Rep. Dave Vella

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the Department of Corrections shall not make possession of a Firearm Owner's Identification Card a condition of continued employment as a correctional officer if the correctional officer's Firearm Owner's Identification Card is revoked or seized because the correctional officer has been a patient of a mental health facility and the correctional officer has not been determined to pose a clear and present danger to himself, herself, or others as determined by a physician, clinical psychologist, or qualified examiner. Provides that nothing in the new provisions shall otherwise impair the Department's ability to determine a correctional officer's fitness for duty. Provides that a collective bargaining agreement already in effect on this issue on the effective date of the amendatory Act cannot be modified, but on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Department cannot require a Firearm Owner's Identification Card as a condition of continued employment in a collective bargaining agreement. Provides that the Department shall document if and why a correctional officer has been determined to pose a clear and present danger. Defines "mental health facility" and "qualified examiner".

Urges the Illinois Congressional Delegation to pass another round of economic relief to fund the Payment Protection Program and the Business Interruption Grant Program and to pass broad-based federal solutions that address pandemic risk for Illinois businesses.

Creates the First Responders Behavioral Healthcare Bill of Rights Act. Provides that first responders have certain specified statutory rights in seeking behavioral health services and treatment. Provides that the rights guaranteed to first responders in these provisions are judicially enforceable. Provides that an aggrieved employee may, under the Civil Practice Law, bring an action for damages, attorney's fee, or injunctive relief against an employer for violating these rights. Defines various terms. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that the right of full access to behavioral health services and treatment that are responsive to the needs of the individual are available to the profession of emergency medical technician (EMT). Deletes provision that the right of first responders includes the right to have behavioral health services and treatment in a manner that reduces stigma to those services and treatment.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that it shall be a matter of State policy that the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall set nursing facility rates by rule utilizing an evidenced-based methodology that rewards appropriate staffing, quality-of-life improvements for nursing facility residents, including the cessation of payments for rooms with 3 or more people residing in them by January 1, 2027, and the reduction of racial inequities and health disparities for nursing facility residents enrolled in Medicaid. Provides that the new nursing services reimbursement methodology taking effect January 1, 2022, upon federal approval, shall utilize the Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM) (rather than the RUG-IV 48 grouper model). Sets the statewide base rate for dates of service on and after January 1, 2022 at $85.25. Requires the Department to establish, by rule, a multiplier based on information from the Payroll Based Journal. Provides that, beginning on and after January 1, 2022, the Department shall allocate funding, by rule, for per diem add-ons to the PDPM methodology for each resident with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Contains provisions concerning funds allocated for certain incentive payments to nursing facilities; emergency rules; payments to improve the quality of care delivered by nursing facilities; long-term care provider assessments; and other matters. Amends the Nurse Agency Licensing Act. Prohibits nurse agencies from entering into covenants not to compete with certified nurse aides. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Permits the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to adopt emergency rules. Effective immediately.

Amends the Lobbyist Registration Act. Provides that no official shall, within a period of 5 years immediately following the end of his or her term of office, engage in lobbying or any other activity that would require registration under the Act. Modifies the definition of "official" to include any elected or appointed official of a unit of local government.

Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. With respect to the substitution of a course required for graduation or graduation requirement with a related vocational or technical education course, removes the provisions that require (i) the vocational or technical education course to contain at least 50% of the content of the required course or graduation requirement for which it is substituted and (ii) a pupil's parent or guardian to request and approve the substitution. Effective July 1, 2022.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2021, a family eligible for child care services whose income is at or below 185% of the most recent United States Department of Health and Human Services Federal Poverty Guidelines for the applicable family size shall pay a $1 monthly fee as a co-payment for child care services. Deletes a provision that: (i) requires the Department of Human Services to establish, by rule, a co-payment scale that provides for cost sharing by families that receive child care services, including parents whose only income is from assistance under this Code; and (ii) that require co-payments to be based on family income and family size and other factors as appropriate. Removes a provision that authorizes the Department to raise parent co-payments. Effective immediately.

Amends the Bill of Rights for Children. Provides that every child reported to the Department of Children and Family Services or law enforcement to be a victim of sexual assault or sexual abuse whose case is accepted by either agency for investigation has the right to have that child's forensic interview conducted by a forensic interviewer from a children's advocacy center accredited according to the Children's Advocacy Center Act and serving the child's area, when such service is available. Amends the Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act. Provides that the office of the State's Attorney shall consult with the crime victim regarding the State's Attorney's decision not to charge an offense and that the victim has the right to have an attorney, advocate, and other support person of the victim's choice attend this consultation with them. Provides that the office of the State's Attorney shall give the crime victim timely notice of any decision not to pursue charges and consider the safety of the victim when deciding how to give such notice. Grants a victim a private civil cause of action for injunctive, declaratory, or mandamus relief when certain officials or agencies willfully or wantonly violate a victim's right or rights and the officials or agencies do not correct their actions and afford the right or rights to the victim when given written notice and reasonable time to comply. Makes other changes.

Amends the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias Services Act. Repeals provisions regarding the Act's repealer. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Reduces the trailer flat weight tax for maximum loads of 3,000 pounds and less from $118 to $18. Effective immediately.