Amends the Alternative Health Care Delivery Act and the Hospital Licensing Act. Sets forth the General Assembly's findings concerning the screening of newborns for congenital heart defects. Provides that all birth centers and hospitals must test every newborn for congenital heart defects via a screening test in line with the current standard of care, such as pulse oximetry screening, according to congenital heart defect screening protocols developed by the Department of Public Health in consultation with relevant medical practitioners and stakeholders. Provides that exceptions to mandatory congenital heart defect screenings shall be limited to cases in which the parents object to the screening, or as directed by the congenital heart defect screening protocol.
Sponsored bills
Amends the School Code. Creates the Young Adults Heroin Use Task Force to address the growing problem of heroin use in high schools across this State. Sets forth the membership of the Task Force. Requires the Task Force to conduct a study on the heroin use problem in high schools and suggest programs for high schools to use to address the problem, which programs may involve local law enforcement agencies. Requires the Task Force to report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly and Governor on or before June 30, 2014. Abolishes the Task Force and repeals these provisions on July 1, 2014. Effective immediately.
Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department to conduct a survey of certain businesses that are located in the State or have been identified as having left the State in the last 10 years. Provides that the survey must contain information regarding (i) why the business left, if applicable, and the location to which the business relocated and (ii) any incentives that are needed to keep and attract the business. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a 3-axle truck mixer registered as a Special Hauling Vehicle, used exclusively for the mixing and transportation of concrete in the plastic state, may, when laden, transmit upon the road surface, except when on part of the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, the following maximum weights: 22,000 pounds on a single axle; 40,000 pounds on a tandem axle; and 54,000 pounds gross weight on a 3-axle vehicle. Provides that a 3-axle combination sewer cleaning jetting vacuum truck registered as a Special Hauling Vehicle, used exclusively for the transportation of non-hazardous solid waste, may, when laden, transmit upon the road surface, except when on part of the National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, the following maximum weights: 22,000 pounds on a single axle; 40,000 pounds on a tandem axle; and 54,000 pounds gross weight on a 3-axle vehicle. Provides that both of these vehicles are not subject to the bridge formula. Removes provisions limiting to vehicles manufactured before or in the model year of 2014 and first registered in Illinois before January 1, 2015 the applicability of weight limit exceptions for certain 4-axle special hauling vehicles. Effective immediately.
Amends the Criminal Identification Act and the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that upon a petition by a person who has been convicted of a Class 3 or Class 4 felony and who has served in the United States Armed Forces or in the National Guard of this or another state and has received an honorable discharge from the Armed Forces or National Guard and who meets specified requirements, the Prisoner Review Board shall hear by at least 3 members and, with the unanimous vote of a panel of 3 members, issue a certificate of eligibility for expungement recommending that the court order the expungement of all official records of the arresting authority, the circuit court clerk, and the Department of State Police concerning the arrest and conviction for the Class 3 or 4 felony. Excludes a person convicted of a sex offense, crime of violence, or firearm offense. Provides that if a person has applied to the Board for a certificate of eligibility for expungement and the Board denies the certificate, the person must wait at least 4 years before filing again or filing for a pardon with authorization for expungement from the Governor unless the Governor or Chairman of the Prisoner Review Board grants a waiver. Effective immediately.
Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education to adopt State complaint procedures that allow a parent, individual, organization, or advocate to file a signed, written complaint with the State Board alleging that a school district, cooperative service unit, or this State has violated the rights of one or more children with disabilities. Requires the school district or other public entity to submit a written response to the complaint within 10 days following receipt of the complaint. Contains provisions concerning documentation related to the complaint. Provides that State complaint procedures may be used to allege non-compliance by a school district or other public entity with a decision of a due process hearing officer. Makes changes concerning a student remaining in his or her present educational placement and continuing in his or her present eligibility status and special education services during the pendency of an administrative or judicial proceeding. Effective immediately.
Creates the Illinois Mental Health First Aid Training Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall establish and administer the Illinois Mental Health First Aid training program so that certified trainers can provide Illinois residents, professionals, and members of the public with training on how to identify and assist someone who is believed to be developing or has developed a mental health disorder or an alcohol or substance abuse disorder or who is believed to be experiencing a mental health or substance abuse crisis. Provides that subject to appropriations made to, or with the use of appropriations directed by, the Department of Human Services and other State agencies, the Department and other State agencies shall support training grants for Illinois Mental Health First Aid training. Provides that these training grants may support hardship subsidies for Illinois Mental Health First Aid training fees. Provides that the Illinois Mental Health First Aid training program shall be designed to train individuals to accomplish certain objectives including (i) building mental health, alcohol abuse, and substance abuse literacy designed to help the public identify, understand, and respond to the signs of mental illness, alcohol abuse, and substance abuse and (ii) knowing how to prevent a mental health disorder or an alcohol or substance abuse disorder from deteriorating into a more serious condition which may lead to more costly interventions and treatments. Contains provisions concerning the distribution of training grants and other matters. Effective immediately.
Creates the Illinois Employment First Act. Provides that: it is the policy of this State that competitive and integrated employment shall be considered the first option when serving persons with disabilities of working age; the policy applies to programs and services that provide services and supports to help persons with disabilities obtain employment; State agencies shall follow the policy and ensure that it is effectively implemented in their programs and services; and nothing in the provisions setting forth the policy shall be construed to require any employer to give preference to hiring persons with disabilities. Requires State agencies to: coordinate efforts and collaborate to ensure that State programs, policies, procedures, and funding support competitive and integrated employment of persons with disabilities; and, whenever feasible, share data and information across systems in order to track progress toward full implementation of the Act. Authorizes State agencies to adopt rules to implement the Act. Provides that: the Employment and Economic Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities Task Force shall establish measurable goals and objectives for the State to ensure implementation of the Act and monitor the measured progress toward its implementation; State agencies shall fully cooperate with the Task Force and provide data and information to assist the Task Force; and the Task Force shall include in its annual report a progress report on the implementation of the Act and any recommendations with respect to its implementation. Effective immediately.
Mourns the death of Allene Strong of Chicago.
Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the School Code's construction.