Sen. Antonio Muñoz

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, and the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act to require coverage for hearing instruments and related services for all individuals under the age of 18 when a hearing care professional prescribes a hearing instrument. Provides that an insurer shall provide coverage for hearing aids subject to certain restrictions. Provides that an insurer shall not be required to pay a claim if the insured filed such a claim 12 months prior to the date of filing the claim with the insurer and the claim was paid by any insurer. Effective immediately.

Amends the Minimum Wage Law. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the application of the Act.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that disenrollment of a Medicaid enrollee from a managed care organization under contract with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall be in accordance with specified federal requirements whenever a contract is terminated between a Medicaid managed care health plan and a primary care provider that results in a disruption to the Medicaid enrollee's provider-beneficiary relationship. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Requires a school board to adopt and implement a policy on how to recognize mental health issues and how to properly address them. Provides that, as part of this policy, a school board shall require in-service training of licensed school personnel and administrators to include, at least once every 2 years, training on the current best practices regarding the identification of and recommended courses of action for mental health issues. Effective July 1, 2018.

Amends the State Police Act. Provides that the Director of State Police shall establish a program to allow a State Police officer who is honorably retiring in good standing to purchase either or both of the following: (i) any State Police badge previously issued to that officer or (ii) if the officer has a currently valid Firearm Owner's Identification Card, the service firearm issued or previously issued to the officer by the Department of State Police. Provides that the cost of the firearm purchased shall be the replacement value of the firearm and not the firearm's fair market value. Amends the State Property Control Act to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that May 19 of each year is designated as "First Responder Mental Health Awareness Day", to be observed throughout the State as a day to honor firefighters, police officers, and other first responders who have lost their lives due to and suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and other mental health issues.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning the child care assistance program, provides that a family's eligibility for child care services shall be redetermined no sooner than 12 months following the initial determination or most recent redetermination. Provides that during the 12-month periods, the family shall remain eligible for child care services regardless of (i) a change in family income, unless family income exceeds 85% of State median income, or (ii) a temporary change in the ongoing status of the parents as working or attending a job training or educational program. Effective October 1, 2018.

Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934. Provides that a manufacturer of beer that imports beer into this State must obtain a non-resident dealer's license and comply with certain provisions concerning recordkeeping and taxation. Provides that nothing in the Act prohibits an Illinois licensed distributor from offering credit or a refund for unused, salable alcoholic liquors to a holder of a special event retailer's license or special use permit license or the special event retailer's licensee or special use permit licensee from accepting the credit or refund of alcoholic liquors at the conclusion of the event specified in the license. Makes changes to provisions concerning signage, including raising the limit on the cost of signs that may be provided to a retailer and removing the cost adjustment factor for the limit on the cost of signs that may be provided to a retailer. Provides that all permanent inside signs, except alcohol lists and menus, are the property of the manufacturer, distributor, or the importing distributor and shall be returned to the manufacturer, distributor, or the importing distributor upon request. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Commemorative Dates Act. Provides that the 4th day of November of each year is designated as "G.I. Bill of Rights Day", to be observed throughout the State as a day in recognition of the landmark legislation that provided benefits to World War II veterans, and would serve as the basis of future legislation to extend benefits to all who serve in the United States Armed Forces.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Creates the Broadband Advisory Council Article in the Act. Creates the Broadband Advisory Council to explore ways to expand broadband access throughout the State, including unserved and underserved areas. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Development shall provide administrative, personnel, and technical support. Provides for the voting and nonvoting membership of the Council. Provides for the powers and duties of the Council. Provides that the Council shall report to the General Assembly annually concerning actions the Council took during the previous year.