Sen. Linda Holmes

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, and the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act to require coverage for hearing instruments and related services for all individuals under the age of 18 when a hearing care professional prescribes a hearing instrument. Provides that an insurer shall provide coverage for hearing aids subject to certain restrictions. Provides that an insurer shall not be required to pay a claim if the insured filed such a claim 12 months prior to the date of filing the claim with the insurer and the claim was paid by any insurer. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. In provisions concerning coverage for telehealth services, provides that if an individual or group policy of accident or health insurance provides coverage for telehealth services, it must provide coverage for licensed dietitians, nutritionists, and diabetes educators who counsel senior diabetes patients in the patients' homes to remove the hurdle of transportation for patients to receive treatment. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the Department of Healthcare and Family Services may authorize licensed dietitians, nutritionists, and diabetes educators to counsel senior diabetes patients in the patients' homes to remove the hurdle of transportation for patients to receive treatment.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that disenrollment of a Medicaid enrollee from a managed care organization under contract with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall be in accordance with specified federal requirements whenever a contract is terminated between a Medicaid managed care health plan and a primary care provider that results in a disruption to the Medicaid enrollee's provider-beneficiary relationship. Effective immediately.

Amends the Volunteer Emergency Worker Job Protection Act. Provides that "volunteer emergency worker" means a person who serves as a member of a fire department of a fire protection district, municipality, or other unit of government on other than a full-time career basis and who meets the requirements for volunteer status under the Code of Federal Regulations and Opinion Letters from the United States Department of Labor. Provides that "volunteer emergency worker" also means, including, but not limited to, a person who serves on a volunteer basis and is licensed under the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Systems Act as an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)(First Responder), Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate (EMT-I), Advanced Emergency Medical Responder (A-EMT), or Paramedic (EMT-P), or a volunteer ambulance driver or attendant, and the person does not work in one of these capacities for another fire department, fire protection district, or governmental entity on a full-time career basis. Effective immediately.

Amends the Local Government Professional Services Selection Act. Provides that a political subdivision may waive the public hearing, evaluation procedure, and selection procedure for the selection of architectural, engineering, or land surveying services in an emergency situation for a project that is expected to cost less than $150,000 (currently, $25,000). Provides that this amount shall be increased annually by a percentage equal to the annual unadjusted percentage increase, if any, as determined by the consumer price index-u.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning the child care assistance program, provides that a family's eligibility for child care services shall be redetermined no sooner than 12 months following the initial determination or most recent redetermination. Provides that during the 12-month periods, the family shall remain eligible for child care services regardless of (i) a change in family income, unless family income exceeds 85% of State median income, or (ii) a temporary change in the ongoing status of the parents as working or attending a job training or educational program. Effective October 1, 2018.

Amends the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy Law. Provides that tuition, fees, and room and board costs shall be charged for students of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy who are not Illinois residents. Provides that the Academy may admit students (i) who are Illinois residents or who are not Illinois residents (rather than students) and (ii) who have completed the academic equivalent of the 8th (rather than 9th) grade. Makes related changes.

Amends the Illinois Physical Therapy Act. Provides that the limitation on determining a differential diagnosis shall not in any manner limit a physical therapist from establishing a relevant diagnosis. In the definition of "documented current and relevant diagnosis" and in provisions concerning disciplinary actions, removes language requiring a diagnosis to be substantiated by a physician, dentist, advanced practice registered nurse, physician assistant, or podiatric physician. Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Makes a technical change in the short title Section.

Amends the Animal Control Act. Provides that the county board's differential for the cat or dog registration fees of $10 for intact dogs or cats shall be placed in a county animal population control fund (rather than either in the county animal population control fund or the State's Pet Population Control Fund). Provides that the dog's owner shall pay a $25 public safety fine to be deposited into the county animal control fund or the county pet population control fund (rather than $20 of which shall be deposited into the Pet Population Control Fund and $5 of which shall be retained by the county or municipality). Deletes language providing that an animal control agency shall assist and share information with the Director of Public Health in the collection of public safety fines. Provides that the owner of a biting animal must also remit a $25 public safety fine to be deposited into the county animal control fund (rather than to the Department of Public Health, for deposit into the Pet Population Control Fund). Provides that if a dog is found to be a vicious dog, the owner shall pay a $100 public safety fine to be deposited into the county animal control fund (rather than the Pet Population Control Fund). Provides that if a dog is deemed dangerous, a $50 public safety fine to be deposited into the county animal control fund (rather than the Pet Population Control Fund). Amends the Illinois Public Health and Safety Animal Population Control Act. Deletes language providing that the Director of Public Health must make an annual written report relative to the progress of the program to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Governor. Makes changes to the definitions of "Director" and "Department". Effective immediately.