Sen. Chapin Rose

Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides that the $25 assessment for drug related and methamphetamine related offenses shall be deposited into the Criminal Justice Information Projects Fund (rather than the Drug Traffic Prevention Fund) and that moneys in the Fund received under these provisions shall be appropriated to and administered by the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (rather than the Department of State Police) for funding of drug task forces and Metropolitan Enforcement Groups in accordance with the Intergovernmental Drug Laws Enforcement Act. Effective July 1, 2013.

Amends the Evaluation of Employees Article of the School Code. With respect to a provision that provides that a principal shall not be prohibited from evaluating any teachers within a school during his or her first year as principal of such school, adds language to provide that if a first-year principal exercises this option in a school district where the evaluation plan provides for a teacher in contractual continued service to be evaluated once in the course of every 2 school years, then a new 2-year evaluation plan must be established. Effective immediately.

Amends the Alternative Health Care Delivery Act and the Hospital Licensing Act. Sets forth the General Assembly's findings concerning the screening of newborns for congenital heart defects. Provides that all birth centers and hospitals must test every newborn for congenital heart defects via a screening test in line with the current standard of care, such as pulse oximetry screening, according to congenital heart defect screening protocols developed by the Department of Public Health in consultation with relevant medical practitioners and stakeholders. Provides that exceptions to mandatory congenital heart defect screenings shall be limited to cases in which the parents object to the screening, or as directed by the congenital heart defect screening protocol.

Amends the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Provides that if the court finds that it is in the best interest of the child and awards joint custody or visitation rights, the court shall find that both parties have the right of first refusal to care for the minor children if the absence of either party is necessary during the party's normal parenting time. Provides that the use of baby-sitters, family members, or subsequent spouses is secondary to the right of first refusal. Provides that "right of first refusal" means that in the event that either parent intends to leave the minor children for a period of 4 hours or longer, that parent shall first offer the other parent an opportunity for additional time with the children before making other arrangements for the temporary care of the children. Contains provisions concerning the setting of parameters regarding distance, transportation, and time constraints which may make the offering of additional parenting time impractical and therefore not required. Provides that the parent leaving the children with the other parent or with a temporary child care provider shall notify the other parent of the duration of the parenting time or temporary care of the children by other persons. Contains procedural requirements regarding the offering and acceptance of additional parenting time. Provides that the parent exercising additional parenting time shall provide the necessary transportation unless the parties agree otherwise. Provides that the new provisions are enforceable under the Section of the Act concerning visitation abuse. Provides that the right of first refusal shall be terminated upon the termination of custody or visitation rights.

Amends the Deferred Compensation Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that to the extent that federal law or regulations have been changed to allow plans established under Section 457 of the Internal Revenue Code to be amended to allow designated Roth contributions and in-plan rollovers to designated Roth accounts, the Department of Central Management Services and units of local government with such plans shall within a reasonable time amend their plans accordingly.

Amends the Military Leave of Absence Act. Provides that any full-time employee of a public institution of higher education who is a member of any reserve component of the United States Armed Forces or of any reserve component of the Illinois State Militia shall be granted leave from his or her public employment for any period actively spent in military service.

Amends the Illinois Public Demonstrations Law. Adds parades to Sections on permits, size, notice, and time requirements. Requires the city, county, or local law enforcement to notify the owners of any railroad tracks over which the march, assembly, meeting, parade, or gathering will take place of the time, location, and duration. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act. Creates the Women Veterans Task Force within the Department of Veterans' Affairs and comprised of women veterans to examine the needs of women veterans with respect to issues including, but not limited to, compensation, rehabilitation, outreach, health care, and issues facing women veterans in the community, and to offer solutions on how best to meet these needs. Contains provisions concerning the composition of the Task Force; vacancies; duties; reporting requirements; and duration. Effective immediately.

Amends the Property Tax Code. Provides that, if the taxpayer is notified on or before October 1 of any year that he or she owes an arrearage of taxes due to an administrative error, then the county collector may send a separate bill for the arrearages of taxes, which may be due no sooner than 30 days after the due date for the next installment of taxes.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Raises the penalty for a violation of the restriction on driving while a license is suspended or revoked if the violation results in an accident that causes bodily injury to a Class 4 felony if the driver has no prior violations, a Class 3 felony if the driver has previously been convicted of violating this Section, and a Class 2 felony if the driver has been convicted of violating this Section on 2 or more prior occasions.