Amends the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. In a provision concerning expedited licensure for service members and spouses, provides that a department shall waive any application, examination, or licensure fee for a service member or the service member's spouse. Removes references to fees.
Amends the Illinois State Police Act. Provides that the collegiate educational requirements for being appointed an Illinois State Police officer are met if the person: (1) has been honorably discharged by the United States Armed Forces and has been awarded the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), or Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, in addition to other specified medals; or (2) is an active member of the Illinois National Guard or a reserve component of the United States Armed Forces and who has been awarded the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), or Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal, in addition to other specified medals, as a result of honorable service during deployment on active duty. Provides that the collegiate educational requirements are satisfied by having at least 3 years of full active and continuous United States Armed Forces (rather than military) duty, which shall also include a period of active duty with the State of Illinois under Title 10 or Title 32 of the United States Code pursuant to an order of the President or the Governor of the State of Illinois, and receiving an honorable discharge before hiring.
Amends provisions of the Lyme Disease Prevention and Protection Act concerning the Lyme Disease Task Force. Provides that one veterinarian appointed to the Task Force by the Director of Public Health must be a practicing Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. Adds one medical entomologist appointed by the Director of Public Health to the Task Force. Requires the Task Force to meet not less than 4 (rather than 2) times each year.
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.
Amends the State Board of Education Article of the School Code. Provides that, subject to appropriation, by no later than June 30, 2024, the State Board of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, the Department of Central Management Services, the Department of Insurance, and the Illinois Community College Board, shall establish a system providing liability insurance to cover (i) public high school students and community college students participating in a career development experience or apprenticeship program and (ii) public school teachers and community college faculty participating in an externship program. Provides that the liability insurance program shall be implemented by fiscal year 2025. Provides that the State Board of Education, in consultation with those other agencies, may direct the program to cover specific occupational areas.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.
Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Creates under the authority of the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board the Statewide PTSD Mental Health Coordinator, appointed by the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, for a term of 4 years. Provides that the Statewide PTSD Mental Health Coordinator shall receive a salary as provided by law and is eligible for reappointment. Provides that the Statewide PTSD Mental Health Coordinator shall be responsible for implementing a program of mental health support and education for law enforcement officers. Establishes qualifications for the Coordinator. Provides that the Statewide PTSD Mental Health Coordinator shall report to the Board on the development and implementation of programs and training for law enforcement officers and shall advise the Board and receive advice from the Board on direction and training needs for law enforcement agencies that vary in size, location, and demographics.
Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging and the Illinois Public Aid Code by changing all references to the Illinois State Police Medicaid Fraud Control Unit to the Office of the Attorney General Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. Amends the Illinois False Claims Act. Removes references to the Illinois State Police from the definition of "investigator". Provides that the Attorney General (rather than the Attorney General or the Illinois State Police) shall diligently investigate a civil violation for false claims under the Act. Provides that the Attorney General may issue subpoenas under the Act (rather than the Attorney General may delegate the authority to issue subpoenas under the Act to the Department of State Police). In provisions concerning the State Whistleblower Reward and Protection Fund, provides that for all cases settled on or after October 1, 2023, one-third of the monies shall be paid to the Attorney General Whistleblower Reward and Protection Fund. Provides that the remaining two-thirds of the monies in the Fund shall be used for payment of awards to Qui Tam plaintiffs and as otherwise specified in this Act, with any remainder to the General Revenue Fund. Provides that the Attorney General shall direct the State Treasurer to make disbursement of funds. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows the issuance of Lyme disease research decals by the Department of Natural Resources. Provides that $10 of each original issuance and $23 of each renewal shall be deposited into the Tick Research, Education, and Evaluation Fund, and that $15 of each original issuance and $2 of each renewal shall be deposited into the Secretary of State Special License Plate Fund. Provides that money in the Tick Research, Education, and Evaluation Fund shall be paid as grants to the Illinois Lyme Association. Makes a corresponding change in the State Finance Act.
Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that there is a rebuttable presumption that the testimony of a victim who is a child under 13 years of age shall testify outside the courtroom and the child's testimony shall be shown in the courtroom by means of a closed circuit television. Provides that this presumption may be overcome if the defendant can prove by clear and convincing evidence that the child victim will not suffer severe emotional distress.
