Rep. Dee Avelar

Amends the Pharmacy Benefit Managers Article of the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a pharmacy benefit manager shall not prohibit a pharmacist or pharmacy from, or indirectly punish a pharmacist or pharmacy for, making any written or oral statement or otherwise disclosing information to any federal, State, county, or municipal official, including the Director of Insurance or law enforcement, or before any State, county, or municipal committee, body, or proceeding under specified circumstances. Provides that the provisions apply to contracts entered into or renewed on or after July 1, 2023 (rather than July 1, 2022).

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Makes a technical change in the short title Section.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that an individual or group policy of accident and health insurance amended, delivered, issued, or renewed in the State on or after (rather than only after) January 1, 2024 shall provide coverage for all abortifacients, hormonal therapy medication, human immunodeficiency virus pre-exposure prophylaxis and post-exposure prophylaxis drugs approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, and follow-up services related to that coverage. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Provides that by no later than July 1, 2024, the State Board of Education shall make available to schools, on its Internet website, resource materials developed in consultation with stakeholders regarding a student wearing any articles of clothing or items that have cultural or religious significance to the student if those articles of clothing or items are not obscene or derogatory toward others and the right of a student to wear or accessorize graduation attire with certain items. Provides that a school uniform or dress code policy adopted by a school board, local school council, or registered or recognized nonpublic elementary or secondary school may not prohibit a student from wearing any articles of clothing or items that have cultural or religious significance to the student if those articles of clothing or items are not obscene or derogatory toward others and may not prohibit the right of a student to wear or accessorize the student's graduation attire with items associated with the student's cultural or ethnic identity or any protected characteristic or category identified in the Illinois Human Rights Act, including, but not limited to, Native American items of cultural significance.

Amends the Affordable Housing Planning and Appeal Act. In provisions requiring non-exempt local governments to approve an affordable housing plan, provides that, in addition to other requirements, the affordable housing plan must consist of a description of any housing market conditions, infrastructure limitations, local government ordinances, local policies or practices that do not affirmatively further fair housing as defined in the federal Fair Housing Act, and other local factors that constrain the local government's ability to create and preserve affordable housing. Requires the plan to also include potential strategies to eliminate or mitigate the specified constraints. Provides that the plan must set forth certain benchmark goals for new affordable housing developments or redevelopments; as well as proposed timelines, within the first 24 months after the date upon which the affordable housing plan was adopted, for actions to implement the components of the affordable housing plan. Provides that no later than 36 months after adopting or updating an affordable housing plan, the local government shall submit a report to the Illinois Housing Development Authority summarizing actions taken to implement the current plan. Contains provisions concerning the review of affordable housing plans by the State Housing Appeals Board (Board); membership on the Board; and other matters.

Creates the Public Higher Education Act. Provides that the intent of the Act is for the requirements of the Act to apply equally to the governing board of each public institution of higher education in this State. Defines "governing board of each public institution of higher education" and "public institution of higher education". Adds provisions requiring each public institution of higher education to make emergency contraception available for purchase through at least one vending machine located on each campus under its jurisdiction; defines "emergency contraception". Sets forth minimum requirements concerning the packaging, storage, cost, and dispensing of the emergency contraception. Effective immediately.

Amends the Charter Schools Law of the School Code. Provides that any renewal of a certified charter must include a union neutrality clause. Requires a union neutrality clause to be included in a charter school proposal. Defines "union neutrality clause". Effective immediately.

Amends the Vital Records Act. Provides that an injunction enjoining the issuance of a permit to disinter human remains shall issue only when the person seeking the injunction has rights superior to the person seeking the permit to disinter. Provides that if a person seeking an injunction does not have rights superior to the person seeking the permit to disinter, a court of competent jurisdiction may award costs to the person seeking the permit to disinter, if the court makes a finding that the action seeking the injunction was brought in bad faith. Amends the Disposition of Remains Act. Provides that if a court finds that a person has filed or opposed an action relating to the person's right to control disposition, the court may award costs against the person it finds has acted in bad faith. Amends the Cemetery Protection Act. Provides that any bylaws, rules, and regulations made by the cemetery authority for the government thereof are effective if made publicly available through continuous publication on the cemetery authority's website or on the cemetery authority's social media page. Requires a cemetery authority that does not maintain a website or social media page to provide a copy of the bylaws, rules, and regulations to each person prior to or contemporaneous with the cemetery authority's presentment of any contract or legal agreement for services in relation to the cemetery. Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the Michael Bauer Memorial Act.

Creates the Access to Affordable Insulin Act. Sets forth provisions concerning an insulin urgent-need program. Provides that each manufacturer shall establish procedures to make insulin available to eligible individuals who are in urgent need of insulin or who are in need of assistance to access an affordable insulin supply. Sets forth provisions concerning insulin urgent-need program exceptions, eligibility, forms, applications, claims and reimbursement, copayments, information sheets, navigators, and penalties. Defines terms. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. In provisions concerning cost sharing in prescription insulin drugs, provides that an insurer that provides coverage for prescription insulin drugs under the terms of a health coverage plan the insurer offers shall limit the total amount that an insured is required to pay for a 30-day supply of covered prescription insulin drugs at an amount not to exceed $35 (rather than $100). Effective immediately.

Amends the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act. Provides that an applicant may use an examination alternative to allow the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to ascertain the qualifications and fitness of candidates for a license to engage in the independent practice of clinical social work. Provides that the examination alternative shall consist of at least 2 years of supervised professional experience subsequent to obtaining the degree as established by rule. Provides that the examination alternative supervised professional experience shall be in addition to any other supervised clinical professional experience required for licensure. Provides that beginning January 1, 2026, an applicant acquiring the examination alternative supervised professional experience must be a licensed social worker or licensed in this State for the practice of school social work prior to acquiring the supervised professional experience. Provides that the Department shall require that a qualified licensed clinical social work supervisor to complete at least 6 hours of continuing education training. Makes corresponding changes. Effective immediately.