Sen. Christopher Belt

Amends the School Code. Requires a non-public school to perform a check of the Statewide Murderer and Violent Offender Against Youth Database (in addition to the Statewide Sex Offender Database) of applicants and once every 5 years and persons employed by the school to determine whether the applicant has been adjudicated a sex offender, of a sex offense, or of a murder or other violent crime against youth. Extends the grants for preschool educational programs 2028-2029 school year (rather than the 2023-2024 school year). Provides that a school district may adopt a policy to waive tuition costs for a non-resident pupil if the pupil is a child of a district employee. Provides that, until June 30, 2028 (rather than June 30, 2023), applicants may apply to the State Board of Education for issuance of a 5-year Short-Term Substitute Teaching License. Makes conforming changes. Modifies the Alternative Educator Licensure Program by removing the requirement for a second year of residency (changing to only if recommended by the principal and program coordinator). Provides that, if the residency period is to be less than 2-years in length, the partner school districts must provide assurances that the district will provide intensive mentoring and supports through at least the end of the second full year of teaching for educators who completed the Program in less than 2 years. Effective immediately.

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning the Illinois Teaching Excellence Program, provides that the annual incentive shall be $2,250 (instead of $1,500) and that 45 hours of mentoring shall be required (instead of 30). Provides that funds may also be used for professional development training provided by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards or the National Board Resource Center. Effective immediately.

Amends the Data Governance and Organization to Support Equity and Racial Justice Act. Provides that the State Board of Education is not required to collect and report personally identifiable information on the categories of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity unless required for federal reporting. Amends the School Code. Makes changes regarding school district standards, recognition levels and annual summative designations, rewards, priority and focus districts, including changing the terminology to Targeted, Comprehensive, and Intensive schools, State interventions, and an Independent Authority. In provisions regarding isolated time out, time out, and physical restraint, changes certain references concerning schools and school districts to entities; defines "entities". In various provisions regarding allergens, replaces references to the "Illinois Food Allergy Emergency Action Plan and Treatment Authorization Form" with "allergy emergency action plan". Makes changes concerning a direct support professional training program, residential placement in nonpublic special education facilities, evidence-based funding, parenting education, and charter schools, including removing references to the State Charter School Commission. Repeals provisions concerning visiting charitable institutions, 2 years as a priority school, a Lincoln's ChalleNGe Academy study, and the Committee of Cooperative Services. Amends the Educational Opportunity for Military Children Act. Provides for additional members on the State Council. Amends the School Safety Drill Act. Makes changes concerning definitions, reporting, and a threat assessment procedure. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Safety Drill Act. Provides that a school building's emergency and crisis response plan, protocol, and procedures shall include a plan for local law enforcement to rapidly enter a school building in the event of an emergency.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Removes language providing that an application for a certificate of title must contain the Illinois residence of the owner. In a provision regarding junking or salvage certificates, insurance companies, and salvage dealers: defines "proof of full payment" as either a photocopy of a deposited insurance claim check or, for an electronic claims payment, a screen shot from the insurer's proprietary claim system that shows the payee, the amount paid, and the date of payment; and provides that no other additional requirements shall be required of the insurer. Provides that an insurer must issue a release statement that authorizes the used motor vehicle dealer or automotive dismantler to release the vehicle to the vehicle's owner or lienholder if the insurer does not take ownership of a vehicle. Requires that upon receiving a release statement from an insurer, the used motor vehicle dealer shall send notice to the owner and any lienholder of the vehicle informing the owner or lienholder that the vehicle is available for pick up. Provides that the notice shall include an invoice for any outstanding charges owed to the used motor vehicle dealer. Provides that if the owner or any lienholder of the vehicle does not pick up the vehicle within 30 days after notice was sent to the owner and any lienholder, the vehicle shall be considered abandoned.

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. In provisions concerning the Illinois Teaching Excellence Program, provides that in addition to other monetary assistance and incentives, if adequate funds are available, retention bonuses of $4,000 per year for 2 consecutive years shall be awarded to National Board certified teachers employed in hard-to-staff schools. This bonus shall be distributed to the respective school district or directly to the qualified educators. Provides that the State Board of Education's annual budget shall set out a separate line item for the appropriation of this bonus.

Amends the Underserved Health Care Provider Workforce Act. Includes a student studying chiropractic medicine and chiropractic physicians in the Act's provisions. Amends the Loan Repayment for Physicians Act. Provides that the term "physician" means a person licensed under the Medical Practice Act of 1987 (instead of a person licensed under the Medical Practice Act of 1987 to practice medicine in all of its branches). Provides that the term "educational loans" means higher education student loans that a person has incurred in attending a registered professional physician education program, including a registered medical school or a registered chiropractic college or institution (instead of higher education student loans that a person has incurred in attending a registered professional physician education program).

Creates the Firefighter Training Leave of Absence Act. Defines terms. Provides that a State employee shall be granted leave from his or her State employment for firefighter training as follows: (1) on one occasion, for up to 200 hours, to participate in training necessary to obtain Basic Operations Firefighter certification from the State Fire Marshal while attending a State Fire Marshal-approved fire academy; and (2) special or advanced training annually, not to exceed 80 hours, after obtaining Basic Operations Firefighter certification from the State Fire Marshal for courses that will lead to additional certification by the State Fire Marshal. Provides that, during leaves for basic, special, or advanced training, the State employee shall continue to receive his or her regular compensation as a State employee, but, if the State employee receives compensation for basic, special, or advanced training, the State employee shall receive his or her regular compensation as a State employee minus the amount of his or her compensation for basic, special, or advanced training. Provides that a State employee who wishes to obtain a leave of absence under this Act shall request in advance for the leave of absence and may take the leave of absence only after obtaining approval from the State employee's agency.

Amends the Illinois Occupational Therapy Practice Act. Makes changes to the definitions. Provides that all applicants and licensees shall (1) provide a valid address and email address to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, which shall serve as the address of record and email address of record, respectively, at the time of application for licensure or renewable of a license and (2) inform the Department of any change of address of record or email address of record within 14 days after such change either through the Department's website or by contacting the Department's licensure maintenance unit. Provides that the Department may refuse to issue or renewal, or may revoke, suspend, place on probation, reprimand, or take other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action as the Department may deem proper with regard to any license for any one combination of the following: (1) practicing beyond the scope of the practice of occupational therapy; (2) providing substandard care as an occupation therapist; (3) providing substandard care as an occupational therapy assistant; (4) knowingly delegating responsibilities to an individual who does not have the knowledge, skills, or abilities to perform those responsibilities; and (5) engaging in sexual misconduct. Removes language providing that exhibits shall be certified without cost. Repeals provisions concerning the Department's roster of names and addresses of all license holders and of all persons whose licenses have been suspended, revoked, or placed on inactive or nonrenewed status within the previous year. Makes other and corresponding changes. Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act. Repeals the Illinois Occupational Therapy Practice Act on January 1, 2029 (rather than January 1, 2024). Provisions amending the Regulatory Sunset Act are effective immediately.

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that during the first 180 days following a person's release from a penal institution, a court shall not order the person to pay any outstanding fines, taxes, or costs arising from a criminal proceeding involving the person.