Amends the Suicide Prevention, Education, and Treatment Act. Makes changes concerning the findings of the General Assembly. Creates the Office of Suicide Prevention within the Department of Public Health for the purpose of implementing the Act. Requires the Office of Suicide Prevention, in consultation with the Illinois Suicide Prevention Alliance, to submit an annual report to the Governor and General Assembly on the effectiveness of the activities and programs undertaken under the Illinois Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan that includes any recommendations for modification to Illinois law to enhance the effectiveness of the Plan (instead of an annual report by the Illinois Suicide Prevention Alliance). Changes what shall be contained in the Plan. Provides that the Office of Suicide Prevention (in addition to the Department) shall provide technical assistance to the Illinois Suicide Prevention Alliance and implement a general awareness and screening program. Provides that the program shall include an annual statewide suicide prevention conference. Removes provisions requiring the Department to establish 5 suicide prevention pilot programs relating to youth, elderly, special populations, high-risk populations, and professional caregivers. Provides that the Office of Suicide Prevention shall establish programs that are consistent with the Plan. Effective July 1, 2019. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 2310/2310-455 new Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Creates the Office of Suicide Prevention within the Department of Public Health. Provides that the duties of the Office of Suicide Prevention shall include, but shall not be limited to: (1) coordinating suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention programs, services, and efforts statewide; (2) developing and submitting proposals for funding from federal agencies or other sources of funding to promote suicide prevention and coordinate activities; (3) with input from the Illinois Suicide Prevention Alliance, preparing the Illinois Suicide Prevention Strategic Plan and coordinating the activities necessary to implement the recommendations in that Plan; (4) with input from the Illinois Suicide Prevention Alliance, providing an annual report to the Governor and General Assembly; and (5) providing technical support for the activities of the Illinois Suicide Prevention Alliance. Corrects a typographical error. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 410 ILCS 53/10 410 ILCS 53/11 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill as amended by Senate Amendment No. 1 with the following changes: Provides that the Department of Public Health shall (rather than may) implement specified activities associated with the Suicide Prevention, Education, and Treatment Act. Removes language creating the Office of Suicide Prevention and instead, where applicable, replaces references to the Office with references to the Department. Makes a technical change to the legislative findings. Provides that the bill is effective immediately (rather than on July 1, 2019).
Sponsored bills
Creates the Blockchain Business Development Act. Provides for the creation and regulation of personal information protection companies. Provides for the creation and regulation of blockchain-based limited liability companies as businesses that utilize blockchain technology for a material portion of their business activities. Provides for a public record blockchain study and report. Provides for a blockchain insurance and banking study and report. Requires the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to incorporate into one or more of its economic development marketing and business support programs, events, and activities topics concerning blockchain technology and financial technology. Defines terms. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Removes provisions concerning the creation and regulation of personal information protection companies. In provisions concerning a public record blockchain study and report, provides that the Secretary of State shall recommend legislation, including uniform laws, necessary to support the possible use of blockchain technology for public records (currently, support the possible use of blockchain technology for the recording of land records and for other public records). Provides for the blockchain banking study (currently, blockchain insurance and banking study). Makes conforming changes. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Modifies the definition of "blockchain" to mean an electronic record created by the use of a decentralized method by multiple parties to verify and store a digital record of transactions which is secured by the use of a cryptographic hash of previous transaction information (as introduced, "blockchain" is defined as a cryptographically secured, chronological, and decentralized consensus ledger or consensus database maintained via Internet, peer-to-peer network, or other interaction). Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill, and makes the following changes: (1) removes a Section concerning blockchain-based limited liability companies; (2) removes a Section concerning a public record blockchain study and report; and (3) removes specified defined terms. Makes conforming changes.
Amends the School Code. With regard to the in-service training program on the warning signs of mental illness and suicidal behavior in youth, provides that the program must utilize evidence-based training that educates the participants on (i) recognizing the signs and symptoms of mental illness and substance use disorders, including common psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major clinical depression, and anxiety disorders and common substance use disorders such as opioids and alcohol, (ii) providing referrals to mental health or substance use disorder services or other support to individuals in the early stages of developing a mental illness or substance use disorder, recommending resources available in the community for individuals with a mental illness or substance use disorder, and recommending any other relevant resources, and (iii) ensuring the safe de-escalation of crisis situations involving individuals with a mental illness. Provides that a school district may utilize the Mental Health First Aid training program to provide the training. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the School Code. With regard to the in-service training program on the warning signs of mental illness and suicidal behavior in youth, provides that a school district may utilize the Illinois Mental Health First Aid training program, established under the Illinois Mental Health First Aid Training Act and administered by certified instructors trained by a national association recognized as an authority in behavioral health, to provide the training. Provides that if licensed school personnel or an administrator obtains mental health first aid training outside of an in-service training program, he or she may present a certificate of successful completion of the training to the school district to satisfy the training requirements.
Amends the Cemetery Oversight Act. Provides that no cemetery authority shall charge a consumer an amount exceeding $500 for the placement of a headstone or memorial marker that is provided for a United States Veteran by the United States Government. Defines "placement". Makes related changes to provide that a cemetery authority claiming a partial exemption under the Act shall be required to comply with this requirement. Effective immediately. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 225 ILCS 411/5-20 225 ILCS 411/20-13 new Adds reference to: 330 ILCS 110/1.1 from Ch. 21, par. 59a1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Veterans Burial Places Act. Provides that the Department of Veterans' Affairs shall pay an amount not to exceed $125 (rather than $100) to the next of kin or $100 to the cemetery official responsible for the cost of transporting and erecting a headstone or memorial. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Provides that the amount that may be paid to the cemetery official is $125 (rather than $100). House Floor Amendment No. 1 Provides that the payment by the Department of Veterans' Affairs to the next of kin or cemetery official is subject to appropriation.
Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that when the victim is under 18 years of age at the time of the offense, a prosecution for female genital mutilation may be commenced at any time. Provides that a parent, guardian, or other person having physical custody or control of a child who knowingly facilitates or permits the circumcision, excision, or infibulation, in whole or in part, of the labia majora, labia minora, or clitoris of the child commits female genital mutilation. Provides that a violation is a Class X felony. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that when a parent, guardian, or other person having physical custody or control of a child who knowingly facilitates or permits the circumcision, excision, or infibulation, in whole or in part, of the labia majora, labia minora, or clitoris of the child commits a Class 1 felony (rather than a Class X felony).
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that every insurer that amends, delivers, issues, or renews a group or individual policy or certificate of disability insurance or disability income insurance shall ensure parity for the payment of mental, emotional, nervous, or substance use disorders or conditions. Changes the definition of "treatment limitation" to include benefit payments under disability insurance or disability income insurance. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 215 ILCS 5/370c.1 Adds reference to: 215 ILCS 5/370c.2 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that the Department of Insurance shall form a task force to review the plans and policies for individual and group short-term and long-term disability income insurance issued and offered to individuals and employers in this State to examine the use of such insurance for behavioral health conditions. Provides that the task force shall be comprised of experts in the disability income insurance industry, experts in the behavioral health conditions and treatment industry, members of the general public, and members of the General Assembly. Provides that the task force shall submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 31, 2020. Dissolves the task force on December 31, 2021. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the bill as amended by Senate Amendment 1 with the following changes: Makes changes to the membership of the task force. Provides that the task force shall elect a chairperson from its membership and shall have the authority to determine its meeting schedule, hearing schedule, and agendas. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 4 In provisions concerning the membership of the task force, provides that it shall be comprised of 2 representatives of (rather than experts in) the disability income insurance industry. Makes changes to the responsibilities of the task force.
Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 5 ILCS 140/1.1 Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 2805/38 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Department of Veterans' Affairs Act. Creates the Veterans' Service-Related Ailments Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall review and make recommendations regarding veterans' service-related ailments that are not recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, including exploring why certain service-related ailments are not recognized and determining what may be done to have them recognized. Provides who shall serve on the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall meet at least once every 2 months beginning July 1, 2019. Provides that the Department of Veterans' Affairs shall provide administrative and other support to the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall prepare a report that summarizes its work and makes recommendations resulting from its study and shall submit the report to the Governor and the General Assembly by December 31, 2019. Provides that the Task Force is dissolved on December 31, 2020. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 5 ILCS 140/1.1 Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 2805/38 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes: Requires the Task Force to assess ways the State can improve the rate at which disability compensation claims are approved by the federal government and correct the disparity between the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' approval of disability compensation for Illinois veterans and that which is approved for veterans in other states. Provides that 4 members of different Illinois counties' Veterans Assistance Commissions, Veteran Service Officers, and VITAS officials shall be appointed to serve on the Task Force by the chair of the Veterans' Affairs Committee in the House of Representatives and the chair of the Veterans Affairs Committee in the Senate. Requires the report to be submitted by December 31, 2020 (rather than 2019) and the Task Force to dissolve and the amendatory Act's provisions to be repealed on December 31, 2021 (rather than 2020). Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 In provisions establishing the membership of the Veterans' Service-Related Ailments Task Force, provides that a total of 4 members shall be appointed, one each by the chair and the minority spokesperson of the Veterans' Affairs Committee of the House of Representatives (instead of the chair) and one each by the chair and the minority spokesperson of the Veterans Affairs Committee of the Senate (instead of the chair).
Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Requires that the Agency define "microplastics" and examine the role of microplastics in public drinking water. Requires the Agency to publicly disclose the results of its testing and reporting. Provides that the Agency, if appropriate, is to consider issuing a notification level to aid consumer interpretations. Requires the Agency to accredit qualified laboratories in Illinois to analyze microplastics. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 105 ILCS 5/14.8 new Adds reference to: 110 ILCS 425/22 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the University of Illinois Scientific Surveys Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Prairie Research Institute shall conduct a detailed review of the available scientific literature and federal and State laws, regulations, and rules to identify the threat of microplastics to human health and the environment. Provides that no later than 3 months after completion of the review, the Prairie Research Institute shall submit to the General Assembly a report of its findings that must include any recommendations for legislative or regulatory actions that the State can take to protect human health and the environment from microplastics. Provides that the amendatory Act's provisions are repealed on July 1, 2021.
Amends the School Code. With regard to the textbook block grant program, provides that the textbooks authorized to be purchased must include the roles and contributions of all people protected under the Illinois Human Rights Act and must be non-discriminatory as to any of the characteristics under the Act. Provides that textbooks purchased with grant funds must be non-discriminatory. Provides that in public schools only, the teaching of history of the United States shall include a study of the roles and contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in the history of this country and this State. Effective July 1, 2020. Balanced Budget Note (Office of Management and Budget) Please be advised that the Balanced Budget Note Act does not apply to House Bill 246, as it is not a supplemental appropriation that increases or decreases appropriations. Under the Act, a balanced budget note must be prepared only for bills that change a general funds appropriation for the fiscal year in which the new bill is enacted. Correctional Note (Dept of Corrections) There is no fiscal or population impact on the Department of Corrections. Land Conveyance Appraisal Note (Dept. of Transportation) No land conveyances are included in House Bill 246; therefore, there are no appraisals to be filed. State Debt Impact Note (Government Forecasting & Accountability) This bill would not change the amount of authorization for any type of State-issued or State-supported bond, and, therefore, would not affect the level of State indebtedness. Judicial Note (Admin Office of the Illinois Courts) This bill would neither increase nor decrease the number of judges needed in the State of Illinois. Pension Note (Government Forecasting & Accountability) This bill does not impact any public pension fund or retirement system in Illinois. Housing Affordability Impact Note (Housing Development Authority) This bill will have no effect on the cost of constructing, purchasing, owning, or selling a single-family residence. State Mandates Fiscal Note (Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity) This bill does not create a State mandate. Home Rule Note (Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity) This bill does not pre-empt home rule authority. Fiscal Note (IL State Board of Education) This bill will not have a fiscal impact on the State Board of Education.
Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Requires the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to establish and administer an adult vocational community college scholarship program. Provides that beginning with the 2020-2021 academic year, the Commission shall, each year, receive and consider applications for scholarships to community colleges for people over the age of 30 who have been unemployed and are actively searching for employment and who can identify the specific training certificate, credential, or associate degree that he or she is seeking to obtain. Allows applicants to re-apply for the scholarship if they can demonstrate continual progress toward the desired certificate, credential, or degree. Provides that scholarships shall not exceed $2,000 per recipient per academic year. Allows the Commission to establish appropriate applications and forms. Requires the Commission to adopt all necessary and proper rules to implement the program. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 820 ILCS 405/1900 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following change. Amends the Unemployment Insurance Act to require the Director of Employment Security to make information available, upon request, to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for the purpose of determining eligibility for the adult vocational community college scholarship program under the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Provides that if funds appropriated for the adult vocational community college scholarship program are insufficient to provide grants to each eligible applicant, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission may prioritize the distribution of grants based on factors that include an applicant's financial need, duration of unemployment, prior level of educational attainment, or date of application.