Sen. Laura Ellman

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Adds a licensed physical therapist as a person who can verify that a person is a person with disabilities for the purposes of the Code. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 625 ILCS 5/1-159.1 Adds reference to: 605 ILCS 140/5 605 ILCS 140/90 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Expressway Camera Act. Provides that the Illinois State Police, the Illinois Department of Transportation, and the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority shall work together to conduct a program to increase the amount of cameras along expressways and the State highway system in the counties of Boone, Bureau, Champaign, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Henry, Kane, Kendall, Lake, LaSalle, Macon, Madison, McHenry, Morgan, Peoria, Rock Island, Sangamon, St. Clair, Will, and Winnebago (instead of only Cook County). Provides that any funds needed to conduct the program for use on expressways or State highway system under the jurisdiction of the Department of Transportation shall be taken from the Road Fund and shall be included in requests for qualification processes. Provides that any funds needed to conduct the program for use on expressways under the jurisdiction of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority shall be paid for by funds from the Illinois State Tollway Highway Authority and shall be included in requests for qualification processes. Changes the Act repeal date to July 1, 2025 (instead of July 1, 2023). Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Provides that a prescriber shall offer a prescription for naloxone hydrochloride, or another similar drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration, under specified circumstances. Provides for educational information to be provided concerning overdose prevention and the use of naloxone hydrochloride. Provides that a prescriber who does not comply with specified requirements shall be subject to administrative sanctions under the appropriate licensing board. Specifies that the provisions do not create a private right of action against a prescriber, and do not limit a prescriber's liability for the negligent failure to diagnose or treat a patient. Provides that these provisions do apply to a patient receiving hospice care in accordance with the Hospice Program Licensing Act. Contains a purpose provision. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 720 ILCS 570/322 new Adds reference to: 225 ILCS 85/19.1 720 ILCS 570/312 from Ch. 56 1/2, par. 1312 720 ILCS 570/313 from Ch. 56 1/2, par. 1313 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Pharmacy Practice Act. In a provision regarding dispensing opioid antagonists, provides that notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary, a licensed pharmacist shall (rather than may) dispense an opioid antagonist in accordance with written, standardized procedures or protocols developed by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation with the Department of Public Health and the Department of Human Services and filed at the pharmacy. Provides that before dispensing an opioid a pharmacist shall inform patients that opioids are addictive and offer to dispense an opioid antagonist. Deletes language concerning a training program approved by the Department of Human Services for pharmacists to complete before dispensing an opioid. Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Provides that prescribers who issue a prescription for an opioid shall inform the patient that opioids are addictive and that opioid antagonists are available by prescription or from a pharmacy. Provides that in a hospital or institution licensed under the Hospital Licensing Act, all prescribers of an opioid shall inform the patient that opioids are addictive and that opioid antagonists are available by prescription or from a pharmacy. Provides that upon discharge any patient who has overdosed on controlled substances shall be provided with an opioid antagonist. Provides that if the patient is not able to pay for the opioid antagonist, then the State of Illinois shall reimburse the hospital for the opioid antagonist from federal grant funds to address substance use disorder or other State funds for the same purpose. Adds an effective date provision of January 1, 2022. Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Changes the effective date of the bill from January 1, 2022 to January 1, 2023. Senate Floor Amendment No. 4 Provides that in a hospital or institution licensed under the Hospital Licensing Act, all prescribers of an opioid shall inform the patient that opioids are addictive and that opioid antagonists are available by prescription or from a pharmacy. Provides that upon discharge, any patient who has overdosed on controlled substances shall be provided with an opioid antagonist in accordance with written, standardized procedures or protocols developed by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation with the Department of Human Services and the Department of Public Health and filed at the pharmacy before implementation and are available to the Department of Human Services upon request. Defines "opioid antagonist". Senate Floor Amendment No. 5 Deletes reference to: 720 ILCS 570/313 Deletes provisions of the bill, as amended by Senate Amendment No. 2, that relate to prescriptions of opioids in hospitals or institutions licensed under the Hospital Licensing Act and requirements for providing opioid antagonists to patients who are being discharged after having overdosed on controlled substances.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Prohibits an individual or group policy of accident and health insurance amended, delivered, issued, or renewed in the State after the effective date of the amendatory Act that provides coverage for naloxone hydrochloride from imposing a copayment on the coverage provided. Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Prohibits the Department of Healthcare and Family Services from imposing a copayment on the coverage provided for naloxone hydrochloride under the medical assistance program. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill but with the following change: Further amends the Illinois Insurance Code. In the provision prohibiting an individual or group policy of accident and health insurance that provides coverage for naloxone hydrochloride from imposing a copayment on the coverage provided, provides that the prohibition does not apply to coverage of naloxone hydrochloride to the extent such coverage would disqualify a high-deductible health plan from eligibility for a health savings account under a specified provision of the Internal Revenue Code.

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the definition of "care and custody". House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 405 ILCS 5/1-102 Adds reference to: New Act 50 ILCS 705/6 from Ch. 85, par. 506 50 ILCS 705/6.8 new 30 ILCS 105/5.970 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the First Responder Mental Health Grant Program Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, there is created within the Department of Human Services a First Responder Behavioral Health Grant Program to provide grants to the following recipients: (1) units of local government; (2) law enforcement agencies; (3) fire protection districts; (4) school districts; (5) public or private hospitals; or (6) ambulance services that employ first responders. Creates a First Responder Behavioral Health Grant Fund in the State treasury, which shall be used by the Secretary of Human Services to make grants to eligible recipients. Provides that recipients eligible for grants shall use the grants for expenses related to behavioral health care services for first responders, including, but not limited to, telehealth services. Provides that an employer may not reduce behavioral health care provided through a first responder's employee benefit package as a result of the receipt of grant funds under the Act. Provides that all records, notes, and conclusions by a treatment provider providing behavioral health care to first responders whose employers receive grants under the Act shall not be shared with the employer unless otherwise mandated by law. Amends the State Finance Act to make conforming changes. Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Replaces provisions stating that the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board has the power and duty to establish statewide standards regarding regular mental health screenings of probationary and permanent police officers with provisions giving the Board the power and duty to establish statewide minimum standards regarding: (1) psychological screenings of recruit officers hired after the standards go into effect and annual psychological screenings of probationary and permanent officers; and (2) regular, confidential mental health counseling for probationary and permanent police officers in addition to the mental health counseling related to an officer's fitness for duty examinations. Lists specific items required to be included in the standards relating to psychological screenings and mental health counseling. Provides that records of psychological screenings and mental health counseling sessions, as well as any portions of documents referencing the psychological screenings or mental health counseling sessions that contain a personally identifiable information of an officer who underwent the screening or counseling session, are exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 405 ILCS 5/1-102 Adds reference to: New Act Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the First Responder Mental Health Grant Program Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, there is created within the Department of Human Services a First Responder Behavioral Health Grant Program to provide grants to the following recipients: (1) units of local government; (2) law enforcement agencies; (3) fire protection districts; (4) school districts; (5) public or private hospitals; or (6) ambulance services that employ first responders. Creates a First Responder Behavioral Health Grant Fund in the State treasury, which shall be used by the Secretary of Human Services to make grants to eligible recipients. Provides that recipients eligible for grants shall use the grants for expenses related to behavioral health care services for first responders, including, but not limited to, telehealth services. Provides that an employer may not reduce behavioral health care provided through a first responder's employee benefit package as a result of the receipt of grant funds under the Act. Provides that all records, notes, and conclusions by a treatment provider providing behavioral health care to first responders whose employers receive grants under the Act shall not be shared with the employer unless otherwise mandated by law. House Floor Amendment No. 3 Adds reference to: 30 ILCS 105/5.970 new Makes changes to the bill as amended by House Amendment No. 2 to provide that the First Responder Behavioral Health Grant Fund is a special fund in the State treasury. Adds provisions amending the State Finance Act to make conforming changes.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the Department of Corrections shall enter into contracts with the Department of Human Services, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, and any other appropriate State agencies as the Department of Corrections may direct so that those Departments or agencies may assist persons released from institutions and facilities of the Department of Corrections in obtaining the services provided by those Departments. Provides for the type of services available to released persons. Provides that at least 45 days before the scheduled discharge of a person committed to the custody of the Department of Corrections, the Department shall inform the person that those Departments shall provide that assistance. Provides that if the county or municipality of the released person's residence has established a program for reentry of persons into the community who have been committed to the Department, the Department of Corrections shall inform the person about that program. Provides that the assistance provided under this provision shall be available to the person during the term of his or her parole or mandatory supervised release. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 730 ILCS 5/3-14-1 Adds reference to: 720 ILCS 5/14-3 720 ILCS 5/33G-9 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Changes the sunset of the provision that exempts from an eavesdropping violation, with prior request to and written or verbal approval of the State's Attorney of the county in which the conversation is anticipated to occur, recording or listening with the aid of an eavesdropping device to a conversation in which a law enforcement officer, or any person acting at the direction of a law enforcement officer, is a party to the conversation and has consented to the conversation being intercepted or recorded in the course of an investigation of a qualified offense from January 1, 2023 to January 1, 2027. Extends the sunset of the RICO Article of the Code from June 11, 2022 to June 11, 2023. Effective immediately.

Amends the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Act. Provides that the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Act, to the extent that there is a conflict between the provisions of Executive Order 2017-1 and the Act, supersedes the Executive Order, and shall be controlling. Provides that the position of State Historian is now an honorary position, and specifies new duties of the honorary State Historian. Transfers previously held duties and requirements of the State Historian under the Act to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and its Executive Director. Removes provision requiring the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation to mutually cooperate to establish a working group for specified purposes. Removes provision allowing the Executive Director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum to have hiring and appointing power over specified personnel. Repeals the State Historical Library Act. Repeals the Illinois Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission Act. Makes conforming changes concerning the State Historian. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 3475/20 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Act. Provides that the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Act, to the extent that there is a conflict between the provisions of Executive Order 2017-1 and the Act, supersedes the Executive Order, and shall be controlling. Provides that the Governor in consultation with the Board of Trustees of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and the Illinois Historical Society shall appoint the Illinois State Historian (currently, appointed by the Executive Director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum). Provides for qualifications and term requirements of the Illinois State Historian. Transfers previously held duties and requirements of the State Historian under the Act to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and its Executive Director. Removes provision requiring the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation to mutually cooperate to establish a working group for specified purposes. Removes provision allowing the Executive Director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum to have hiring and appointing power over specified personnel. Repeals the State Historical Library Act. Repeals the Illinois Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission Act. Makes conforming changes.

Amends the State Treasurer Act. In provisions concerning the ABLE account program, provides that a "designated representative" means a person or entity (currently, person only) who is authorized to act on behalf of a "designated beneficiary". Provides that a designated representative must provide certification, subject to penalties of perjury, of the basis for the person's authority to act as a designated representative and that there is no other person or entity with higher priority to establish the ABLE account. Removes provisions allowing the State Treasurer to recognize specified persons or entities as a designated representative without appointment by a court. Defines "Internal Revenue Code". Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that a person or entity (rather than a designated representative) seeking to open an ABLE account on behalf of a designated beneficiary must provide certification of the basis for the person's or entity's authority to act as a designated representative. Provides that the State Treasurer may require any certifications that he or she deems necessary to implement the ABLE program, including oaths or affirmations made under penalties of perjury.

Creates the Student Debt Assistance Act. Prohibits an institution of higher learning or a public or private entity that provides academic transcripts from (i) withholding academic transcripts from a current or former student because the student owes a debt to the institution, (ii) conditioning the provision of an academic transcript on the payment of a debt, other than a fee charged to provide the transcript, (iii) charging a higher fee to obtain an academic transcript or providing less favorable treatment of a request for an academic transcript because a current or former student owes a debt, or (iv) using academic transcript issuance as a tool for debt collection. Beginning with the 2022-2023 academic year, requires an institution of higher learning to make a good faith effort to offer a debt repayment plan to any student who owes a debt of $250 or more to the institution. Sets forth provisions concerning the debt repayment plan and enrollment procedures. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Student Debt Assistance Act. Prohibits an institution of higher education from refusing to provide an unofficial transcript to a current or former student on the grounds that the student owes a debt; conditioning the provision of an unofficial transcript on the payment of a debt, other than a fee charged to provide the transcript; or charging a higher fee for obtaining an unofficial transcript or providing less favorable treatment of a request for an unofficial transcript because a current or former student owes a debt. Provides that an institution of higher education (1) must provide an official transcript of a current or former student to a current or potential employer, even if the current or former student owes a debt; (2) may not condition the provision of an official transcript to a current or potential employer on the payment of a debt, other than a fee charged to provide the transcript; and (3) may not charge a higher fee for transferring an official transcript to a current or potential employer or provide less favorable treatment for such a request because a current or former student owes a debt. Beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, requires every institution of higher education to have a policy instituting a financial or physical hardship withdrawal process; sets forth requirements concerning the process. Provides that if an institution of higher education chooses to send a current or former student's past due debt to a debt collection agency, the past due debt may not be reported to any credit reporting agencies or used against that student in a credit report or credit score. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Provides that if an institution of higher education chooses to send a current or former student's past due debt to a debt collection agency, the past due debt may not be reported to any credit reporting agencies, except as provided by federal law (instead of may not be reported to any credit reporting agencies or used against that student in a credit report or credit score).

Amends the State Treasurer Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning bond. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 15 ILCS 505/1 Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 1305/1-75 new 30 ILCS 105/5.970 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the First Responders Child Care Act. Provides that subject to appropriation, the Department of Human Services shall establish and administer an Off-Hours Child Care Grant Program to provide grants to licensed child care facilities to expand their program of services to include off hours, night, or sleep time child care for first responders and third shift workers who, on account of their work schedule, need child care outside of the hours when licensed child care facilities typically operate. Provides that services funded under the grant program must address the child care needs of first responders. Provides that grants provided under the program may also be used to cover any capital and operating expenses related to the provision of off-hours, night, or sleep time child care for first responders. Requires child care facilities seeking funding under the grant program to apply to the Department in a form and manner prescribed by the Department. Requires the Department to implement the grant program by the date the Child Care Advisory Council submits its final report to the General Assembly as provided under Senate Resolution 862 of the 102nd General Assembly or by December 31, 2022, whichever is earlier. Permits the Department to adopt any rules necessary to implement the program. Defines "first responders" to mean emergency medical services personnel as defined in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and, as determined by the Department, any other workers who, on account of their work schedule, need child care outside of the hours when licensed child care facilities typically operate. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Off-Hours Child Care Grant Program Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 15 ILCS 505/1 Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 1305/1-75 new 30 ILCS 105/5.970 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the First Responders Child Care Act. Provides that subject to appropriation, the Department of Human Services shall establish and administer an Off-Hours Child Care Program to help first responders and other workers identify and access off-hours, night, or sleep time child care. Provides that services funded under the program must address the child care needs of first responders. Provides that funding provided under the program may also be used to cover any capital and operating expenses related to the provision of off-hours, night, or sleep time child care for first responders. Requires the Department to implement the program by July 1, 2023. Permits the Department to adopt any rules necessary to implement the program. Defines "first responders" to mean emergency medical services personnel as defined in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act, firefighters, law enforcement officers, and, as determined by the Department, any other workers who, on account of their work schedule, need child care outside of the hours when licensed child care facilities typically operate. Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Off-Hours Child Care Program Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 3 Provides that that amendatory Act shall be referred to as the Off-Hours Child Care Act (rather than the First Responders Child Care Act). In a provision concerning legislative intent, provides that only 435 of the State's group day care homes (rather than group home care programs) provide night care.

Amends the Illinois Act on the Aging. Provides that the amendatory Act applies to any person who is employed by the Department on Aging, or is contracted with the Department, to provide direct services to individuals enrolled in the Community Care Program. Requires dementia training of at least 2 hours to be completed at the start of employment with the Department or contractor. Provides that persons who are employees of the Department or a contractor on the effective date of the amendatory Act shall complete this training within 6 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Requires the training to cover the following subjects: Alzheimer's disease and dementia, safety risks, and communication and behavior. Requires annual continuing education training to include at least 2 hours of dementia training covering those subjects. Provides that if laws or rules existing on the effective date of the amendatory Act contain more rigorous training requirements for employees or contractors providing direct services to Community Care Program enrollees, those laws or rules shall apply. Provides that where there is overlap between the provisions of the amendatory Act and other laws and rules, the Department shall interpret the provisions of the amendatory Act to avoid duplication of requirements while ensuring that the minimum requirements set in the amendatory Act are met. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes: Provides that the amendatory Act applies to any person who is employed by the Department on Aging, or by an agency that is contracted with the Department, to provide direct services to individuals participating in the Community Care Program (rather than the amendatory Act applies to any person who is employed by the Department, or is contracted with the Department, to provide direct services to individuals enrolled in the Community Care Program). Provides that the amendatory Act is designed to improve the quality of training for Community Care Program direct service workers (rather than to address gaps in current dementia training requirements for Community Care Program direct service workers and improve the quality of training). Provides that an individual who is required to receive dementia training under other laws and rules may be considered exempt, as long as the requirement includes a minimum 2 hours of dementia training. Provides that an individual shall be required to show proof he or she received the training required under the amendatory Act. Removes language providing that where there is overlap between the amendatory Act and other laws and rules, the Department shall interpret the amendatory Act to avoid duplication of requirements while ensuring that the minimum requirements set in the amendatory Act are met.