Amends the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Adds an optometrist to the State Board of Health.
Creates the Hospital Infant Feeding Act. Provides that every hospital that provides birthing services must adopt an infant feeding policy that promotes breastfeeding. Requires a hospital to routinely communicate the infant feeding policy to staff in the hospital's obstetric and neonatal areas; authorizes posting of the policy on the hospital's Internet or Intranet web site or on the Internet or Intranet web site of the health system of which the hospital is a part. Requires that the policy apply to all mother-infant couplets in the hospital's obstetric and neonatal areas. Effective January 1, 2013.
Amends the Energy Assistance Act. In regard to setting the annual eligibility level for the Energy Assistance Program, provides that for the period ending June 30, 2013, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may not establish limits higher than 200% of the federal nonfarm poverty level (rather than for the period ending June 30, 2012, or until the expenditure of federal resources allocated for energy assistance programs by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, whichever occurs first, the Department may not establish limits higher than 200% of that poverty level). Effective immediately.
Amends the School Code in provisions concerning bullying prevention. Makes changes concerning the legislative findings. Provides that, on or before January 1, 2013, the State Board of Education shall develop a template for a model bullying prevention policy and sets forth requirements concerning the template. Sets forth and changes requirements, beginning with the 2013-2014 school year, for each school district and non-public, non-sectarian elementary or secondary school, as well as the State Board, concerning policies on bullying. Sets forth provisions concerning the collection, maintenance, and submission of data regarding allegations and incidences of bullying and rules. Effective immediately.
Proposes to amend the Bill of Rights Article of the Illinois Constitution concerning crime victim's rights. Provides that in addition to other rights provided in the Constitutional provision, a crime victim has the right to: (1) be free from harassment, intimidation, and abuse; (2) refuse to disclose information that is privileged or confidential by law; (3) timely notification of post-trial proceedings; (4) be heard in person or in any other reasonable manner the victim chooses at any proceeding involving a post-arraignment release decision, plea, sentencing, post-conviction or post-adjudication release decision, or any proceeding in which a right of the victim is at issue; (5) receive a report prepared for sentencing, reduction in sentence, parole, early release, or clemency, when available to the accused; and (6) have the safety of the victim and the victim's family considered in denying or fixing the amount of bail, determining whether to release the defendant, and setting conditions of release after arrest and conviction. Provides that nothing in this Constitutional provision creates any cause of action for compensation or damages against the State, any political subdivision of the State, any officer, employee, or agent of the State or of any of its political subdivisions, or any officer or employee of the court. Effective upon being declared adopted.
Designates November 2012 as Illinois Diabetes Month.
Recognizes the approaches outlined in the Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Plan. Declares June 2012 as Prescription Drug Abuse Awareness Month in the State of Illinois.
Amends the Medical Patient Rights Act. Provides that a hospital must include in its written statement of patients' rights the right not to be discriminated against by the hospital due to the patient's race, color, or national origin where such characteristics are not relevant to the patient's medical diagnosis and treatment, and that the statement should put the patient on notice on how to initiate a grievance with the hospital or with the Illinois Department of Public Health regarding improper discrimination. Sets forth discrimination grievance procedures and provides language all hospitals must post for the benefit of patients regarding the hospital's emergency room anti-discrimination policy. Effective immediately.
Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. Provides that the benefits of immunization against influenza for children 6 months and older and information on pertussis shall be published on the Department's website. Provides that information on the Department of Children and Family Services website for influenza and pertussis shall include the incidence and severity of the diseases, the availability of vaccines, and the importance of immunizing persons against pertussis who frequently have close contact with children. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 relating to abused, neglected, and dependent minors. Provides that the initial permanency hearing shall be held within 12 months from the date temporary custody of the minor was taken, regardless of whether an adjudication or dispositional hearing has been completed within that timeframe. Effective immediately.
