amends the School Code. Adds a provision that any parent who is deaf, or does not normally communicate using spoken English, who participates in a meeting with a representative of a local educational agency for the purposes of developing an individualized educational program, or attends a multidisciplinary conference, a 504 mediation session, or a due process hearing (instead of just a meeting with a representative of a local educational agency for the purposes of developing an individualized educational program) shall be entitled to the services of an interpreter. Requires the State Board of Education to adopt rules to implement the provisions. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces references to a 504 mediation session with references to a 504 meeting and a mediation session for when a parent is entitled to the services of an interpreter. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 105 ILCS 5/14-6.01 from Ch. 122, par. 14-6.01 105 ILCS 5/14-8.02a Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes: In provisions concerning notification of services under Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, provides that the notice shall also state that any parent who is deaf or does not typically communicate using spoken English and who participates in a Section 504 meeting with a representative of a local educational agency shall be entitled to the services of an interpreter. Removes the amendatory language that provides that those who attend a 504 meeting, a mediation session, or a due process hearing shall be entitled to the services of an interpreter. Provides that at all stages of an impartial due process hearing or mediation, the hearing officer or mediator shall require that interpreters licensed pursuant to the Interpreter for the Deaf Licensure Act of 2007 be made available by the school district for persons who are deaf or qualified interpreters be made available by the school district for persons whose normally spoken language is other than English (rather than providing that at all stages of an impartial due process hearing, the hearing officer shall require that interpreters be made available by the school district for persons who are deaf or for persons whose normally spoken language is other than English). Effective immediately.

Creates the Decennial Committees on Local Government Consolidation and Efficiency Act. Provides that, within one year after the effective date of the Act and at least once every 10 years thereafter, each unit of local government that may levy any tax (except municipalities and counties) must form a committee to: study local efficiencies, including an analysis of whether to consolidate with another unit of local government, municipality, or county; and create a report with recommendations regarding efficiencies, increased accountability, and consolidation. Provides that the duties of the committee include, but are not limited to, the study of the unit of local government's governing statutes, ordinances, rules, procedures, powers, jurisdiction, shared services, intergovernmental agreements, and interrelationships with other units of local government and the State. Provides that the committee shall collect data, research, analysis, and public input. Dissolves the committee after completion of its report. Provides for committee membership, meetings, and report requirements. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 105 ILCS 5/17-1.1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes: Renames the Act to the Decennial Committees on Local Government Efficiency Act. Removes a requirement that a committee study whether the governmental unit should consolidate with another governmental unit, municipality, or county and makes conforming changes. Amends the School Code. Provides that the report that accompanies the school district's annual financial report must be adopted at an open meeting that allows for public comment. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. In provisions concerning cancer screenings, provides that a group policy of accident and health insurance that provides coverage for hospital or medical treatment or services for illness on an expense-incurred basis and is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall provide coverage without imposing a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or any other cost-sharing requirement on the benefits. Provides for coverage for an annual prostate cancer screening for male insureds. Defines "prostate cancer screening" as medically viable methods for the detection and diagnosis of prostate cancer, including a digital rectal exam and the prostate-specific antigen test and associated laboratory work, and provides that the term includes subsequent follow-up testing as directed by a health care provider, including, but not limited to, urinary analysis, serum biomarkers, and medical imaging. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Provides that a group policy of accident and health insurance that provides coverage for hospital or medical treatment or services for illness on an expense-incurred basis and is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed after January 1, 2024 (rather than the effective date of the amendatory Act) shall provide coverage, without imposing a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or any other cost-sharing requirement, for specified methods of cancer testing. Specifies that the provisions do not apply to coverage of prostate cancer screenings to the extent such coverage would disqualify a high-deductible health plan from eligibility for a health savings account under the Internal Revenue Code. Defines "prostate cancer screening" to include medically necessary subsequent follow-up testing as directed by a health care provider (rather than subsequent follow-up testing as directed by a health care provider).

Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Provides that residents shall have the right to be treated with courtesy and respect for their individuality by employees or persons providing medical services or care, and shall have their human and civil rights maintained in all aspects of medical care. Provides that all applicable rights under the Medical Patient Rights Act apply to residents under the Act. Provides that residents shall not perform labor or services for a facility unless those activities are included for therapeutic purposes and appropriately goal-related in the resident's individual medical record. Provides that every acute care inpatient facility, community-based residential program, and facility employing more than 2 people that provide outpatient mental health services shall have a written internal grievance procedure that, at a minimum: (1) sets forth the process to be followed; (2) specifies time limits, including time limits for facility response; (3) provides for the patient to have the assistance of an advocate; (4) requires a written response to written grievances; and (5) provides for a timely decision by an impartial decision maker if the grievance is not otherwise resolved. Makes other changes. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 210 ILCS 45/2-100 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Adds provisions regarding the legislative purpose of the Act and the public policy of the State. Removes language providing that: (1) all residents shall have the right to be treated with courtesy and respect for their individuality by employees or persons providing medical services or care, and shall have their human and civil rights maintained in all aspects of medical care; (2) employees and persons providing medical services or care must have up-to-date certification, licensure, and training pursuant to applicable Illinois law; (3) a resident shall have his or her basic human needs accommodated in a timely manner; (4) a resident has the right to maintain his or her autonomy as much as possible, to be a curious and self-actualizing individual, and to engage in intellectual, self-actualizing creative endeavors; and (5) all applicable rights under the Medical Patient Rights Act apply to all residents under the Act. Provides that every facility (rather than every acute care inpatient facility, community-based residential program, and facility that employs more than 2 people who provide outpatient mental health services) shall have a written internal grievance procedure. Makes changes concerning the criteria for the grievance procedure. Removes language requiring the notice of grievance procedure to include contact information for the Department of Public Health and the area nursing home ombudsman pursuant to specified federal provisions. Makes other changes. Senate Floor Amendment No. 5 Deletes reference to: 210 ILCS 45/2-100 new 210 ILCS 45/2-104 from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 4152-104 Adds reference to: 210 ILCS 45/2-113 from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 4152-113 210 ILCS 45/3-209 from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 4153-209 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Provides that residents shall have the right to be treated with courtesy and respect for their individuality by employees or persons providing medical services or care and shall have their human and civil rights maintained in all aspects of medical care. Provides that residents shall not perform labor or services for a facility unless those activities are included for therapeutic purposes and appropriately goal-related in the resident's individual medical record. Provides that every facility shall have a written internal grievance procedure that, at a minimum: (1) sets forth the process to be followed; (2) specifies time limits, including time limits for facility response; (3) informs residents of their right to have the assistance of an advocate; (4) provides for a timely response by an impartial decision maker if the grievance is not otherwise resolved; (5) requires the facility to follow applicable State and federal requirements for responding to and reporting any grievance alleging potential abuse, neglect, misappropriation of resident property, or exploitation; and (6) requires the facility to keep a copy of all grievances, responses, and outcomes for 3 years and provide the information to the Department of Public Health upon request. Requires a facility to post specified information concerning rights protection services and where complaints may be lodged. Provides that a facility shall include a link to the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program's website on the home page of the facility's website. Makes other changes.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that an application for vehicle registration must provide space where the applicant voluntarily may indicate that the applicant, or other approved driver of the registered vehicle, has a health condition or disability that may impede effective communication with a peace officer. Provides that the application shall include a checklist of common health conditions and disabilities that impede effective communication, which the applicant may select. Provides that the checklist must also include a blank space for the applicant to specify a condition that is not listed. Provides that the Secretary of State may request verification of a condition in the form of written statements by specified health professionals. Provides that the Secretary shall provide to the Illinois State Police the vehicle registration information of a person who indicated that the person, or other approved driver of the registered vehicle, has a health condition or disability that may impede effective communication. Provides that the Secretary may not provide to the Illinois State Police information that shows the person's specific health condition or disability, or that of another approved driver of the registered vehicle, without the consent of the person. Provides that the Illinois State Police shall establish a system to include the information in the statewide Law Enforcement Agencies Data System for the purpose of alerting a peace officer who makes a traffic stop that the operator of the stopped vehicle may have a health condition or disability that may impede effective communication. Provides that the Illinois State Police may not make the information available in the statewide Law Enforcement Agencies Data System to a person who has access to the system under a contract unless the contract prohibits the person from disclosing that information to a person who is not subject to the contract. Provides that information supplied to the Secretary relating to an applicant's health condition or disability, or that of another approved driver of the registered vehicle, is for the confidential use of the Secretary and the Illinois State Police, and may not be disclosed to any person. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Specifies that every original application (currently, application) shall bear the signature of the owner and restores provisions requiring such a signature to be written in pen and ink. Expands the applicability of the amendatory language to allow a parent of a child with a communication disorder to disclose that the child has a health condition or disability that may impede effective communication with a peace officer. Adds an effective date of July 1, 2023.

Amends the Invest in Kids Act. Makes a formatting change to create a first priority group for eligible students who received a scholarship from a scholarship granting organization during the previous school year. Provides that qualified schools may establish a maximum scholarship amount, which may not exceed the necessary costs and fees for attendance at the qualified school. Provides that the qualified school shall notify the scholarship granting organization of its necessary costs and fees as well as any maximum scholarship amount set by the school. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes. Specifies that the maximum scholarship amount set by a qualified school is subject to the limitations provided under existing law.

Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Public Health to develop and implement a comprehensive 2-year statewide safe gun storage public awareness campaign. Provides that the campaign shall include sustained and focused messaging over the course of the 2-year campaign period, messages paired with information about enforcement or incentives for safe gun storage, and geographic and cultural considerations. Provides that the campaign shall be divided into 3 phases with specified requirements for each phase. Repeals the provisions on January 1, 2026. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Provides that the statewide safe gun storage public awareness campaign shall be developed by the Department of Public Health subject to appropriation.

Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public universities and community colleges in Illinois. Requires the governing board of each public university and community college district to employ a benefits navigator for the purpose of helping students at the institution of higher education apply for and receive assistance from benefits programs; defines "benefits program". Requires the governing board (i) to provide training for the benefits navigator, with training guidance and support provided by the Department of Human Services, (ii) participate in a statewide consortium with other public institutions of higher education for the purpose of facilitating communication between benefits navigators at different institutions and developing best practices for benefits navigators, and (iii) develop an internal process to enable students to provide feedback and recommendations on how the institution can better assist students in determining eligibility for benefits programs and applying for assistance under benefits programs. Sets forth the duties of a benefits navigator. Effective January 1, 2023. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the contents of the bill with the following changes. Makes changes to the definition of "benefits navigator". Requires the institution of higher education (rather than the board of trustees) to designate (rather than employ) a benefits navigator who has a detailed understanding of eligibility requirements for benefit (rather than benefits) programs and campuswide and community resource support (rather than a detailed understanding of eligibility requirements for benefits programs and how to apply for assistance under benefits programs). Removes the requirement that the Department of Human Services provide training guidance and support. Requires the statewide consortium to be facilitated by the Board of Higher Education. Makes related changes. Effective January 1, 2023. House Floor Amendment No. 2 In the provisions amending the Public Community College Act, makes changes limiting the statewide consortium to community colleges. Provides that the Illinois Community College Board (instead of the Board of Higher Education) shall facilitate the consortium.

Amends the State Treasurer Act. Makes changes concerning the Illinois Higher Education Savings Program. Provides that the State Treasurer may make supplementary deposits to children in financially insecure households if sufficient funds are available. Provides that the State Treasurer shall annually prepare a report that includes a summary of the Program operations for the preceding fiscal year, including, among other items, the rate of seed deposits claimed, and, to the extent data is reported and available, the racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and geographic data of beneficiaries and of children in financially insecure households who may receive automatic bonus deposits. Provides that such other information that is relevant to make a full disclosure of the operations of the Program and Fund may also be reported. Makes conforming changes.