Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning implementation of a new Minimum Data Set (MDS) payment methodology for nursing homes under the Medicaid program, provides that a transition period from the payment methodology in effect on June 30, 2003 to the payment methodology in effect on July 1, 2003 shall be provided for a period not exceeding 3 years and 92 days (instead of 3 years) after implementation of the new payment methodology. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984. Prohibits the custody of or visitation with a child by a person found to be the father of the child under the Act, if the father has been convicted or pled guilty to one of the listed offenses and that offense was related to his conduct in the fathering of the child. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Creates a pilot class size reduction grant program, to be implemented and administered by the State Board of Education. Provides that grants shall be awarded to schools to defray the costs and expenses of operating and maintaining classes of no more than 15 pupils per teacher per class. Effective July 1, 2006.

Amends the Power of Attorney Act. Provides that in the event that a principal of a power of attorney is incapacitated and the agent fails, within 21 days after a request, to provide records of receipts, disbursements, and significant actions to an elder abuse provider agency, the State Long Term Care Ombudsman, or the Inspector General of the Department of Human Services, the agency or the Ombudsman may petition the court to compel the production of the documents. Provides that failure to produce the records without good cause may subject the agent to a court order for costs, attorney's fees, and other relief. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Health Care Finance Reform Act. Requires the Department of Public Health to require all ambulatory surgical treatment centers licensed to operate in the State (now, the requirement applies only to hospitals licensed to operate in the State) to adopt a uniform system for submitting patient claims and encounter data (now, patient billing data) for payment from public and private payors. Requires hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to submit billing data to the Department of Public Health no later than 60 days after the end of each calendar quarter. Requires the Department to include certain information in its "Consumer Guide to Health Care" on its website. Authorizes the Department to disclose certain information on its website. Authorizes the Department to promulgate rules concerning the provisions of the Illinois Health Care Finance Reform Act. Requires that ambulatory surgical treatment centers, organizations representing ambulatory surgical treatment centers, purchasers, consumer groups, and health plans be meaningfully involved in the development of all aspects of the Department's methodology for collecting, analyzing, and disclosing the information collected under this Act. Requires the Department to evaluate additional methods for comparing the performance of hospitals and ambulatory surgical treatment centers and report its findings and recommendations on its Internet website and to the Governor and General Assembly no later than January 1, 2006. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act. Creates the offense of methamphetamine trafficking. Provides that a person commits the offense when he or she knowingly brings, or causes to be brought, into this State anhydrous ammonia or a methamphetamine precursor for the purpose of manufacture or delivery or with the intent to manufacture or deliver methamphetamine that is not authorized by the Act. Provides that a person convicted of the offense shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than twice the minimum term and not more than twice the maximum term of imprisonment based upon the amount of methamphetamine or methamphetamine precursor or anhydrous ammonia brought or caused to be brought into this State. Effective immediately.

Amends the Attorney General Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the Attorney General's oath and bond.

Creates the Methamphetamine Manufacturer Registry Act. Provides that the Department of State Police shall establish and maintain a Methamphetamine Manufacturer Database for the purpose of identifying methamphetamine manufacturers and making that information available to law enforcement and the general public. Provides that the Department of State Police must make the information contained in the Statewide Methamphetamine Manufacturer Database accessible on the Internet by means of a hyperlink labeled "Methamphetamine Manufacturer Information" on the Department's World Wide Web home page. Provides that the Department of State Police must update that information as it deems necessary. Provides that the Department of State Police must promulgate rules in accordance with the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to implement these provisions and those rules must include procedures to ensure that the information in the database is accurate, and that the information in the database reflects any changes based on the reversal of a conviction for an offense requiring inclusion in the Methamphetamine Manufacturer Database, or a court order requiring the sealing or expungement of records relating to the offense. Effective immediately.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961 relating to dog fighting. Increases the penalty for attending a dog fight from a Class C to a Class A misdemeanor. Provides that if a person under 13 years of age is present at any dog fight, the parent, legal guardian, or other person who is 18 years of age or older who brings that person under 13 years of age to that dog fight is guilty of a Class 4 felony for a first violation and a Class 3 felony for a second or subsequent violation. Increases various other penalties by one class for promoting, conducting, or advertising a dog fight or for selling a dog to be used in a dog fight. Provides that it is prima facie evidence of a violation of these provisions that the offender possessed any treadmill wheel, hot walker, or other paraphernalia, together with evidence that the paraphernalia is being used or intended for use in the unlawful training of a dog to fight with another dog, along with the possession of any such dog. Provides that a law enforcement agency shall obtain evidence of a violation of these provisions as the agency deems appropriate through videotape, written police reports, or observation of activities occurring on the property or at the residence of an offender and shall use this evidence to train peace officers in recognizing violations.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code; provides that a municipality that violates provisions prohibiting the stoppage of gas or electricity in connection with a service member who is on active duty is subject to a civil penalty of $10,000. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code; provides that an insurance company that violates provisions prohibiting the lapse or forfeiture of a life insurance policy insuring the life of a service member who is on active duty is subject to a civil penalty of $10,000. Amends the Public Utilities Act; provides that a gas or electric company or electric cooperative that violates provisions prohibiting the stoppage of gas or electricity in connection with a service member who is on active duty is subject to a civil penalty of $10,000. Amends the Interest Act; provides that a creditor who violates provisions limiting the interest rate that may be imposed on a service member who is on active duty is subject to a civil penalty of $10,000. Amends the Military Personnel Cellular Phone Contract Termination Act; provides that a cellular telephone company that violates provisions authorizing termination of a cellular phone contract in the case of a service member who is on active duty is subject to a civil penalty of $10,000. Amends the Motor Vehicle Leasing Act; provides that a lessor who violates provisions authorizing termination of a lease in the case of a service member who is on active duty is subject to a civil penalty of $10,000. In each case, authorizes the Attorney General to impose the civil penalty after an administrative hearing and to enforce collection of any civil penalty imposed. Provides that the proceeds from the collection of any such civil penalty shall be deposited into the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund. Effective immediately.