Sen. Emil Jones

Amends the School Code. Provides that, beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, the curriculum of a driver education course must include instruction on bicycle and pedestrian safety, which must include, but is not limited to, instruction on how to safely pass a cyclist on the road, special considerations while driving in urban areas and near bicycle lanes, how to navigate an intersection with pedestrians and cyclists, exiting a vehicle without endangering pedestrians and cyclists, and the requirement that drivers exercise due care to avoid collision with a bicyclist or pedestrian on the road. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, for the purpose of educating prospective licensees on the potential dangers caused by motor vehicles to pedestrians, bicyclists, in-line skaters, scooter riders, skateboarders, and other non-motorized vehicles, the Secretary of State shall include, in the Illinois Rules of the Road publication, information on bicycle and pedestrian safety.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides for the release of an impounded vehicle to a lessor of record in the same manner as a lienholder of record. Provides that vehicles not retrieved from the towing facility or storage facility within 10 (instead of 35) days after an administrative hearing officer issues a written decision shall be deemed abandoned and disposed of. Provides that, except in a municipality with a population of 1,000,000 or more, a lienholder of record or lessor of record may take possession of a vehicle impounded under any ordinance and defer payment of any applicable administrative fees upon submission of specified documentation to the municipality or its designated agent. Provides that no vehicle shall be released to the lienholder of record or lessor of record until payment of the associated towing, storage, and other applicable fees charged by the person, firm, or entity that tows and stores the impounded vehicle to the extent the lienholder of record or lessor of record was given notice. Provides that, upon the request of a lienholder of record or lessor of record to obtain possession of an impounded vehicle, the county or municipality, or its designated agent, shall: (1) provide the lienholder of record or lessor of record an opportunity to view the vehicle within 2 business days of the request; (2) provide a statement in writing setting forth the amount of the applicable administrative fees; and (3) provide a statement in writing setting forth the amount of the applicable towing, storage, and other fees. Effective 90 days after becoming law. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. In a Section concerning the provision of notice of storage fees to the lienholder of record, changes references to "lienholder" to "lienholder of record. Provides that a county or municipality shall provide specified notices concerning the seizure of certain vehicles as soon as practicable. Provides that notice shall be given by the towing company to the lienholder of record. Provides that the lienholder of record shall have an opportunity to view the vehicle on the premises where the vehicle is located within 2 business days of the request. Exempts a municipality with a population of over 1,000,000 inhabitants. Effective 90 days after becoming law.

Amends the Property Tax Code. With respect to the Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption, provides that, beginning in assessment year 2019, the taxpayer's household income shall be reduced by any amounts paid as Medicare premiums. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that the bill takes effect on January 1, 2020. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Makes changes to the introduced bill to provide that the reduction for Medicare premiums begins in taxable year 2020 (in the introduced bill, taxable year 2019). Provides that the reduction for Medicare premiums shall be made only upon proof of payment of Medicare premiums by the taxpayer.

Amends the Counties Code. In provisions concerning winds farms and electric-generating wind devices, makes the provisions applicable even if a county has or has not formed a zoning commission and adopted formal zoning. Clarifies that only a county may establish standards for wind farms, electric-generating wind devices, and commercial wind energy facilities in unincorporated areas of the county outside of the zoning jurisdiction of a municipality and the 1.5 mile radius surrounding the zoning jurisdiction of a municipality. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that only a county may establish standards for wind farms outside the 1.5 mile radius (rather than in the 1.5 mile radius) surrounding the zoning jurisdiction of a municipality.

Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act. Extends the repeal date of the Pharmacy Practice Act from January 1, 2020 to January 1, 2030. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Urges support for funding the physical infrastructure of early childhood education programs.

Amends the Corporate Fiduciary Act. Makes a technical change in the Section concerning the short title of the Act.

Creates the Course Equity Act. Defines terms. Requires the State Board of Education to establish a Course Equity Program in which any public or nonpublic school student in this State may enroll in a Course Equity Program course, provided that the student has completed all applicable prerequisite course requirements. Provides that the funding structure for Course Equity Program courses must maximize access to courses for low-income students and school districts by following a specified funding structure. Provides that the initial authorization of a Course Provider and courses shall be for a one-year period and the State Board may reauthorize a Course Provider for additional periods of up to 3 years. Provides that the initial authorization of a Course Provider requires the Board to establish a course review and approval process for Course Providers that may be implemented by the Board or an entity designated by the Board. Specifies qualifications for a course to be added to the Course Equity Catalog. Requires Course Providers to annually report to the Board; specifies report requirements. Provides for the Board's responsibilities and a school district's responsibilities. Allows for rulemaking by the Board. Amends the Public Community College Act to provide that, for purposes of enrollment in a dual credit course through the Course Equity Program, a student shall, for tuition purposes, be classified as a resident of a community college district if he or she meets the criteria to be deemed an Illinois resident under the Act. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 110 ILCS 805/6-4.2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Provides that no school district may pass on the cost of the fee to enroll in a Course Equity Program course to a student if he or she is eligible for (i) Medicaid, (ii) the Children's Health Insurance Program under the Children's Health Insurance Program Act, (iii) the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, or (iv) the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (rather than if the student qualifies to receive free or reduced-price lunch under the federal Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act). Provides that a school district must recognize on an eligible funded student's transcript (rather than student's transcript) each Course Equity Program course completed by the student (rather than each completed course granted approval to be taken by the student). Removes a provision allowing a public community college to serve as a Course Equity Provider; makes a conforming change. Removes a provision requiring a school district to notify students and parents of the availability of Course Equity Program courses. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Creates the Nursing Home Reform Act. Provides that the purposes of the Act include establishing a framework for the provision of care to residents of facilities licensed under the Nursing Home Care Act, ensuring the coordination of regulation and reimbursement, strengthening the provider and employee community, and supporting the highest possible quality of resident-centered services and care. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Nursing Home Medicaid Reimbursement Reform Act. Provides that it shall be a matter of State policy that all residents of facilities licensed under the Nursing Home Care Act who meet the financial requirements for medical assistance and have a determination of need score of 29 or greater shall be guaranteed the right to: (1) select the facility in which he or she receives care; (2) participate fully in the development of his or her individualized care plan; and (3) be informed in advance of any changes to his or her individualized care plan or to the status of his or her nursing home stay. Provides that all medical treatment and services deemed medically necessary by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches, including the provision of prescription drugs not covered under a qualified Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan, shall be presumed to be available for any resident who is eligible for medical assistance and shall qualify for reimbursement under the Medical Assistance Program. Provides that any medical services provided, as specified in the Act, to a resident of a facility licensed under the Nursing Home Care Act shall be reimbursed based on an aggregate rate composed of nursing, support, and capital components. Provides that the State shall also reimburse each facility paying property taxes an amount that equals the facility's actual property tax bill, if applicable. Provides that any additional funds contained in the State Fiscal Year 2020 budget in excess of those expended in the State Fiscal Year 2019 budget shall be distributed by statute. Provides that reimbursement payments for services covered under the Act are due and payable on the last day of each month for all claims submitted during the preceding calendar month. Effective immediately.

Amends the Nurse Practice Act. Provides that collaboration does not require an employment relationship between the collaborating physician, podiatric physician, or dentist and the advanced practice registered nurse. Provides that, in the case of anesthesia services provided by a certified registered nurse anesthetist, an anesthesiologist, a physician, a dentist, or a podiatric physician must participate through discussion of and agreement with the anesthesia plan and remain available (rather than remain physically present and available on the premises during the delivery of anesthesia services) for diagnosis, consultation, and treatment of emergency medical conditions. Makes changes concerning the written collaborative agreements between a certified registered nurse anesthetist and a dentist. Changes provisions concerning full practice authority to apply them to certified registered nurse anesthetists. Requires that during the delivery of anesthesia by a certified registered nurse anesthetists, the attestation for completion of clinical experience must be attested to by the collaborating physician or physicians, podiatrists, or dentists, and the certified registered nurse anesthetist. Makes other changes. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 225 ILCS 65/65-43 225 ILCS 65/65-45 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Nurse Practice Act. Provides that, in the case of anesthesia services provided by a certified registered nurse anesthetist, a physician, a dentist, or a podiatric physician must participate through discussion of and agreement with the anesthesia plan and remain available during the delivery of surgical anesthesia services for diagnosis, consultation, and treatment of emergency medical conditions (rather than an anesthesiologist, a physician, a dentist, or a podiatric physician must participate through discussion of and agreement with the anesthesia plan and remain physically present and available on the premises during the delivery of anesthesia services for diagnosis, consultation, and treatment of emergency medical conditions). Effective immediately.