Sen. Mike Simmons-Gessesse

Amends the Physical Fitness Services Act. Provides that every contract for physical fitness services shall provide that notice of cancellation may be made in writing and delivered by mail to the physical fitness center at the address specified in the contract, by a telephone call to the physical fitness center, or online at the website the contract was entered into, if the contract was entered into online (rather than notice of cancellation shall be made in writing and delivered by certified or registered mail). Provides that every contract for physical fitness services that automatically renews must comply with the requirements of the Automatic Contract Renewal Act.

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that every youth in care must have a Haircare Plan included in their case plan unless the youth explicitly indicates to the youth's caseworker that a Haircare Plan is not needed due to the youth's ability to maintain haircare without assistance. Provides that a caseworker or placement plan specialist must develop the Haircare Plan in consultation with the youth and parents. Provides that at a minimum, the Haircare Plan must address: (1) necessary haircare steps to be taken to preserve the youth's desired connection to their race, culture, gender, religion, and identity; (2) the desires of the youth as it pertains to the youth's hair; (3) the guidance and desires of the youth's parents, unless the parents cannot be contacted; and (4) steps to be taken specific to the youth's hair during emergency situations, including, but not limited to, lice infestations and scalp rashes and infections. Provides that by June 1, 2025, the Department of Children and Family Services must develop training for caregivers on how to provide culturally competent haircare. Provides that each time a youth is placed with a caregiver, the caregiver must sign a declaration stating that the caregiver has reviewed the training materials and will follow the Haircare Plan for the youth. Requires each Department office location to provide a list of affordable, accessible, and culturally competent haircare providers and resources in each of the Department's geographic regions. Requires the Department to adopt rules, by June 1, 2025, to facilitate the implementation of Haircare Plans.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act shall provide coverage for at-home, urine-based pregnancy tests that are prescribed to the covered person, regardless of whether the tests are otherwise available over-the-counter.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new Office of Economic Equity and Empowerment within the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The office is designed to help minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, and disability-owned businesses, as well as certain non-profits, by offering outreach, workshops, and assistance with applying for state and federal funding. It will also provide education on business formation, planning, and marketing, while coordinating support with other state agencies. The changes take effect on January 1, 2025.

Amends the Fair Patient Billing Act. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, a hospital shall not charge or bill a patient whose household income is not greater than 138% of the federal poverty level.

Creates the Reestablishing Integrity in Death Care Act. Provides that no later than January 1, 2025, when a death occurs within the State, the deceased's body, body bag, and any body part, organ, or tissue separated from the deceased to be used in nontransplant organ donation shall be affixed with a unique identifier, and chain of custody documentation shall be maintained for all dead bodies and human remains. Specifies requirements for the unique identifier and chain of custody documentation. Provides that the State Comptroller, the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, and the Department of Public Health may inspect any business, provider, or facility in the State that handles dead bodies or human remains to ensure compliance with the Act and the rules adopted under the Act. Authorizes rulemaking to implement and enforce the Act. Amends the Funeral Directors and Embalmers Licensing Code, the Crematory Regulation Act, and the Vital Records Act to make conforming and other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Higher Education Act. Provides that each public institution of higher education shall pay on behalf of a refugee or reimburse a refugee for payment of any transcript evaluation fees that are required by the public institution of higher education to be paid during the admission process. Effective immediately.

Creates the Water Plan Task Force Act. Establishes the State Water Plan Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall be chaired by the Director of the Office of Water Resources of the Department of Natural Resources and composed of the directors, or their designee, from various other State entities. Requires the Task Force to identify critical water issues, to develop and implement recommendations that address the critical water issues, and to reevaluate critical water issues and needs. Requires the Task Force to publish a State Water Plan not less than every 10 years. Provides that the Task Force shall develop and maintain a publicly available website or portal that summarizes projects of the Task Force. Requires the Task Force to meet not less than once per quarter each calendar year. Enumerates the authority granted to the Task Force.

Amends the Condominium Property Act. Provides that the board of managers of a condominium shall adopt a policy to reasonably accommodate a unit owner who is a person with a disability who requires an accessible parking space to ensure that person has access to the building. Provides that for an association that sells parking spaces, if an owner of an accessible parking space is unable to sell the accessible parking space to a qualified user, the board of managers shall purchase the parking space for fair market value and ensure that the space remains available to persons with disabilities who require an accessible parking space. Provides that a unit owner who is a person with a disability who requires an accessible parking space may bring a civil action against the board of managers to compel the board of managers to provide an accessible parking space. Provides that a prevailing unit owner is entitled to attorney's fees and court costs.

Creates the Forests, Wetlands, and Prairies Act. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources shall prepare and maintain a comprehensive Forests, Wetlands, and Prairies Grant plan for the preservation and enhancement of forests, prairies, and wetlands in Illinois. Provides that the Department of Natural Resources, pursuant to the comprehensive plan and subject to appropriation, shall establish and administer a Forests, Wetlands, and Prairies Grant Program to restore degraded forest lands and native prairies, and to promote the growth of native vegetation that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and help to mitigate the impact of climate change. Provides that units of local government are eligible to submit a grant proposal in a format and at a time prescribed by the Department of Natural Resources. Provides that grants may be used by units of local government to fund: (1) local projects restoring or expanding forests, wetlands, prairies, or other natural landscapes demonstrated to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere; (2) education and marketing regarding local projects or steps community members may take to promote the growth of native vegetation that removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere; and (3) any other purpose approved by the Department of Natural Resources that advances the State goal that there be no overall net loss of the State's existing forest, prairie, or wetland acres or their functional value due to State-supported activities. Amends the Department of Natural Resources Act and the State Finance Act to make conforming changes.