Rep. Chris Welch

Amends the Protect Health Data Privacy Act. Provides that a regulated entity shall disclose and maintain a health data privacy policy that, in plain language, clearly and conspicuously disclosures specified information. Provides that a regulated entity shall prominently publish its health data privacy policy on its website homepage. Provides that a regulated entity shall not collect, share, sell, or store categories of health data not disclosed in the health data privacy policy without first disclosing the categories of health data and obtaining the consumer's consent prior to the collection, sharing, selling, or storing of such data. Prohibits the collection, sharing, selling, or storing of health data. Describes the regulated entity's duty to obtain consent; the consumer's right to withdraw consent; prohibitions on discrimination; prohibitions on geofencing; a private right of action; enforcement by the Attorney General; and conflicts with other laws. Makes other changes.

Amends the Uniform Interstate Depositions and Discovery Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Seizure Smart School Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Transportation Network Providers Act. Deletes language: (i) providing that a Transportation Network Company is not deemed to own, control, operate, or manage the vehicles used by Transportation Network Company drivers, and is not a taxicab association or a for-hire vehicle owner; and (ii) providing that Transportation Network Companies or Transportation Network Company drivers are not common carriers, contract carriers or motor carriers, as defined by applicable State law, nor do they provide taxicab or for-hire vehicle service. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that an individual or group policy of accident and health insurance or managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed after the effective date of the amendatory Act must provide coverage for medically necessary hearing instruments and related services for all individuals (rather than all individuals under the age of 18) when a hearing care professional prescribes a hearing instrument to augment communication. Makes conforming changes, including repealing provisions concerning optional coverage or optional reimbursement for hearing instruments and related services. Effective January 1, 2025.

Amends the Equal Pay Act of 2003. Provides that it is unlawful for an employer with 15 or more employees to fail to include the pay scale for a position in any job posting. Provides that if an employer with 15 or more employees engages a third party to announce, post, publish, or otherwise make known a job posting, the employer shall provide the pay scale to the third party and the third party shall include the pay scale in the job posting. Defines "pay scale". Makes conforming changes to provisions concerning violations of the Act and fines and penalties. Effective immediately.

Amends the Employee Blood Donation Leave Act. Changes the name of the Act to the Employee Blood and Organ Donation Leave Act. Provides that an employee may use up to 10 days of leave in any 12-month period to serve as an organ donor or bone marrow donor. Defines terms. Makes corresponding changes.

Amends the Department of Innovation and Technology Act. Provides that the Department of Innovation and Technology shall establish the Generative AI and Natural Language Processing Task Force investigate and provide a report on generative artificial intelligence software and natural language processing software. Sets forth the members to serve on the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall hold at least 5 meetings, and specifies the format and the location of those minimum amount of meetings. Provides for additional responsibilities of the Task Force. Provides that the Department of Innovation and Technology shall provide administrative and technical support to the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall provide a report to the Governor and the General Assembly covering the Task Force's investigation into generative artificial intelligence software and natural language processing software and the Task Force's additional responsibilities.

Amends the Illinois Housing Development Act. Provides that the Illinois Housing Development Authority (Authority) may develop a program that provides incentives for the development of affordable housing projects that incorporate urban and suburban gardening programs. Provides that under the program, the University of Illinois shall be consulted regarding best practices in urban gardening and farming, including vertical gardening, aquaponics, and community gardening. Provides that an affordable housing project that incorporates an urban or suburban gardening program must provide any land, buildings, or tools necessary to develop and maintain the garden or farm. Provides that under the program, the Authority shall also coordinate and collaborate with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to create distribution networks that link urban and suburban gardens with local businesses in order to facilitate the sale and distribution of locally-grown agricultural products and food stuffs to consumers residing within the local community. Provides that the Authority and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may adopt any rules necessary to implement the program. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Provides that the State Education Equity Committee shall include a member from an organization that works for economic, educational, and social progress for Native Americans and promotes strong sustainable communities through advocacy, collaboration, and innovation. Requires the State Superintendent of Education to convene a Native American Curriculum Advisory Council. Creates the Native American Curriculum Task Force. Provides that the unit of instruction on the Holocaust and genocides shall include instruction on the Native American genocide in North America. Provides that, beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, every public elementary school and high school shall include in its curriculum a unit of instruction studying the events of the Native American experience and Native American history within the Midwest and the State since time immemorial. Provides that the teaching of the history of the United States shall include the study of the role and contributions of Native Americans and teaching about Native Americans' sovereignty and self-determination. Effective immediately.