Rep. Travis Weaver

Amends the Animal Welfare Act. Provides that an animal control facility shall not charge an adoption fee for a dog or cat if the person adopting the dog or cat presents to the animal control facility a current and valid driver's license, Illinois Identification Card, or Illinois Person with a Disability Identification Card with the word "veteran" printed on its face. Provides that an animal control facility may limit the number of dogs or cats adopted from that animal control facility pursuant to this Section to one dog or cat each 6-month period.

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 Accident and Health Article of the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that an individual or group policy of accident and health insurance that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2025 shall cover a medically necessary home saliva cancer screening every 24 months. Makes conforming changes in the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, the Limited Health Service Organization Act, the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act, and the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Effective January 1, 2024.

Amends the Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

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.

Amends the Fish and Aquatic Life Code. Provides that residents of this State may obtain a 5-year fishing license. Provides that the fee for a 5-year fishing license is $62.50. Provides that for residents age 65 or older, the fee is one-half of the fee charged for a 5-year fishing license. Provides that for resident veterans of the United States Armed Forces after returning from service abroad or mobilization by the President of the United States, the fee is one-half of the fee charged for a 5-year fishing license. Provides that residents of this State may obtain a 5-year sportsmen's combination license that shall entitle the holder to the same non-commercial fishing privileges as residents holding a license and to the same hunting privileges as residents holding a license to hunt all species under the Wildlife Code. Provides that the 5-year sportsmen's combination license fee shall be $112.50. Provides that a sportsmen's combination license shall not be issued to any individual who would be ineligible for either the fishing or hunting license separately. Provides that for residents age 65 or older, the fee is one-half of the fee charged for a 5-year sportsmen's combination license. Provides that for resident veterans of the United States Armed Forces after returning from service abroad or mobilization by the President of the United States, the fee is one-half of the fee charged for a 5-year sportsmen's combination license. Amends the Wildlife Code. Provides that residents of this State may obtain a 5-year hunting license to hunt all species for $52. Provides that for residents age 65 or older and resident veterans of the United States Armed Forces after returning from service abroad or mobilization by the President of the United States, the fee is one-half of the fee charged for a 5-year hunting license.

Creates the Freedom from COVID-19 Vaccination for State Employees Act. Provides that no individual shall be required to obtain a COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment with a State agency. Provides that no State employee may be disciplined, discharged, or demoted for failing to obtain a COVID-19 vaccination. Defines "appointee", "COVID-19 vaccination", "employee", "State agency", and "State employee". Effective immediately.

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 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.