Sen. Paul Faraci

Amends the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act. Provides that a license that is valid for a period of 2 years shall be issued to a licensee upon application for renewal if certain criteria have been met by the licensee (now, the applicant must not only meet the criteria but also must have its application approved by the Department of Public Health). Effective immediately.

Amends the County Department of Corrections Law. In provisions about pregnant prisoners, modifies the definitions of "post-partum" and "correctional institution", including that "correctional institution" includes institutions in all counties (rather than only in counties more than 3,000,000 inhabitants). Modifies and removes provisions relating to security restraints on a prisoner who is pregnant or in postpartum recovery. Adds provisions relating to annual reports by sheriffs documenting the number of pregnant prisoners in custody each year and the number of people who deliver or miscarry while in custody, relating to county department of corrections providing informational materials concerning the laws pertaining to pregnant prisoners to any pregnant or postpartum prisoner, and relating to supplemental nutrition for prisoners who are pregnant or lactating. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections and the County Jail Act making similar changes. In the Unified Code of Corrections, also adds language relating to restraints of committed persons who are pregnant. Amends the Health Care Violence Prevention Act. In provisions relating to pregnant prisoners, removes a limitation on the provisions to pregnant prisoners in the custody of the Cook County. Provides that restraint of a pregnant prisoner shall comply with specified provisions of the Counties Code, the Unified Code of Corrections, and the County Jail Act (rather than only the Counties Code provisions).

Amends the Criminal Identification Act. Provides that, in anticipation of the successful completion of a diversion program, a petitioner may file a petition for expungement at least 61 days before the anticipated dismissal of the case. Provides that, if a petition is filed, and upon the successful completion of the diversion program and dismissal of the case, the court shall review the petition and shall grant expungement if the petitioner meets all requirements. Amends the Drug Court Treatment Act, the Veterans and Servicemembers Court Treatment Act, and the Mental Health Court Treatment Act to make conforming changes.

Creates the Worker Freedom of Speech Act. Provides that an employer or the employer's agent, representative, or designee may not discharge, discipline, or otherwise penalize, threaten to discharge, discipline, or otherwise penalize, or take any adverse employment action against an employee: (1) because the employee declines to attend or participate in an employer-sponsored meeting or declines to receive or listen to communications from the employer or the agent, representative, or designee of the employer if the meeting or communication is to communicate the opinion of the employer about religious or political matters; (2) as a means of inducing an employee to attend or participate in meetings or receive or listen to communications; or (3) because the employee, or a person acting on behalf of the employee, makes a good faith report, orally or in writing, of a violation or a suspected violation of the Act. Provides for a private right of action to enforce the provisions of the Act. Sets forth the duties and powers of the Department of Labor under the Act. Provides that, within 30 days after the effective date of the Act, an employer shall post and keep posted a notice of employee rights under the Act where employee notices are customarily placed. Provides for exceptions under the Act.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that insurers shall cover all services for pregnancy, postpartum, and newborn care that are rendered by perinatal doulas or licensed certified professional midwives, including home births, home visits, and support during labor, abortion, or miscarriage. Provides that the required coverage includes the necessary equipment and medical supplies for a home birth. Provides that coverage for pregnancy, postpartum, and newborn care shall include home visits by lactation consultants and the purchase of breast pumps and breast pump supplies, including such breast pumps, breast pump supplies, breastfeeding supplies, and feeding aids as recommended by the lactation consultant. Provides that coverage for postpartum services shall apply for at least one year after birth. Provides that certain pregnancy and postpartum coverage shall be provided without cost-sharing requirements. Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that post-parturition care benefits shall not be subject to any cost-sharing requirement. Provides that the medical assistance program shall cover home visits for lactation counseling and support services. Provides that the medical assistance program shall cover counselor-recommended or provider-recommended breast pumps as well as breast pump supplies, breastfeeding supplies, and feeding aids. Provides that nothing in the provisions shall limit the number of lactation encounters, visits, or services; breast pumps; breast pump supplies; breastfeeding supplies; or feeding aids a beneficiary is entitled to receive under the program. Makes other changes. Effective January 1, 2026.

Amends the Personnel Code. Provides, in provisions concerning a trainee program for persons with a disability, that "disability" includes a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder by a medical professional. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Allows the Secretary of State to issue special registration plates designated as International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers plates to residents of the State.

Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that it is an unlawful practice within the meaning of the Act for a consumer reporting agency: (1) to make, create, or furnish any consumer report or credit report containing, incorporating, or reflecting any adverse information that the consumer reporting agency knows or should know relates to medical debt incurred by the consumer or a collection action against the consumer to collect medical debt; and (2) to maintain in the file on a consumer any information relating to medical debt incurred by a consumer or a collection action against the consumer to collect medical debt.

Amends the Seizure and Forfeiture Reporting Act. Removes provisions about the State Police Asset Forfeiture Section. Amends the State Finance Act. Changes the name of the State Police Revocation Enforcement Fund to the State Police Firearm Enforcement Fund (and makes conforming changes within the Act, the Illinois State Police Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, and the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act). Provides that the balance remaining in the State Police Training and Academy Fund shall be transferred to the State Police Law Enforcement Administration Fund, and dissolves the State Police Training and Academy Fund (amends the Illinois Vehicle Hijacking and Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention and Insurance Verification Act and the Illinois Insurance Code to make conforming changes). Makes changes concerning the uses of the State Police Law Enforcement Administration Fund. Amends the School Code. Includes provisions relating to reporting of verified incidents involving a firearm or drugs to the State Board of Education, the State Board of Education reporting data by school district on its website, and local law enforcement reporting specified data from the previous year to the Illinois State Police's Illinois Uniform Crime Reporting Program. Amends the Illinois Gambling Act. Makes changes regarding applying for licensure and Fingerprinting. Amends the Criminal Code of 2012 and the Drug Asset Forfeiture Procedure Act. In provisions concerning non-judicial forfeiture, provides that the director or the director's designee (instead of just the director) shall dispose of property forfeited in accordance with law. Amends the Arsonist Registration Act. Changes the short title of the Act to the Arsonist Registry Act. Eliminates registration of arsonists (makes conforming changes in the Criminal Identification Act, the Unified Code of Corrections, and the Code of Civil Procedure). Provides that the Illinois State Police shall establish and maintain a Statewide Arsonist Database for the purpose of identifying arsonists and making that information available to law enforcement and the general public. Contains requirements for operation of the Database. Effective July 1, 2024.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Adds public institutions of higher education to the list of organizations from which cost-effective energy efficiency measures may be procured for purposes of the Act. Effective immediately.