Sen. Michael W. Frerichs

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that under the Medicaid program, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall reimburse psychiatrists for mental health services they provide, as authorized by Illinois law, to recipients via telepsychiatry. Requires the Department to adopt rules establishing a method to reimburse providers for mental health services provided by telepsychiatry. Provides that the reimbursement methodology for mental health services provided by telemedicine shall be comparable to the reimbursement methodology used by the Department for other services provided by telemedicine. Effective immediately.

Mourns the death of Charles "Terry" Payne of Danville.

Creates the Wabash and Ohio Rivers Coordinating Council Act. Creates the Wabash and Ohio Rivers Coordinating Council. Sets forth the membership of the Council and the terms of the members. Sets forth the powers and duties of the Council.

Amends the School Code. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the School Code's construction.

Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Railroad Police Act. Requires allegations of abuse of authority or misconduct by members of a railroad police force to be investigated by the Illinois State Police. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Exempts elected representatives of rail employers from the restrictions concerning trespassing on railroad property. Provides that the listed persons shall be exempt from the restrictions while performing required duties in accordance with reasonable rail carrier company guidelines, engaging in safety inspections, or exercising a right under the federal Railway Labor Act (instead of only while performing required duties in accordance with reasonable rail carrier company guidelines).

Creates the Stem Cell Research and Human Cloning Prohibition Act. Permits research involving the derivation and use of human embryonic stem cells, human embryonic germ cells, and human adult stem cells from any source, including somatic cell nuclear transplantation, and allows public funding for stem cell research programs. Requires the Department of Public Health to develop and administer the Illinois Regenerative Medicine Institute program to provide for the awarding of grants to Illinois medical research institutions. Creates the Illinois Regenerative Medicine Institute Oversight Committee. Provides that a Committee member with a conflict of interest shall not vote upon or participate in any Committee action with respect to that matter. Requires each Committee member to file disclosures with the Secretary of State. Prohibits cloning or attempts to clone a human being. Prohibits the purchase or sale of embryonic or cadaveric fetal tissue for research purposes. Makes the purchase or sale of embryonic or cadaveric fetal tissue for research a Class A misdemeanor for the first conviction and a Class 4 felony for subsequent convictions.

Amends the School Code. Allows school boards to award high school diplomas to honorably discharged veterans who served in the armed forces of the United States during the Vietnam Conflict. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Renewable Fuels Development Program Act. Requires the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to establish and administer the Illinois Corn Grain to Fuel Research Consortium Assistance Program. Sets forth the purposes and conditions for the grant program. Sets forth the amounts of the grants. Specifies how these grant funds shall be allocated. Sets forth certain limitations on spending on the various Program grants. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Renewable Fuels Development Program Fund as a special fund in the State treasury to fund these grant programs. Sets forth certain conditions for the operation of this Fund. Provides for certain annual payments from the General Revenue Fund to the Renewable Fuels Development Program Fund. Amends the Use Tax Act, the Service Use Tax Act, the Service Occupation Tax Act, and the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act. Exempts from taxation under the Acts, that part of the selling price of motor fuel or gasohol that exceeds $2.50 per gallon. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Bingo License and Tax Act. In provisions placing conditions on the conduct of bingo without a license or fee by senior citizens organizations, provides that the price paid for a single card shall not exceed 50 cents (rather than 5 cents) and the aggregate retail value of all prizes or merchandise awarded in any one game of bingo shall not exceed $5 (rather than $1). Effective immediately.