Sen. Sally Turner

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that an individual or group policy of accident and health insurance or managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed after the effective date of the amendatory Act must provide coverage for medically necessary hearing instruments and related services for all individuals (rather than all individuals under the age of 18) when a hearing care professional prescribes a hearing instrument to augment communication. Makes conforming changes, including repealing provisions concerning optional coverage or optional reimbursement for hearing instruments and related services. Effective January 1, 2025.

Amends the Counties Code. Provides that, notwithstanding other specified county property leasing provisions, upon majority vote, the county board may lease farmland acquired or held by the county for any term not exceeding 99 years. Provides that farmland may be leased to either public or private entities for the public purpose of financially supporting the operations of the government at any time or times and on any terms and conditions that the county board deems best for the interest of the county, including, but not limited to, crop-sharing arrangements. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Dental Practice Act. Defines "public health supervision" as the supervision of a public health dental hygienist by a licensed dentist who has a written public health supervision agreement with that public health dental hygienist while working in an approved facility or program that allows the public health dental hygienist to treat patients without a dentist first examining the patient and being present in the facility during treatment who are uninsured and whose household income is not greater than 300% (rather than 200%) of the federal poverty level. Provides that the holder of a faculty limited license may advertise a specialty degree as part of the licensee's ability to practice in a faculty practice. Provides that a licensed dentist or dental hygienist who is a military service member or the spouse of a military service member may receive, without examination, in the discretion of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, a limited military license. Provides that a limited military license issued shall be valid for a period of 2 years and may be extended or renewed based on the military service member's or spouse's duty status. Provides that any person may be granted a license to practice dentistry, a dental specialty, or dental hygiene in the State as a member of the military service which has and maintains a standard for the practice of dentistry at least equal to that now maintained in the State and who has been lawfully engaged in the practice of dentistry or dental hygiene for at least 2 years (rather than 3 of the 5 years) immediately preceding the filing of his or her application, along with other specified requirements. Provides that dental records are the property of the office in which dentistry is practiced. Provides that a dental office that is closing and will not continue to offer dentistry services must provide notice to the public at least 30 days prior to the closure. Provides that the notice to the public shall include an explanation of how copies of the patient's records may be accessed or obtained by the patient. Makes other changes.

Amends the Animal Welfare Act. Provides that an animal control facility shall not charge an adoption fee for a dog or cat if the person adopting the dog or cat presents to the animal control facility a current and valid driver's license, Illinois Identification Card, or Illinois Person with a Disability Identification Card with the word "veteran" printed on its face. Provides that an animal control facility may limit the number of dogs or cats adopted from that animal control facility pursuant to this Section to one dog or cat each 6-month period.

Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1987. In provisions concerning application for medical licensure, provides that the Illinois State Medical Board, in determining mental capacity, shall ensure questions concerning mental health are compliant with the guidelines of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. Makes a corresponding change.

Amends the Accident and Health Article of the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that an individual or group policy of accident and health insurance that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2025 shall cover a medically necessary home saliva cancer screening every 24 months. Makes conforming changes in 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, the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act, and the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Effective January 1, 2024.

Amends the Accident and Health Article of the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that an insurer that provides coverage for medically necessary epinephrine injectors shall limit the total amount that an insured is required to pay for a twin-pack of medically necessary epinephrine injectors at an amount not to exceed $60, regardless of the type of epinephrine injector. Provides that nothing in the provisions prevents an insurer from reducing an insured's cost sharing by an amount greater than the specified amount. Provides that the Department of Insurance may adopt rules as necessary to implement and administer the provisions.

Amends the Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning educator testing, removes the provision that requires the teacher performance assessment to be approved by the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board. Provides instead that each teacher preparation program in this State may use any evidence-based assessment of teacher effectiveness that aligns to current State teaching standards. Effective July 1, 2023.

Amends the State Finance Act. Adds uses for which the Partners for Conservation Fund and the Partners for Conservation Projects Fund may be used, and adds amounts that will be transferred from the General Revenue Fund to the Partners for Conservation Fund until 2033 (rather than ending in 2023). Provides that the Partners for Conservation Fund is eligible to receive grants, gifts, and awards from any public or private entity for the purpose of expanding financial and technical assistance in order to advance nutrient loss reduction efforts within priority watersheds. Amends the Soil and Water Conservation Districts Act. Defines terms. Creates the Illinois Healthy Soils and Watersheds Initiative to improve the health of soils and the function of watersheds through efforts that support the implementation of the State's Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy, reduce nutrient loss, improve soil and water quality, protect drinking water, increase the resilience of ecosystems to extreme weather events, protect and improve agricultural productivity, and support aquatic and wildlife habitat. Provides that the Department of Agriculture shall adopt and revise guidelines to assist soil and water conservation districts in determining local goals and needs for implementing soil health and watershed conservation projects consistent with the Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy. Provides that, after the Department has adopted its guidelines, each soil and water conservation district shall develop its own goals and needs assessment to guide implementation of the Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy. Includes provisions about compliance and standards cost sharing, Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy alignment for State-owned, State-managed, and State-leased agricultural lands, and Nutrient Loss Reduction Strategy reports. Effective immediately.