Rep. Matt Hanson

Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall create a pilot program to allow the Department to enter into an agreement with a licensed plumber employed by a municipality to do inspections on behalf of the Department and submit appropriate documentation as requested to verify the inspections were completed to the standards required by the Department and outlined in the partnership.

Amends the Fair Patient Billing Act. Provides that a hospital shall screen each uninsured patient for eligibility in State and federal health insurance programs, financial assistance offered by the hospital, and other public programs that may assist with health care costs and provide information about those programs. For an insured patient, requires the hospital to screen the patient for discounted care in specified circumstances. Provides that the screenings and all follow-up assistance must be culturally competent, in the patient's primary language, in plain language, and in an accessible format. Requires a hospital to implement an operational plan and trainings relating to screenings. Prohibits hospitals from pursuing collection actions against uninsured patients if they have not completed the screening requirements. Includes a prohibition on the sale of medical debt, limitations on collection actions, penalties for violating the Act's provisions, and defenses against collection actions pursued in violation of the provisions. Makes other changes. Amends the Hospital Uninsured Patient Discount Act. Provides that a patient declining to apply for a public health insurance program on the basis of concern for immigration-related consequences shall not be grounds for denying financial assistance under a hospital's financial assistance policy.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Categorically excludes limestone residuals generated from the treatment of drinking water at a publicly owned drinking water treatment plant from regulation as a waste under the Act when used for specific beneficial purposes. Describes conditions that must be satisfied to obtain a beneficial use determination from the Environmental Protection Agency for these residuals when put to other beneficial uses. Directs the Pollution Control Board to adopt rules establishing standards and procedures for the Agency's issuance of these beneficial use determinations. Authorizes the Agency to prepare and distribute guidance documents relating to its management of limestone residuals from publicly owned drinking water treatment plant. Makes other changes.

Creates the Deceptive Practices of Limited Services Pregnancy Centers Act. Prohibits a limited services pregnancy center from using or employing any deception, fraud, false pretense, false promise, or misrepresentation, or the concealment, suppression, or omission of any material fact, with the intent that others rely upon the concealment, suppression or omission of such material fact: to interfere with an individual seeking to gain entry or access to a provider of abortion or emergency contraception; to induce an individual to enter or access the limited services pregnancy center; in advertising, soliciting, or otherwise offering pregnancy-related services; or in conducting, providing, or performing pregnancy-related services. Allows the Attorney General to enforce the Act when: it appears to the Attorney General that a limited services pregnancy center has engaged in, is engaging in, or is about to engage in any practice declared to be unlawful by the Act; the Attorney General receives a written complaint of the commission of a practice declared to be unlawful under the Act; or the Attorney General believes it to be in the public interest that an investigation should be made to ascertain whether a limited services pregnancy center has engaged in, is engaging in, or is about to engage in, any practice declared to be unlawful by the Act. Establishes the remedies available under the Act for violation of the Act, including preliminary or permanent injunction and a civil penalty not to exceed $50,000. Allows any party aggrieved by a violation of the Act to bring an action against any limited services pregnancy center that has committed such a violation, in which the court may award actual damages and any other relief the court deems proper. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Requires a non-public school to perform a check of the Statewide Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Database (in addition to the Statewide Sex Offender Database) of applicants and once every 5 years and persons employed by the school to determine whether the applicant has been adjudicated a sex offender, of a sex offense, or of a murder or other violent crime against youth. Extends the grants for preschool educational programs 2028-2029 school year (rather than the 2023-2024 school year). Provides that a school district may adopt a policy to waive tuition costs for a non-resident pupil if the pupil is a child of a district employee. Provides that, until June 30, 2028 (rather than June 30, 2023), applicants may apply to the State Board of Education for issuance of a 5-year Short-Term Substitute Teaching License. Makes conforming changes. Modifies the Alternative Educator Licensure Program by removing the requirement for a second year of residency (changing to only if recommended by the principal and program coordinator). Provides that, if the residency period is to be less than 2-years in length, the partner school districts must provide assurances that the district will provide intensive mentoring and supports through at least the end of the second full year of teaching for educators who completed the Program in less than 2 years. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows the Secretary of State to issue special registration plates designated as United States Submarine Veterans plates to each resident of this State who served in the United States Navy as a submariner.

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning Substitute Teaching Licenses, provides that if there is no licensed teacher under contract because of an emergency situation, then a district may employ a substitute teacher for no longer than 30 calendar days per each vacant position in the district if the district notifies the appropriate regional office of education within 5 business days after the employment of the substitute teacher in that vacant position (instead of employment of the substitute teacher in the emergency situation). Provides that a district may continue to employ that same substitute teacher in that same vacant position for one or more additional 30 calendar day periods if, prior to the expiration of the then-current 30 calendar day period, the district files a written request with the appropriate regional office of education for a 30 calendar day extension on the basis that the position remains vacant and the district continues to actively seek qualified candidates. Provides that each extension request shall be deemed granted unless denied in writing by the regional office of education. Provides that an emergency situation is one in which a vacancy has occurred (instead of an unforeseen vacancy has occurred) and (i) a teacher is unexpectedly unable to fulfill his or her contractual duties or (ii) teacher capacity needs of the district exceed previous indications or vacancies are unfilled due to a lack of qualified candidates, and the district is actively engaged in advertising to hire a fully licensed teacher for the vacant position (instead of (i) a teacher is unable to fulfill his or her contractual duties or (ii) teacher capacity needs of the district exceed previous indications, and the district is actively engaged in advertising to hire a fully licensed teacher for the vacant position).

Creates the Firefighter Training Leave of Absence Act. Defines terms. Provides that a State employee shall be granted leave from his or her State employment for firefighter training as follows: (1) on one occasion, for up to 200 hours, to participate in training necessary to obtain Basic Operations Firefighter certification from the State Fire Marshal while attending a State Fire Marshal-approved fire academy; and (2) special or advanced training annually, not to exceed 80 hours, after obtaining Basic Operations Firefighter certification from the State Fire Marshal for courses that will lead to additional certification by the State Fire Marshal. Provides that, during leaves for basic, special, or advanced training, the State employee shall continue to receive his or her regular compensation as a State employee, but, if the State employee receives compensation for basic, special, or advanced training, the State employee shall receive his or her regular compensation as a State employee minus the amount of his or her compensation for basic, special, or advanced training. Provides that a State employee who wishes to obtain a leave of absence under this Act shall request in advance for the leave of absence and may take the leave of absence only after obtaining approval from the State employee's agency.

Amends the Pharmacy Practice Act. Provides that when a pharmacist is not present in the pharmacy, a registered pharmacy technician, a registered certified pharmacy technician, a student pharmacist, and other supportive staff shall dispense prescriptions that have received final verification by a pharmacist.

Amends the Regional Transportation Authority Act. Provides that public transportation benefits provided to a person with a disability by the Regional Transportation Authority or the Service Boards shall automatically renew unless discontinued by the person with a disability. Provides that benefits provided may not be suspended or discontinued pending a reevaluation of eligibility for those benefits.