Sen. Scott M. Bennett

Mourns the death of Richard L. Taylor of Rantoul.

Mourns the death of Frances Marie Cramer of Rantoul.

Mourns the death of Harold Craig of Indianola.

Amends the Department of Veterans Affairs Act. Contains provisions concerning the establishment of various programs and services for the benefit of veterans including a proactive outreach program for veterans that served in high casualty units, in units that experienced high conflict areas, and in units where at least one service member committed suicide following his or her service; a public awareness campaign concerning the trauma and internal injuries suffered by veterans; specified training concerning mental health services for employees of veterans service organizations, Veterans Assistance Commissions, and veterans' service associations; educational success programs for veterans experiencing specified difficulties in higher education; a family preparation course for the families of returning veterans; a licensing program for therapy dogs for veterans; a transition program for returning veterans that reside in the State; a system that allows veterans to file a specified federal form immediately upon discharge; creation of an employer training program; and a standard statewide peer-to-peer training program to familiarize veterans with the veterans' services available at the local, State, and federal levels. Requires the Department of Veterans' Affairs to adopt any rules necessary to implement these provisions.

Creates the Mahomet Aquifer Protection Task Force Act. Creates the Mahomet Aquifer Protection Task Force to address the issue of maintaining the clean drinking water of the Mahomet Aquifer. Contains provisions concerning the appointment of members, compensation, and the duties of the Task Force. Provides that on or before July 1, 2018 that the Mahomet Aquifer Protection Task Force shall report findings and recommendations to the General Assembly and Governor. Provides for the Act's repeal on July 1, 2019. Effective immediately.

Amends the Park and Recreational Facility Construction Act of 2009. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning priorities for projects.

Amends the Environmental Protection Act. Makes changes to a provision prohibiting persons from causing or allowing water to accumulate in used or waste tires. Provides an exception for residential households that keep no more than 4 (rather than 12) used or waste tires at the site if they are covered and kept dry. Changes the maximum amount of money that may be allocated from the Used Tire Management Fund for specified purposes from $2,000,000 per fiscal year to $4,000,000 per fiscal year. Provides that 10% of allocations from the Used Tire Management Fund shall be allocated to the University of Illinois for the Prairie Research Institute (rather than to the Department of Natural Resources for the Illinois Natural History Survey) for specified research purposes. Provides that moneys in excess of $4,000,0000 (rather than $2,000,000) per fiscal year from the Used Tire Management Fund shall be used for specified purposes. Provides that a specified amount of the moneys in excess of $4,000,000 per year from the Used Tire Management Fund shall be used to provide grants to public universities for vector-related research, disease-related research, and for related laboratory-based equipment and field-based equipment. Provides that $300,000 from the Emergency Public Health Fund shall be allocated annually to the University of Illinois (rather than the Department of Natural Resources) for specified research purposes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Historic Preservation Agency Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Gubernatorial Boards and Commissions Act. Provides that the Governor's Office of Boards and Commissions database shall include an application data field where an applicant may optionally disclose his or her sexual orientation for reporting purposes in applying for appointment to a board or commission. Provides that certain demographic composition information required to be reported to the General Assembly by the Governor shall also include the voluntarily and publicly disclosed sexual orientation of appointees and applicants for appointment by the Governor. Defines "sexual orientation".

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Provides that counseling services or psychotherapy on an outpatient basis provided to a minor 12 years of age or older must be provided by, or under the supervision of, a licensed service provider. Provides that until the consent of the minor's parent, legal guardian, or person in loco parentis has been obtained, outpatient counseling or psychotherapy provided to a minor under the age of 18 (rather than 17) shall be initially limited to not more than 8 90-minute sessions (rather than 5 sessions, a session lasting not more than 45 minutes). Provides that after the eighth session, the service provider shall consider specified statutory factors throughout the therapeutic process to determine, through consultation with the minor, whether attempting to obtain the consent of a parent, guardian, or person in loco parentis would be detrimental to the minor's well-being. Provides that obtaining the consent of a parent, guardian, or person in loco parentis shall be presumed to be detrimental to the minor's well-being for counseling services or psychotherapy related to allegations of neglect, sexual abuse, or mental or physical abuse by the minor's parent, guardian, or person in loco parentis. Provides that the minor's parent, guardian or person in loco parentis shall not be liable for the out-of-pocket costs, including co-payments, deductibles, or co-insurance (rather than costs)for outpatient counseling or psychotherapy which is received by the minor without the consent of the minor's parent, guardian, or person in loco parentis.