Sen. Mattie Hunter

Creates the Ensuring a More Qualified, Competent, and Diverse Community Behavioral Health Workforce Act. Requires the Department of Human Services, Division of Mental Health, to award grants or contracts to licensed community mental health centers or behavioral health clinics to establish or enhance training and supervision of interns and behavioral health providers-in-training pursuing licensure as a licensed clinical social worker, licensed clinical professional counselor, and licensed marriage and family therapist. Creates the Mental Health Assessment Reform Act to remove barriers to care in the Medicaid mental health assessment and treatment planning process. Creates the Recovery and Mental Health Tax Credit Act. Requires the Department to establish and administer a recovery tax credit program to provide tax incentives to qualified employers who employ eligible individuals in recovery from a substance use disorder or mental illness in part-time and full-time positions. Creates an Advisory Council to advise the Department regarding employment of persons with mental illnesses and substance use disorders in minority communities. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act to make conforming changes. Amends the Department of Healthcare and Family Services Law of the Civil Administrative Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to take all necessary action to ensure that proposed modifications, additions, deletions, or amendments to the healthcare and behavioral healthcare (mental health and substance use disorder) provisions of the Illinois Public Aid Code are announced, shared, disseminated, and explained prior to the Department undertaking such proposed modifications, if legally possible and subject to federal law. Amends the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act. Provides that an individual applying for licensure as a clinical social worker who has been licensed at the independent level in another jurisdiction for 5 (rather than 10) consecutive years without discipline is not required to submit proof of completion of education and supervised clinical professional experience. Makes similar changes to the Marriage and Family Therapy Licensing Act and to the Professional Counselor and Clinical Professional Counselor Licensing and Practice Act. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 225 ILCS 15/13 from Ch. 111, par. 5363 225 ILCS 20/11 from Ch. 111, par. 6361 225 ILCS 107/50 Reinserts the provisions creating the Recovery and Mental Health Tax Credit Act with the following changes: Requires the Department of Human Services to maintain an electronic listing of the tax credit certificates it issues under the recovery tax credit program so that the Department of Revenue may confirm the eligibility of qualified employers for the tax credit. Provides that the tax credit authorized under the Act may not be carried forward. Contains provisions concerning tax credits for partners, shareholders of S corporations, and owners of limited liability companies. Makes other changes. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that a taxpayer who has been awarded a credit under the Recovery and Mental Health Tax Credit Act is entitled to a credit against the tax imposed under specified provisions of the Illinois Income Tax Act. Amends the Clinical Psychologist Licensing Act, the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act, and the Professional Counselor and Clinical Professional Counselor Licensing and Practice Act. Provides that notwithstanding any other provision of law certain requirements set forth in those Acts to restore an inactive or expired license of 5 years or less are suspended for specified licensed clinicians who have had no disciplinary action taken against their licenses in this State or in any other jurisdiction during the entire period of licensure. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 5 ILCS 100/5-45.21 new Removes provisions creating the Mental Health Assessment Reform Act. Removes amendatory changes made to the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act permitting the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to adopt emergency rules to implement the Mental Health Assessment Reform Act. Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Reinserts the provisions creating the Recovery and Mental Health Tax Credit Act with the following changes: Requires the Department of Human Services to maintain an electronic listing of the certificates of tax credit issued by which the Department of Revenue may verify tax credit certificates issued to qualifying employers. Provides that the tax credit authorized under the Act may not be carried forward. Provides that a taxpayer who is a qualified employer who has received a certificate of tax credit from the Department shall be allowed a credit against the tax imposed equal to the amount shown on such certificate of tax credit. Provides that if the taxpayer is a partnership or Subchapter S corporation the credit shall be allowed to the partners or shareholders in accordance with the determination of income and distributive share of income as provided under specified provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Makes other changes. Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2023, a taxpayer who has been awarded a credit under the Recovery and Mental Health Tax Credit Act is entitled to a credit against the tax imposed under specified provisions of the Illinois Income Tax Act. Senate Floor Amendment No. 5 Deletes reference to: 20 ILCS 2205/2205-40 new Removes the amendatory changes made to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services Law requiring the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to take all necessary action to ensure that proposed modifications, additions, deletions, or amendments to the healthcare and behavioral healthcare (mental health and substance use disorder) provisions of the Illinois Public Aid Code are announced, shared, disseminated, and explained prior to the Department undertaking such proposed modifications, if legally possible. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Further amends the Clinical Psychologist Licensing Act. In a provision suspending the requirements under the Act for restoration of an inactive or expired clinical psychologist license, provides that an individual may not restore his or her license more than once. Further amends the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act. In a provision suspending the requirements under the Act for restoration of an inactive or expired clinical social worker license, provides that an individual may not restore his or her license more than once. Removes a provision exempting individuals applying for a clinical social worker license who are licensed in another jurisdiction from submitting proof of passage of the examination for the practice of clinical social work as authorized by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Further amends the Professional Counselor and Clinical Professional Counselor Licensing and Practice Act. In a provision suspending the requirements under the Act for restoration of an inactive or expired clinical professional counselor license, provides that an individual may not restore his or her license more than once. Makes other changes. House Floor Amendment No. 3 Adds reference to: 210 ILCS 49/1-102 Further amends the Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Act of 2013. Defines the term "APRN". Provides that, for purposes of the Act, any required psychiatric visit to a consumer may be conducted by an APRN or by a physician.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that when an insured receives emergency services or covered ancillary services from a nonparticipating provider or a nonparticipating facility, the health insurance issuer shall ensure that cost-sharing requirements are applied as though the services had been received from a participating provider or facility, and that the insured or any group policyholder or plan sponsor shall not be liable to or billed by the health insurance issuer, the nonparticipating provider, or the facility beyond the cost-sharing amount. Contains provisions concerning a notice and consent process for out-of-network coverage; billing for reasonable administrative fees; assignment of benefits to nonparticipating providers; and cost-sharing amounts and deductibles. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code and the Health Maintenance Organization Act to make a change in provisions concerning disclosure of nonparticipating provider benefits. Amends the Network Adequacy and Transparency Act. Provides that a beneficiary who receives care at a participating health care facility shall not be required to search for participating providers under certain circumstances. Amends the Managed Care Reform and Patient Rights Act. Provides that prior authorization or approval by the plan shall not be required for post-stabilization services that constitute emergency services. Amends the Health Maintenance Organization Act and the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act to provide that health maintenance organizations and voluntary health services plans are subject to provisions of the Illinois Insurance Code concerning billing and cost sharing. Makes other changes. Effective July 1, 2022, except that certain changes take effect January 1, 2023. House Floor Amendment No. 1 In provisions concerning cost sharing for emergency services and cost sharing for non-emergency services, provides that if the cost sharing for the same item or service furnished by a participating provider would have been a flat-dollar copayment, that amount shall be the cost-sharing amount unless the provider has billed a lesser total amount. Provides that upon receipt of the provider's bill or facility's bill, the health insurance issuer shall provide the nonparticipating provider or the facility with a written explanation of benefits (rather than the health insurance issuer shall provide the nonparticipating provider or the facility with a written explanation of benefits). Provides that the arbitrator shall not establish a rebuttable presumption that the qualifying payment amount should be the total amount owed to the provider or facility by the combination of the issuer and the insured, beneficiary, or enrollee. Defines "qualifying payment amount". Makes other changes.

Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the CROWN (Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair) Act. Provides that "race", as used in the Employment Article, includes traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 775 ILCS 5/5-102.2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the CROWN (Create a Respectful and Open Workplace for Natural Hair) Act. Provides that "race" includes traits associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists. Provides that, with respect to certain places of public accommodation, the Department of Human Rights has jurisdiction over the denial or refusal of the full and equal enjoyment of (rather than the denial of access to) facilities, goods, or services.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code to provide that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2023 shall provide coverage for continuous glucose monitors. Makes conforming changes in the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, the Limited Health Service Organization Act, the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act, and the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 215 ILCS 5/356z.43 new Adds reference to: 215 ILCS 5/356z.53 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. 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 (rather than 2023) shall provide coverage for medically necessary continuous glucose monitors for individuals who are diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes and require insulin for the management of their diabetes (rather than provide coverage for continuous glucose monitors).

Creates the Human Service Professional Loan Repayment Program Act. Creates the Human Service Professional Loan Repayment Program, which shall be administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, to provide loan repayment assistance to eligible direct service professionals practicing in a community-based, human service agency that contracts with or is grant funded by a State agency. Contains provisions concerning applications, award amounts, eligibility and work requirements, and rules. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the contents of the bill with the following changes. Provides that the program's provision of loan repayment assistance is subject to appropriation, and makes a related change. Corrects grammatical errors, including changing references from "human service" to "human services". Adds an effective date of January 1, 2023, and makes a related change. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the contents of the bill as amended by Senate Amendment No. 1 with the following changes. Removes the definition of eligible applicant. Changes the definition of professional to an individual employed by a human service agency that contracts with or is grant-funded by a State agency for specified purposes. Removes the requirement of a qualified program to be in the human services field for the purpose of training and preparing students to be human service professionals. Changes references from a direct service professional to a human service professional or a professional. Removes as eligibility criteria being a United States citizen or eligible noncitizen and holding a degree from a qualified program. Requires an applicant to remain a full-time employee as a human service professional in the same community-based human service agency for at least 12 months after receiving the grant (instead of remain a full-time employee as a human service professional in a community-based human service agency at least 12 months after receiving the grant). Removes provisions concerning repayment of grant or stipend funds if the professional does not complete a required period of employment as a human service professional. Effective January 1, 2023.

Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Public Health to partner with Governors State University in establishing a 6-month outreach and educational campaign focused on promoting stroke awareness within Chicago's Southland community, stroke recognition and prevention strategies, and access to reliable sources of information about strokes. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Provides that the stroke awareness campaign shall be established subject to appropriation. Requires the Department of Public Health to partner with Governors State University's College of Health and Human Services (rather than with Governors State University) in establishing a 12-month (rather than 6-month) campaign focused on promoting stroke awareness for select communities determined by the Department to be at risk for strokes, particularly within Chicago's Southland community (rather than promoting stroke awareness within Chicago's Southland community). Provides that appropriated moneys shall be made available to the Governors State University's College of Health and Human Services in an amount to be mutually agreed upon between the Governors State University's College of Health and Human Services and the Department. Makes other changes.

Amends the Department of Veterans' Affairs Act. Requires the Department of Veterans' Affairs to contract with a non-profit organization to serve as the State's principal assistance organization under the United States Department of Defense's SkillBridge program for employers and transitioning service members. Provides that the selected non-profit organization must demonstrate a commitment to assisting service members as they transition from military to civilian life. Provides that as the State's principal assistance organization under the United States Department of Defense's SkillBridge program for qualified businesses in this State and for transitioning service members who reside in, or who wish to reside in, this State, the organization shall: (1) establish and maintain, as applicable, its certification for the SkillBridge program or any other similar workforce training and transition programs established by the United States Department of Defense; (2) educate businesses, business associations, and transitioning service members regarding the SkillBridge program and its benefits, and educate military command and personnel within the State on the opportunities available to transitioning service members through the SkillBridge program; (3) assist businesses in obtaining approval for skilled workforce training curricula under the SkillBridge program, including, but not limited to, apprenticeships, internships, or fellowships; and (4) match transitioning service members who are deemed eligible for SkillBridge participation by their military command with training opportunities offered by the organization or participating businesses, with the intent of having transitioning service members achieve gainful employment in this State upon completion of their SkillBridge training. Permits the Department to adopt rules. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Makes the bill subject to appropriation. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Department of Veterans' Affairs Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Department of Veterans' Affairs shall serve as the State's principal assistance organization under the United States Department of Defense's SkillBridge program for employers and transitioning service members. Provides that as the State's principal assistance organization under the United States Department of Defense's SkillBridge program for qualified businesses in this State and for transitioning service members who reside in, or who wish to reside in, this State, the Department shall: (1) establish and maintain, as applicable, its certification for the SkillBridge program or any other similar workforce training and transition programs established by the United States Department of Defense; (2) educate businesses, business associations, and transitioning service members regarding the SkillBridge program and its benefits, and educate military command and personnel within the State on the opportunities available to transitioning service members through the SkillBridge program; (3) assist businesses in obtaining approval for skilled workforce training curricula under the SkillBridge program, including, but not limited to, apprenticeships, internships, or fellowships; and (4) match transitioning service members who are deemed eligible for SkillBridge participation by their military command with training opportunities offered by participating businesses, with the intent of having transitioning service members achieve gainful employment in this State upon completion of their SkillBridge training. Permits the Department to adopt rules.

Creates the Task Force on Missing and Murdered Chicago Women Act. Creates the Task Force on Missing and Murdered Chicago Women. Provides for the composition of the Task Force and its appointment and meetings. Provides that the Task Force must examine and report on the following: (1) the systemic causes behind violence that Chicago women and girls experience, including patterns and underlying factors that explain why disproportionately high levels of violence occur against Chicago women and girls, including underlying historical, social, economic, institutional, and cultural factors that may contribute to the violence; (2) appropriate methods for tracking and collecting data on violence against Chicago women and girls, including data on missing and murdered Chicago women and girls; (3) policies and institutions such as policing, child welfare, medical examiner practices, and other governmental practices that impact violence against Chicago women and girls and the investigation and prosecution of crimes of gender-related violence against Chicago residents; (4) measures necessary to address and reduce violence against Chicago women and girls; and (5) measures to help victims, victims' families, and victims' communities prevent and heal from violence that occurs against Chicago women and girls. Provides that the Task Force shall report annually to the General Assembly and the Governor on the work of the Task Force. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Provides that the Executive Director of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority or the Executive Director's designee, in consultation with the Director of the Illinois State Police and Chicago Police Superintendent, shall appoint the non-legislative members to the Task Force. Provides that the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (rather than the Illinois State Police) shall provide meeting space and assistance as necessary for the Task Force to conduct its work. Provides that the chair of the Task Force may call electronic meetings of the Task Force. Provides that a member of the Task Force participating electronically shall be deemed present for purposes of establishing a quorum and voting. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Changes from December 31, 2021 to December 31, 2024 the date by which the Task Force must initially report its work to the Governor and General Assembly.

Amends the Chicago Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that a service retirement pension shall not be cancelled in the case of a service retirement pensioner who is re-employed as an administrator on a temporary and non-annual basis or on an hourly basis, so long as the person does not work as an administrator for compensation on more than 120 days in a school year. Provides that such re-employment does not require contributions, result in service credit, or constitute active membership in the Fund. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Chicago Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that for school years beginning on or after July 1, 2022 and before June 30, 2024, the service retirement pension shall not be cancelled in the case of a service retirement pensioner who is re-employed as a teacher or an administrator on a temporary and non-annual basis or on an hourly basis, so long as the person does not work as a teacher or an administrator for compensation on more than 140 days in a school year. Provides that for school years beginning on or after July 1, 2024, the service retirement pension shall not be cancelled in the case of a service retirement pensioner who is re-employed as a teacher or an administrator on a temporary and non-annual basis or on an hourly basis, so long as the person does not work as a teacher or an administrator for compensation on more than 120 days in a school year. Makes conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Creates the Bias-Free Child Removal Pilot Program Act. Provides that subject to appropriation, the Department of Children and Family Services shall establish a 3-year Bias-Free Child Removal Pilot Program no later than July 1, 2023 for the purpose of promoting unbiased decision-making in the child removal process with the goal of decreasing the overrepresentation of BIPOC children in out-of-home placements. Requires the Department to choose a county that, based on a county-based analysis, indicates the highest rates of racial disproportionality. Requires the identified county to utilize a bias-free child removal strategy when deciding whether a child should be removed from his or her parents' home. Requires the Department to identify a public university to develop an evaluation design which identifies a control group (a county that does not utilize a bias-free child removal strategy) and compare those results with the intervention group (a county that utilizes a bias-child removal strategy). Provides that no later than January 1, 2023, the Department shall establish a Bias-Free Child Removal Review Committee consisting of an interdisciplinary, diverse group of 9 child welfare professionals and advocates for the purpose of creating the pilot program and the pre-implementation plan for the pilot program. Requires the Department to establish other procedures and protocols concerning (i) which diverse group of professions should be represented on the Committee, including required degrees, credentials, and experience, (ii) the frequency of bias-free child removal meetings, and (iii) decision-making protocols concerning removal. Contains provisions concerning certain demographic information that must be redacted from a child's case notes report prior to a determination on removal; the Department's evaluation reports to the General Assembly; and other matters. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Bias-Free Child Removal Pilot Program Act. Provides that the purpose of the Act is to: (1) require the Department of Children and Family Services to establish a 3-year, Bias-Free Child Removal Pilot Program for the purpose of promoting unbiased decision making in the child removal process, while maintaining the safety of children and reducing risk, with the goal of decreasing the overrepresentation of BIPOC children in out-of-home placements; (2) establish a pre-implementation steering committee to: (i) develop and implement the Bias-Free Removal Pilot Program by January 1, 2024; (ii) recruit members for the Bias-Free Case Review Team; and (iii) recruit members for the Bias-Free Child Removal Advisory Board; (3) establish a Bias-Free Case Review Team consisting of a child protection supervisor, an area administrator, and a regional administrator from an area other than the pilot area to: (i) review removal decisions absent specific demographic information; and (ii) determine whether removal of the child is necessary to avoid imminent risk to his or her safety, health, and well-being; and (4) establish a Bias-Free Child Removal Advisory Board to monitor and oversee the Bias-Free Case Review Team and ensure that the Bias-Free Case Review Team executes bias-free removals in accordance with the provisions of the Act. Contains provisions on the 3-year Bias-Free Child Removal Pilot Program and its implementation in field offices located in Cook County, Champaign County, and St. Clair County; Department reports to the General Assembly that detail the pilot program's implementation and that provide an analysis of the pilot program's effect and impact on the removal rates of BIPOC children; establishment of a steering committee by January 1, 2023; the steering committee's composition and duties, including the development of a written plan and requirements for the pilot program; the composition and duties of the Bias-Free Case Review Team; the requirement that certain demographic and identifiable information concerning children and parents be redacted from intake summaries, case notes, and investigations; the Department's development of a tool or rubric for the Review Team to fully document the decision-making process and what led to the final decision; the composition and duties of a Bias-Free Child Removal Advisory Board; the criteria that must be met to justify statewide expansion of the pilot program; and other matters. Provides that the Department shall adopt rules, policies, and procedures necessary to implement the Act with the assistance of the steering committee. Provides that the Act is repealed on January 1, 2027. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Bias-Free Child Removal Pilot Program Act. Provides that the purpose of the Act is to: (1) require the Department of Children and Family Services to establish a 3-year, Bias-Free Child Removal Pilot Program for the purpose of promoting unbiased decision making in the child removal process, while maintaining the safety of children and reducing risk, with the goal of decreasing the overrepresentation of BIPOC children in out-of-home placements; (2) establish a steering committee to: (i) develop and implement the Bias-Free Removal Pilot Program by January 1, 2024; (ii) appoint members for the Bias-Free Case Review Team; and (iii) appoint members for the Bias-Free Child Removal Advisory Board; (3) establish a Bias-Free Case Review Team consisting of a child protection supervisor, an area administrator, and a regional administrator from an area other than the pilot area to: (i) review removal decisions absent specific demographic information; and (ii) determine whether removal of the child is necessary to avoid imminent risk to the child's safety, health, and well-being; and (4) establish a Bias-Free Child Removal Advisory Board to monitor and oversee the Bias-Free Case Review Team and ensure that the Bias-Free Case Review Team executes bias-free removals in accordance with the provisions of the Act. Contains provisions on the 3-year Bias-Free Child Removal Pilot Program and its implementation in field offices located in DuPage County, Champaign County, and Williamson County; Department reports to the General Assembly that detail the pilot program's implementation and that provide an analysis of the pilot program's effect and impact on the removal rates of BIPOC children; establishment of a steering committee by January 1, 2023; the steering committee's composition and duties, including the development of a written plan and requirements for the pilot program; the composition and duties of the Bias-Free Case Review Team; the requirement that certain demographic and identifiable information concerning children and parents be redacted from intake summaries, case notes, and investigations; the Department's development of a tool or rubric for the Review Team to fully document the decision-making process and what led to the final decision; the composition and duties of a Bias-Free Child Removal Advisory Board; the criteria that must be met to justify statewide expansion of the pilot program; and other matters. Provides that the Department shall adopt rules, policies, and procedures necessary to implement the Act with the assistance of the steering committee. Provides that the Act is repealed on January 1, 2027. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 4 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of Senate Amendment No. 2 with the following changes: Provides that the steering committee shall include 5 staff members from the Department of Children and Family Services (rather than 3 staff members from the Department) which shall include a child protection investigator and a child protection supervisor. Requires the steering committee to include in the development of the Bias-Free Child Removal Pilot Program (i) a decision regarding a timeline for convening the Bias-Free Case Review Team and (ii) how and when the child protection investigator or child protection supervisor shall present an investigation to the Bias-Free Case Review Team. Provides that the pilot program shall not prevent a child protection investigator or supervisor from performing routine assignments required under Department policy after taking protective custody of a child. Provides that the redaction of case file information or the preparation of case files for the Review Team shall not be completed by the child protection investigator or the child protection supervisor. In a provision requiring the Review Team to make a final decision on whether a child's removal should be upheld, removes language requiring the Review Team to make that final decision as soon as possible but no later than 48 hours prior to a shelter care hearing. Effective immediately.