Rep. Bill Hauter

Amends the Registered Surgical Assistant and Registered Surgical Technologist Title Protection Act. Provides that all applicants and registrants shall: (1) provide a valid address and email address to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, which shall serve as the address of record and email address of record, respectively, at the time of application for registration or renewal of a registration; and (2) inform the Department of any change of address of record or email address of record within 14 days after such change. Provides that the Secretary (rather than the Department) shall observe the rehearing proceedings. Provides that in a denial for a rehearing, the Secretary may enter an order in accordance with the recommendations of the hearing officer (rather than the Department). Provides that the hearing officer shall report the hearing officer's findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations to the Secretary (rather than the Department). Removes a provision providing that exhibits shall be certified without cost. Makes corresponding and other changes. Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act. Repeals the Registered Surgical Assistant and Registered Surgical Technologist Title Protection Act on January 1, 2029 (rather than January 1, 2024). Provisions amending the Regulatory Sunset Act are effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. In provisions concerning billing for services provided by nonparticipating providers or facilities, provides that if attempts to negotiate reimbursement for services provided by a nonparticipating provider do not result in a resolution of the payment dispute within 30 days after receipt of written explanation of benefits by the health insurance issuer, then the health insurance issuer, nonparticipating provider, or the facility may initiate binding arbitration to determine payment for services provided on a per-bill or a batched-bill basis (instead of only a per-bill basis).

Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1987. In provisions concerning application for medical licensure, provides that the Illinois State Medical Board, in determining mental capacity, shall ensure questions concerning mental health are compliant with the guidelines of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. Makes a corresponding change.

Amends the School Code to create the Rural Education Advisory Council. Provides that the purpose of the council is to exchange thoughtful dialogue concerning the needs, challenges, and opportunities of rural districts and to provide policy recommendations to the State. Sets forth the functions and membership of the council. Contains provisions concerning expenses, meetings, and administrative support.

Amends the Employee Blood Donation Leave Act. Changes the name of the Act to the Employee Blood and Organ Donation Leave Act. Provides that an employee may use up to 10 days of leave in any 12-month period to serve as an organ donor or bone marrow donor. Defines terms. Makes corresponding changes.

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 State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall issue a waiver of the 100-hour supervised field work requirement for a licensed speech-language pathology assistant who completed a program of study that includes general education and the specific knowledge and skills for a speech-language pathology assistant in a state in which the 100-hour requirement is not required if, in the opinion of the Department, the person has completed comparable work in the field equal to that completed in a speech-language pathology assistant program in the State.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed after the effective date of the amendatory Act that provides coverage for the treatment of cancer shall not apply a higher standard of clinical evidence for the coverage of proton beam therapy than the insurer applies for the coverage of any other form of radiation therapy treatment. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed after the effective date of the amendatory Act that provides coverage or benefits to any resident of this State for radiation oncology shall include coverage or benefits for physician-prescribed proton beam therapy for the treatment of cancer as recommended by the patient's physician. Defines terms. Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that a managed care organization under contract with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to provide services to recipients of medical assistance shall provide coverage for proton beam therapy. Defines terms. Effective January 1, 2024.

Amends the Overdose Prevention and Harm Reduction Act. Provides that a pharmacist may sell fentanyl test strips over-the-counter to the public to test for the presence of fentanyl, a fentanyl analogue, or a drug adulterant within a controlled substance. Provides that a county health department may distribute fentanyl test strips at the county health department facility for no fee. Amends the Drug Paraphernalia Control Act. Provides that "drug paraphernalia" does not include equipment, products, or materials to analyze or test for the presence of fentanyl, a fentanyl analogue, or a drug adulterant within a controlled substance.