Amends the Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act. Allows a speech-language pathologist to diagnose autism spectrum disorders if: (1) the child is under 3 years of age; and (2) the speech-language pathologist is trained in autism diagnostic evaluation methods as part of the curriculum of an approved program, through worksite training, or through continuing education. Provides that if a diagnosis requires a plan of care that includes elements that are outside the scope of practice of a speech-language pathologist, the speech-language pathologist must refer the patient to the appropriate medical personnel for further evaluation or management. Makes conforming changes in the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code, and provisions of the Illinois Insurance Code concerning autism spectrum disorders. Effective July 1, 2027.
Sponsored bills
Amends the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Makes changes in provisions concerning definitions; oaths, subpoenas, and penalties; applicants with criminal convictions; qualification for licensure or registration; health care worker licensure actions; automatic suspension of a health care worker's license; the publication of disciplinary actions; and records of Department actions. Amends the Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Hair Braiding, and Nail Technology Act of 1985. In provisions concerning required licensure, provides that an application shall not be automatically placed on hold, delayed, denied, or otherwise not processed by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation because it was submitted by a person who is incarcerated. Amends the Health Care Professional Credentials Data Collection Act. In provisions concerning licensure records, provides that licensure records designated confidential and considered sealed (rather than expunged) for reporting purposes by the licensee are not reportable under the Act. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. In provisions concerning loss and restoration of rights, provides that no application for specific licenses granted under the authority of the State shall be denied to (rather than denied by reason of) an eligible offender who has obtained a certificate of relief from disabilities, having been previously convicted of one or more criminal offenses (rather than or by reason of a finding of lack of "good moral character"), when the finding is solely based upon the fact that the applicant has previously been convicted of one or more criminal offenses, except for certain circumstances. Repeals provisions concerning the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation's annual report to the General Assembly. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Amends the Court of Claims Act. Creates an administrative process for uncontested claims for vendors arising from contracts with the State. Requires a State agency to confirm or reject an uncontested claim that is from a lapsed appropriation and valued at less than $2,500 within 30 days after being notified in writing by the Attorney General. Provides that if the State agency does not confirm or reject the claim within that 30-day period, then the State agency forfeits the right to reject or contest the claim. Requires the Comptroller, subject to appropriation, then issue payment to the vendor within 30 days of the court entering such an award. Provides that if the court determines that it is unable to process such an uncontested claim because the bill or invoice contains a defect, the court must notify the vendor in writing of the defect no later than 30 days after the bill or invoice was first submitted. Provides that if one or more items on a bill or invoice are disapproved, but not the entire bill or invoice, then the portion that is not disapproved must be transmitted to the Comptroller for payment. Changes the filing fees required under the Act as follows: a fee of $15 for a petition seeking more than $500 but less than $10,000; and $35 for a petition seeking more than $10,000 or more. Requires that the court must allow claimants to submit documentation to amend and cure defects. Makes other changes. Authorizes the Court of Claims to adopt rules to implement the Act.
Amends the School Code. Allows the school board of a school district to use an adopted and verified program for e-learning days district-wide that permits student instruction to be received electronically while students are not physically present on an election day because a school was selected to be a polling place (rather than adopt a research-based program for e-learning days district-wide that shall permit student instruction to be received electronically while students are not physically present because a school was selected to be a polling place). Provides that e-learning days used for this purpose may not be counted in lieu of the district's scheduled emergency days.
Amends the School Code regarding the establishment of kindergartens. With respect to a provision stating that kindergarten should provide opportunities for play-based learning, defines: (1) "play-based learning" as either guided play or student-initiated play; (2) "guided play" as intentional teacher-directed play with activities set up and led by a teacher that are aligned to learning goals or standards; and (3) "student-initiated play" as child-selected opportunities to build, pretend, create, move, or explore in an environment intentionally curated by a teacher to align with learning goals or standards.
Amends the State Treasurer Act. Provides that the State Treasurer may establish and administer a non-profit investment pool and an electronic payment processing program to supplement and enhance investment opportunities and secure electronic payment options otherwise available to not-for-profit corporations in the State. Provides that the Treasurer may receive funds paid into the pool for the purpose of holding and investing those funds. Provides for surety bonds payable to not-for-profit corporations who participate in the pool. Provides that the Treasurer shall adopt rules for the efficient administration of the pool.
Amends the Evaluation of Certified Employees Article of the School Code. Prohibits an evaluator from using an artificial intelligence tool to assign a numerical score or qualitative rating for any component of a teacher's evaluation or any evaluation task that requires professional judgment. However, allows an artificial intelligence tool to be used to support the evaluator in administrative tasks.
Creates the Chemicals in Cosmetic Products Act. Prohibits the manufacture, sale, delivery, holding, or offering for sale of a cosmetic product that contains specific intentionally added chemical ingredients. Exempts cosmetic products that were manufactured with an intent to comply with the Act and contain a technically unavoidable trace quantity of a prohibited chemical ingredient due to certain reasons. Defines terms.
Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that a petitioner for post-conviction relief who was convicted of a felony offense committed when that person was under 21 years of age who seeks leave to file a successive post-conviction petition claiming that his or her sentence violates the proportionate penalties clause of the Illinois Constitution does not have to demonstrate cause. Effective immediately.
Amends the Hospital Licensing Act. Provides that, if a physician determines that an adult patient is so disabled as to be unable to consent to discharge or placement in a facility or a physician reasonably believes an adult patient is a person with a disability in need of a guardian in accordance with the Probate Act of 1975 and there is no family, surrogate decision maker, agent under a power of attorney, trustee, or other close friend who is ready willing and able to assist that adult patient, then the hospital shall notify the Office of State Guardian and the public guardian of the county where the patient resides. Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Requires a facility to notify the Office of State Guardian and the public guardian in the county where the patient resides before executing a contract in specified circumstances where the patient has diminished capacity. Amends the Probate Act of 1975. Includes private professional guardians as individuals who may act as guardians. Establishes standards for private professional guardians before appointment. Requires a private professional guardian who serves as guardian for 15 or more persons with disabilities to be certified as a National Master Guardian by the Center for Guardianship Certification and imposes other requirements, including background checks. Sets forth provisions concerning private professional guardians as successor guardians and the removal of private professional guardians who fail to comply with the specified requirements.