Sen. Steven M. Landek

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the School Code. Requires the State Superintendent of Education to appoint a committee to review the tests administered by the State Board of Education and national, statewide, and local assessments administered by school districts. Sets forth the membership of the committee and the issues that the committee must review. Requires the committee to annually report and make recommendations to the State Superintendent of Education and the General Assembly. Requires the reports to be posted on the State Board's Internet website and to be available for public review. Effective July 1, 2014.

Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Provides that a complaint regarding an alleged violation of the Nursing Home Care Act may be transmitted to the Department of Public Health by electronic means. Provides that when a person requests that the Department investigate an alleged violation of the Act, the Department shall require (instead of shall request) the complainant's identifying information. Allows the complainant to request that his or her identifying information remain confidential or that the complaint be treated as anonymous, and requires the Department to maintain the complainant's confidentiality or anonymity unless: (1) the complainant consents to the disclosure in writing, (2) the Department's investigation results in a judicial proceeding, (3) disclosure of the complainant's identity is essential to the investigation, or (4) disclosure of the complainant's identity is essential for the purposes of investigating or prosecuting the complainant's alleged knowing transmission of a false report to the Department. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that a dependent of a military service member, who is a legal resident of the State, having previously been determined to be eligible for developmental disability services provided by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, including waiver services provided under the home and community based services programs authorized under Section 1915(c) of the Social Security Act, shall retain eligibility for those developmental disability services as long as he or she remains a legal resident of the State, regardless of having left the State due to the military service member's military assignment outside the State. Provides that if the State eligibility requirements change, the dependent shall retain eligibility until new information is provided by the dependent or military service member to the Department. Contains provisions concerning assessment determinations; eligibility determinations for dependent's who return to the State following a period of absence and who request services including waiver services provided under the home and community based services programs authorized under Section 1915(c) of the Social Security Act; federal waiver application; and rulemaking authority. Effective immediately.

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Firearm Concealed Carry Act. Provides that a certified firearms instructor who knowingly provides or offers to provide a false certification that an applicant has completed firearms training as required under the Act is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. Provides that a person guilty of this violation is not eligible for court supervision. Provides that the Department of State Police shall permanently revoke the firearms instructor certification of a person convicted of this violation. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections to make a conforming change. Effective immediately.

Amends the Older Adult Services Act. Adds provisions creating a Home Care Consumer Bill of Rights, which includes the following rights: to basic safety; to information concerning the availability of home care services and other matters; to choice, participation, and self-determination in connection with planning home care services; to care and services provided in a way that promotes a consumer's dignity and individuality; and to redress of grievances. Requires the Department on Aging, in collaboration with the departments of Public Health and Healthcare and Family Services and other agencies, to develop a plan for enforcing the Home Care Consumer Bill of Rights. Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Assistance Fraud Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Makes it a Class C misdemeanor for any person, including an individual, firm, corporation, association, partnership, or joint venture, or any employee or agent of any of those, to assist another person in completing or submitting an application for benefits under the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or the State's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program in exchange for a portion of the applicant's SNAP or TANF benefits or cash from any other source. Provides that an applicant who receives such assistance is not in violation of the prohibition. Provides that nothing in this provision shall be construed as prohibiting an applicant from using the services of a non-profit organization, a licensed attorney, or any other authorized organization or agency that receives State or federal funding to assist persons in the preparation of an application for SNAP or TANF benefits or in appealing a denial of an application for SNAP or TANF benefits. Effective immediately.

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that when a child is voluntarily placed in out-of-home care funded by the Department of Children and Family Services for the purpose of obtaining mental health treatment for the child or treatment for the child's developmental disability, the Department is prohibited from requesting, recommending, or requiring that a parent terminate his or her parental rights with respect to the child or that a parent or legal guardian transfer legal custody of the child to the Department. Provides that a child voluntarily placed in out-of-home care shall be placed pursuant to a voluntary placement agreement voluntarily entered into by the parents or legal guardian of the child. Provides that for a child to remain in out-of-home care for longer than 180 days, a juvenile court must make a judicial determination within the first 180 days of the placement that the placement is in the best interests of the child. Requires the Department to report annually to the General Assembly concerning (i) the number of children who were voluntarily placed in out-of-home care funded by the Department and (ii) the number of parents or legal guardians who relinquished custody of their child for the purpose of seeking mental health treatment for the child or treatment for the child's developmental disability. Contains provisions concerning: an interagency agreement between specified State agencies to prevent children from becoming wards of the State and entering the child welfare system solely for purpose of treatment of a child's serious mental illness, serious emotional disturbance, or developmental disability; certain protocols that must be included in the interagency agreement; and additional reporting requirements. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Provides for the administration of undesignated epinephrine auto-injectors by a pupil, school nurse, and trained personnel. Limits liability for the administration of undesignated epinephrine auto-injectors by a school nurse or trained personnel. Requires a school to permit the self-administration and self-carry of asthma medication by a pupil with asthma. Provides that prior to the administration of an undesignated epinephrine auto-injector, trained personnel must submit to his or her school's administration proof of completion of a training curriculum to recognize and respond to anaphylaxis. Requires training to be completed annually and sets forth training curriculum guidelines. Provides that within 3 days of the administration of epinephrine by a school nurse, trained personnel, or a student at a school or school-sponsored activity, the school must report to the Board certain information, which the Board will then use in its report to the General Assembly identifying the frequency and circumstances of epinephrine administration during the preceding academic year. Effective August 1, 2014.