Sen. Mattie Hunter

Creates the Mercury Thermostat Collection Act. Requires thermostat manufacturers to establish and maintain a program for the collection and recycling of mercury thermostats. Sets forth requirements for the program. Requires that mercury thermostats be handled as universal waste. Prohibits wholesalers, retailers, and technicians from selling or distributing non-mercury thermostats if they have not taken certain actions with respect to the disposal of mercury thermostats. Sets forth penalties for violations of the Act. Requires the Environmental Protection Agency to publish certain information and make recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly concerning the collection of mercury thermostats. Contains other provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Communicable Disease Prevention Act. Provides that the rules and regulations promulgated by the Department of Public Health requiring immunization of children must include, but are not limited to, a booster immunization containing diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and an acellular pertussis vaccine for children entering the 6th grade. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Notary Public Act. Removes the notary public's personal knowledge of an individual as a means of verifying the individual's identity. Defines a "credible witness". Authorizes the Secretary of State to suspend a notary public's commission pending criminal investigation of alleged fraud by the notary or pending administrative review of the notary's suspected violations of the Act or suspected actions in bad faith. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the legislative purpose of the Act.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the purpose of the "Medicaid" Article.

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act. Adds a category for permissible disclosure of mental health records or communications: to a medical practitioner, including a primary care physician, from whom a recipient is seeking medical care; however, disclosure shall be limited to pharmaceutical records and communications regarding pharmaceuticals including payment for pharmaceuticals. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code and the State Finance Act. Creates the Friends of Track and Field Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Provides for the issuance of Friends of Track and Field license plates. Provides that in addition to the appropriate registration fees, an applicant for the special plate shall be charged a fee of $40 at original issuance and $27 at renewal. Provides that $25 of the additional original issuance fee and the renewal fee shall be deposited into the Friends of Track and Field Fund. Provides that $15 of the original issuance fee and $2 of the renewal fee shall be deposited into the Secretary of State Special License Plate Fund. Provides that, subject to appropriation by the General Assembly and approval by the Secretary of State, the moneys in the Friends of Track and Field Fund shall be paid as grants to the Illinois chapter of Friends of Track and Field, to help sponsor track and field teams and raise money to build an indoor track and field facility in Chicago.

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning nonjoinder and misjoinder of parties.

Amends the MR/DD Community Care Act. Requires the Director of the Department of Public Health to appoint a MR/DD Facility Advisory Board to advise and consult with the Department on all aspects of its responsibilities under the Act. Contains provisions on the composition of the Advisory Board. Changes all references to the Long-Term Care Facility Advisory Board to the MR/DD Facility Advisory Board. Effective July 1, 2010.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that beginning July 1, 2010, reimbursement for child and adult psychiatric services provided by a physician must not be lower than 90% of Medicare reimbursement in accordance with the Medicare payment localities for Illinois. Provides that beginning July 1, 2010, reimbursement for child and adult psychiatric services provided by a licensed health care professional under the Medicaid Community Mental Health Services Program must not be lower than 90% of Medicare reimbursement in accordance with Medicare payment localities for Illinois. Provides that all adjustments shall be made without lowering any rates then in effect that may be higher than the level required by these provisions. Provides that by July 2, 2010, reimbursement rules and policies shall not be more restrictive than Medicare physician payment rules and policies. Effective immediately.