Sen. William Delgado

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Deletes a provision that includes beginning and ending dates for the operation of a Great START (Strategy to Attract and Retain Teachers) program. Deletes provisions (i) requiring a working committee of the Child and Development Advisory Council of the Department of Human Services to make certain recommendations concerning the Great START program by October 1, 2000 and (ii) requiring the Department to evaluate the Great START program, gather data on the program, and submit a report to the General Assembly by December 31, 2002. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that a person who fails to remain at the scene of an accident involving personal injury or death to render aid as required is guilty of a Class 4 felony (rather than a Class A misdemeanor). Shortens from one hour to one-half hour the time in which a person who has failed to remain at the scene of the accident must report the accident at a police station or sheriff's office. Provides that a person who failed to remain at the scene as required and failed to report the accident within one-half hour of its occurrence, or within one-half hour of his or her release from the hospital if he or she had been hospitalized and incapacitated from reporting during the one-half hour after the occurrence, is guilty of a Class 3 (rather than a Class 4) felony if the accident does not result in the death of any person. Deletes language providing that a report made within the one hour time limit may not be used as a basis for a prosecution for failing to remain at the accident scene as required.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the State aid formula.

Amends the Affordable Housing Planning and Appeal Act. Makes changes in the definitions of "low-income housing" and "moderate-income housing". Changes dates in provisions concerning the Illinois Housing Development Authority's determination of exempt local governments, affordable housing plans, and appeals to the State Housing Appeals Board. Effective immediately.

Designates the month of March Hemophilia Awareness Month to enhance the understanding and proper treatment of hemophilia and to encourage participation in activities to support programs to properly treat hemophilia.

Amends the Sex Offender Registration Act. Provides that the 10-year period for the registration of a sex offender shall commence when the sex offender both signs the notification form of the sex offender's duty to register and completes his or her initial registration with the law enforcement agency in which the sex offender is required to register. Effective immediately.

Amends the Minimum Wage Law. Makes a stylistic change in provisions concerning the Director of Labor.

Mourns the death of Carmelo Mercado of Chicago.

Amends the Good Samaritan Energy Plan Act. Provides for the deposit into the Good Samaritan Energy Trust Fund of other moneys from any source that are designated for the Fund. Provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity may contract with a tax-exempt not-for-profit charitable organization to administer the Fund, in order to make donations to the fund tax-deductible. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Provides that waivers may not be requested from laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to student health and safety.