Creates the Non-English-Speaking Workers Protection Act. Requires certain meatpacking operations that recruit non-English-speaking persons and have more than 10% non-English-speaking employees who speak the same non-English language to: provide a bilingual employee to respond to employment-related questions and serve as a referral agent to community services; file with the Director of Labor statements with specified information about conditions of employment; and provide transportation for a recruited employee, at no cost to the employee, to the location from which the employee was recruited if the employee meets certain criteria. Provides for criminal penalties, civil actions, and injunctive relief. Establishes the Meatpacking Industry Worker Rights Coordinator within the Department of Labor to inspect and review meatpacking operations as they relate to the Governor's Illinois Meatpacking Industry Workers Bill of Rights, and outlines the Bill of Rights. Gives the Coordinator access to meatpacking operations. Provides that the Coordinator shall submit an annual report to the General Assembly and the Governor regarding recommended actions for the fair treatment of workers in the meatpacking industry. Sets forth powers and duties of the Director of Labor.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Minimum Wage Law. Eliminates provisions that allowed an hourly wage of 50 cents below the regular minimum wage to be paid to an employee under 18 years of age. Makes other conforming changes. Effective January 1, 2009.
Amends the Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan Act. Adds a provision requiring that the Plan provide coverage for mammograms and prosthetic devices or reconstructive surgery incident to a mastectomy, Pap tests, prostate-specific antigen tests, colorectal cancer examination and screening, and contraceptives as required under certain Sections of the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that any expense or charge for routine physical examinations or tests related to certain covered benefits are not excluded from coverage under the Plan. Deletes a provision excluding any expense or charge for oral contraceptives used for birth control or any other temporary birth control measures from coverage under the Plan.
Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.
Amends the Public Utilities Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the reading of meters.
Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code, the Illinois Insurance Code, and other Acts. Provides that on and after July 1, 2008, screening and diagnostic mammography shall be reimbursed under the medical assistance program at the same rate as the Medicare program's rates, including the increased reimbursement for digital mammography. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to take certain actions in relation to breast cancer screening and treatment, including establishment of bonus payments to mammography facilities meeting certain standards, a rate methodology for certain providers, and a performance goal for primary care providers; also requires the Department to establish a case-management or patient-navigation pilot program. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed after the effective date of this amendatory Act must provide coverage for all medically necessary pain medication and pain therapy related to the treatment of breast cancer on the same terms and conditions that are generally applicable to coverage for other conditions. Provides that mandatory insurance coverage relating to mammography shall be provided at no cost to the insured and shall not be subject to an annual or lifetime maximum benefit. Makes other changes in relation to mammography coverage, and makes these changes to the Illinois Insurance Code also applicable to the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, and other Acts. Sets forth a statement of legislative intent and provides that the bill's provisions may be referred to as the Reducing Breast Cancer Disparities Act. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Dental Practice Act. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, by rule, shall prescribe the circumstances under which a dental hygienist is prohibited from using emerging scientific techniques or technology or, alternatively, may prescribe the training, experience, and supervision required in order for a dental hygienist to use such techniques or technology. Provides that the dental hygienist members of the Board of Dentistry shall not participate in rulemaking or disciplinary cases that involve clinical standards or clinical judgments by dentists. Requires every complete upper and lower denture and removable dental prosthesis fabricated by a dentist or pursuant to a dentist's prescription to be marked with the name (instead of the name or social security number or both) of the patient for whom the prosthesis is intended. Effective immediately.
Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning construction of the Code.
In addition to any other amounts appropriated for this purpose, appropriates $7,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Human Services for the purpose of providing shelter and transitional housing and employment assistance for homeless youth. Effective July 1, 2008.
Amends the Cannabis Control Act. Provides that real property is subject to forfeiture if it is used or intended to be used to facilitate the possession, distribution, sale, receipt, or concealment of specified property that constitutes a felony violation of the Act or that is the proceeds of any felony violation of the Act. Provides that if the State's Attorney is of the opinion that real property is subject to forfeiture under the Act, forfeiture proceedings shall be instituted in accordance with the Drug Asset Forfeiture Procedure Act. Provides that the exemptions from forfeiture provisions of that Act are applicable. Effective immediately.