Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia

Amends the Good Samaritan Act. Provides that any professional engineer, architect, land surveyor, civil engineer, or structural engineer who in good faith provides engineering services in response to a natural disaster or other catastrophic event shall not be liable for civil damages as a result of his or her acts or omissions in providing the engineering services, except for willful and wanton misconduct. Provides that the immunity applies to services that are provided during an emergency or within 90 days following the end of an emergency. Provides that the time may be extended by an executive order issued by the Governor.

Amends the School Employee Benefit Act. Includes in the definition of "school district" a vocational education district, a special education district, a program operated by an educational service region, and a joint agreement.

Amends the Older Adult Services Act. Provides that no later than January 1, 2006 and every January 1 thereafter, the Department on Aging and the Illinois Housing Development Authority shall file with the Governor and the General Assembly a plan that establishes goals for the number of affordable housing units to be made available to the frail elderly in the next fiscal year. Requires that the plan: (i) detail the number of new units of housing to be created, the number of units made accessible through rehabilitation and renovation, and the number of new supportive living units to be created and certified; and (ii) include recommendations for statutory or policy changes needed to reduce barriers to the establishment of affordable housing units for the frail elderly. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education shall implement and administer a Giant Steps Autism Center for Excellence pilot program for the study and evaluation of autism and to provide related training for teachers, paraprofessionals, and respite workers, therapist training, and consultative services. Provides that the State Board of Education is authorized to make grants to school districts and other programs that apply to participate in the Giant Steps Autism Center for Excellence program. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Extends the time period during which a school district other than the Chicago school district may transfer moneys from specified funds for any purpose to June 30, 2007. Effective immediately.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that a person charged with a Class A misdemeanor violation of sexual exploitation of a child may not receive a disposition of supervision.

Amends the Sex Offender Registration Act. Defines "sex offender" to include custodial sexual misconduct (rather than custodial sexual misconduct committed on or after August 22, 2002). Defines as a "sexual predator" a person convicted of a violation or attempted violation of criminal sexual assault regardless of the age of the victim. Establishes procedures for a sex offender to notify the appropriate law enforcement agency within 5 days after ceasing to have a fixed residence. Changes certain registration periods from 10 days to 5 days. Provides that a second or subsequent violation of this Act is a Class 2 felony.

Amends the Film Production Services Tax Credit Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning applications for certification.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. In provisions making it unlawful for a child sex offender to knowingly be present on school property or a school vehicle when persons under the age of 18 are present, eliminates an exception for an offender who is the parent or guardian of a student who is present. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Sets forth provisions concerning education programs for gifted and talented children. Includes provisions concerning early identification, eligibility, program supervision, monitoring, and oversight, school improvement plans, an advisory council, grants for services and materials, contracts for experimental projects and institutes, and professional development for teachers as it relates to the education of gifted and talented children. Grants rulemaking authority to the State Board of Education. Effective July 1, 2005.