Rep. Jim Watson

Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Department of Public Health shall implement a program to provide grants to sheltered care facilities for the purpose of making improvements required under the Life Safety Code published by the National Fire Protection Association. Limits grants to the lesser of $10,000 or the actual cost of the improvements. Effective immediately.

Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1987. Adds a Section concerning holistic medicine. Provides only a caption.

Creates the Rural Water Infrastructure Task Force to study ways to improve access to rural water infrastructure funds.

Appropriates $1,500,000 from GRF to the Department of Human Services for an Assistive Technology Evaluation and Training Center. Effective July 1, 2003.

Amends the School Code. Creates the Professional Teacher Standards Board consisting of 11 members appointed by the Governor to administer the Article of the School Code governing the certification of teachers and other certificated school personnel and the approval of teacher and administrator preparation programs. Gives the Professional Teacher Standards Board all powers and duties currently exercised by the State Board of Education and the State Teacher Certification Board with respect to administration of the certification and program approval process, and abolishes the State Teacher Certification Board. Authorizes the Professional Teacher Standards Board to employ an Executive Director and such other staff members as are necessary to exercise its powers and duties and carry out its functions. Provides that a Standard Certificate may be renewed based on proof of professional development (instead of on proof of continuing education or professional development). Makes other changes. Effective July 1, 2003.

Amends the State Finance Act. Makes technical changes in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that in addition to the base monthly reimbursement paid to sheltered care facilities under the Medicaid program, the Department of Public Aid shall make supplemental payments to sheltered care facilities to reimburse such facilities for their expenses incurred in transporting residents to medically necessary visits to providers of health care services. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code and the Good Samaritan Act. Beginning July 1, 2005, provides that initial issuance of a teaching certificate is contingent upon certification in first aid and CPR. Provides that the State Board of Education shall accept first aid and CPR certificates from the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, or any other nationally recognized certifying organization approved by the Department of Public Health. Provides that an individual or entity providing training in the use of first aid or CPR is not liable for civil damages as a result of any act or omission involving the act of performing first aid or CPR, except for willful or wanton misconduct. Provides that a trained teacher who performs first aid or CPR is not liable for civil damages as a result of any act or omission involving the act of performing first aid or CPR or from a failure to respond, except for willful or wanton misconduct. Provides that a school district or non-public school that employs teachers that are trained in first aid or CPR is not liable for civil damages as a result of any act or omission involving the act of performing first aid or CPR or from failure of a trained teacher to respond, except for willful or wanton misconduct.

Amends the State Finance Act. Provides that no transfers may be made, in order to help defray the State's operating costs for the fiscal year, from the Road Fund or the State Construction Account Fund on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act. Effective July 1, 2004.

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Creates the Economic Development Advisory Board within the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to make recommendations to the Department on economic development matters. Sets forth procedures by which members are appointed to the Board. Sets forth procedures for the operation of the Board. Sets forth the duties of the Board. Effective immediately.