Rep. Robert W. Pritchard

Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act. Subject to appropriations, requires the Department to pay veterans service organizations for services provided by veterans service officers in processing claims and other benefits for veterans and their spouses or other beneficiaries residing in Illinois. Requires payment at the rate of $0.010 for each dollar of benefits obtained for veterans or their spouses or other beneficiaries. Sets forth criteria that a veterans service organization must meet.

Creates the National Guard Veterans Exposure to Hazardous Materials Act. Provides that on and after October 1, 2007, the Adjutant General shall assist any member of the Illinois National Guard who served in the Persian Gulf War or in an area designated as a combat zone by the President of the United States during Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom who (i) has been assigned a risk level I, II, or III for depleted uranium exposure by his or her branch of service, (ii) is referred by a military physician, or (iii) has reason to believe that he or she was exposed to depleted uranium during such service, in obtaining federal treatment services, including a best practice health screening test for exposure to depleted uranium. Provides that no State funds shall be used to pay for such tests or other federal treatment services. Requires the Adjutant General to submit a report to the General Assembly by October 1, 2007. Creates a task force to: (1) initiate a health registry for veterans and military personnel returning from Afghanistan, Iraq, or other countries in which depleted uranium or other hazardous materials may be found; (2) develop a plan for outreach to and follow-up of military personnel; (3) prepare a report for service members concerning potential exposure to depleted uranium and other toxic chemical substances and the precautions recommended under combat and noncombat conditions while in a combat zone; and (4) make other recommendations. Requires the task force to submit a report to the General Assembly by January 31, 2008, and terminates the task force on the date that it submits the report or on January 31, 2008, whichever is earlier. Effective immediately.

Amends the Energy Assistance Act. Provides that the Department of Healthcare and Family Services is authorized to institute an outreach program directed at low-income minority heads of households and heads of households age 60 or older. Provides that the program shall be consistent with the purposes and objectives of the Act and with all other specific requirements set forth in these provisions. Provides that as part of the program, the Department shall permit Case Coordination Units, under contract with the Department on Aging, to prepare and submit applications for energy assistance in the names of their clients in accordance with procedures established by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services. Provides that the Department shall establish a web-based application for use by applicants for energy assistance, their families, or someone acting on their behalf. Effective immediately.

Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act and the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that a "neglected child" includes a child who has been provided with interim crisis intervention services under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 and whose parent, guardian, or custodian refuses to permit the child to return home. Requires the DCFS Child Protective Service Unit to begin an investigation of a report concerning such a child within 24 hours after receiving the report and determine whether to take the child into temporary protective custody and whether to file a petition alleging neglect or abuse. Provides that no minor shall be sheltered in a temporary living arrangement for more than 48 hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and court-designated holidays, when the agency has reported the minor as neglected or abused because the parent, guardian, or custodian refuses to permit the child to return home, provided that in all other instances the minor may be sheltered when the agency obtains the consent of the parent, guardian, or custodian or documents its unsuccessful efforts to obtain the consent or authority of the parent, guardian, or custodian, including recording the date and the staff involved in all telephone calls, telegrams, letters, and personal contacts to obtain the consent or authority, in which instances the minor may be so sheltered for not more than 21 days.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code and the Health Maintenance Organization Act. Requires coverage for a mammogram at the age and intervals considered medically necessary by the woman's health care provider for women under 40 years of age and having a family history of breast cancer, prior personal history of breast cancer, positive genetic testing, or other risk factors (now, only for women under 40 years of age and having a family history of breast cancer or other risk factors). Also requires coverage for a comprehensive ultrasound screening of an entire breast or breasts if a mammogram demonstrates heterogeneous or dense breast tissue based on the Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System established by the American College of Radiology or if the woman is believed to be at increased risk for breast cancer due to family history or prior personal history of breast cancer, positive genetic testing, or other indications as determined by a woman's health care provider. Effective immediately.

Amends the Community-Integrated Living Arrangements Licensure and Certification Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Department of Children and Family Services shall implement a project in 3 separate geographical areas of the State for the operation of 3 CILA homes for adolescents diagnosed with autism. Requires that a single service provider operate all 3 homes and have on its staff a behavior therapist. Effective July 1, 2007.

Amends the School Construction Law. Provides that the grant index may be increased by 0.05 for school construction projects that receive certification from the United States Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System, the Green Building Initiative's Green Globes Green Building Rating System, or green building standards approved by the Capital Development Board. Effective July 1, 2007.

Amends the Technology Advancement and Development Act. Provides that grants under the Act may be made to research and test products that render the use of anhydrous ammonia inert in the production of methamphetamine. Effective July 1, 2007.

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that when a child who is eligible for special education reaches the majority age of 18 years, rights accorded to the child's parents transfer to the child. Provides that rights shall not transfer from the parents to the child if the child has been determined to be incompetent under State law or the child has not been determined to be incompetent, but does not have the ability to provide informed consent with respect to the child's educational program. Requires the State Board of Education to adopt rules establishing criteria for school districts to determine if a child lacks the ability to provide informed consent and uniform procedures for allowing the parents of the child, another adult caregiver, or another responsible adult to exercise rights on behalf of the child. Effective immediately.

Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources may issue crossbow permits to persons age 62 and older upon appropriate verification of age. Effective immediately.