Sen. Christopher Belt

Amends the Community Development Loan Guarantee Act. Provides that the State Treasurer may establish the Loan Guarantee Program by establishing one or more Loan Guarantee Accounts at approved financial institutions (currently, one Account as a special account outside the State treasury with the State Treasurer as custodian). Provides that moneys in a Loan Guarantee Account may be paid to a participating financial institution to cover losses on guaranteed loans up to the full amount in the Account or the amount of loss, whichever is lesser. Provides that the State of Illinois and the State Treasurer shall not be responsible for any losses in excess of the full amount in the Loan Guarantee Account designated for a participating financial institution. Provides that the State Treasurer may withdraw funds from any Loan Guarantee Account for a financial institution's failure to comply with Program requirements. Makes conforming and other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that an insured or any other person who may be the owner of rights under a policy of life insurance may make an irrevocable assignment of all or a part of his or her rights under the policy to a funeral home in accordance with a specified provision of the Illinois Funeral or Burial Funds Act. Provides that a policy owner who executes a designation beneficiary form irrevocably waives and cannot exercise certain rights. Amends the Illinois Funeral or Burial Funds Act. In a provision concerning pre-need contracts funded through the purchase of a life insurance policy or tax-deferred annuity contract, provides that nothing shall prohibit the purchaser from irrevocably assigning ownership of the policy or annuity to a person or trust or from irrevocably assigning the benefits of the policy or annuity to a funeral home for the purpose of obtaining favorable consideration for Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, or another public assistance program. Requires the insured or any other person who may be the owner of rights under the policy of whole life insurance to sign a guaranteed pre-need contract with the provider that describes the cost of the goods and services to be provided upon the person's death, up to $6,774, except that any portion of a contract that clearly represents the purchase of burial space is exempt regardless of value. Amends the Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In a provision requiring the Department of Human Services to exempt certain prepaid funeral or burial contracts from consideration when making an eligibility determination for medical assistance, provides that at any time after submitting an application for medical assistance and before the Department makes a final determination of eligibility, an applicant may use available resources to purchase one of the exempted prepaid funeral or burial contracts. Exempts up to $6,774 (rather than $5,874) in funds under an irrevocable prepaid funeral or burial contract when determining an individual's resources and eligibility for medical assistance. Contains provisions concerning exemptions; irrevocable designation of beneficiary forms; and other matters. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 215 ILCS 5/245.3 new 225 ILCS 45/2a 225 ILCS 45/2b new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. In a provision requiring the Department of Human Services to exempt certain prepaid funeral or burial contracts from consideration when making an eligibility determination for medical assistance, provides that at any time after submitting an application for medical assistance and before a final determination of eligibility has been made by the Department, an applicant may use available resources to purchase one of the exempted prepaid funeral or burial contracts. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 215 ILCS 5/245.3 new 225 ILCS 45/2a 225 ILCS 45/2b new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that an insured or any other person who may be the owner of rights under a policy of life insurance may make an irrevocable assignment of all or a part of his or her rights under the policy to a funeral home in accordance with a specified provision of the Illinois Funeral or Burial Funds Act. Provides that a policy owner who executes a designation beneficiary form irrevocably waives and cannot exercise certain rights. Amends the Illinois Funeral or Burial Funds Act. In a provision concerning pre-need contracts funded through the purchase of a life insurance policy or tax-deferred annuity contract, provides that nothing shall prohibit the purchaser from irrevocably assigning ownership of the policy or annuity to a person or trust or from irrevocably assigning the benefits of the policy or annuity to a funeral home for the purpose of obtaining favorable consideration for Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, or another public assistance program. Requires the insured or any other person who may be the owner of rights under an existing policy of life insurance to sign a guaranteed pre-need contract with the provider that describes the cost of the funeral goods and services to be provided upon the person's death, up to $7,248, except that any portion of a contract that clearly represents the purchase of burial space, as that term is defined for purposes of the Supplemental Security Income program, is exempt regardless of value. Provides that the form to effectuate the irrevocable assignment and thereby provide for the irrevocable designation of beneficiary of one or more life insurance policies shall be prepared by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services or such form, approved by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, that has been prepared by an insurance company licensed to operate in the State of Illinois. Contains provisions concerning disclosure statements under pre-need contracts with cash advances; the distribution of proceeds under a life insurance policy upon the death of the insured; and other matters. Amends the Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that at any time prior to or after submitting an application for medical assistance and before a final determination of eligibility has been made, an applicant may use available resources to purchase one of the prepaid funeral or burial contracts exempted under the Article. Provides that existing life insurance policies are exempt if there has been an irrevocable assignment in compliance with a specified provision under the Illinois Funeral or Burial Funds Act. Requires a person to sign a contract with a funeral home, which is licensed under the Illinois Funeral or Burial Funds Act, that describes the cost of the funeral goods and services to be provided upon the person's death, up to $7,248, except that any portion of a contract that clearly represents the purchase of burial space, as that term is defined for purposes of the Supplemental Security Income program, is exempt regardless of value. Provides that the amount shall be adjusted annually for any increase in the Consumer Price Index. Requires the licensed funeral home to which the life insurance policy benefits have been irrevocably assigned to retain copies for inspection by the Comptroller and to report annually to the Comptroller certain information. Provides that certain provisions under the amendatory Act shall be subject to federal approval. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to apply for any necessary federal waivers or approvals to implement certain changes made under the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Birth Center Licensing Act. Replaces references to "certified nurse midwife" with "licensed midwife". Defines "licensed midwife" as either a certified nurse midwife who is an advanced practice registered nurse licensed in Illinois under the Nurse Practice Act with full practice authority or who is delegated such authority as part of a written collaborative agreement with a physician who is associated with the birthing center or who has privileges at a nearby birthing hospital; or a licensed certified professional midwife who has successfully met the requirements under the Licensed Certified Professional Midwife Practice Act. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 210 ILCS 170/60 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Birth Center Licensing Act. Provides that a licensed certified professional midwife may attend or be delegated to attend to each person in labor from the time of admission through birth and throughout the immediate postpartum period. Defines "licensed certified professional midwife". Makes a conforming change. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 210 ILCS 170/5 210 ILCS 170/25 Adds reference to: 225 ILCS 64/10 225 ILCS 64/30 225 ILCS 64/40 225 ILCS 64/55 225 ILCS 64/90 225 ILCS 64/125 225 ILCS 64/130 225 ILCS 64/150 225 ILCS 64/160 rep. Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Licensed Certified Professional Midwife Practice Act. Provides that a "licensed certified professional midwife" means a person who has successfully met the requirements in the provisions concerning licensure and has been licensed by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Provides that the Illinois Midwifery Board shall have one member who is an Illinois licensed advanced practice registered nurse who is a certified nurse midwife who provides home birth services. Removes a provision providing that applicants for licensure have 3 years from the date of application to complete the application process. Removes provisions providing that the Board shall maintain the confidentiality of annual reports. Removes a provision providing that exhibits shall be certified without cost. Removes a provision providing that the Board shall have 60 days after receipt of the report to review the report from the hearing office. Repeals a provision concerning the certification of records by the Department. Effective immediately.

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that beginning January 1, 2023, the Department of Children and Family Services shall implement a 3-year pilot program of additional resources for families receiving Extended Family Support Program services from the Department for the purpose of supporting relative caregivers. Provides that these resources may include, but are not limited to: (i) wraparound case management services, (ii) home visiting services for caregivers with children under the age of 5, and (iii) parent mentors for caregivers with children over the age of 3. Provides that the resources provided by the pilot program are voluntary and refusing such resources shall not be used as evidence of neglect of a child. Requires the Department to arrange for an independent evaluation of the pilot program to determine whether the pilot program is successfully supporting families receiving Extended Family Support Program services and preventing entrance into the foster care system. Provides that the evaluation will support determining whether there is a long-term cost benefit to continuing the pilot program. Provides that at the end of the 3-year pilot program, the Department shall submit a report to the General Assembly with its findings of the evaluation. Requires the report to state whether the Department intends to continue the pilot program and the rationale for its decision. Grants the Department rulemaking authority. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes: Permits the Department of Children and Family Services to consult with independent partners to review Extended Family Support Program services and advise if additional services are needed prior to the start of the 3-year pilot program scheduled to be implemented on January 1, 2023. Provides that the services for the Extended Family Support Program are expanded given the program's inclusion in the Family First Prevention Services Act's targeted populations. Sets forth other targeted populations. Provides that funding through Title IV-E of the Social Security Act shall be spent on services to prevent children and youth who are candidates for foster care from coming into care and allow them to remain with their families. Provides that the Department shall arrange for an independent evaluation of the pilot program to determine whether the pilot program is successfully supporting families receiving Extended Family Support Program services or Family First Prevention Program services. Effective immediately.

Amends the Technology Development Act. Provides for additional specified information to be reported by a TDA II-Recipient Fund to the State Treasurer on a quarterly or annual basis for all investments. Provides for the allocation of the aggregate dollar amount available for new investments. Requires the State Treasurer to disclose on the website of the State Treasurer specified aggregate financial performance information for TDA II-Recipient Funds. Provides that the Technology Development Fund is a nonappropriated trust fund within the State treasury (rather than a special fund outside of the State treasury with the State Treasurer as custodian). Requires the State Treasurer to publish on his or her official website specified information regarding the Technology Development Fund for the previous fiscal year. Defines terms. Makes conforming changes.

Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that licensed dealers, financing affiliates, parts recyclers, scrap processors, repairers, rebuilders, and out-of-state salvage vehicle buyers shall retain records relating to the acquisition or disposition of tire rims, including the date of the acquisition of each tire rim and the name and address of the person from whom the tire rim was acquired and, if that person is a dealer, the Illinois or out-of-state dealer license number of such person. Provides that, if the tire rim being acquired is from a person other than a dealer, the licensee shall verify and record that person's identity by recording the identification numbers from at least 2 sources of identification, one of which shall be a driver's license or State identification card. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 625 ILCS 5/5-401.2 Adds reference to: 815 ILCS 325/2 from Ch. 121 1/2, par. 322 815 ILCS 325/3 from Ch. 121 1/2, par. 323 815 ILCS 325/4.1 815 ILCS 325/4.4 new 815 ILCS 325/6.5 815 ILCS 325/8 from Ch. 121 1/2, par. 328 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Recyclable Metal Purchase Registration Law. Provides that every recyclable metal dealer in the State shall enter specified information into an electronic record-keeping system for each purchase of recyclable metal, a catalytic converter or its contents, or recyclable metal containing copper (rather than recyclable metal or recyclable metal containing copper). Provides that a recyclable metal dealer must complete and file a 1099-MISC on behalf of the seller, unless the seller has a current license as an automotive parts recycler or scrap processor issued by the Secretary of State. Provides that it is a violation of the Act for any person to possess, purchase, attempt to purchase, sell or attempt to sell (rather than sell or attempt to sell), or for any recyclable metal dealer to purchase or attempt to purchase, specified materials. Provides that a recyclable metal dealer shall not pay cash in payment for any catalytic converter or its contents having a value of $100 or more. Provides that one representative of automotive recyclers in the State and one representative of fleet operators in the State shall serve on the Recyclable Metal Theft Task Force. Provides that any metal obtained not in accordance with the Act is subject to immediate forfeiture. Effective immediately.

Amends the Department of Natural Resources Act. Provides that a hunting license issued under the Wildlife Code must contain information indicating whether the holder of the license is registered as an organ donor in the First Person Consent registry maintained by the Secretary of State. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources and the Secretary of State shall share information as necessary to implement the new provisions. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Department of Natural Resources Act. Requires the Department of Natural Resources to offer an applicant for a hunting license issued under the Wildlife Code the opportunity to have his or her name included in the First Person Consent organ and tissue donor registry maintained by the Secretary of State. Specifies notice requirements to applicants. Provides that an individual who agrees to have his or her name included in the First Person Consent organ and tissue donor registry has given full legal consent to the donation of any of his or her organs or tissue upon his or her death. Authorizes the Department to collect and compile the names of individuals that agree to be included in the First Person Consent organ and tissue donor registry and provide the information to the Secretary of State. Provides that a license issued under the Wildlife Code may contain information indicating whether the holder of the license is registered as an order donor. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Department of Natural Resources Act. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources shall offer to each successful purchaser of a hunting license that was obtained by online purchase and issued pursuant to the Wildlife Code the opportunity to be redirected to the First Person Consent organ and tissue donor registry website maintained by the Secretary of State.

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that upon receiving custody or guardianship of a youth in care, and at least annually thereafter, the Department of Children and Family Services shall determine whether the youth may be eligible for Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income, or Veterans benefits. Provides that if it is determined that the youth may be eligible for benefits, the Department shall ensure that an application is filed on behalf of the youth. Requires the Department to ensure that any youth in care eligible for benefits beyond the age of 18 has a timely application filed. Requires the Department to immediately notify a youth over the age of 16, the youth's attorney and guardian ad litem, and the youth's parent or legal guardian or another responsible adult of: (1) any application for or any application to become representative payee for benefits on behalf of a youth in care; (2) any decisions or communications from the Social Security Administration or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs regarding an application for benefits or for representative payee status; and (3) any appeal or other action requested by the Department regarding an application for benefits. Requires the Department to ensure that when the youth attains the age of 14 years and until the Department no longer serves as the representative payee or fiduciary, a minimum percentage of the youth's benefits are conserved in a way that avoids violating any federal asset or resource limits that would affect the youth's eligibility to receive the benefits, including, but not limited to, establishing for the youth a Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) Account; an ABLE account, a Social Security Plan to Achieve Self-Support account, or other specified savings accounts. Contains provisions concerning annual accounting reports to a youth's attorney and guardian ad litem of how a youth's benefits have been used and conserved; financial literacy training and support for youth in care; the adoption of rules; reporting requirements for the Department; and other matters. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that upon receiving temporary custody or guardianship of a youth in care, the Department of Children and Family Services shall assess the youth to determine whether the youth may be eligible for Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income, Veterans benefits, or Railroad Retirement benefits. Provides that if, after the assessment, the Department determines that the youth may be eligible for such benefits, the Department shall ensure that an application is filed on behalf of the youth. Requires the Department to prescribe by rule how it will review cases of youth in care at regular intervals to determine whether the youth may have become eligible for benefits after the initial assessment. Provides that the Department shall make reasonable efforts to encourage youth in care over the age of 18 who are likely eligible for benefits to cooperate with the application process and to assist youth with the application process. Provides that when applying for benefits, the Department shall identify a representative payee in accordance with specified federal requirements. Requires the Department to immediately notify a youth over the age of 16, the youth's attorney and guardian ad litem, and the youth's parent or legal guardian or another responsible adult of: (1) any application for or any application to become representative payee for benefits on behalf of a youth in care; (2) any communications from the Social Security Administration, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, or the Railroad Retirement Board pertaining to the acceptance or denial of benefits or the selection of a representative payee; and (3) any appeal or other action requested by the Department regarding an application for benefits. Provides that when the Department serves as the representative payee for a youth receiving benefits, the Department shall: (i) beginning January 1, 2023, ensure that when the youth attains the age of 14 years and until the Department no longer serves as the representative payee, a minimum percentage of the youth's Supplemental Security Income benefits are conserved as specified under the amendatory Act; (2) beginning January 1, 2024, ensure that when the youth attains the age of 14 years and until the Department no longer serves as the representative payee a minimum percentage of the youth's Social Security benefits, Veterans benefits, or Railroad Retirement benefits are conserved as specified under the amendatory Act; (3) appropriately monitor any federal asset or resource limits for the benefits and ensure that the youth's best interest is served by using or conserving the benefits in a way that avoids violating any federal asset or resource limits that would affect the youth's eligibility to receive the benefits; and other matters. Contains provisions concerning annual accounting reports to a youth's attorney and guardian ad litem on how a youth's benefits have been used and conserved; financial literacy training and support for youth in care; the adoption of rules; reporting requirements for the Department; and other matters. Effective immediately.

Amends the School Code. Provides that alternative learning opportunities programs may include high school completion programs that allow certain students eligible for remote learning to complete their education while incarcerated in a Department of Corrections facility. Provides that the Chicago Board of Education may offer a remote learning option to a student who is in the custody of the Department of Corrections if the student (i) is enrolled at Consuella B. York Alternative High School at the time the student is transferred to a Department of Corrections facility or had been enrolled in the school within the 6 months prior to being transferred to a Department of Corrections facility and (ii) is within 2 school years of completing all of the course requirements necessary for high school graduation. Allows the school district to continue to offer the option of remote learning to the student to complete any remaining course requirements necessary for high school graduation for up to one school year following the student's release from the custody of the Department of Corrections. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Provides that the Chicago Board of Education's offer of the option of remote learning is subject to appropriation. Provides that the Department of Corrections educators and security staff shall be involved in assisting and supervising students participating in the pilot program. Provides that the Department of Corrections shall negotiate with all bargaining units involved to ensure that the implementation of the pilot program is consistent with collective bargaining agreements.

Amends the School Code. Provides that any child from a public school, subject to guidelines established by the State Board of Education, shall be permitted by a school board at least one school day-long excused absence per school year for any middle school or high school student for a child that is absent from school to engage in a civic event. A school board may require that the student provide advance notice of the intended absence and require that the student provide documentation of participation in a civic event. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 105 ILCS 5/26-2 from Ch. 122, par. 26-2 105 ILCS 5/26-2a from Ch. 122, par. 26-2a Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes: Provides that school boards may require reasonable advance notice (instead of requiring advance notice) of the intended absence. Provides that the reasonable advance notification and documentation shall be provided to the appropriate school administrator. Further amends the Compulsory Attendance for Pupils Article of the School Code. Defines "civic event", and provides that the State Board of Education may adopt rules to further define "civic event". Adds attending a civic event as part of the definition of "valid cause". Makes corresponding, grammatical, and stylistic changes.