Sen. Mary Edly-Allen

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. In provisions concerning Medicare supplement policy minimum standards, provides that if an individual is at least 65 years of age but no more than 75 years of age and has an existing Medicare supplement policy, then the individual is entitled to an annual open enrollment period lasting 45 days, commencing with the individual's birthday, and the individual may purchase any Medicare supplement policy with the same issuer or any affiliate authorized to transact business in the State (instead of only the same issuer) that offers benefits equal to or lesser than those provided by the previous coverage.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends state laws to require specific health benefits for employees of the State Employees Group Insurance Program and for employees of self-insured county governments. It mandates that these health plans cover infertility diagnosis and treatment, including procedures like in vitro fertilization and genetic screening, starting on January 1, 2024. The coverage is limited to a two-year period ending on July 1, 2026, and applies only when procedures meet established medical standards and are performed at accredited facilities. Additionally, the bill ensures that fertility medications are treated the same as other prescription drugs regarding cost-sharing and restrictions.

Amends the Massage Licensing Act. Provides that, immediately after a person licensed under the Act has been charged with the offense of prostitution, rape, or sexual misconduct or with any crime that subjects the licensee to compliance with the requirements of the Sex Offender Registration Act, then the prosecuting attorney shall provide notice to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation of the licensee's name, address, practice address, and license number and a copy of the criminal charges filed. Provides that, within 5 business days after receiving notice from the prosecuting attorney, the Secretary shall issue an administrative order that the licensee shall practice only with a chaperone who is a licensed health care worker present during all patient encounters pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings. Provides that the chaperone shall provide written notice to all of the licensee's patients before treatment explaining the Department's order to use a chaperone and each patient shall sign an acknowledgement that he or she received the notice. Provides that, within 5 business days after receipt of the administrative order, the licensee shall provide to the Department a written plan of compliance with the administrative order that is acceptable to the Department. Provides that failure to comply with the administrative order, failure to file a compliance plan, or failure to follow the compliance plan shall subject the licensed massage therapist to temporary suspension of his or her license until the completion of the criminal proceedings. Provides that, if the licensee is not convicted of the charge or if any conviction is later overturned by a reviewing court, the administrative order shall be vacated and removed from the licensee's record. Provides that the Department may adopt rules to implement the provisions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Prohibits medical devices, including hearing instruments, from being subjected to the liens that are ordinarily imposed on personal property in a vehicle that is subject to removal under the Code. Provides that a person who has indicated in a timely filed report to the appropriate law enforcement agency that a vehicle has been stolen or hijacked is not liable for a violation, fee, fine, lien, or penalty that is imposed under the Code's vehicle removal provisions while the vehicle is stolen or hijacked or that results from the vehicle being stolen or hijacked.

Amends the Accident and Health Article of the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that if a generic drug is unavailable due to a supply issue and dosage cannot be adjusted, a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed after January 1, 2025 shall provide coverage for a brand name eligible prescription drug until supply of the generic drug is available. Defines "eligible prescription drug" and "generic drug". Makes conforming changes in 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.

Amends the Fire Sprinkler Contractor Licensing Act. Provides that "fire sprinkler inspector" means an individual who is qualified to perform routine inspection or testing of fire sprinkler systems and who is exclusively employed by a single fire sprinkler contractor (instead of employed or contracted by a fire sprinkler contractor). Provides that any individual who performs routine inspection or testing of any fire sprinkler system under the Act shall be exclusively employed by a single licensed fire sprinkler contractor (instead of be employed by a licensed fire sprinkler contractor) and meet certain minimum qualifications.

Amends the Historic Preservation Act. Creates the State Historic Preservation Board. Provides for appointment of members of the Board and the powers and duties of the Board. Provides that the Board may: (1) adopt rules in accordance with the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, for the administration and execution of the powers granted under the Act after consultation with and written approval by the Department of Natural Resources; (2) list, delist, create specific list designations, create designation definitions, create property assessment criteria, or change the listing designation of State Historic Sites; and (3) advise the Department of Natural Resources on methods of assistance, protection, conservation, and management of State Historic Sites, which are all subject to Department approval and available appropriations to implement those recommendations. Provides that the listing, delisting, creation of specific list designations or designation definitions, or change of listing designation by the Board shall be done only with the written approval of the Director of Natural Resources. Deletes the statutory listing of specific State Historic Sites, State Memorials, and Miscellaneous Properties. Provides that State Historic Sites shall be designated by administrative rule. Provides that the Department shall submit an annual report, on or before June 30, to the General Assembly containing a full list of the State Historic Sites and the site designations, as recommended by the Board and which received the approval of the Department. Defines "State Historic Site" as a property that has been deemed by the Board and the Department to have a State, national, or international level of historic significance. Makes conforming changes. Amends the Illinois Historic Sites Advisory Council Act. Changes the short title of the Act to the Illinois National Register Advisory Council Act. Repeals the Historical Sites Listing Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Biometric Information Privacy Act. Defines "electronic signature" as an electronic sound, symbol, or process attached to or logically associated with a record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the record. Provides that "written release" includes an electronic signature. Provides that a private entity that more than once collects or discloses a person's biometric identifier or biometric information from the same person in violation of the Act has committed a single violation for which the aggrieved person is entitled to, at most, one recovery. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Boards Article of the School Code. Provides that, in addition to required professional development leadership training, every voting member of a school board of a school district elected or appointed for a term beginning after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall complete a minimum of 3 hours of training every 2 years on continuous improvement planning and leveraging instruction, funding, and support to improve student outcomes. Provides that this training must be completed within one year after the effective date of the amendatory Act or the first year of a school board member's term and must be completed at least every 2 years thereafter. Provides that, subject to the requirements of the Open Meetings Act, school board members may take this training together. Provides that the training may be provided by an association established under the Code for the purpose of training school board members or by other qualified providers approved by the State Board of Education, in consultation with an association so established.

Creates the Local Food Infrastructure Grant Act. Requires the Department of Agriculture to develop and administer a Local Food Infrastructure Grant Program to enhance local food processing, aggregation, and distribution within the State through the award of annual grants. Specifies that eligible grant applicants include certain entities that store, process, package, aggregate, or distribute farm products raised in Illinois. Provides that grant awards shall be between $1,000 and $150,000. Describes match requirements for grant recipients. Describes allowable expenses. Requires the Department to create an independent Steering Committee to guide the implementation and evaluation of the grant program. Describes the Steering Committee's composition and responsibilities. Establishes various grant application requirements. Requires the Director of Agriculture to report certain information to the Governor and General Assembly each year. Limits the liability of program administrators. Contains provisions concerning termination of a grant agreement under the Act. Defines terms. Effective immediately.