Rep. Yolonda Morris

Amends the Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act. Allows a speech-language pathologist to diagnose autism spectrum disorders if: (1) the child is under 3 years of age; and (2) the speech-language pathologist is trained in autism diagnostic evaluation methods as part of the curriculum of an approved program, through worksite training, or through continuing education. Provides that if a diagnosis requires a plan of care that includes elements that are outside the scope of practice of a speech-language pathologist, the speech-language pathologist must refer the patient to the appropriate medical personnel for further evaluation or management. Makes conforming changes in the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code, and provisions of the Illinois Insurance Code concerning autism spectrum disorders. Effective July 1, 2027.

Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Replaces reporting requirement provisions for the Department of Public Health concerning nurse surveyors. Provides that, in addition to the listed information, the Department's annual report on all survey activity from the preceding fiscal year shall include: (i) the total number of authorized nursing home surveyor positions within the Department, (ii) the total number of filled and vacant nursing home surveyor positions, (iii) the average length of tenure for nursing home surveyors employed by the Department at the time the report is created, and (iv) any additional information the Department deems relevant regarding nursing home surveyor recruitment, retention, or workload.

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that specified counties may acquire real property for the purpose of creating or preserving affordable housing for persons making up to 150% of area median income annually. Provides that specified counties may enter into agreements to transfer real property with any unit of local government, any school district, or the State for the purpose of creating or preserving affordable housing for persons making up to 150% of the area median income annually. Provides that specified counties may enter into agreements to donate, lease below market rate, or sell below market rate, real property for the purpose of the creation or preservation of affordable housing for persons making up to 150% of area median income annually. Provides that specified counties may undertake any activity permitted by the Affordable Housing Planning and Appeal Act for the purpose of creating, developing, encouraging the development, or preservation of the development of affordable housing for persons making up to 150% of area median income annually. Provides that specified counties may select purchasers and lessors for properties held by the county, a county land bank, or county land trust. Provides that specified counties may encourage and facilitate the creation of affordable housing within the geographic boundaries of the county, including areas within municipalities, by offering financial incentives, including but not limited to grants and loans, and infrastructure improvements, including but not limited to, stormwater detention, public water and sewer improvements, and similar improvement which facilitate increasing the supply of affordable housing units shall be considered improvements for a public purpose, to developers of affordable housing units. Provides that specified counties may enter into agreements with property owners to engage in clearance and remediation activities. Provides that, as part of an agreement, or in return for an infrastructure improvement, a county may impose a restriction on the title of an affordable housing development subject to the agreement that restricts the income level of inhabitants of all or part of the development.

Amends the State Treasurer Act. Provides that the State Treasurer may establish and administer a non-profit investment pool and an electronic payment processing program to supplement and enhance investment opportunities and secure electronic payment options otherwise available to not-for-profit corporations in the State. Provides that the Treasurer may receive funds paid into the pool for the purpose of holding and investing those funds. Provides for surety bonds payable to not-for-profit corporations who participate in the pool. Provides that the Treasurer shall adopt rules for the efficient administration of the pool.

Creates the Chemicals in Cosmetic Products Act. Prohibits the manufacture, sale, delivery, holding, or offering for sale of a cosmetic product that contains specific intentionally added chemical ingredients. Exempts cosmetic products that were manufactured with an intent to comply with the Act and contain a technically unavoidable trace quantity of a prohibited chemical ingredient due to certain reasons. Defines terms.

Amends the School Code. Provides that early childhood programs receiving State funds shall restrict suspensions. Provides that the decision to suspend a student in preschool for 3 or more days may only be made by the superintendent of the school district, director of an early childhood program, or their equivalent and that the length of the suspension for any student in preschool may not be longer than the number of days required by the school district or early childhood program to develop and implement a behavior intervention plan or safety plan. Prohibits a student in kindergarten through grade 2 from being expelled unless otherwise required by federal or State law. Provides that the decision to suspend a student in kindergarten through grade 2 for 3 or more days may only be made by the superintendent of the school district and that the length of the suspension for any student in kindergarten through grade 2 may not be longer than the number of days required by the school district to develop and implement a behavior intervention plan or safety plan. Provides that a student who is suspended in excess of 20 school days may be immediately transferred to an alternative program. Provides that a student shall not be denied transfer because of the suspension, except in cases in which such transfer is deemed to cause a threat to the safety of students or staff in the alternative program. Makes other changes.

Amends the Nurse Practice Act. Makes changes to the requirements for a registered professional nursing education program in provisions concerning the establishment of a new program, program policies, faculty members, training and development, the program's curriculum, the program's use of simulation, the accreditation process, approval by the Board of Nursing, and the program closure process. Makes a conforming change. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation may, without hearing, rescind the license of any person who obtain a license after completing a program or obtaining credit from a program that does not meet the requirements of the provisions regarding registered professional nursing education programs. In provisions concerning nursing licensure by examination, removes the provision regarding the good standing period for professional nursing programs on probationary status.

Maddy summarySB 315 amends the Predatory Loan Prevention Act by making technical corrections to the section that states the law's short title. It does not change any lending regulations, borrower protections, or enforcement rules. The bill only updates the formal name of the law within its own text and has no impact on consumers, lenders, or existing policy. The "BUSINESS-TECH" title in the bill number is unrelated to its actual content, which is purely administrative. This is a procedural update with no real-world policy effect.

Urges the Office of the Architect of the Capitol to oversee the design and creation of a portrait for the State Capitol Building of the late former State Representative and House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie, a trailblazer in State politics whose work improved the lives of countless Illinoisans and expanded opportunities for generations of women.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. In provisions regarding environmental laboratory certification assessment, repeals provisions establishing the Environmental Laboratory Certification Committee and deletes references to the Committee.