Rep. Dave Vella

Amends the Privacy of Child Victims of Criminal Sexual Offenses Act. Provides that law enforcement agency records and all circuit court records relating to any investigation or proceeding pertaining to a criminal sexual offense shall be restricted to exclude the identity of a child victim, and shall not be restricted to exclude the identity of any child who is a victim of such criminal sexual offense or alleged criminal sexual offense only if a court order is issued authorizing the disclosure of a particular case or particular cases records maintained by any circuit court clerk. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the bill as introduced, with the following change: Clarifies language related to restricting the identity of child victims of criminal sexual offenses or alleged criminal sexual offenses by providing that such identity shall be restricted unless a court order is issued authorizing the removal of such restriction of a particular case record or particular records of cases maintained by any circuit court clerk. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Further amends the Privacy of Child Victims of Criminal Sexual Offenses Act. Provides that an advocate and victim's attorney may be exempt from a requirement to exclude a victim's identity in certain records (in addition to the exemptions provided in current law). Provides that the copy of the criminal history record information to be provided under a specified provision shall exclude the identity of the child victim. Provides that, in a provision concerning criminal sexual offense and school districts, a superintendent shall be restricted from revealing the identity of the victim. Provides that nothing in this Article precludes or may be used to preclude a mandated reporter from reporting child abuse or child neglect as required under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Provides that the Attorney General and Assistant Attorneys General may be exempt from a requirement to exclude a victim's identity in certain records.

Creates the Local Journalism Task Force Act. Establishes the Local Journalism Task Force, consisting of one member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, one member of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, one member of the Senate appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate, one member appointed by the Governor, and one representative of each of the following entities: the Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications at Northwestern University; the Public Affairs Reporting Program at the University of Illinois at Springfield; the School of Journalism at Southern Illinois University Carbondale; the Illinois Press Association; the Illinois Broadcasters Association; the Illinois Legislative Correspondents Association; the Illinois Public Broadcasting Council; and the Illinois Municipal League. Directs the Task Force to study communities underserved by local journalism and review all aspects of local journalism. Requires the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to provide administrative support. Provides that the Task Force shall report its findings and recommendations for legislation to the Governor and General Assembly. Provides that the Act is repealed 2 years after the effective date. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Expands the membership of the Local Journalism Task Force Act to include one representative of the Illinois News Broadcasters Association and one representative of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Amends the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986. Provides that the Supreme Court may implement a program to issue a Hope Card to the petitioner of a plenary order of protection for the petitioner to distribute to any individual who may need to be aware of the order. Adds provisions concerning the design and details of a Hope Card. Provides that a Hope Card shall have the same effect as the underlying plenary order of protection. Provides that the program may provide for the issuance of a temporary Hope Card at the time of the entry of the plenary order of protection. Provides that the first Hope Card shall be free, and the Supreme Court may establish a fee for any additional Hope Card, not to exceed $7 per Hope Card. Makes a corresponding change. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that the Supreme Court shall (rather than may) implement a program to issue a Hope Card to the petitioner of a plenary order of protection. Provides that 3 three Hope Cards per protected party (rather than the first Hope Card) issued shall be free. Allows the Supreme Court to establish a fee for any additional Hope Card, not to exceed $5 (rather than $7) per Hope Card. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the contents of the introduced bill and House Amendment No. 1, but provides that the Supreme Court may (rather than shall) implement a program to issue a Hope Card to the petitioner of a plenary order of protection.

Amends the Public Defender and Appointed Counsel Division of the Counties Code. Creates the Public Defender Quality Defense Task Force. Provides that the Task Force is established to: (i) examine the current caseload and determine the optimal caseload for public defenders in the State; (ii) examine the quality of legal services being offered to defendants by public defenders of the State; and (iii) make recommendations to improve the caseload of public defenders and quality of legal services offered by public defenders. Provides that the Task Force shall hold a minimum of 2 public hearings and at other times of its choosing. Provides that the Task Force shall prepare a report that summarizes its work and makes recommendations resulting from its study to the General Assembly and Governor no later than December 31, 2022. Repeals the provisions on December 31, 2023. Effective immediately.

Creates the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Act. Defines terms. Establishes findings and purposes of the Act. Creates the Illinois Domestic Violence Fatality Review Commission, and provides for: membership; terms and vacancies of members; quorum; meetings; compensation; duties; and responsibilities. Allows a regional domestic violence fatality review team to be established within the boundaries of each judicial circuit, and provides for: membership; terms and vacancies of members; quorum; meetings; compensation; duties; and responsibilities. Adds provisions governing: cases eligible for review; confidentiality of regional review teams, information, and domestic violence fatality reviews; access to records and information; storage and destruction of confidential information; penalties for unlawful disclosure of confidential information; and immunity. Makes conforming changes in the Open Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Act. Defines terms. Establishes findings and purposes of the Act. Creates the Ad Hoc Statewide Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority Board, and provides for: membership; terms and vacancies of members; quorum; meetings; compensation; duties; and responsibilities. Allows a regional domestic violence fatality review team to be established within the boundaries of each judicial circuit, and provides for: membership; terms of members; vacancies; quorum; meetings; compensation; duties; and responsibilities. Adds provisions governing: cases eligible for review; confidentiality of regional review teams, information, and domestic violence fatality reviews; access to records and information; storage and destruction of confidential information; penalties for unlawful disclosure of confidential information; and immunity. Makes conforming changes in the Open Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Act. Defines terms. Establishes findings and purposes of the Act. Creates the Ad Hoc Statewide Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority Board, and provides for: membership; terms and vacancies of members; quorum; meetings; compensation; duties; and responsibilities. Allows a regional domestic violence fatality review team to be established within the boundaries of each judicial circuit, and provides for: membership; terms of members; vacancies; quorum; meetings; compensation; duties; and responsibilities. Adds provisions governing: cases eligible for review; confidentiality of regional review teams, information, and domestic violence fatality reviews; access to records and information; storage and destruction of confidential information; penalties for unlawful disclosure of confidential information; and immunity. Makes conforming changes in the Open Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Employee Health Savings Account Law. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 5 ILCS 377/10-1 Adds reference to: New Act 20 ILCS 2605/2605-615 new 725 ILCS 5/111-9 new 725 ILCS 202/50 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Forensic Laboratory Impact Note Act. Creates the Forensic Laboratory Impact Note. Provides that every bill, the purpose or effect of which is to increase or decrease the number of crime laboratories, increase or decrease the cost of operating crime laboratories, or alter any process involving or used by crime laboratories, either directly or indirectly, shall have prepared for it prior to second reading in the house of introduction a brief explanatory statement of the estimated total annual cost of such changes to the State and units of local government affected by those changes (if any). Amends the Department of State Police Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Creates the Illinois Forensic Science Commission. Provides that the Commission shall provide guidance to ensure the efficient delivery of forensic services and the sound practice of forensic science. Provides for the membership, meetings, duties, and reporting of the Commission. Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Provides for the appointment of a chief procurement officer for publicly-funded forensic laboratories. Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that upon disposition, withdrawal, or dismissal of any charge, the State's Attorney shall promptly notify the forensic laboratory or laboratories in possession of evidence, reports, or other materials or information related to that charge. Provides that a forensic scientist who is employed by or is contracted with the Division of Forensic Services of the Illinois State Police may complete a deposition by video conference or other electronic means. Amends the Sexual Assault Evidence Submission Act. Provides that the Illinois State Police may (rather than shall) develop rules to implement a sexual assault evidence tracking system. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 5 ILCS 377/10-1 Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 2605/2605-615 new 725 ILCS 5/111-9 new 725 ILCS 202/50 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Department of State Police Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Creates the Illinois Forensic Science Commission and provides for membership and duties for the commission. Provides for reporting by publicly funded forensic laboratories of non-conformities with the efficient delivery of forensic services. Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides for notification by the State's Attorney to forensic laboratories under specified circumstances. Amends the Sexual Assault Evidence Submission Act. Provides that the Department of State Police may, rather than shall, develop rules to implement a sexual assault evidence tracking system. Makes other changes. Adds an immediate effective date provision.

Amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Allows a member to establish optional credit for up to 2 years of service as a teacher or administrator employed by a private school recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education, provided that the teacher (i) was certified under the law governing the certification of teachers at the time the service was rendered, (ii) applies in writing on or before June 30, 2023, (iii) supplies satisfactory evidence of the employment, (iv) completes at least 10 years of contributing service as a teacher, and (v) pays the required contribution. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Adds reference to: 40 ILCS 5/16-158 from Ch. 108 1/2, par. 16-158 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes. Further amends the Downstate Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. In a provision that requires an employer to make an additional contribution to the System for certain salary increases greater than 6%, excludes salary increases resulting from teaching summer school on or after May 1, 2021 and before September 15, 2022. Effective immediately. Pension Note, House Floor Amendment No. 2 (Government Forecasting & Accountability) SB 1646, as amended by HA 2, would reopen a window for teachers to apply for optional service credit for work done in approved private schools as teachers and administrators. The Teachers' Retirement System reports having 3,463 members who have applied for this private school credit in previous window openings, as described below. TRS estimates that the fiscal impact of this bill would be low, as the member must pay both the member and employer contributions, plus the actuarially assumed rate of interest to take advantage of this credit. The fiscal impact to TRS as a result of exempting summer school teaching from the 6% Final Average Salary Cap is unknown, as it is not known how many teachers would accrue pensionable salary in excess of 6% from the previous school year with the same employer via summer school teaching rendered between May 1, 2021 and September 15, 2022. Fiscal Note, House Floor Amendment No. 2 (Teachers Retirement System) Actuarial cost impact. SB 1646 as amended would have an unknown impact to TRS. Changes allowing optional service purchase under the bill are designed to be fully paid for by the related member contributions. Changes in required school district contributions would likely create some additional cost to the State of Illinois, but the total cost cannot be calculated without knowing the actual behavior of individual school districts and employees. Administrative cost impact. Administering the provisions of this bill would not increase the administrative costs ofTRS.

Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. In the Section concerning temporary custody of an abused or neglected minor, provides that nothing in the provisions shall restrict the Department of Children and Family Services from immediately restricting or terminating parent-child contact or sibling contacts if the Department or its assigns reasonably believe that continuation of the contact, as set out in the plan, would result in an immediate threat (instead of "would be contrary to") to the child's health, safety, and welfare. Provides that the reasonable belief must be based on credible evidence. Provides that such restrictions on parent-child contact and sibling contacts by the Department or its assigns shall only occur on an individual case-by-case basis. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the bill as introduced, with the following changes: Provides that the Department of Children and Family Services may immediately restrict or terminate parent-child contact or sibling contacts, without either amending the parent-child visiting plan or the sibling contact plan or obtaining a court order, where the Department or its assigns reasonably believe there is an immediate need to protect the child's health, safety, and welfare. Provides that such restrictions or terminations must be based on available facts to the Department and its assigns when viewed in light of the surrounding circumstances and shall only occur on an individual case-by-case basis.

Creates the Domestic Violence Task Force Act. Creates the Domestic Violence Task Force to establish a consistent, uniform statewide system to protect victims and survivors of domestic violence, while holding offenders accountable. Contains requirements and responsibilities of the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall be composed of specified members. Provides that the Family Violence Coordinating Council within the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority shall provide administrative support to the Task Force. Repeals the Act on September 1, 2027. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Dedicates this Act to the memory of Colton Miller and the lives that have been lost as a result of domestic violence. House Floor Amendment No. 3 Provides that the Domestic Violence Task Force may also be referred to as Colton's Task Force. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes provision that the Domestic Violence Task Force shall review the need for special consideration for conditions of bail in cases involving domestic violence within the ongoing changes brought on by bail reform.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that a period of probation, a term of periodic imprisonment or conditional discharge shall not be imposed for a violation of child pornography when the person possesses any film, videotape, photograph, or other similar visual reproduction or depiction by computer of any child or person with a severe or profound intellectual disability whom the person knows or reasonably should know to be under the age of 18 or to be a person with a severe or profound intellectual disability engaged in sexual activity if the victim is a household or family member of the defendant.