Rep. Michael K. Smith

Congratulates AARP on its 50th anniversary.

Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law. Subject to appropriation, directs the Department to establish a statewide network of cord blood stem cell banks. Sets forth requirements and duties of donor banks. Creates an advisory committee to advise the Department concerning administration of the network. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Finance Act. Provides that for personnel under the jurisdiction of the State travel control boards, the allowance rate for automobile travel mileage reimbursement, which is the same as the rate set by federal regulations, shall be increased or decreased during the State's fiscal year as of the effective date of the federal regulations (now, increases do not take effect until the next July 1).

Amends the School Code. Provides that a vision examination must be included as a part of the health examination required within one year prior to entering kindergarten or the first grade, whichever grade the child first enters, of any public, private, or parochial elementary school. Makes related changes. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective January 1, 2008.

Amends the Community Services Act. Changes references from "disabled person" to "person with a disability". Provides that a shift from State-provided services to community services should be acknowledged by the State as a clear priority in policies and funding that values community services and supports for persons who choose to live and work in those settings, with the needed resources following the individual. Requires the Governor to appoint a commission by July 1, 2007, or as soon thereafter as possible, to prioritize a strategy for identifying a stream of revenue to address gaps and prioritize use of that revenue on rates and reimbursements for community services and supports. Provides that the commission shall have representation from the Department of Human Services, the General Assembly, persons with disabilities and mental illness, community providers, and trade associations. Provides that the rate and reimbursement methodologies must reflect the cost of providing services and supports, recognize individual disability needs, and consider geographic differences, transportation costs, required staffing ratios, and mandates not currently funded. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Adds a Section concerning the assessment of certain timberland. Contains only a caption.

Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act. Subject to appropriations, requires the Department to pay veterans service organizations for services provided by veterans service officers in processing claims and other benefits for veterans and their spouses or other beneficiaries residing in Illinois. Requires payment at the rate of $0.010 for each dollar of benefits obtained for veterans or their spouses or other beneficiaries. Sets forth criteria that a veterans service organization must meet.

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Provides that "person subject to involuntary admission" includes (i) a person with mental illness and who because of his or her illness is reasonably expected to engage in dangerous conduct (instead of reasonably expected to inflict serious physical harm upon himself or herself or another in the near future) and (ii) a person with mental illness who, because of the nature of his or her illness, is unable to understand his or her need for treatment and who, if not treated, is reasonably expected to suffer or continue to suffer mental deterioration or emotional deterioration, or both, to the point that the person is reasonably expected to engage in dangerous conduct. Defines "dangerous conduct" as threatening behavior or conduct that places another individual in reasonable expectation of being harmed, or a person's inability to provide, without the assistance of family or outside help, for his or her basic physical needs so as to guard himself or herself from serious harm.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning school energy conservation.

Amends the Criminal Code of 1961. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the sexual exploitation of children.