Rep. Dee Avelar

Amends the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act. Provides that when a patient has been determined by EMS personnel to (1) have no immediate life-threatening injuries or illness, (2) not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, (3) have no immediate or obvious need for transport to an emergency department, and (4) have an immediate need for transport to an EMS System-approved mental health facility, the EMS personnel may contact Online Medical Control or his or her EMS Medical Director or Emergency Communication Registered Nurse to request bypass or diversion of the closest emergency department and request transport to the closest or appropriate EMS System-approved mental health facility. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill with the following change. Provides that EMS personnel may transport a patient to an EMS System-approved urgent care or immediate care facility that meets the proper criteria and is approved by Online Medical Control or his or her EMS Medical Director or Emergency Communications Registered Nurse. House Floor Amendment No. 5 Adds reference to: 210 ILCS 50/3.10 210 ILCS 50/3.50 210 ILCS 50/3.85 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes: Further amends the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act. Provides that "non-emergency medical services" means the provision of, and all actions necessary before and after the provision of, Basic Life Support (BLS) Services, Advanced Life Support (ALS) Services, and critical care transport (rather than means medical care, clinical observation, or medical monitoring rendered) to specified patients using a vehicle regulated by the Act and personnel licensed under the Act (rather than only using a vehicle regulated under the Act). Removes language providing that an Emergency Medical Responder provides emergency medical response services prior to the arrival of an ambulance or specialized medical services vehicle. Requires the Department of Public Health to create standards and requirements with respect to alternative vehicle staffing models for private, nonpublic local government employers (rather than vehicle staffing models) that include an Emergency Medical Responder who drives an ambulance with a licensed EMT, EMT-I, A-EMT, Paramedic, or PHRN, as appropriate, in the patient compartment providing care to the patient pursuant to the approval of the EMS System Program Plan developed and approved by the EMS Medical Director for an EMS System. Provides that the Department shall monitor the implementation and performance of alternative staffing models and may issue a notice of termination of an alternative staffing model only upon evidence that an EMS System Program Plan is not being adhered to. Provides that an EMS System Program Plan for a Basic Life Support transport utilizing an EMR and an EMT shall include specified requirements. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that for taxable year 2020, the maximum income limitation under the senior citizens assessment freeze homestead exemption is $75,000 for counties with 3,000,000 or more inhabitants (currently, $65,000). Provides that, for taxable year 2021 and thereafter, the maximum income limitation under the senior citizens assessment freeze homestead exemption is $75,000 for all counties (currently, $65,000). Amends the Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Act. Provides that the income limitation is $75,000 for tax year 2019 and thereafter. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Removes the effective date from the bill. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 35 ILCS 200/15-172 Adds reference to: 320 ILCS 30/3 from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 453 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Senior Citizens Real Estate Tax Deferral Act. Provides that the income limitation under the Act is $65,000 for tax years 2022 through 2025 and $55,000 for tax year 2026 and thereafter (currently, $55,000). Provides that, for tax years 2022 through 2025, the total amount of any such deferral shall not exceed $7,500 per taxpayer in each tax year (currently, $5,000). Provides that, beginning again in tax year 2026, the total amount of any such deferral shall not exceed $5,000. Effective immediately.

Creates the Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act. Creates the Lead Service Line Replacement Fund to be used to finance and administer programs and activities specified under the Act. Provides that the Environmental Protection Agency shall be responsible for the administration of the Fund and shall allocate moneys on the basis of priorities established by the Agency. Makes a conforming change in the State Finance Act. Requires a lead in drinking water protection fee be imposed on billing water usage in specified amounts to be collected by all community water supplies. Requires the owner or operator of each community water supply to perform specified activities. Creates the Lead Service Line Replacement Advisory Board within the Agency to perform specified duties. Contains other provisions. Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to establish a comprehensive low-income water assistance policy and program with specified requirements. Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that the Illinois Commerce Commission may allow or direct a water utility to establish a customer assistance program that provides financial relief to residential customers who qualify for income-related assistance. Makes other changes. Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Requires specified entities to provide to the Environmental Protection Agency by December 31, 2023, and again by December 31, 2025, specified information as it relates to the cost of providing water service. Provides that the Agency shall publish the information on the Agency's website. Provides that the Agency may adopt rules setting forth the general requirements for submittal of the information. Repeals the provisions regarding the information on January 1, 2026. Repeals a Section regarding lead in drinking water notifications and inventories. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: New Act 30 ILCS 105/5.935 new 220 ILCS 5/8-306 Adds reference to: 30 ILCS 105/5.938 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the Lead Service Line Replacement and Notification Act. Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to establish a comprehensive low-income water assistance policy and program with specified requirements. Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Requires the owner or operator of each community water supply to perform specified activities. Creates the Lead Service Line Replacement Advisory Board within the Environmental Protection Agency to perform specified duties. Creates the Lead Service Line Replacement Fund to be used to finance and administer programs and activities specified under the amendatory provisions. Makes a conforming change in the State Finance Act. Provides that, within one year after the amendatory Act's effective date, the Agency shall design a program with specified requirements for the purpose of administering lead service line replacement funds. Contains other provisions. Repeals a Section of the Environmental Protection Act regarding lead in drinking water notifications and inventories. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the engrossed bill, and makes the following changes. Requires that when an owner or operator of a community water supply awards a contract under the Act, contracts representing at least 11% of the total projects (rather than of the total annual premiums or fees) shall be awarded to minority-owned businesses; contracts representing at least 7% of the total projects (rather than of the total annual premiums or fees) shall be awarded to women-owned businesses; and contracts representing at least 2% of the total projects (rather than of the total annual premiums or fees) shall be awarded to businesses owned by persons with disabilities. In provisions requiring every owner or operator of a community water supply to create a plan to replace specified service lines, requires a proposed lead service line replacement schedule to also include 10-year goals. Requires the owner or operator of a community water supply to submit a report detailing progress toward plan goals to the Environmental Protection Agency. Specifies requirements for the reports. Provides that corporate authorities of a municipality may exercise the authority provided under specified provisions of the Property Tax Code and Illinois Municipal Code for costs associated with lead service line remediation and replacement (instead of impose a tax, fee, surcharge, charge, assessment, or other amount payable or imposed as deemed necessary, by ordinance or resolution by the corporate authorities, to be used solely for costs incurred by the municipality associated with lead service line remediation). In provisions specifying the replacement rates and timelines for replacement of lead service lines by an owner or operator of a community water supply, requires that a community water supply reporting more than 99,999 lead service lines in its final inventory and replacement plan shall replace all lead service lines, at an annual rate of no less than 2% of the amount described in the final inventory, with a timeline of up to 50 years for completion. Authorizes the Agency to grant one extension of additional time equal to not more than 20% of the original replacement timeline, except in situations of extreme hardship in which the Agency may consider a second additional extension equal to not more than 10% of the original replacement timeline. Removes language limiting the purposes and amounts for which moneys in the Lead Service Line Replacement Fund may be used. Requires the Agency to design rules for a program (rather than design a program) for the purpose of administering lead service line replacement funds. Makes changes to provisions concerning the requirements for the program. Removes language specifying the information that must be included in the annual consumer confidence report required under the United States Environmental Protection Agency's National Primary Drinking Water Regulations. Makes other changes. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Makes a technical change in the citation of sections of the Property Tax Code.

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Prohibits the use of restraints on youth in care, including chemical, manual, and mechanical restraints, during the provision of any transportation services provided or arranged by the Department of Children and Family Services or its contractual assigns. Provides that any known, alleged, or suspected violation of the prohibition shall immediately be reported to the Department's Office of the Inspector General, the court presiding over the youth's case in accordance with the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, and the youth's attorney and guardian ad litem. Requires the Department to make a significant events report for any known, alleged, or suspected violation of the prohibition. Sets forth a list of circumstances that require the Department to prepare a written individualized trauma-sensitive transportation plan for any youth in care. Requires the Department to obtain court approval of the transportation plan in accordance with the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 as well as written approval of the transportation plan from the Department's Chief Deputy Director and the Chief Deputy Director of its Clinical Division. Contains provisions concerning information that must be included in a written individualized trauma-sensitive transportation plan; and Department reporting requirements. Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Requires the Department to ensure the provision of trauma-sensitive transport to minors placed in its care. Contains provisions concerning factors a court must consider when determining whether to approve an individualized trauma-sensitive transportation plan submitted by the Department. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Changes the definition of "restraints" to provide that the term does not include child restraint systems or devices ordinarily worn by the youth during transport. Expands the definition of "youth" to include youth in the protective custody of the Department of Children and Family Services. In a provision concerning individualized trauma-sensitive transportation plans, provides that for youth who are psychiatrically hospitalized, discharge and placement planning shall begin from the moment of admission, including developing the transportation plan required under the amendatory Act and seeking court approval as necessary. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that the term "transport" does not include inter-hospital non-emergency transportation. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to begin discharge and placement planning from the moment of admission for youth who are psychiatrically hospitalized.

Creates the Protecting Household Privacy Act. Provides that a law enforcement agency shall not obtain household electronic data or direct the acquisition of household electronic data from a private third party, unless (i) the law enforcement agency obtains a court order based upon probable cause, or (ii) the owner of the household electronic device consents to voluntarily provide the desired household electronic data. Provides that if a law enforcement agency obtains household electronic data, the agency within 30 days shall destroy all information obtained, except that a supervisor at that agency may retain particular information if (1) there is reasonable suspicion that the information contains evidence of criminal activity, or (2) the information is relevant to an ongoing investigation or pending criminal trial. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates Protecting Household Privacy Act. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with these exceptions. Changes the exceptions in which law enforcement agency may obtain household electronic data. Provides that a law enforcement agency may obtain the data (1) if a law enforcement agency first obtains a warrant under the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963; (2) a specified emergency situation exists; or (3) with the lawful consent of the owner of the household electronic device or person in actual or constructive possession of the household electronic device, excluding law enforcement personnel. Provides that nothing in the Act shall be construed to apply to the interception, recording, wiretap, or other acquisition of electronic communications as they are transmitted in real time. Provides that in the event of any conflict between the Act and any applicable federal or State law, the requirement that establishes the higher standard for law enforcement to obtain information shall govern. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Defines "digital gateway device". Provides that nothing in the Act prohibits the use of a lawful grand jury subpoena to obtain information which was obtainable by grand jury subpoena prior to the effective date of the Act. Provides that nothing in the Act expands existing civil or criminal liability of an individual or entity arising under any applicable federal or State law.

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that the second day of April of each year is a holiday to be known as Autism Awareness Day to be observed throughout the State as a day to promote the awareness of autism. Amends the Election Code, the Illinois Procurement Code, the School Code, and the Promissory Note and Bank Holiday Act to include Autism Awareness Day as a holiday. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 10 ILCS 5/1-6 30 ILCS 500/15-45 105 ILCS 5/24-2 205 ILCS 630/17 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with changes. Provides that the first full week of April of each year is designated as Autism Awareness Week (rather than designated as a holiday to be known as Autism Awareness Day) to be observed throughout the State as a week to promote the awareness of autism and to encourage school districts, organizations, businesses, and local residents to support this week and participate in informed educational events planned to commemorate the occasion. Removes provisions creating Autism Awareness Day as a holiday. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with changes. Provides that the first full week of April of each year is designated as Autism Acceptance Week (rather than Autism Awareness Week). Makes conforming changes.

Amends the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act. Provides that the showing of interest in support of a petition filed for the purpose of selecting a labor organization as the representative of the employees in a bargaining unit may be evidenced by electronic communications, and such writing or communication may be evidenced by the electronic signature of the employees. Provides that the showing of interest shall be valid only if signed within 12 months prior to the filing of the petition. Provides that a secret ballot election held for the purpose of selecting a labor organization as the representative of the employees in a bargaining unit may be conducted electronically, using an electronic voting system, in addition to paper ballot voting systems. Provides that it shall be an unfair labor practice for an employer to promise, threaten, or take any action because of an employee's specified participation in a strike. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 115 ILCS 5/7 from Ch. 48, par. 1707 115 ILCS 5/8 from Ch. 48, par. 1708 115 ILCS 5/14 from Ch. 48, par. 1714 Amends the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act. With respect to the recognition of exclusive bargaining representatives, provides that the showing of interest in support of certain petitions may be evidenced by electronic communications and such writing or communication may be evidenced by the electronic signature of an employee as provided under the Electronic Commerce Security Act. Provides that the showing of interest shall be valid only if signed within 12 months prior to the filing of the petition. In provisions regarding elections, provides that a secret ballot election may be conducted electronically, using an electronic voting system, in addition to paper ballot voting systems. Adds as an unfair labor practice promising, threatening, or taking any action (i) to permanently replace an employee who participates in a strike, (ii) to discriminate against an employee who is working or has unconditionally offered to return to work for the employer because the employee supported or participated in such as a strike, or (iii) to lockout, suspend, or otherwise withhold from employment employees in order to influence the position of such employees or the representative of such employees in collective bargaining prior to a strike. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Specifies that it shall be an unfair labor practice for public employers and educational employers to promise, threaten, or take specified actions against their employees concerning a lawful strike. Effective immediately.

Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall require each long-term care facility in the State, as a condition of facility licensure, to adopt and implement written policies, provide for the availability of technology to facility residents, and ensure that appropriate staff and other capabilities are in place to prevent the social isolation of facility residents. Contains specified requirements for the social isolation prevention policies. Provides that the Department shall distribute civil monetary penalty funds, as approved by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and any other available federal and State funds, upon request, to facilities for communicative technologies and accessories needed for the purposes of the provisions. Provides that whenever the Department conducts an inspection of a long-term care facility, the Department's inspector shall determine whether the long-term facility is in compliance with the provisions and the policies, protocols, and procedures adopted pursuant to the provisions. Requires the Department to adopt rules necessary to implement the provisions within 60 days after the amendatory Act's effective date (and makes conforming changes in the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act). Contains other provisions. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Removes language providing that the Department of Public Health shall require each long-term care facility in the State to perform specified actions as a condition of facility licensure. Provides that the social isolation prevention policies shall not be interpreted as a substitute for in person visitation, but shall be wholly in addition to the existing in person visitation policies. Provides that a resident's individualized visitation plan shall give priority to the resident's preferences over the preferences of the resident's representative. Provides that a long-term care facility may apply for (rather than the Department shall distribute) civil monetary penalty fund grants, and may request other available federal and State funds to obtain assistive and supportive technologies and related accessories that would facilitate communication between residents and other family members, friends, and external support systems. Provides that the Department (rather than the Department's inspector) shall determine whether a long-term care facility is in compliance with the provisions whenever the Department conducts an annual licensure and certification survey, when a complaint is received, or as frequently as may be necessary (rather than whenever the Department conducts an inspection of a long-term care facility). Provides that a noncompliant long-term care facility shall be liable to pay an administrative penalty as a Type "C" violation. Provides that implementation of an administrative penalty as a Type "C" violation under the provisions shall not be imposed prior to January 1, 2023. Makes other changes. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 In provisions amending the Nursing Home Care Act, provides that the social isolation prevention policies adopted by each long-term care facility shall be consistent with the rights and privileges guaranteed to residents and constraints provided under specified provisions of the Nursing Home Care Act. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes. Adds provisions regarding legislative findings. Replaces references to specified types of equipment with references to assistive and supportive technology and devices. Requires appropriate staff to develop and update an individualized virtual visitation schedule while taking into account the individual's requests and preferences (rather than to assess and regularly reassess the individual needs and preferences of facility residents). Requires appropriate staff to develop an individualized virtual visitation schedule (rather than an individualized visitation plan) with specified requirements. Provides that specific protocols and procedures shall be developed to ensure that the quantity of assistive and supportive technology and devices maintained on-site at a facility remains sufficient, at all times, to meet the assessed social and activity needs and preferences of each facility resident. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Creates the Know Before You Owe Private Education Loan Act. Requires private educational lenders to obtain from the relevant institution of higher education at which the borrower will use the loan proceeds certifications regarding cost, enrollment status of the borrower, and financial assistance available to the borrower. Provides that private educational lenders must file reports with the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and the Student Loan Ombudsman. Provides that loan statements must be provided not less frequently than quarterly. Requires institutions of higher education to certify compliance with provisions of the Act to the Board of Higher Education or Illinois Community College Board as a condition to operate. Defines terms. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Revises a cross-reference to certain certifications required under the Act to be made by an institution of higher education. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Defines the term "annual percentage rate" and requires disclosure of that rate. Provides an exemption from reporting for private educational lenders that fund 10 or fewer educational loans in a calendar year. Adds disclosure requirements for income share agreements.

Amends the Community Benefits Act. Provides that the Act applies to all nonprofit and public hospitals licensed under the Hospital Licensing Act or operated under the University of Illinois Hospital Act (rather than not applying to a hospital operated by a unit of government, a hospital located outside of a metropolitan statistical area, or a hospital with 100 or fewer beds). Requires community benefits plans to describe activities the hospital is undertaking to address health equity, reduce health disparities, and improve community health. Provides that, in order to increase transparency and accessibility of charity care and financial assistance data, the Attorney General shall post on the Attorney General's website: all community benefits plans contained in reports submitted by hospitals; and a compiled report that summarizes information from completed community benefits plans. Provides that an electronic version of the compiled report shall be sent to the Governor and each member of the General Assembly. Provides a late filing fee for nonprofit hospitals for community benefits plans of $2,500 per month that the report is late (rather than $100). Makes other changes. Amends the Hospital Uninsured Patient Discount Act. Provides that a hospital, other than a rural hospital or a Critical Access Hospital, shall provide a discount from charges to specified uninsured patients for all medically necessary health care services exceeding $150 (rather than $300) in any one inpatient admission or outpatient encounter. Provides for civil monetary penalties of $1,000 to $5,000 (rather than $500) for a violation. Requires the Attorney General to publish an annual report that outlines complaints received related to hospital uninsured discount programs and financial assistance applications. Makes other changes. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 210 ILCS 76/5 210 ILCS 76/25 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill and makes the following changes. Removes language specifying that the Act applies to all nonprofit and public hospitals licensed under the Hospital Licensing Act or operated under the University of Illinois Hospital Act. Removes language changing the provisions concerning a nonprofit hospital that fails to make a report of the community benefits plan. Removes language increasing civil monetary penalties. Provides that hospitals shall permit an uninsured patient to apply for a discount within 90 days (rather than 60 days) of the date of discharge or date of service. Provides that hospitals shall offer uninsured patients who receive community-based primary care provided by a community health center or a free and charitable clinic, are referred by such an entity to the hospital, and seek access to nonemergency hospital-based health care services with an opportunity to be screened for and assistance with applying for public health insurance programs if there is a reasonable basis to believe that the uninsured patient may be eligible for a public health insurance program. Changes the effective date from immediate to January 1, 2022. Makes other changes. House Committee Amendment No. 1 In provisions of the Hospital Uninsured Patient Discount Act regarding patient responsibility, provides that hospitals may make the availability of a discount and the maximum collectible amount under the Act contingent upon the uninsured patient first applying for coverage under public health insurance programs (rather than public programs) if there is a reasonable basis to believe that the uninsured patient may be eligible for such program.