Sen. Mattie Hunter

Amends the Vehicle Emissions Inspection Law of 2005 of the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that, by December 1, 2023, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency shall adopt rules to implement the motor vehicle emission standards of the State of California, including, but not limited to the (1) zero-emission vehicle program, (2) low-emission vehicle program, (3) advanced clean trucks program, and (4) heavy-duty low NOx omnibus program, and shall amend the rules within 6 months of any changes to maintain consistency with the California motor vehicle emission standards and federal clean air laws. Provides that the rules may incorporate by reference the California motor vehicle standards established in final regulations issued by the California Air Resources Board and promulgated under the California Health and Safety Code. Effective immediately.

Amends the Early Childhood Workforce Act. Creates the Early Childhood Workforce Standards Board (Board). Provides that Board members must be appointed within 60 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Sets forth the Board's membership. Provides that for State Fiscal Year 2025, and for each state fiscal year thereafter, the Board shall: (1) determine an hourly wage floor, and salaried equivalent, for workers in State-funded early childhood programs which the Board believes will serve to recruit and retain early childhood workers; and (2) determine minimum increments above the wage floor as may be necessary to retain workers in State-funded early childhood programs such as for years of experience or job title. Provides that subject to appropriation, beginning in State Fiscal Year 2025 the Department of Human Services shall implement and administer a program making grants to early childhood worker training programs that value experience, inclusion, equity, and racial justice; and center worker voices and needs such as mentorship, apprenticeships, and peer-led learning. Amends the School Code. Provides that in order to ensure the quality and continuity of services, within 6 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act, all grant agreements shall require each child care center to (i) comply with the wage floor and compensation policies set forth in the Early Childhood Workforce Act, (ii) report quarterly up-to-date contact information for staff to the Department to allow the State Board of Education to communicate with the workers about their rights and supports available to them, (iii) supply the State Board of Education with current copies of its wage scales for classroom and support staff and other matters, and (iv) reconcile expenses quarterly and annually submit a year-end comprehensive financial report in a form prescribed by the State Board of Education. Imposes similar requirements on child care centers in a purchase of service contract with the Department of Human Services under its Child Care Assistance Program.

Makes specified appropriations to the Legislative Information System, Legislative Printing Unit, Legislative Audit Commission, Legislative Reference Bureau, Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, Architect of the Capitol, and Legislative Ethics Commission, and Legislative Inspector General for their ordinary and contingent expenses in the fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2023. Effective July 1, 2023.

Makes appropriations to the Office of the Attorney General for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. Effective July 1, 2023.

Sets forth certain protections that must be provided to any subject of an abuse or neglect investigation whenever the Department of Children and Family Services consults with and relies upon the opinion of a medically trained professional as to whether there is evidence of abuse or neglect. Provides that no child or family member of a child who is the subject of an investigation shall be required to submit to additional medical tests, for investigation purposes only, during the investigation. Requires a consulting medical professional who is employed or under contract with the Department to identify himself or herself as a forensic consultant, rather than as a member of the child's treatment team, whenever the individual has direct contact with the child or the family of the child. Provides that the subject of a report shall have the opportunity to submit a second medical opinion as to whether there is evidence of abuse or neglect. Requires the Department to annually prepare and make available on the Department's Reports and Statistics webpage a report on the number of children referred to a consulting medical professional for forensic opinion. Provides that the first report must be posted by March 31, 2024. Sets forth certain data and information that must be contained in the annual report.

Declares April of 2023 as "Second Chance Month".

Amends the Public Construction Bond Act. Provides that public construction bonds are required only for those public work construction contracts that are valued over $5,000,000. Authorizes any official, board, commission, agent of the State, or any political subdivision of the State to create a self-insured risk pool for contracts of $5,000,000 or less. Defines "self insured risk pool".

Amends the Rebuild Illinois Mental Health Workforce Act. In a provision concerning Medicaid funding for community mental health services, sets forth rate increases, to begin on and after January 1, 2024, for the following rates and services: the Mobile Crisis Response Medicaid Payment rate for all services provided under the S9484 procedure code; the Crisis Intervention Medicaid Payment rate for all levels of services provided under the H2011 procedure code; the Integrated Assessment and Treatment Planning Medicaid Payment rate for all levels of services provided under the H2000 procedure code; the Group and Family Therapy Medicaid Payment rate for all levels of services provided under the H0004 procedure code; the Community Support - Group Medicaid Payment rate for all levels of services provided under the H2015 procedure code; the Telepsychiatry Originating Site Medicaid Payment rate for services provided under the Q3014 procedure code; and the Medication Monitoring Medicaid Payment rate for services provided under the H2010 procedure code for medication monitoring provided by a physician, an advanced practice registered nurse, and all other levels of provider. Provides that no base Medicaid rate payment or any other payment for the provision of Medicaid community mental health services in place on January 1, 2023 shall be diminished or changed to make the reimbursement changes required by the amendatory Act. Provides that any payments required under the amendatory Act that are delayed due to implementation challenges or federal approval shall be made retroactive to January 1, 2024 for the full amount required by the amendatory Act.

Amends the Prevailing Wage Act. Provides that any laborer, worker, or mechanic who is employed by the contractor or by any lower tier sub-contractor and is paid for services in a sum less than the prevailing wage rates for work performed on a project shall have a right of action for whatever difference there may be between the amount so paid and the prevailing rates required to be paid for work performed on the project. Makes other changes.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Defines terms. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2025, a retail establishment may not sell or distribute in this State a disposable food service container that is composed in whole or in part of polystyrene foam. Exempts specified entities from the prohibition until one year after the amendatory Act's effective date. Effective immediately.