Rep. Norine Hammond

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that subject to federal approval, on and after July 1, 2023, the reimbursement rates paid to providers of private duty nursing services for medically fragile and technology dependent children shall be 40% higher than the reimbursement rates in effect for nursing services on June 30, 2023. Effective July 1, 2023.

Amends the Illinois Highway Code. Provides that the General Assembly shall annually appropriate to the Department of Transportation $60,000,000 (instead of $15,000,000) for apportionment to counties for the use of road districts for the construction of bridges 20 feet or more in length. Provides that funds that are not obligated within 72 (instead of 48) months shall revert to the Road Fund. Effective immediately.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that, for a person who resides in a facility licensed under the Nursing Home Care Act and who is determined to be eligible for medical assistance, the monthly personal needs allowance shall be $60.

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that the Department of Children and Family Services shall initialize, but not complete, the move of Family First functions, carried under the Act and the federal Family First Prevention Services Act (Title IV-E of the federal Social Security Act) from the Department of Children and Family Services to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services.

Amends the State Employee Indemnification Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the Act's short title.

Encourages Illinois' institutions of higher education to embrace the neurodiversity paradigm and adopt a statement of inclusivity of neurodivergent individuals that appreciates and embraces the fact that every student is different and should be encouraged to reach their full potential.

Declares August 2023 as Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month in the State of Illinois. Encourages continuing research on spinal muscular atrophy and community support for those affected with the disease.

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that final approval for placement of a child with a prospective foster or adoptive parent shall not be granted if a criminal records background check reveals the prospective foster or adoptive parent has a felony conviction for human trafficking or sex trafficking. Effective immediately.

Amends the Chicago Police and Chicago Firefighter Articles of the Illinois Pension Code. Establishes a presumption that a fireman or policeman who becomes disabled as a result of exposure to and contraction of COVID-19 was injured in the line of duty and is entitled to receive a duty disability benefit under the applicable Article of the Code. Specifies that the changes made by the amendatory Act apply retroactively to March 9, 2020, and any policeman or fireman who has been previously denied a duty disability benefit that would otherwise be entitled to a duty disability benefit under the amendatory Act shall be entitled to a retroactive duty disability benefit. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Creates the College Insurance Program Task Force to study the College Insurance Program and present policy and legislative recommendations to the General Assembly to ensure the program remains a viable and healthy benefit.