Amends the Hearing Instrument Consumer Protection Act. Replaces the term "hearing-impaired" with "deaf or hard of hearing" throughout the Act. Provides that a business organization, before dispensing a hearing instrument, shall inform the prospective user of the hearing instrument that an earmold impression taken by a licensed hearing instrument dispenser or licensed audiologist (rather than an earmold impression taken only by a licensed hearing instrument dispenser) is needed for proper fitting. Adds certification by the National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences and has been actively practicing for a minimum of 5 years to the list of criteria for license reciprocity. Makes changes to the application qualifications under the Act; provides that an applicant shall hold an associate's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution of higher education that is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or meets the U.S. Department of Education equivalency as determined through a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services member, and that the applicant is required to obtain a license within 12 months after passing either the written or practical examination, whichever is passed first (rather than both). Provides that a trainee license expires 12 months from the date of issue (rather than 6 months from the date of issue).
Sponsored bills
Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning medical treatment.
Amends the Nurse Practice Act. Makes changes to provisions concerning the qualifications for licensure as an advanced practice nurse. Provides that an applicant for licensure to practice as an advanced practice nurse shall have successfully completed requirements to practice as, and holds and maintains (rather than only holds) a current, national certification as a nurse midwife, clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner, or certified registered nurse anesthetist from the appropriate national certifying body as determined by rule of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Deletes provisions concerning license renewal requirements for certain advanced practice nurses licensed before the 95th General Assembly.
Amends the Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act. Provides that an applicant for licensure must submit to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation satisfactory evidence that he or she has an unemployment insurance employer account number issued by the Department of Employment Security, and that he or she is not delinquent in the payment of any amount due under the Unemployment Insurance Act (rather than submit satisfactory evidence that he or she has an Illinois Unemployment Insurance employer identification number or proof of application to the Illinois Department of Labor for such an identification number).
Amends the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act. Includes myoclonic-astatic epilepsy in the definition of "debilitating medical condition". Provides that the Department of Public Health shall adopt rules for the issuance of a registry identification card for qualifying patients who are under 18 years of age and suffering from myoclonic-astatic epilepsy.
Amends the School Code in provisions concerning bullying prevention. Sets forth definitions for "policy on bullying" and "restorative measures". Makes changes concerning the creation, maintenance, and implementation of a policy on bullying. Deletes the requirement that each school district, charter school, and non-public, non-sectarian elementary or secondary school must communicate its policy on bullying to its students and their parent or guardian on an annual basis. Provides that on an annual basis, school districts, charter schools, and non-public, non-sectarian schools are required to collect, maintain, analyze, and submit to the State Board of Education data relating to the prevalence of bullying within the school district or non-public, non-sectarian elementary or secondary school, as well as the climate of the school district or non-public, non-sectarian elementary or secondary school. Moves the provision concerning the right to exercise free expression or the free exercise of religion or religiously based views protected under the United States and Illinois Constitutions. Effective immediately.
Amends the Election Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.
Amends the School Code with respect to block grants for school districts other than the Chicago school district. Provides that not less than 14% (instead of 11%) of the Early Childhood Education Block Grant shall be used to fund programs for children ages 0-3, which percentage shall increase to at least 20% by Fiscal Year 2016 (instead of 2015). Effective July 1, 2014.
Amends the Critical Health Problems and Comprehensive Health Education Act. Provides that training on how to properly administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation and how to use an automated external defibrillator shall be included as a basis for health education curricula in all secondary schools in this State and shall be a prerequisite to receiving a high school diploma. Effective July 1, 2014.
Directs the Illinois Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board to work along with the Illinois Latino Family Commission to develop a self-study guide on the current status and achievement levels for Latino students that will be distributed to all public universities and community colleges throughout the State of Illinois.