Sen. Linda Holmes

Creates the Research Dogs and Cats Adoption Act. Provides that a research facility, after the completion of any research involving a dog or cat, shall assess the health of the dog or cat and determine whether it is suitable for adoption. Provides that a research facility shall make reasonable efforts to offer for adoption a dog or cat determined to be suitable. Provides that a research facility that provides dogs or cats to an animal adoption organization is immune from any civil liability under the Act except for willful or wanton misconduct. Requires research facilities to have a research facility adoption policy made available on the facility's website. Defines "research facility".

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a person also commits hate crime when, by reason of the actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, or national origin of another individual or group of individuals, regardless of the existence of any other motivating factor or factors, he or she commits intimidation, stalking, cyberstalking, or transmission of obscene messages. Provides that independent of any criminal prosecution or the result of a criminal prosecution, any person suffering intimidation, stalking, cyberstalking, disorderly conduct, transmission of obscene messages, harassment by telephone, or harassment through electronic communications may bring a civil action for damages, injunction or other appropriate relief. Provides that the Attorney General may bring an action for civil damages for a hate crime in the name of the People of the State. Provides that the court shall impose a civil penalty of $25,000 for each violation of the hate crime statute.

Amends the School Code. Provides that early childhood programs receiving State Board of Education grants for preschool educational programs shall prohibit the expulsion of children. Provides instead that when persistent and serious challenging behaviors emerge, the early childhood program shall document steps taken to ensure that the child can participate safely in the program and utilize a range of community resources. Sets forth provisions concerning the creation of a transition plan if there is documented evidence that all available interventions and supports recommended by a qualified professional have been exhausted; temporary removal of a child; the utilization of training, technical support, and professional development resources; and annually reporting to the State Board. Makes related changes. Amends the Child Care Act of 1969 to require the Department of Children and Family Services, in consultation with the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development and the State Board of Education, to adopt rules prohibiting the use of expulsion due to a child's persistent and serious challenging behaviors in licensed day care centers, day care homes, and group day care homes.

Amends the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Act. Provides a person shall not allow for the participation of an African elephant or Asian elephant protected under the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 in a traveling animal act. Provides that the provision does not apply to an exhibition of elephants at a non-mobile, permanent institution, or facility. Provides that a person who violates the Section is subject to a civil penalty of not less than $500 or more than $10,000 for each violation. Defines "mobile or traveling housing facility", "performance", and "traveling animal act". Effective January 1, 2018.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code, the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, the Limited Health Service Organization Act, and the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or managed care plan amended, delivered, issued, or renewed after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall provide coverage for treatment of pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections and pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome, including, but not limited to, the use of intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. Effective immediately.

Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act. Removes the Interpreter for the Deaf Licensure Act of 2007 from provisions setting a repeal date of January 1, 2018 for certain regulatory Acts. Effective immediately.

Calls upon the State of Illinois and its operating units, including but not limited to the Department of Central Management Services, to immediately suspend the drafting, negotiation, perfection, and signing of any lease on any parcel of real property, and that this suspension is to continue until the conclusion of the audit of the Department of Human Services currently being conducted under the supervision of the Legislative Audit Commission.

Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Provides that a person who commits specified offenses against more than one animal may be charged with a separate offense for each animal that was treated in a manner violating the Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Highway Code. Requires the Department of Transportation to promulgate rules governing corrosion prevention projects affecting eligible bridges. Provides for consideration of industry standards and the handling of hazardous materials. Defines terms.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Provides that, in a specified provision of the Act, "municipal waste" and "fuel derived from municipal waste" do not include non-hazardous secondary material that is excluded from solid waste when used legitimately as a fuel or ingredient in a combustion unit in accordance with the standards and criteria set forth in specified federal regulations. Provides that the determination of whether a material is a solid waste pursuant to the standards and criteria of federal regulations shall be obtained from the United States Environmental Protection Agency or from the Pollution Control Board.