Sen. Doris Turner

Amends the State Board of Education Article of the School Code. Provides that the State Global Scholar Certification Program shall recognize public and nonpublic high school graduates who have attained global competence (instead of public high school graduates). Amends the College and Career Success for All Students Act. Provides that beginning with the 2023-2024 academic year, students earning the Illinois Global Scholar Certificate shall be accepted for no less than 4 hours of credit to satisfy degree requirements by all institutions of higher education. Provides that each institution of higher education shall determine whether credit will be granted for electives, general education requirements, or major requirements for students who earned the Illinois Global Scholar Certificate. Effective July 1, 2023.

Amends the Prevailing Wage Act. Provides that the definition of "public works" includes all construction projects involving fixtures or permanent attachments affixed to light poles that are owned by a public body, including street light poles, traffic light poles, and other lighting fixtures, whether or not done under public supervision or direction, or paid for wholly or in part out of public funds. Effective immediately.

Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Provides that school districts shall provide instruction on the dangers of fentanyl. Specifies the elements of the instruction. Provides that students shall be assessed on the fentanyl instruction.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Salaries Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the State Fire Marshal Act. Defines "fire-resistant material" and "fire-resistant material applicator". Provides that it is unlawful for a person to engage in business as a fire-resistant material applicator in this State without being certified by the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Establishes a civil penalty of up to $250 for each violation of this prohibition. Requires the Office to regulate fire-resistant material applicators by developing and implementing a certification and certification renewal process, developing training requirements, and adopting necessary rules. Allows the Office to charge a certification fee and a certification renewal fee. Provides that registration as a fire-resistant material applicator must be renewed annually. Requires the Office to develop a list of grounds for revoking certification as a fire-resistant material applicator. Permits the Office to investigate allegations of actions that constitute grounds for revocation and may revoke certification if, in the Office's determination, a violation has occurred. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Power Agency Act. Provides that there shall be created a low-income community hydropower pilot project program. Provides that under this program, persons shall propose pilot community hydropower projects. Provides that community hydropower projects proposed may exceed 2,000 kilowatts in nameplate capacity, and the amount paid per project under this program may not exceed $20,000,000. Provides that pilot projects must result in economic benefits for the members of the community in which the project will be located. Provides that the proposed pilot project must include a partnership with at least one community-based organization. Provides that approved pilot projects shall be competitively bid by the Illinois Power Agency, subject to fair and equitable guidelines developed by the Agency. Provides that contracts entered into under this program may be entered into with an entity that will develop and administer the program or with developers and shall also include contracts for renewable energy credits related to the program. Provides that a project proposed by a utility shall not be included in the utility's rate base. Makes corresponding changes to the Act and the Public Utilities Act.

Amends the Fire Department Promotion Act. Modifies the definition of "affected department" for purposes of the Act to include a fire department operated by a municipality with a population over 1,000,000.

Amends the Registered Surgical Assistant and Registered Surgical Technologist Title Protection Act. Provides that all applicants and registrants shall: (1) provide a valid address and email address to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, which shall serve as the address of record and email address of record, respectively, at the time of application for registration or renewal of a registration; and (2) inform the Department of any change of address of record or email address of record within 14 days after such change. Provides that the Secretary (rather than the Department) shall observe the rehearing proceedings. Provides that in a denial for a rehearing, the Secretary may enter an order in accordance with the recommendations of the hearing officer (rather than the Department). Provides that the hearing officer shall report the hearing officer's findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations to the Secretary (rather than the Department). Removes a provision providing that exhibits shall be certified without cost. Makes corresponding and other changes. Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act. Repeals the Registered Surgical Assistant and Registered Surgical Technologist Title Protection Act on January 1, 2029 (rather than January 1, 2024). Provisions amending the Regulatory Sunset Act are effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Provides that, in consultation with education stakeholders, the State Board of Education shall develop and adopt a comprehensive literacy plan for the State on or before October 1, 2023. Effective immediately.