Sen. Deanna Demuzio

Amends provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure relating to privileged communications. Deletes language providing that the privilege of an interpreter for the deaf and hard of hearing shall not be construed to prohibit a person licensed under the Interpreter for the Deaf Licensure Act of 2007 from voluntarily testifying in court hearings concerning matters of adoption, child abuse, child neglect, or other matters pertaining to children except as otherwise provided.

Amends the School Code. Provides that a school district shall afford students one opportunity (instead of 2 opportunities) to take the Prairie State Achievement Examination beginning as late as practical during the spring (instead of second) semester of grade 11; makes related changes. Provides that a student is exempt from the requirement that a student not receive a high school diploma without taking the Prairie State Achievement Examination if the school district is not required to test the individual student for purposes of accountability under federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 requirements or the student is otherwise identified by the State Board of Education through rules as being exempt from the assessment. Effective July 1, 2009.

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the supervising officer of a person on parole or mandatory supervised release shall request the Department of Corrections to issue a parole violation warrant, and the Department shall issue a parole violation warrant, under certain circumstances. Provides that the mandatory supervised release term for felony domestic battery, aggravated domestic battery, stalking, aggravated stalking, and a felony violation of an order of protection is 4 years. Provides that a person convicted of a felony domestic battery, aggravated domestic battery, stalking, aggravated stalking, or a felony violation of an order of protection shall be supervised during his or her term of parole or mandatory supervised release by a supervising officer who has completed not less than 40 hours of domestic violence and partner abuse intervention training.

Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of Public Health to implement the Colorectal Cancer Screening and Treatment Pilot Program in areas of the State that have the highest incidences of mortality related to colon cancer. Provides that the Program sites must be located in and operated through Federally Qualified Health Centers. Provides that the Program shall provide funding for colorectal cancer examinations and laboratory tests and shall provide colorectal cancer screening and treatment services for specified groups. Provides that these provisions are repealed 3 years after the effective date of the amendatory Act.

Amends the School Breakfast and Lunch Program Act and the Childhood Hunger Relief Act. Makes changes concerning the 3 components of the breakfast incentive program, including changing one of the components to a non-traditional breakfast incentive. Provides that in 2010 (instead of 2001) and in each subsequent year, the State Board of Education shall provide to the Governor and the General Assembly, by a date not later than April 1 (instead of March 1), a report concerning schools and free, reduced price, and paid breakfasts and lunches; makes changes with respect to the content of the report. Makes changes concerning the school breakfast program under the Childhood Hunger Relief Act, including when and at which schools the program must be implemented and operated and opting out a school or schools from the school breakfast program requirement. Effective July 1, 2009.

Amends the School Code. In a Section allowing the State Board of Education to distribute loan or grant moneys to school districts for temporary relocation expenses, provides that the moneys may be distributed for temporary relocation expenses incurred by school districts as a result of mine subsidence. Effective July 1, 2009.

Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act. Removes the provision that a veterans home resident's maintenance charges must be paid first and to the fullest extent possible from sources of income other than pensions or compensation paid by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Amends the Physician Assistant Practice Act of 1987. Provides less stringent supervision requirements for physician assistants responding to a need for medical care created by an emergency or by a state or local disaster. Limits civil liability for physician assistants that voluntarily render emergency medical assistance outside the ordinary course of their employment or practice, except for acts or omissions constituting gross, willful, or wanton negligence. Provides that no physician who supervises a physician assistant voluntarily and gratuitously providing emergency care as described shall be liable for civil damages for any personal injuries which result from acts or omissions by the physician assistant rendering emergency care. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code, various Acts relating to the governance of public universities in Illinois, and the Public Community College Act. Provides that a school board shall make school buildings available for use as civil defense shelters for all persons; cooperate with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, local organizations for civil defense, disaster relief organizations, and federal agencies concerned with civil defense relative thereto; cooperate with these agencies and organizations in the use of other resources, equipment, and facilities; and cooperate with these agencies and organizations in the construction of new buildings to the end that the buildings be so designed that shelter facilities may be provided. Requires (instead of allows) a board of trustees of a community college district to make the buildings of the college available for emergency purposes, upon the request of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency or the State-accredited emergency management agency with jurisdiction, and to cooperate in all matters with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, local emergency management agencies, State-certified, local public health departments, the American Red Cross, and federal agencies concerned with emergency preparedness and response; provides that the request may also be made by the American Red Cross. Adds a similar requirement for public universities. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Provides that any individual, with exceptions, who begins serving as a superintendent in this State on or after July 1, 2009 and has not previously served as a school district superintendent in this State shall participate in a new superintendent mentoring program, established by the State Board of Education, for the duration of his or her first 2 school years as a superintendent. Contains provisions concerning program requirements, who may apply to be a mentor, mentoring training, assignment of a mentor by a provider selected by the State Board, identification of areas for improvement, a survey of progress, an annual report to the State Board, and a verification form. Provides that mentors of certified staff are protected from suit. Effective immediately.