Sen. Julie Morrison

Mourns the death of Edmond Zisook.

Amends the Interscholastic Athletic Organization Act. Requires an association or other entity that has as one of its purposes promoting, sponsoring, regulating, or in any manner providing for interscholastic athletics or any form of athletic competition among schools and students within this State to allow a student for whom it is determined that special education services are needed under the School Code to participate in interscholastic athletics and other forms of athletic competition for as long as the student is eligible for such special education services, which, for purposes of the School Code, means through the day before the student's 22nd birthday.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that on and after July 1, 2023, medically necessary orthodontic services may be covered under the medical assistance program. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to use certain auto-qualifiers when determining whether an individual, who is otherwise eligible for medical assistance, is also eligible for coverage for a medically necessary orthodontic service. Provides that if the Department denies a claim for a medically necessary orthodontic service, the Department must, at a minimum, provide the following information to the provider of the orthodontic service: (i) the actual score of the orthodontic case; (ii) the name of the dentist or orthodontist who scored the orthodontic case; (iii) a detailed scoring sheet outlining the reasons for the score of the orthodontic case; and (iv) instructions on how to appeal the denied claim.

Amends the School Code. Provides that the dyslexia handbook developed by the State Board of Education shall include guidelines on the administration of a universal screener and dyslexia screening, the interpretation of data from these screeners, and the resulting appropriate instruction within a multi-tiered system of support framework. Provides that the State Board of Education shall adopt any rules necessary to ensure that a student will be screened for the risk factors of dyslexia using a universal screener. Sets forth guidelines for developing a universal screening. Sets forth which students are required to be screened. Provides that no later than January 1, 2025, the State Board of Education shall employ at least 5 dyslexia specialists or dyslexia therapists with a minimum of 5 years of field experience in screening, identifying, and treating dyslexia and related disorders. Provides that beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, each school district must screen students in grades kindergarten through 2 for the risk factors of dyslexia using a universal screener approved by the State Board of Education. Provides that if a student is determined to be either at risk or at some risk for dyslexia after the universal screener has been administered, the school district must administer a dyslexia screening of the student. Provides that if a student's dyslexia screening indicates that the student has characteristics of dyslexia, the dyslexia intervention services provided to the student must utilize a structured literacy approach as outlined in the State Board of Education's handbook. Makes other changes.

Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Crime Laboratory Assistance Grant Fund. Provides that moneys in the Fund shall be used by the Illinois State Police to make grants to crime laboratories in this State that are not operated by the Illinois State Police for the operational costs of those crime laboratory facilities.

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Requires the Department of Human Services (Department) to examine child care institutions, maternity centers, child welfare agencies, day care centers, day care agencies, and group homes, and the persons responsible for the care of children therein. Provides that the Department shall not allow any person to examine those facilities who has not passed an examination demonstrating familiarity with the Act and appropriate standards. Provides that with the exception of day care centers, day care homes, and group day care homes, licenses shall be issued by the Department and shall be valid for 4 years. Provides that licenses issued for day care centers, day care homes, and group day care homes shall be valid for 3 years. Provides that the Department may issue one 6-month permit to a newly established facility to allow that facility reasonable time to become eligible for a full license. Permits the Department to issue an emergency permit to a child care facility taking in children as a result of the temporary closure of another facility due to a natural disaster; and to visit facilities, without notice, to determine if they are compliant with the Act and rules. Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. Removes a provision requiring the Department of Children and Family Services to examine child care institutions, maternity centers, child welfare agencies, day care centers, day care agencies, and group homes. Removes a provision concerning the licensure of certain facilities by the Department of Children and Family Services. Removes language permitting the Department of Children and Family Services to issue an emergency permit to a child care facility taking in children because of a temporary closure due to a natural disaster. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to monitor foster family homes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Accident and Health Article of the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2024 shall provide coverage for medically necessary continuous glucose monitors for individuals who are diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, maturity-onset diabetes of the young, neonatal diabetes, diabetes caused by Wolfram syndrome, diabetes caused by Alstrom syndrome, latent autoimmune diabetes in adults, steroid-induced diabetes, or cystic fibrosis diabetes (rather than only type 1 or type 2 diabetes) and require insulin for the management of their diabetes. Effective January 1, 2024.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. In provisions concerning the Illinois Veteran grant program, provides that, for a specified eligibility requirement, a person can be an Illinois resident within 18 months (instead of 6 months) of entering federal active duty service. Provides that a person is also eligible if the person returned to this State within 18 months (instead of 6 months) after leaving federal active duty; makes a related change. Provides that a person who was stationed in Illinois at the time the person was discharged or retired from federal active duty service also meets the requirements for the grant program.

Mourns the passing of Danida Miriam Toomey of Springfield.

Mourns the death of Armina Elmas "Steffie" Kazarian of Lake Forest.