Rep. Dave Vella

Amends the Illinois Dental Practice Act. Provides that a person who provides teledentistry is considered to practice dentistry under the Act. Provides that a dentist practicing teledentistry is subject to the same standard of care as if those services were being delivered in a clinic or office setting. Provides that a patient receiving dental services through teledentistry shall be provided with the name, direct telephone number, and physical practice address of the treating dentist who will be involved in the teledentistry services. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation may adopt rules to implement the provisions of the use of teledentistry services. Provides that it shall be a violation of the Act for a provider of dental services utilizing care through teledentistry to require a patient to sign an agreement that limits in any way the patient's ability to write a review of services received or file a complaint with the Department or other regulatory agency. Provides that a person may not sell a clear aligner to a patient unless the person has received written or electronic confirmation from a dentist licensed in this State that the patient has received an intraoral or extraoral dental examination and has had a review of new or recently conducted x-rays, panoramic x-rays, computed tomography, bone imaging scans, or other appropriate diagnostic imaging sufficient to allow the dentist to detect conditions in the patient that would preclude or contraindicate the provision of safe orthodontic treatment. Provides that a person who sells a clear aligner to a patient shall maintain any documents for not less than 7 years after the date of sale. Defines "informed consent" and "clear aligner". Changes the definitions of "patient of record" and "teledentistry".

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Requires the Environmental Protection Agency to establish a voucher program to promote the use of electric vehicles by offering, subject to appropriation, a voucher in specified amounts per electric vehicle purchased or leased. Requires vouchers to be (1) made available for electric vehicles that are registered in Illinois or recognized under the International Registration Plan, (2) issued only to applicants who have a primary residence in Illinois, and (3) made available for direct purchases, purchases through third-party bulk orders, and leasing of electric vehicles. Provides that an applicant shall submit a proof of purchase, lease, or other binding contract regarding the electric vehicle in order to be awarded the voucher. Contains other requirements. Defines "electric vehicle". Contains other provisions.

Amends the State Board of Education Article of the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education to create an Equity for Autistic Students Commission to research, recommend, and review policies that affect autistic students to ensure fair access to resources, therapies, education, and equity with a focused lens on historically marginalized groups. Provides that the Commission shall review different therapies and practices used or recommended for autistic students and, with the help of experts appointed to the Commission, decide if those therapies and practices are still the best therapies and practices. Provides that the Commission shall consist of members appointed by the State Board of Education and shall include experts in the field of autism in children and students. Provides that at least one member appointed to the Commission by the State Board of Education shall have autism. Provides that the State Board of Education shall provide administrative assistance and necessary staff support services. Provides for meetings and reporting.

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Creates the Commission on Dependency and Addiction. Provides that the purpose of the Commission shall be to study fiscal matters regarding appropriating money across statewide programs aimed at tackling substance dependency and addiction. Provides that the Commission shall consist of members appointed by the Department of Human Services. Provides that the Department shall provide administrative assistance and necessary staff support services.

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 Illinois Public Labor Relations Act. Specifies that among the conditions of employment that may be included in arbitration decisions involving peace officers are residency requirements for municipalities with a population under 1,000,000 (now, for municipalities with a population under 100,000). Specifies that residency requirements for municipalities with a population under 1,000,000 (now, for municipalities with a population under 100,000) are not a condition of employment that may be included in an arbitration decision for a peace officer. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Creates the Opioid Crisis Committee. Provides that the purpose of the Commission shall be to study the opioid crisis across the nation and the State. Provides that the Commission shall develop strategies and policies to reduce the number of overdoses and deaths due to opioids in the State. Provides that the Commission shall ensure that any policy developed will be equitably accessible across historically marginalized groups and in both rural and urban areas. Provides that the Commission shall consist of members appointed by the Department of Human Services. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall provide administrative assistance and necessary staff support services. Provides that the Commission shall issue a report on the findings and strategies developed by the Commission to the General Assembly and the Governor. Provides that the Commission shall be dissolved upon delivery of the report. Repeals the provisions on January 1, 2027.

Amends the Public Community College Act. Provides that the Illinois Community College Board shall, in cooperation with the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board, develop an academic program to (i) grant students a certification to become a law enforcement officer or firefighter and (ii) grant those students an associate degree. Provides that in order to be admitted into the academic program, a student shall have completed a public safety or fire safety career and technical education course in high school.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax credit for businesses with an average of 100 or fewer full-time employees during the taxable year in an amount equal to 50% of the costs incurred by the business in offering a paid family leave program to all of its full-time employees.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that no insurer, dental service plan corporation, professional service corporation, insurance network leasing company, or any company that amends, delivers, issues, or renews an individual or group policy of accident and health insurance on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall require a dental care provider to incur a fee to access and obtain payment or reimbursement for services provided. Provides that a dental plan carrier shall provide a dental care provider with 100% of the contracted amount of the payment or reimbursement. Effective immediately.