Sen. Mattie Hunter

Creates the Landscape Architecture Registration Act. Provides that no person shall use the title "registered landscape architect" or "landscape architect" without being registered by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Creates the Registered Landscape Architecture Registration Board. Provides for the membership, meetings, and powers of the Board. Provides that the Department may seek the expert advice and knowledge of the Board on any matter relating to the enforcement of the Act, including qualifications of applicants for registration. Provides that the Department may issue certificates of registration to those who meet the requirements of the Act. Provides that the Department may authorize examinations to ascertain the fitness and qualifications of applicants for registration. Provides that the Department may conduct investigations and hearings to refuse to issue, renew, or restore registrations, revoke, suspend, place on probation, or reprimand persons registered under provisions of the Act. Provides that the Department may take disciplinary action with regard to any certificate of registration issued under the Act. Makes corresponding changes in the Park District Code, the Chicago Park District Act, the Professional Geologist Licensing Act, and the Unified Code of Corrections. Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act to repeal the Landscape Architecture Registration Act on January 1, 2032. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: New Act 5 ILCS 80/4.41 new 70 ILCS 1205/8-50 70 ILCS 1505/26.10-4 225 ILCS 745/20 730 ILCS 5/5-5-5 from Ch. 38, par. 1005-5-5 Adds reference to: 5 ILCS 100/5-45.21 new 305 ILCS 5/5-5.2 from Ch. 23, par. 5-5.2 305 ILCS 5/5-5.8 from Ch. 23, par. 5-5.8 305 ILCS 5/5B-2 from Ch. 23, par. 5B-2 305 ILCS 5/5B-4 from Ch. 23, par. 5B-4 305 ILCS 5/5B-5 from Ch. 23, par. 5B-5 305 ILCS 5/5B-8 from Ch. 23, par. 5B-8 305 ILCS 5/5E-10 305 ILCS 5/5E-20 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. In the Medical Assistance Article, provides that notwithstanding any other provisions of the Code, the methodologies for reimbursement of nursing services shall no longer be applicable for bills payable for nursing services rendered on or after a new reimbursement system based on the Patient Driven Payment Model (PDPM) has been fully operationalized, which shall take effect for services provided on or after the implementation of the PDPM reimbursement system begins. Establishes an implementation date for the PDPM reimbursement system if certain conditions are met. Contains provisions concerning the establishment of a variable per diem staffing add-on for nursing facilities with specified staffing levels; utilization of the Staff Time and Resource Intensity Verification study; the PDPM nursing component per diem for nursing facilities for certain dates of services; a Medicaid Access Adjustment; incentive payments determined by facility performance on specified quality measures; payments based on CNA tenure, promotion, and CNA training for the purpose of increasing CNA compensation; and other matters. In the Long-Term Care Provider Funding Article, provides that for the privilege of engaging in the occupation of long-term care provider for each occupied non-Medicare bed day, beginning July 1, 2022, an assessment is imposed upon each long-term care provider in an amount varying with the number of paid Medicaid resident days per annum in the facility. Sets forth a schedule of occupied bed tax amounts. Makes changes concerning reporting requirements, the Long-Term Care Provider Fund, and other matters. In the Nursing Home License Fee Article, provides that a specified provision imposing licensing fees on nursing home providers is repealed on July 1, 2024. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Grants the Department of Healthcare and Family Services emergency rulemaking authority to implement certain provisions of the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Critical Health Problems and Comprehensive Health Education Act. With respect to the Comprehensive Health Education Program, requires that the instruction on mental health and illness discuss how and where to find mental health resources in this State. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 105 ILCS 110/5.5 new Adds provisions regarding instruction on mental health and illness to include how to find a mental health provider and how to access the mental health system. Creates the Student Mental Health Council to evaluate mental health among students, how mental health resources are being used, and the effect of COVID-19 on students' mental health. Provides that the Council shall meet at least once per quarter. Provides that the Council shall advise and make recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor regarding: (i) the dissemination of information to schools, including agency websites, informational materials, and outreach personnel; (ii) available services to students and any gaps; and (iii) how to improve state policy concerning student mental health. Provides guidelines for appointing members. Provides that the State Board of Education shall provide administrative support. Defines which members serve for compensation, and the amount of the compensation. Provides that the Council shall deliver annual reports to the General Assembly and the Governor's Office. Provides that the Council is dissolved, and the Section creating the Council is repealed, on January 1, 2026. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Critical Health Problems and Comprehensive Health Education Act. Adds provisions regarding requiring instruction on how and where to find mental health resources and specialized treatment in the State. Creates the Student Mental Health Council to evaluate: mental health; how mental health resources are being used; and the effect of COVID-19 on students' mental health, substance use disorders, and other mental health conditions. Provides that the Council shall meet at least once per quarter. Provides that the Council shall advise and make recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor regarding: (i) the dissemination of information to schools, including agency websites, informational materials, and outreach personnel; (ii) available services to students and any service gaps; and (iii) how to improve State policy concerning student mental health. Provides guidelines for appointing members. Provides that the State Board of Education shall provide administrative support. Describes which members serve for compensation and the amount of the compensation. Provides that the Council shall deliver annual reports to the General Assembly and the Governor's Office. Provides that the Council is dissolved, and the Section creating the Council is repealed, on January 1, 2026. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the bill, as amended by Senate Amendment No. 2, with the following changes. Removes a provision providing for a stipend for certain members. Provides that no member of the Council, including the chairperson, shall receive any compensation for services on the Council but shall be reimbursed for ordinary and necessary expenses incurred in attending meetings of the Council. Senate Floor Amendment No. 4 Deletes reference to: 105 ILCS 110/5.5 new Adds reference to: 405 ILCS 49/5 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes: With respect to the Comprehensive Health Education Program, requires that the Program include instruction on how and where to find mental health resources and specialized treatment in the State (rather than on mental health and illness discuss how and where to find mental health resources in the State). Amends the Children's Mental Health Act of 2003. Provides that the Children's Mental Health Partnership shall also include an adjunct council. Defines membership and qualifications of the adjunct council. Provides that the adjunct council will make recommendations to the Partnership regarding youth mental health, including, but not limited to, identifying barriers to youth feeling supported by and empowered by the system of mental health and treatment providers, barriers perceived by youth in accessing mental health services, gaps in the mental health system, available resources in schools, including youth's perceptions and experiences with outreach personnel, agency websites, and informational materials, methods to destigmatize mental health services, and how to improve State policy concerning student mental health. Provides that the council shall meet at least 4 times annually. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Provides that the Partnership shall include an adjunct council comprised of no more than 6 youth aged 14 to 25 and (rather than no more than) 4 representatives of 4 different community-based organizations (instead of 3 representatives of 3 different community based organizations) that focus on youth mental health. Provides that, of the community-based organizations that focus on youth mental health, one of the community-based organizations shall be led by an LGBTQ-identified person, one of the community-based organizations shall be led by a person of color, and one of the community-based organizations shall be led by a woman (instead of each community-based organization shall be led by an LGBTQ-identified person, a person of color, or a woman). Provides that, of the representatives appointed to the council from the community-based organizations, at least one representative shall be LGBTQ-identified, at least one representative shall be a person of color, and at least one representative shall be a woman.

Amends the Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 215 ILCS 105/1 Adds reference to: New Act Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Consumer Legal Funding Act. Sets forth provisions concerning consumer legal funding contract requirements and right of rescission. Sets forth consumer legal funding company prohibitions. Sets forth the fees that may be charged by a consumer legal funding company and provides that a consumer legal funding company shall not collect any additional fees besides those specified in the Act. Provides that all consumer legal funding contracts shall contain specified disclosures. Provides that the contingent right to receive an amount of the potential proceeds of a legal claim is assignable by a consumer. Provides that an attorney or law firm retained by the consumer in the legal claim shall not have a financial interest in the consumer legal funding company offering consumer legal funding to that consumer. Sets forth provisions concerning application and fees for a consumer legal funding license. Provides that every consumer legal funding licensee shall appoint the Director of Financial Institutions as attorney-in-fact upon whom all lawful process against the licensee may be served. Sets forth provisions concerning investigation to determine whether a consumer legal funding license shall be issued, the license, the issuance of more than one license to a licensee, and an annual license fee. Provides that the Director may fine a licensee an amount not exceeding $10,000 per violation or revoke or suspend a license if he or she finds specified information. Provides that the Division of Financial Institutions shall establish rules and a schedule of fines for the administration and enforcement of the Act. Sets forth provisions concerning closing of business and surrender of a consumer legal funding license, investigation of conduct of business, books and records that shall be retained by every licensee, and other business that may be conducted by a licensee. Provides that the Director may issue a cease and desist order to a licensee in specified circumstances. Provides that the Division may adopt rules that are necessary and appropriate for the protection of consumers in the State. Provides that the Director may apply to a court for an injunction or civil penalty against a violation of the Act. Defines terms. Makes other changes. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 815 ILCS 205/4 from Ch. 17, par. 6404 815 ILCS 505/2AAAA new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Consumer Legal Funding Act. Sets forth provisions concerning consumer legal funding contract requirements, right of rescission, and consumer legal funding company prohibitions. Sets forth the fees that may be charged by a consumer legal funding company and provides that a consumer legal funding company shall not collect any additional fees besides those specified in the Act. Provides that all consumer legal funding contracts shall contain specified disclosures. Provides that the contingent right to receive an amount of the potential proceeds of a legal claim is assignable by a consumer. Provides that an attorney or law firm retained by the consumer in the legal claim shall not have a financial interest in the consumer legal funding company offering consumer legal funding to that consumer. Provides that a violation of the Act constitutes a violation of the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Sets forth provisions concerning the functions and powers of the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation. Provides that the Secretary may issue a cease and desist order to any licensee or a person doing business without a license in specified circumstances. Provides that the Secretary may apply for an injunction against a violation of the Act. Provides that any person who engages in business as a licensee without the license required by the Act commits a Class 4 felony. Provides that a violation of the Act may be asserted in a civil action. Sets forth provisions concerning definitions; consumer legal funding license scope; license application process and forms; surrender of license; license renewal; examination of business; suspension or revocation of license; license fees; investigation of complaints; additional investigation and examination authority; confidential information; information sharing; reports of violations; and rulemaking. Amends the Interest Act. Provides that it is lawful to receive or to contract to receive and collect interest and charges as authorized by specified law including the Consumer Legal Funding Act. Makes a conforming change in the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2023 that provides coverage for prescription drugs shall provide coverage for prenatal vitamins when prescribed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2024 (rather than January 1, 2023) that provides coverage for prescription drugs shall provide coverage for prenatal vitamins when prescribed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2024 that provides coverage for prescription drugs shall provide coverage for prenatal vitamins when prescribed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches or an advanced practice registered nurse licensed under the Nurse Practice Act (rather than only a physician).

Amends the Chicago Teacher Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that until June 30, 2024, the service retirement pension of a service retirement pensioner shall not be cancelled if the service retirement pensioner is employed in a subject shortage area and the employer that is employing the service retirement pensioner meets specified requirements. Provides that an employer of a teacher who is unable to continue employment with the employer because of documented illness, injury, or disability that occurred after being hired by the employer is exempt from specified job posting requirements for 90 school days, but must on an ongoing basis comply with those requirements. Provides that the employer must submit documentation of its compliance to the regional superintendent. Provides that upon receiving satisfactory documentation from the employer, the regional superintendent shall certify the employer's compliance with the requirements to the Fund. Makes conforming and other changes. Effective immediately.

Creates the Renewable Energy Component Recycling Task Force Act. Creates the Renewable Energy Component Recycling Task Force to investigate options for recycling and other end of life management methods for renewable energy generation components and energy storage devices in accordance with State and federal requirements, to identify preferred methods to safely and responsibly manage end of life renewable energy generating components and energy storage devices, including the reuse or refurbishment, and other specified duties. Provides for the membership and duties of the Task Force. Directs the Task Force to report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by March 1, 2023. Provides legislative findings. Repeals the Act on December 31, 2023. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Requires the Environmental Protection Agency to coordinate meetings for and provide other logistical assistance to the Task Force. Provides that the Agency may arrange to have outside experts provide research assistance, technical support, and assistance in the preparation of reports for the Task Force. Permits the Agency to use moneys from the Solid Waste Management Fund to fulfill its obligations. Requires the Task Force's final report to be submitted no later than July 1, 2025 (rather than March 1, 2023). Provides that the Act is repealed on December 31, 2025 (rather than December 31, 2023).

Creates the Equity and Representation in Health Care Act. Contains the findings of the General Assembly. Creates the Equity and Representation in Health Care Workforce Repayment Program and the Equity and Representation in Health Care Workforce Scholarship Program to be administered by the Department of Public Health. Provides that a health care professional, medical facility, or behavioral health provider may apply to the Department for loan repayment assistance under the Program. Provides that, in order to be eligible for loan repayment under the Act, the health care professional or behavioral health provider shall comply with specified requirements. Requires the Department to submit an annual report with specified requirements to the General Assembly and the Governor. Contains provisions regarding the adoption of rules by the Department. Contains other provisions. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Provides that loan repayment and scholarship program funds are subject to appropriation. Provides that an individual who is awarded a loan repayment authorized under the Act shall not receive concurrent loan repayments through any other Illinois or federal loan repayment program. Requires the Department of Public Health to share information about the application process for a scholarship or loan repayment under the Act prominently on the Department's website, as well as with specified Illinois-based health care training programs and institutions of higher education. Requires recipients who fail to meet their obligations to pay to the Department a sum of at least 1.5 times plus 7% interest annually (rather than a sum equal to) the amount of the received moneys. Contains provisions for waiver or deferment of a recipient's obligation under the Act. Provides that the Act is effective January 1, 2023. Makes other changes. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that a nurse is a "health care professional". Removes language providing that a certified nurse midwife is a "health care professional". Defines "nurse" as a person who is licensed as a licensed practical nurse or as a registered nurse under the Nurse Practice Act.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, after filing a petition to obtain a tax deed, the owner of a certificate of purchase must file with the clerk of the circuit court (currently, the county clerk) the names and addresses of persons who are entitled to service of notice. Effective January 1, 2022. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Provides that the bill is effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 35 ILCS 200/22-10 35 ILCS 200/22-25 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Property Tax Code. In provisions concerning the scavenger sale, repeals provisions added by Public Act 102-528 that require the county clerk to mail notice of the expiration of the period of redemption within 30 days from the date of the filing of addresses with the clerk. Requires the purchaser of the certificate of purchase to prepare the notice of the expiration of the period of redemption and deliver it to the clerk of the Circuit Court not more than 6 months and not less than 111 days prior to the expiration of the period of redemption. Requires the clerk to mail the notices not less than 3 months prior to the expiration of the period of redemption. Effective immediately.

Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Requires the Department of Public Health to establish by rule guidelines for required continuing education of all employees who inspect, survey, or evaluate a facility and to offer continuing education opportunities at least quarterly. Provides that the Department shall notify a facility and complainant of its findings regarding a complainant's complaint within 5 calendar days (rather than 10 days) of the determination. Provides that employees of a State or unit of local government agency charged with inspecting, surveying, or evaluating facilities are required to complete at least 10 hours of continuing education annually. Provides that if a facility is found to have violated any provision of the Act or rule adopted under the Act, the facility shall develop a plan of correction to address deficiencies indicated in a statement of deficiency. Requires the Department to approve or deny the plan of correction within 72 hours after receiving the plan of correction. Provides that the Department shall conduct an annual review of all survey activity from the preceding calendar year (rather than conduct an annual review) and make a report including specified information concerning the complaint and survey process. Contains other provisions. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Removes language requiring specified actions to be taken within 7 (rather than 30) days or 5 (rather than 10) days after specified events. Removes language providing that, if a facility is found to have violated any provision of the Act or rule adopted under the Act, the facility shall develop a plan of correction to address deficiencies indicated in a statement of deficiency. Requires the Department of Public Health's annual report to include the total number of times the Department recommended a discretionary denial of payment for new Medicare or Medicaid admissions with a specified effective date and the number of instances in which employees not fully vaccinated against or who tested positive for COVID-19 entered a long-term care facility. Makes other changes. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes. Requires the 10 hours of continuing education to include specified topics that support the survey process. Provides that the continuing education is separate from any continuing education required for any license that the employee holds. Requires the Department of Public Health's report to include (i) the breakdown of 24-hour, 7-day, and 30-day complaints, (ii) the average length of tenure for nurse surveyors employed by the Department at the time the report is created, and (iii) the total number of times the Department recommended a discretionary denial of payment for new Medicare or Medicaid admissions and how much time existed between the start of that denial and when the facility was notified. Removes language requiring all of the listed reporting criteria and additional complaint information requested by the Long-Term Care Facility Advisory Board, the Illinois Long-Term Care Council, or the General Assembly to be provided in aggregate and broken down by Office of Health Care Regulation region. Makes other changes. Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes. Provides that at least 5 of the 10 required hours of continuing education shall be separate and distinct from any continuing education hours required for any license that the employee holds. Allows any continuing education hours provided by the Department in addition to the required 10 hours of continuing education to count towards continuing education hours required for any license that the employee holds. Makes changes in the list of items to be included in the Department's annual report. Deletes a provision requiring employees of local agencies that inspect facilities to complete continuing education. Removes language requiring all of the listed reporting criteria and additional complaint information requested by the Long-Term Care Facility Advisory Board, the Illinois Long-Term Care Council, or the General Assembly to be provided in aggregate and broken down by Office of Health Care Regulation region. Makes other changes.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that licensed dealers, financing affiliates, parts recyclers, scrap processors, repairers, rebuilders, and out-of-state salvage vehicle buyers shall retain records relating to the acquisition or disposition of tire rims, including the date of the acquisition of each tire rim and the name and address of the person from whom the tire rim was acquired and, if that person is a dealer, the Illinois or out-of-state dealer license number of such person. Provides that, if the tire rim being acquired is from a person other than a dealer, the licensee shall verify and record that person's identity by recording the identification numbers from at least 2 sources of identification, one of which shall be a driver's license or State identification card. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 625 ILCS 5/5-401.2 Adds reference to: 815 ILCS 325/2 from Ch. 121 1/2, par. 322 815 ILCS 325/3 from Ch. 121 1/2, par. 323 815 ILCS 325/4.1 815 ILCS 325/4.4 new 815 ILCS 325/6.5 815 ILCS 325/8 from Ch. 121 1/2, par. 328 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Recyclable Metal Purchase Registration Law. Provides that every recyclable metal dealer in the State shall enter specified information into an electronic record-keeping system for each purchase of recyclable metal, a catalytic converter or its contents, or recyclable metal containing copper (rather than recyclable metal or recyclable metal containing copper). Provides that a recyclable metal dealer must complete and file a 1099-MISC on behalf of the seller, unless the seller has a current license as an automotive parts recycler or scrap processor issued by the Secretary of State. Provides that it is a violation of the Act for any person to possess, purchase, attempt to purchase, sell or attempt to sell (rather than sell or attempt to sell), or for any recyclable metal dealer to purchase or attempt to purchase, specified materials. Provides that a recyclable metal dealer shall not pay cash in payment for any catalytic converter or its contents having a value of $100 or more. Provides that one representative of automotive recyclers in the State and one representative of fleet operators in the State shall serve on the Recyclable Metal Theft Task Force. Provides that any metal obtained not in accordance with the Act is subject to immediate forfeiture. Effective immediately.