Sen. Napoleon Harris

Amends the School Code. Provides that early childhood programs receiving State Board of Education grants for preschool educational programs shall prohibit the expulsion of children. Provides instead that when persistent and serious challenging behaviors emerge, the early childhood program shall document steps taken to ensure that the child can participate safely in the program and utilize a range of community resources. Sets forth provisions concerning the creation of a transition plan if there is documented evidence that all available interventions and supports recommended by a qualified professional have been exhausted; temporary removal of a child; the utilization of training, technical support, and professional development resources; and annually reporting to the State Board. Makes related changes. Amends the Child Care Act of 1969 to require the Department of Children and Family Services, in consultation with the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development and the State Board of Education, to adopt rules prohibiting the use of expulsion due to a child's persistent and serious challenging behaviors in licensed day care centers, day care homes, and group day care homes.

Creates the Parental Rights for the Blind Act. Contains statements of legislative findings and purpose. Defines terms. Provides that a person's blindness shall not serve as a basis for denial or restriction of parenting time, the allocation of parental responsibilities, participation in adoption proceedings, foster care placement, or guardianship appointment. Provides that if a person's blindness is alleged to have a detrimental impact on a child, the party raising the allegation bears the burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that the blindness endangers or will likely endanger the health, safety, or welfare of the child. Provides that if the burden is met, the person with blindness shall have the opportunity to demonstrate that the implementation of supportive parenting services will alleviate any concerns that have been raised. Provides that the court may require that the supportive parenting services be put in place, with an opportunity to review the need for continuation of the services within a reasonable period of time. Provides that if a court determines that a blind person's parental rights should be denied or limited in any manner, the court shall make specific written findings stating the basis for such a determination and why the provision of supportive parenting services is not a reasonable accommodation that must be made to prevent such denial or limitation.

Amends the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title of the Code.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that the Department of Revenue may share information with the State Treasurer for the purpose of administering the Uniform Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act. Amends the Uniform Disposition of Unclaimed Property Act. Provides that the State Treasurer shall, at least annually, notify the Department of Revenue of the names of persons appearing to be owners of abandoned property held by the State Treasurer, and that the Department of Revenue shall provide address and other information for such persons to the State Treasurer to facilitate the return of unclaimed property. Effective immediately.

Amends the Township Code. Provides that a township may, by ordinance, provide for the collection, transport, disposal, and recycling of brush, wood chips, and leaves (currently, only collection, transport, and disposal of brush and leaves) within the unincorporated areas of the township without referendum approval. Defines "recycling". Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code, the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, the Limited Health Service Organization Act, and the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or managed care plan amended, delivered, issued, or renewed after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall provide coverage for treatment of pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections and pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome, including, but not limited to, the use of intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Police Act. Provides that a person who has been honorably discharged who served in a combat mission by proof of hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay during deployment on active duty or has at least 4 years of full active and continuous military duty and received an honorable discharge before hiring is deemed to have met the collegiate educational requirements for an appointment of a Department of State Police officer. Provides that any person seeking a promotion to the rank of Sergeant and above shall meet the Department's educational requirements. Effective July 1, 2017.

Amends the School Code. With respect to State assessments in high schools, provides that the assessment administered by the State Board of Education for the purpose of student application to or admissions consideration by institutions of higher education must be administered on a school day during regular student attendance hours. Effective July 1, 2017.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that no later than 6 months after the effective date, the Environmental Protection Agency shall propose to the Board, and, no later than one year after the Board's receipt of the Agency's proposal, the Board shall adopt rules allowing for the subdivision of areas within a permitted clean construction or demolition debris site for specified purposes. Contains provisions concerning requirements for the rules. Provides that until the effective date of the rules adopted following the Agency's proposal, the Agency may grant permit modifications for closure of a subdivided area within a permitted clean construction and demolition debris fill operation upon application by the clean construction and demolition debris fill operator as long as any permit modification so granted by the Agency is protective of human health and the environment. Provides that the Agency shall consult with members of the mining, construction, and real estate development industry during the development of any rules to promote the purpose of specified provisions.

Declares May 20, 2017 as "AOA Day" in the State of Illinois.