Rep. Emanuel Chris Welch

Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public universities and community colleges in Illinois. Beginning with the 2022-2023 academic year, requires the governing board of each public university and community college district to designate an employee as a Dream Resource Liaison to be available on campus to provide assistance to students who lack proper authorization to be in the United States in streamlining access to all available financial aid and academic opportunities. Sets forth other provisions concerning the liaison. Encourages each governing board to establish a Dream Resource Center on each of its campuses to offer support services, including, but not limited to, State, federal, and other financial aid assistance, academic counseling, peer support services, psychological counseling, referral services, and legal services. Sets forth other provisions concerning the center. Effective July 1, 2021. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public universities and community colleges in Illinois. Beginning with the 2022-2023 academic year, requires the governing board of each public university and community college district to designate an employee as an Undocumented Student Resource Liaison to be available on campus to provide assistance to undocumented students and mixed status students within the United States in streamlining access to financial aid and academic support to successfully matriculate to degree completion. Sets forth other provisions concerning the liaison. Encourages each governing board to establish an Undocumented Student Resource Center on each of its campuses to offer support services, as well as mental health counseling options. Sets forth other provisions concerning the center. Effective July 1, 2021.

Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, a prescription for a substance in Schedule II, III, IV, or V must be sent electronically, in accordance with provisions regarding the Prescription Monitoring Program. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 720 ILCS 570/401.3 new Adds reference to: 720 ILCS 570/311.6 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Provides that notwithstanding any other provision of law, a prescription for a substance classified in Schedule II, III, IV, or V must be sent electronically. Provides that notwithstanding any other provision of law, a prescriber shall not be required to issue prescriptions electronically if he or she certifies to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation that he or she will not issue more than 25 prescriptions during a 12-month period. Prescriptions in both oral and written form for controlled substances shall be included in determining whether the prescriber will reach the limit of 25 prescriptions. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall adopt rules for the administration of these provisions. Provides that these rules shall provide for the implementation of any such exemption to the requirements under these provisions that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation may deem appropriate, including the exemption limiting a prescriber from issuing more than 25 prescriptions during a 12-month period. Effective January 1, 2023.

Amends the Fair Patient Billing Act. Requires a hospital to proactively offer information on charity care options available to patients, regardless of their immigration status, health insurance, or residency, and to obtain the signature of a patient declining charity care if the patient does not intend to access financial assistance. Effective July 1, 2021. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Fair Patient Billing Act. Provides that a hospital shall proactively offer information on charity care options available to uninsured patients, regardless of their immigration status or residency. Effective on the first day of the first month immediately following 90 days after becoming law.

Creates the Prior Authorization Reform Act. Provides requirements concerning disclosure and review of prior authorization requirements, denial of claims or coverage by a utilization review organization, and the implementation of prior authorization requirements or restrictions. Provides requirements concerning a utilization review organization's obligations with respect to prior authorizations in nonurgent circumstances, urgent health care services, and emergency health care services. Provides that a utilization review organization shall not require prior authorization under specified circumstances. Provides requirements concerning the length of prior authorizations. Provides that health care services are automatically deemed authorized if a utilization review organization fails to comply with the requirements of the Act. Provides that the Director of Insurance may impose an administrative fine not to exceed $250,000 for violations of the Act. Defines terms. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code to change the definition of "emergency medical condition". Amends the Managed Care Reform and Patient Rights Act to provide that companies that transact accident and health insurance shall comply with specified requirements of the Managed Care Reform and Patient Rights Act. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code to provide that all managed care organizations shall comply with the requirements of the Prior Authorization Reform Act. Makes other changes. Effective January 1, 2022. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Changes references from "utilization review organization" to "health insurance issuer" or "health insurance issuer or its contracted utilization review organization". Provides that a health insurance issuer or its contracted utilization review organization must ensure that all adverse determinations are made by a physician when the request is by a physician or a representative of a physician. Provides that a health insurance issuer shall periodically review its prior authorization requirements and consider removal of prior authorization requirements in specified circumstances (rather than a utilization review organization shall not require prior authorization in specified circumstances). In provisions concerning length of prior authorization approval, provides that a prior authorization approval shall be valid for the lesser of 12 months after the date the health care professional or health care provider receives the prior authorization approval or the length of treatment as determined by the patient's health care professional. In provisions concerning clinical review criteria of prior authorization requirements, removes language that provides that a utilization review organization shall seek input from actively practicing physicians representing major areas of the specialty who are not employees of the utilization review organization or consultants to the utilization review organization before establishing or substantially or materially altering written clinical review criteria. Removes language that provides that a utilization review organization shall not deny prior authorization of a health care service solely based on the grounds that a health care professional or health care provider judges a service, product, or procedure is medically appropriate for his or her patient even if it has not been formally approved for the specific condition being treated. In provisions concerning statistics that shall be made available regarding prior authorization approvals and denials, removes specified categories of information. In provisions concerning requirements applicable to the physician who can review consultations and appeals, removes language that provides that the physician must not be employed by a utilization review organization, be under contract with the utilization review organization other than to participate in one or more of the utilization review organization's health care professional networks or to perform reviews of appeals, or otherwise have any financial interest in the outcome of the appeal. Makes other changes. Effective January 1, 2022. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 215 ILCS 134/65 Adds reference to: 215 ILCS 5/155.36 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill, and makes the following changes: In the Prior Authorization Reform Act, deletes a Section concerning obligations with respect to prior authorization concerning emergency health care services, and makes changes in provisions governing applicability; definitions; disclosure and review of prior authorization requirements; obligations with respect to prior authorizations; personnel qualified to make adverse determinations of a prior authorization request; adverse determinations; review of appeals; denials; length of prior authorization approval; continuity of care; effect of failure to comply with the Act; and administration and enforcement. Makes further changes in the Illinois Insurance Code in a Section concerning obligations under the Managed Care Reform and Patient Rights Act. Deletes changes made to the Managed Care Reform and Patient Rights Act in a Section concerning emergency services prior to stabilization. Effective January 1, 2022.

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that, in counties with a population over 3,000,000, the Public Defender, without fee or appointment and with the approval of the county board, may act as attorney to noncitizens in immigration cases related to or resulting from an underlying court matter in which the Public Defender served as attorney before he or she became the Public Defender. Provides that representation by the Public Defender in immigration cases is limited to those arising in immigration courts located within the geographical boundaries of the county where the Public Defender has been appointed to office unless the board authorizes the Public Defender to provide representation outside the county. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 55 ILCS 5/3-4004.2 55 ILCS 5/3-4004.5 new Adds reference to: 55 ILCS 5/3-4006 from Ch. 34, par. 3-4006 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Counties Code. Provides that, in counties with a population over 3,000,000, the public defender, without fee or appointment and with the concurrence of the county board, may act as attorney to noncitizens in immigration cases. Provides that representation by the public defender in immigration cases shall be limited to those arising in immigration courts located within the geographical boundaries of the county where the public defender has been appointed to office unless the board authorizes the public defender to provide representation outside the county.

Amends the Managed Care Reform and Patient Rights Act. Requires health insurance carriers that provide coverage for prescription drugs to ensure that, within service areas and levels of coverage specified by federal law, at least half of individual and group plans meet one or more of the following criteria: apply a pre-deductible and flat-dollar copayment structure to the entire drug benefit, limit a beneficiary's monthly out-of-pocket financial responsibility for prescription drugs to a specified amount, or limit a beneficiary's annual out-of-pocket financial responsibility for prescription drugs to a specified amount. Provides that all plans for prescription drugs offered under the amendatory Act must be clearly and appropriately named, marketed in the same manner as other plans offered by the health insurance carrier, and offered for purchase to any individual and group plan sponsor. Effective January 1, 2022. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Managed Care Reform and Patient Rights Act. In provisions concerning individual health plans that provide coverage for prescription drugs, provides that beginning January 1, 2023, health insurance carriers shall ensure that at least 10% of individual health care plans offered in each applicable service area apply a flat-dollar copayment structure to the entire drug benefit; and beginning January 1, 2024, health insurance carriers shall ensure that at least 25% of individual health care plans offered in each applicable service area apply a flat-dollar copayment structure to the entire drug benefit. In provisions concerning group health plans that provide coverage for prescription drugs, provides that beginning January 1, 2023, health insurance carriers shall offer at least one group health plan in each applicable service area that applies a flat-dollar copayment structure to the entire drug benefit; and beginning January 1, 2024, health insurance carriers shall offer at least 2 group health plans in each applicable service area that apply a flat-dollar copayment structure to the entire drug benefit. Provides that the flat-dollar copayment structure for prescription drugs must be applied pre-deductible and be reasonably graduated and proportionately related in all tier levels such that the copayment structure as a whole does not discriminate against or discourage the enrollment of individuals with significant health care needs. Requires the health insurance carriers to clearly and appropriately name the plans to aid in individual or group plan selection. Requires the health insurance carriers to market the plans in the same manner as their other plans. Requires the Department of Insurance to adopt rules necessary to implement and enforce the provisions. Effective January 1, 2023.

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the definition of "conviction". House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 720 ILCS 5/2-5 Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 2310/2310-705 new 20 ILCS 2605/2605-51 new 50 ILCS 705/7 from Ch. 85, par. 507 50 ILCS 705/7.1 new 430 ILCS 67/5 430 ILCS 67/10 430 ILCS 67/35 430 ILCS 67/40 430 ILCS 67/45 430 ILCS 67/85 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Public Health, subject to appropriation or other available funding, shall conduct a program to promote awareness of firearms restraining orders to the general public. Provides that beginning July 1, 2022, the program must include the development and dissemination, through print, digital, and broadcast media, of public service announcements that publicize the options victims of domestic violence have to seek help with special emphasis on the firearms restraining order. Amends the Department of State Police Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Creates the Commission on Implementing the Firearms Restraining Order Act. Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Provides that the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board shall develop and approve a standard curriculum for a training program on the Firearms Restraining Order Act. Provides that the Board shall conduct a training program that trains officers on the use of firearms restraining orders, how to identify situations in which a firearms restraining order is appropriate, and how to safely promote the usage of the firearms restraining order in a domestic violence situation. Provides that the curriculum of police training schools shall also include training on the use of a firearms restraining order by providing instruction on the process used to file a firearms restraining order, how to identify situations in which a firearms restraining order is appropriate, and how to promote a firearms restraining order in a domestic violence situation. Provides that if adequate firearms restraining order training is unavailable, the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board may approve training to be conducted by a third party. Officers who have successfully completed this program shall be issued a certificate attesting to their attendance. Amends the Firearms Restraining Order Act. Provides that a firearms restraining order includes the seizure of the respondent's ammunition and firearm parts that could be assembled to make an operable firearm. Provides that "family member of the respondent" includes a former spouse and a person with whom the respondent has or allegedly has a child in common. Provides that a petition for a firearms restraining order may be filed in any county where an incident occurred that involved the respondent posing an immediate and present danger of causing personal injury to the respondent or another by having in his or her custody or control, or purchasing, possessing, or receiving, a firearm or ammunition or firearm parts that could be assembled to make an operable firearm. Includes printing a petition for a firearms restraining order for which no fees may be charged by the circuit clerk. Provides that the Illinois State Police shall submit a yearly report to the General Assembly concerning the applications and issuance of firearms restraining orders. Makes other changes. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Further amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Public Health's program to promote awareness of firearms restraining orders shall include production of materials that can be given to health care workers that assist in identifying people who may benefit from awareness of the Firearms Restraining Order Act (rather than victims of domestic violence and how to safely and discreetly determine if a potential abuser possesses a firearm). Deletes language providing that the program must include the development and dissemination of public service announcements that publicize the options for victims of domestic violence to seek help. Further amends the Department of State Police Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Changes the composition of the Commission on Implementing the Firearms Restraining Order Act. Removes language providing for a member of a nonprofit organization whose mission is to reduce gun violence with experience educating the public about the Firearms Restraining Order Act, nominated by such an organization whose membership is the most numerous in Illinois. Adds to the membership the Director of Public Health or the Director's designee. Further amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Deletes language providing that police officer training shall include how to promote a firearms restraining order in a domestic violence situation. Further amends the Firearms Restraining Order Act. In the definition of "family member of the respondent", replaces new provision that the definition includes a person with whom the respondent has or allegedly has a child in common with a person with whom the respondent has a minor child in common.

Amends the Use Tax Act and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that, beginning 120 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the term "selling price" no longer includes the value of traded-in motor vehicles. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. In a Section concerning the use tax on motor vehicles, makes changes concerning the amount of the tax. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 625 ILCS 5/1-216.5 new 625 ILCS 5/3-819 from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 3-819 625 ILCS 5/3-821 from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 3-821 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Use Tax Act and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Provides that, beginning on January 1, 2022, the term "selling price" no longer includes the value of traded-in motor vehicles. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Defines "utility trailer". Provides for a flat weight trailer tax of $36 for utility trailers. Decreases the flat weight tax for Class TA trailers from $118 to $36. Increases the certificate of title fee for vehicles other than all-terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles, motor homes, mini motor homes, and van campers from $150 to $155 and provides that the additional fee amount shall be deposited into the Road Fund. In a Section concerning the use tax on motor vehicles, makes changes concerning the amount of the tax. Effective January 1, 2022. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Removes language including only trailers weighing between 2,000 pounds and 3,000 pounds within the TA trailer class, and restores language including all trailers weighing 3,000 pounds and less within the TA trailer class.

Amends the School Code. Makes changes concerning the adoption of rules by the State Board of Education governing time out and physical restraint in the public schools. Subject to appropriation, requires the State Board to create a grant program for school districts and special education cooperatives and charter schools to implement school-wide, culturally sensitive, and trauma-informed practices, positive behavioral interventions and supports, and restorative practices. Allows the State Board to contract with a third party to provide assistance with oversight and monitoring, and requires the State Board to establish reduction goals and a system of ongoing review, auditing, and monitoring. Makes changes in provisions concerning a school board's use of time out and physical restraint, including providing that isolated time out, time out, and physical restraint may be used only under certain circumstances, prohibiting the deprivation of necessities and prone, mechanical, and chemical restraint, and requiring a meeting with school personnel if requested by the parent or guardian, the provision of information to parents and guardians, and written procedures. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Adds reference to: 5 ILCS 100/5-45 from Ch. 127, par. 1005-45 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the contents of the bill with the following changes. Provides that the State Board of Education shall adopt rules governing the use of isolated time, time out, and physical restraint in public schools and special education nonpublic facilities (rather than just in public schools). Provides that the State Board shall, by the adoption of emergency rules if it so chooses, create (rather than must create) a grant program for school districts, certain special education nonpublic facilities, and special education cooperatives (rather than for school districts and special education cooperatives and charter schools approved by the State Board). Makes changes concerning the prohibition against the use of prone restraint to allow prone restraint to be used when specified conditions are satisfied. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to make a related change. Corrects grammatical errors. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 With respect to the grant program, requires the State Board of Education to prioritize grant funding to those school districts, special education nonpublic facilities, and special education cooperatives that submit a plan to achieve a significant reduction or elimination in the use of isolated time out and physical restraint in less than 3 years. In provisions allowing the use of prone restraint if certain conditions are satisfied, allows the use of prone restraint if the use of prone restraint occurs within the 2021- 2022 school year (rather than within the schools years of 2021-2022 and 2022-2023).

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that Juneteenth National Freedom Day shall be observed on June 19 of each year as a holiday throughout the State (currently, not a holiday and is observed on the third Saturday of June of each year). Provides that when June 19 falls on a Sunday, the following Monday shall be held and considered the holiday. Amends the Election Code, the Illinois Procurement Code, the School Code, and the Promissory Note and Bank Holiday Act to include Juneteenth National Freedom Day as a holiday. Effective immediately. Fiscal Note (Dept. of Central Management Services) Senate Bill 1965 will not require additional resources. Salaries will be paid, whether on holiday or at work. What is lost is productivity. If that equates to the cost of salaries, then CMS Bureau of Personnel's estimate is $11.3M statewide.