Rep. Yolonda Morris

Creates the Permanent Punishment Review Task Force Act. Establishes the Permanent Punishment Review Task Force. Provides for the Task Force's appointment and membership. Provides that the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority shall provide administrative and other support to the Task Force. Provides that the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority may collaborate with the co-chairing organization to help provide this support. Provides that the duties of the Task Force include: (1) researching and analyzing the statutory permanent punishments under Illinois law; (2) identifying factors and data relevant to determining whether a permanent punishment should be modified or eliminated based on available scholarship; (3) identifying or developing models, or both, for periodic, systematic review of Illinois's permanent punishment laws; (4) analyzing such models, including potential funding requirements, and proposing recommendations to the General Assembly; and (5) issuing a report, on or before January 1, 2028, setting forth those recommendations and summarizing the research and findings of the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force may meet in person or virtually, and shall issue a written report of its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly on or before January 1, 2028, after which the Task Force is dissolved. Repeals the Act on July 1, 2028. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the applicability and scope of the Act.

Creates the Gender-Based Violence Article in the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that the Article applies to any motion to dispose of a claim that is based on, relates to, or is in response to the moving party's reporting gender-based violence. Provides that if a court finds that the civil action is based on the moving party reporting gender-based violence, it shall grant a motion to dismiss the claim unless it finds that the responding party has established by a preponderance of the evidence that the moving party's reporting gender-based violence was done with knowledge that the report was false or with reckless disregard of whether it was false or not. Provides that absent any additional corroborating evidence, specified pieces of evidence may not, on its own or in combination with each other, be used to establish that the moving party's reporting of gender-based violence was done with knowledge that the report was false or with reckless disregard of whether it was false or not. Sets forth motion and procedure standards for a motion filed under the Article. Establishes awards for attorney's fees and costs, injunctive relief, and damages. Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Protect Survivors Reporting Act. Effective immediately.

Creates the Transportation Network Driver Labor Relations Act. Defines "transportation network driver" as an individual who operates a motor vehicle that: (i) is owned, leased, or otherwise authorized for use by the individual; (ii) is not a taxicab or for-hire public passenger vehicle; (iii) is used to provide transportation network company services; and (iv) operates under the license of a transportation network company. Provides that transportation network drivers have the right of self-organization, to form, join, or assist transportation network driver organizations, and to bargain collectively. Sets forth provisions concerning unfair work practices; the prevention of unfair work practices; the designation of bargaining representatives; administrative fees; bargaining, impasse resolution procedures, and final determinations by the Department of Labor; applicability of other labor standards; rulemaking; and public records. Amends the Freedom of Information Act and the Labor Dispute Act to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Expresses the belief that nursing, social work, professional counseling, marriage and family therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, audiology, physician assistant practice, public health, and education are professional disciplines that require advanced graduate education, professional licensure, and adherence to rigorous ethical and clinical standards. Lists the graduate degrees that should be considered professional degrees. States that any state agency, public university, or entity receiving state funds should take all necessary steps to avoid discrimination against individuals holding these graduate degrees in hiring, promotion, compensation, professional development funding, or other terms and conditions of employment based on any federal student loan classification. Urges the United States Department of Education to include all graduate degrees in nursing, social work, counseling, therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, audiology, physician assistant practice, public health, and education in its definition of "professional degrees" for federal student loan purposes. Urges the Illinois Congressional Delegation to advocate for legislation to ensure that graduate students in all health and human services professions have access to adequate federal student loan funding to complete their professional education. Commits to exploring state-level solutions to support graduate education in health and human services professions, including but not limited to scholarships, grants, loan repayment assistance programs, and other workforce development initiatives. Expresses support for the licensed health and human services professionals in Illinois who serve our most vulnerable populations with skill, compassion, and unwavering commitment to the public good.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Creates the End-of-life Care Peer Support Program. Provides that the program is available to terminally ill persons committed to the Department of Corrections. Provides that the program shall be administered by the Department of Corrections in partnership with certain health care providers. Provides that individual patients may accept or decline care or participation in the program. Provides that individual patients shall define the scope of peer support, including the option to opt out of certain aspects of support. Provides that patient care plans shall be developed with the individual patient, the patient's peer support attendants, and the interdisciplinary team. Provides that participating patients shall be subject to the least restrictive security measures possible, with access to comfort items such as blankets, memorabilia, music, and books. Provides that participating patients shall have the following rights: (1) the right to dignity, privacy, respect, and culturally competent care; (2) the right to request peer support services; (3) the right to refuse services; and (4) the right to request family visitation. Provides that all participants in the program, including patients and peer support attendants, shall have access to grief counseling and mental health care services as needed. Provides that the program shall be funded through: (1) the Individual Benefit Fund; (2) direct appropriations from the General Revenue Fund; and (3) federal appropriations if applicable.

Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. Provides that, subject to federal approval, on and after January 1, 2027, rates for in-home services shall be increased to $33.92 to sustain a minimum wage of $20.75 per hour for direct service workers. Requires rates in subsequent State fiscal years to be no lower than the rates put into effect upon federal approval. Provides that in order for a provider of in-home services to be eligible to receive the $33.92 rate, the provider must pay a minimum wage of $20.75 per hour to all direct service workers employed by the provider. Requires providers of in-home services to certify to the Department on Aging that they remain in compliance with the mandated wage increase for direct service workers. Requires each provider of in-home services to submit cost reports to the Department consistent with a specified administrative rule in order to be eligible for the $33.92 rate for in-home services. Provides that fringe benefits shall not be reduced in relation to the described rate increases. Requires the Department, beginning January 1, 2027, to ensure that each in-home service provider spends a minimum of 79% of the total payments the provider receives for home care aide services it furnishes under the Community Care Program on total compensation for direct service workers who furnish those services. Requires annual direct service worker cost reports from providers; and requires the Department to amend existing rules on financial reporting and minimum direct service worker costs to reflect the increase in the direct service worker spending requirement from 77% to 79%.

Declares February 24, 2026 as SCN2A Awareness Day in the State of Illinois. Encourages all residents of Illinois to participate in activities and wear purple, blue, or green on this day to bring awareness of these disorders and the need for treatment.

Maddy summaryHB 624, titled "HOUSING-TECH," amends the State Housing Act. This bill makes a technical change specifically to a section within the act that concerns its short title.

Appropriates $450,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Illinois Community College Board for competitive per capita grants for prison education programs that assist incarcerated students in attaining associate degrees. Appropriates $350,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Board of Higher Education for competitive per capita grants for prison education programs that assist incarcerated students in attaining bachelor's degrees. Effective July 1, 2026.