Sen. Adriane Johnson

Amends the Whistleblower Act. Changes the definitions of "employer" and "employee". Defines "adverse employment action", "public body", "retaliatory action", and "supervisor". Provides that an employer may not take retaliatory action against an employee who discloses or threatens to disclose information about an activity, policy, or practice of the employer that the employee has a good faith belief that such activity, policy, or practice violates a State or federal law, rule, or regulation or poses a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety. Includes additional relief, damages, and penalties for violation of the Act. Allows the Attorney General to initiate or intervene in a civil action to obtain appropriate relief if the Attorney General has reasonable cause to believe that any person or entity is engaged in a practice prohibited by the Act. Provides that the changes made by the amendatory Act apply to claims arising or complaints filed on or after January 1, 2025. Effective January 1, 2025.

Amends the Nurse Practice Act. Changes the name of the Medication Aide Pilot Program to the Medication Aide Program. Makes conforming changes. Provides that to be approved as a qualified facility under the program (instead of for the duration of the pilot program), a facility must meet specified requirements. Removes provisions that provide that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall submit a report regarding patient safety, efficiency, and errors, as determined by rule, to the General Assembly no later than 6 months after termination of the pilot program. Removes language providing that licenses under the Medication Aide Program Article may not be renewed or restored. Makes corresponding changes.

Amends the Preventing Youth Vaping Act. Restricts a manufacturer, distributor, or retailer from advertising, marketing, or promoting an electronic cigarette in a manner that is likely to cause a parent, legal guardian, teacher, or other adult to mistake the electronic cigarette for a product that is not a tobacco product.

Amends the Illinois Freedom to Work Act. Provides any covenant not to compete or covenant not to solicit entered into after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall not be enforceable with respect to professionals licensed in this State who provide mental health services to veterans and first responders. Effective immediately.

Creates the Job Training and Workforce Development Transparency Act. Provides that, within 6 months after the effective date of the Act, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, in coordination with relevant State agencies, shall compile a report concerning all State-funded job training and workforce development programs in the State. Provides that the report shall identify each State-funded job training and workforce development program in the State and provide specified information about each program. Provides that the Department shall collaborate with relevant State agencies to ensure the timely and accurate collection of information required for the report. Provides that the Department shall submit the report to the General Assembly and make the report accessible to the public on the Department's website no later than 6 months after the effective date of the Act. Effective immediately.

Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public universities in Illinois. Provides that the governing board of each public university shall waive any admissions application fee for a student transferring from a public community college in this State if the transferring student is enrolled in the last semester of a degree program and is on schedule to graduate with a degree. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971. Requires the State Employees Group Insurance Program to provide coverage for all FDA-approved treatments or medications prescribed to slow the progression of Alzheimer's Disease or another related dementia, as determined by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches. Provides that diagnostic testing necessary for a physician to determine the appropriate use of treatments or medications shall be covered by the State Employees Group Insurance Program.

Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that, if a municipality or county, including a home rule municipality or county, is a self-insurer for purposes of providing health insurance coverage for its employees, the insurance coverage shall include mental health counseling for any employee who is a first responder, including police and corrections officers, deputy sheriffs, firefighters, or emergency medical services personnel, without imposing a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or any other cost-sharing requirement on the coverage provided. Specifies that this requirement does not apply to the extent such coverage would disqualify a high-deductible health plan from eligibility for a health savings account pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code. Limits home rule powers by providing that the requirement that mental health counseling be included in health insurance coverage is an exclusive power and function of the State.

Amends the Day and Temporary Labor Services Act. Provides that, if an applicant seeks a work assignment as a day or temporary laborer with a day and temporary labor service agency, including in-person, online or through an app-based system, and is not placed with a third party client or otherwise contracted to work for that day by the day and temporary labor service agency, the day and temporary labor service agency shall provide the applicant with a confirmation that the applicant sought work that satisfies specified criteria. Sets forth compensation requirements for day or temporary laborers based on directly hired comparative employees of a third party. Provides that it shall be the responsibility and duty of a day and temporary labor service agency to calculate and determine the hourly rate of pay and the benefits it shall offer to a day or temporary laborer, including any cash equivalents. Makes changes in provisions concerning the right to refuse assignments due to a labor dispute and the duties of third party clients. Defines terms.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or managed care plan amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2024 shall provide coverage for a colonoscopy determined to be medically necessary for persons aged 39 years old to 75 years old.