Sen. Mike Simmons-Gessesse

Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public universities and community colleges in Illinois. Requires the governing board of each public university and community college district to employ a benefits navigator for the purpose of helping students at the institution of higher education apply for and receive assistance from benefits programs; defines "benefits program". Requires the governing board (i) to provide training for the benefits navigator, with training guidance and support provided by the Department of Human Services, (ii) participate in a statewide consortium with other public institutions of higher education for the purpose of facilitating communication between benefits navigators at different institutions and developing best practices for benefits navigators, and (iii) develop an internal process to enable students to provide feedback and recommendations on how the institution can better assist students in determining eligibility for benefits programs and applying for assistance under benefits programs. Sets forth the duties of a benefits navigator. Effective January 1, 2023. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the contents of the bill with the following changes. Makes changes to the definition of "benefits navigator". Requires the institution of higher education (rather than the board of trustees) to designate (rather than employ) a benefits navigator who has a detailed understanding of eligibility requirements for benefit (rather than benefits) programs and campuswide and community resource support (rather than a detailed understanding of eligibility requirements for benefits programs and how to apply for assistance under benefits programs). Removes the requirement that the Department of Human Services provide training guidance and support. Requires the statewide consortium to be facilitated by the Board of Higher Education. Makes related changes. Effective January 1, 2023. House Floor Amendment No. 2 In the provisions amending the Public Community College Act, makes changes limiting the statewide consortium to community colleges. Provides that the Illinois Community College Board (instead of the Board of Higher Education) shall facilitate the consortium.

Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to waive estate recovery under specified provisions of the Code where recovery would not be cost-effective, would work an undue hardship, or for any other just reason. Provides that when an estate is not valued at a minimum of $25,000, it is not cost-effective to pursue recovery. Requires the Department to pursue a State Plan amendment to establish a cost-effectiveness threshold of $25,000. Sets forth the circumstances under which an estate may apply for an undue hardship waiver. Requires the Department to make information about estate recovery and hardship waivers easily accessible. Requires the Department to maintain on its website information on how to request a hardship waiver in English, Spanish, and the next 4 most commonly used languages. In a provision concerning eligibility verification for medical assistance, requires the Department to include seniors and persons with disabilities in ex parte renewals. Requires the Department to use its asset verification system, accept the data provided about an individual's assets, and automatically renew the individual's coverage for medical assistance. Requires the Department to pursue a State Plan amendment, if required, by July 1, 2022 to implement ex parte renewals. In order to achieve efficiencies in the Medicare Savings Program's enrollment process, requires the Department to investigate how to align the eligibility criteria under the Medicare Savings Program with the criteria used by the Medicare Part D Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) program. Requires the Department to issue a report, by July 1, 2022, with its recommendations on alignment and outreach. Provides that by October 31, 2022, the Department shall change the Medicare Savings Program's eligibility criteria to facilitate the use of LIS leads data to automate or streamline enrollment into Medicare Savings Program benefits. Repeals several provisions concerning the State's authority to place a lien on a recipient's real property interests in order to recover payments made by the State on the recipient's behalf under the Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled program or the Medical Assistance program. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 305 ILCS 5/5-1.6 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes: Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to seek a State Plan amendment or any federal waivers necessary to implement 12 months of continuous eligibility for adults participating in the medical assistance program. Requires the Department to secure federal financial participation in accordance with the amendatory Act for expenditures made in State Fiscal Year 2023 and every State fiscal year thereafter. Requires the Department to seek a State Plan amendment or any federal waivers or approvals necessary to implement an ex parte redetermination process for persons experiencing homelessness or who are without income at the time of application or redetermination. Requires the Department and the Department of Human Services to make necessary technical and rule changes to implement the ex parte redetermination process. Requires the Department to report on a monthly basis on its website the percentage of medical assistance recipients whose eligibility is renewed through the ex parte redetermination process. Requires the Department to share the data with the Medicaid Advisory Committee and the Medicaid Advisory Committee Public Education Subcommittee. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 3 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that by July 1, 2022, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall seek a State Plan amendment or any federal waivers necessary to make changes to the medical assistance program. Requires the Department to apply for federal approval to implement 12 months of continuous eligibility for adults participating in the medical assistance program. Requires the Department to secure federal financial participation for expenditures made by the Department in State Fiscal Year 2023 and every State fiscal year thereafter. Provides that by July 1, 2022, the Department shall seek a State Plan amendment or any federal waivers or approvals necessary to make changes to the medical assistance redetermination process for people without any income at the time of redetermination. Provides that within 60 days after federal approval or guidance, the Department and the Department of Human Services shall make necessary technical and rule changes to implement changes to the redetermination process. Requires the Department to publish on its website monthly reports on the percentage of medical assistance recipients whose eligibility is renewed through the ex parte redetermination process. Requires the Department to waive any claim against the first $25,000 of any estate to prevent substantial and unreasonable hardship. Requires the Department to make information about estate recovery and hardship waivers easily accessible. Provides that it is the determination of the General Assembly that the Department must (i) include seniors and persons with disabilities in ex parte renewals and (ii) use its asset verification system to assist in the determination of whether an individual's coverage can be renewed using the ex parte process. Requires the Department to pursue a State Plan amendment by July 1, 2022, if necessary. Repeals several provisions concerning the State's authority to place a lien on a recipient's real property interests in order to recover payments made by the State on the recipient's behalf under the Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled program or the Medical Assistance program. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: New Act 305 ILCS 5/14-12 305 ILCS 5/5-18.5 305 ILCS 5/5-4 from Ch. 23, par. 5-4 305 ILCS 5/5-5.05d new 305 ILCS 5/5-5.05e new 305 ILCS 5/5-5.05f new 305 ILCS 5/5-5.05g new 305 ILCS 5/5-5.06c new 305 ILCS 5/5-5.06d new 305 ILCS 5/5-5.06e new 305 ILCS 5/5-5 from Ch. 23, par. 5-5 20 ILCS 2310/2310-434 new 210 ILCS 9/77 new 210 ILCS 45/3-613 new 210 ILCS 46/3-613 new 210 ILCS 47/3-613 new 305 ILCS 5/5-5.01b new 5 ILCS 100/5-45.21 new 5 ILCS 100/5-45.22 new 305 ILCS 5/5-1.6 new 305 ILCS 5/5-13.1 new 305 ILCS 5/11-5.1 305 ILCS 5/11-5.5 new 305 ILCS 5/3-10 rep. 305 ILCS 5/3-10.1 rep. 305 ILCS 5/3-10.2 rep. 305 ILCS 5/3-10.3 rep. 305 ILCS 5/3-10.4 rep. 305 ILCS 5/3-10.5 rep. 305 ILCS 5/3-10.6 rep. 305 ILCS 5/3-10.7 rep. 305 ILCS 5/3-10.8 rep. 305 ILCS 5/3-10.9 rep. 305 ILCS 5/3-10.10 rep. 305 ILCS 5/5-13.5 rep. 305 ILCS 5/5-5.07 305 ILCS 5/5-4.2 305 ILCS 5/5-30d new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes: Creates the Wellness Checks in Schools Program Act. Provides that subject to appropriation, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall establish the Wellness Checks in Schools Collaborative for school districts that wish to implement wellness checks to identify students in grades 7 through 12 who are at risk of mental health conditions, including depression or other mental health issues. Requires the Department to work with school districts that have a high percentage of students enrolled in Medicaid and a high number of referrals to the State's Crisis and Referral Entry Services (CARES) hotline. Provides that subject to appropriation, the Department shall establish and implement a program to provide wellness checks in public schools in accordance with the Act. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. In the Hospital Services Trust Fund Article, provides that beginning with dates of service on and after January 1, 2023, any general acute care hospital with more than 500 outpatient psychiatric Medicaid services to persons under 19 years of age in any calendar year shall be paid the outpatient add-on payment of no less than $113. In the Medical Assistance Article, provides that beginning January 1, 2023, licensed certified professional midwife services shall be covered under the medical assistance program, subject to appropriation, for persons who are otherwise eligible for medical assistance. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to consult with midwives on reimbursement rates for midwifery services. Provides that subject to federal approval, beginning January 1, 2023, the community spouse resource allowance shall be established and maintained at a base amount of $109,560 plus an additional amount of $2,784 added to the base amount each year for a period of 10 years commencing with calendar year 2024 through calendar year 2034. Requires yearly increases up to the maximum resource allowance permitted under the Social Security Act. Provides that subject to federal approval, beginning January 1, 2034 the community spouse resource allowance shall be established and maintained at the maximum amount permitted under the Social Security Act, or an amount set after a fair hearing. Provides that subject to federal approval, beginning January 1, 2023 the monthly maintenance allowance for the community spouse shall be established and maintained at the maximum amount higher of $2,739 per month or the minimum level permitted under the Social Security Act. Contains provisions requiring the Department of Human Services to develop a program designed to provide behavioral health providers with academic detailing and clinical consultation over the phone on how to best care for patients with severe mental illness or a developmental disability. Contains provisions requiring the Department of Human Services to track the availability of beds for withdrawal management services that are licensed by the Department and are available to medical assistance beneficiaries. Contains provisions concerning coverage for peer recovery support services under the medical assistance program; the alignment of substance use prevention and recovery and mental health policy; increased rates for prenatal and postpartum care; the external cephalic version rate; increased funding for dental services; and coverage for acupuncture services under the medical assistance program. Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law. Requires the Department of Public Health to establish or approve a Certified Nursing Assistant Intern Program to address the increasing need for trained health care workers and provide additional pathways for individuals to become certified nursing assistants. Amends the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act, the Nursing Home Care Act, the MC/DD Act, and the ID/DD Community Care Act to establish certain employment requirements for certified nursing assistant interns and establishments that employ certified nursing assistant interns. Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to establish or approve a Certified Nursing Assistant Intern Program to address the increasing need for trained health care workers for the supporting living facilities program. Sets forth classroom and on-the-job training requirements for certified nursing assistant interns. Provides that the Certified Nursing Assistant Intern Program shall end upon the termination of the Secretary of Health and Human Services' public health emergency declaration for COVID-19 or 3 years after the date that the Program becomes operational, whichever occurs later. Grants the Departments of Public Health and Healthcare and Family Services emergency rulemaking authority. Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that by July 1, 2022, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall seek a State Plan amendment or any federal waivers or approvals necessary to make changes to the medical assistance redetermination process by allowing all people without income to be considered for ex parte redetermination. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to waive estate recovery under the medical assistance program where recovery would not be cost-effective, would work an undue hardship, or for any other just reason. Requires the Department of Human Services to compile on a monthly basis data on the percentage of medical assistance beneficiaries whose eligibility is renewed through ex parte redeterminations. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to seek a State Plan amendment by July 1, 2022 that permits the use of its asset verification system to assist in determining whether the ex parte process can be used to renew the medical assistance coverage of a senior or a person with a disability. Contains provisions concerning streamlining enrollment into the Medicare Savings Program. Repeals provisions under the Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code concerning liens on recipients real property interests. In a provision requiring the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to pay the DCFS per diem rate for inpatient psychiatric stays at free-standing psychiatric hospitals or hospitals with a pediatric or adolescent inpatient psychiatric unit, removes language making the provision operative only through July 1, 2023. Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning ground ambulance services, provides that, within 90 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall file rules to allow for the approval of ground ambulance services when the sole purpose of the transport is for the navigation of stairs or the assisting or lifting of a patient at a medical facility or during a medical appointment in instances where the Department or a contracted Medicaid managed care organization or their transportation broker is unable to secure transportation through any other transportation provider. Provides that beginning no later than January 1, 2023 and subject to federal approval, the amount allocated to fund rates for medi-car, service car, and attendant services provided to adults and children under the medical assistance program shall be increased by an approximate amount of $24,000,000. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Adds reference to: New Act 305 ILCS 5/14-12 305 ILCS 5/5-18.5 305 ILCS 5/5-4 from Ch. 23, par. 5-4 305 ILCS 5/5-5.05d new 305 ILCS 5/5-5.05e new 305 ILCS 5/5-5.05f new 305 ILCS 5/5-5.05g new 305 ILCS 5/5-5.06c new 305 ILCS 5/5-5.06d new 305 ILCS 5/5-5.06e new 305 ILCS 5/5-5 from Ch. 23, par. 5-5 20 ILCS 2310/2310-434 new 210 ILCS 9/77 new 210 ILCS 45/3-613 new 210 ILCS 46/3-613 new 210 ILCS 47/3-613 new 305 ILCS 5/5-5.01b new 5 ILCS 100/5-45.21 new 5 ILCS 100/5-45.22 new 305 ILCS 5/5-1.6 new 305 ILCS 5/5-13.1 new 305 ILCS 5/11-5.1 305 ILCS 5/11-5.5 new 305 ILCS 5/3-10 rep. 305 ILCS 5/3-10.1 rep. 305 ILCS 5/3-10.2 rep. 305 ILCS 5/3-10.3 rep. 305 ILCS 5/3-10.4 rep. 305 ILCS 5/3-10.5 rep. 305 ILCS 5/3-10.6 rep. 305 ILCS 5/3-10.7 rep. 305 ILCS 5/3-10.8 rep. 305 ILCS 5/3-10.9 rep. 305 ILCS 5/3-10.10 rep. 305 ILCS 5/5-13.5 rep. 305 ILCS 5/5-5.07 305 ILCS 5/5-4.2 305 ILCS 5/5-30d new 5 ILCS 100/5-45.23 new 305 ILCS 5/12-4.35 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the engrossed bill with the following changes: Creates the Wellness Checks in Schools Program Act. Provides that subject to appropriation, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall establish the Wellness Checks in Schools Collaborative for school districts that wish to implement wellness checks to identify students in grades 7 through 12 who are at risk of mental health conditions, including depression or other mental health issues. Requires the Department to work with school districts that have a high percentage of students enrolled in Medicaid and a high number of referrals to the State's Crisis and Referral Entry Services (CARES) hotline. Provides that subject to appropriation, the Department shall establish and implement a program to provide wellness checks in public schools in accordance with the Act. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. In the Hospital Services Trust Fund Article, provides that beginning with dates of service on and after January 1, 2023, any general acute care hospital with more than 500 outpatient psychiatric Medicaid services to persons under 19 years of age in any calendar year shall be paid the outpatient add-on payment of no less than $113. In the Medical Assistance Article, provides that beginning January 1, 2023, licensed certified professional midwife services shall be covered under the medical assistance program, subject to appropriation, for persons who are otherwise eligible for medical assistance. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to consult with midwives on reimbursement rates for midwifery services. Provides that subject to federal approval, beginning January 1, 2023, the community spouse resource allowance shall be established and maintained at a base amount of $109,560 plus an additional amount of $2,784 added to the base amount each year for a period of 10 years commencing with calendar year 2024 through calendar year 2034. Requires yearly increases up to the maximum resource allowance permitted under the Social Security Act. Provides that subject to federal approval, beginning January 1, 2034 the community spouse resource allowance shall be established and maintained at the maximum amount permitted under the Social Security Act, or an amount set after a fair hearing. Provides that subject to federal approval, beginning January 1, 2023 the monthly maintenance allowance for the community spouse shall be established and maintained at the maximum amount higher of $2,739 per month or the minimum level permitted under the Social Security Act. Contains provisions requiring the Department of Human Services to develop a program designed to provide behavioral health providers with academic detailing and clinical consultation over the phone on how to best care for patients with severe mental illness or a developmental disability. Contains provisions requiring the Department of Human Services to track the availability of beds for withdrawal management services that are licensed by the Department and are available to medical assistance beneficiaries. Contains provisions concerning coverage for peer recovery support services under the medical assistance program; the alignment of substance use prevention and recovery and mental health policy; increased rates for prenatal and postpartum care; the external cephalic version rate; increased funding for dental services; and coverage for acupuncture services under the medical assistance program. Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law. Requires the Department of Public Health to establish or approve a Certified Nursing Assistant Intern Program to address the increasing need for trained health care workers and provide additional pathways for individuals to become certified nursing assistants. Amends the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act, the Nursing Home Care Act, the MC/DD Act, and the ID/DD Community Care Act to establish certain employment requirements for certified nursing assistant interns and establishments that employ certified nursing assistant interns. Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to establish or approve a Certified Nursing Assistant Intern Program to address the increasing need for trained health care workers for the supporting living facilities program. Sets forth classroom and on-the-job training requirements for certified nursing assistant interns. Provides that the Certified Nursing Assistant Intern Program shall end upon the termination of the Secretary of Health and Human Services' public health emergency declaration for COVID-19 or 3 years after the date that the Program becomes operational, whichever occurs later. Grants the Departments of Public Health and Healthcare and Family Services emergency rulemaking authority. Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that by July 1, 2022, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall seek a State Plan amendment or any federal waivers or approvals necessary to make changes to the medical assistance redetermination process by allowing all people without income to be considered for ex parte redetermination. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to waive estate recovery under the medical assistance program where recovery would not be cost-effective, would work an undue hardship, or for any other just reason. Requires the Department of Human Services to compile on a monthly basis data on the percentage of medical assistance beneficiaries whose eligibility is renewed through ex parte redeterminations. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to seek a State Plan amendment by July 1, 2022 that permits the use of its asset verification system to assist in determining whether the ex parte process can be used to renew the medical assistance coverage of a senior or a person with a disability. Contains provisions concerning streamlining enrollment into the Medicare Savings Program. Repeals provisions under the Aid to the Aged, Blind or Disabled Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code concerning liens on recipients real property interests. In a provision requiring the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to pay the DCFS per diem rate for inpatient psychiatric stays at free-standing psychiatric hospitals or hospitals with a pediatric or adolescent inpatient psychiatric unit, removes language making the provision operative only through July 1, 2023. Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning ground ambulance services, provides that, within 90 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall file rules to allow for the approval of ground ambulance services when the sole purpose of the transport is for the navigation of stairs or the assisting or lifting of a patient at a medical facility or during a medical appointment in instances where the Department or a contracted Medicaid managed care organization or their transportation broker is unable to secure transportation through any other transportation provider. Provides that beginning no later than January 1, 2023 and subject to federal approval, the amount allocated to fund rates for medi-car, service car, and attendant services provided to adults and children under the medical assistance program shall be increased by an approximate amount of $24,000,000. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that by May 1, 2023, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services may provide medical services to noncitizens 42 years of age through 54 years of age who (i) are not eligible for medical assistance under Article V of the Code due to their not meeting the otherwise applicable provisions of the Code concerning citizenship and (ii) have income at or below 133% of the federal poverty level plus 5% for the applicable family size as determined under applicable federal law and regulations. Amends the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Grants the Department of Healthcare and Family Services emergency rulemaking authority to provide medical services to noncitizens 42 years of age through 54 years of age. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Further amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions permitting the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to provide medical services to noncitizens 42 years of age through 54 years of age, permits the Department to provide such medical services by July 1, 2022 (rather than May 1, 2023).

Amends the Overdose Prevention and Harm Reduction Act. Provides that a pharmacist or physician may dispense drug adulterant testing supplies, such as reagents, test strips, or quantification instruments, to any person. Provides that no employee or volunteer of or participant in a program established under the Act or any employee or customer of a pharmacy, hospital, clinic, or other health care facility or medical office dispensing drug adulterant testing supplies in accordance with the Act shall be charged with or prosecuted for possession of specified materials. Provides that a law enforcement officer who, acting on good faith, arrests or charges a person who is thereafter determined to be entitled to immunity from prosecution shall not be subject to civil liability for the arrest or filing of charges. Provides that any record of a person that is created or obtained for use by a needle and hypodermic syringe access program or by a pharmacy, hospital, clinic, or other health care facility or medical office in connection with the dispensing of drug adulterant testing supplies must be kept confidential. Contains other provisions. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 410 ILCS 710/15 new 410 ILCS 710/20 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Removes provisions regarding waiver of criminal penalties and confidentiality. Restores language prohibiting employees or volunteers of or participants in a program established under the Act from being charged with or prosecuted for possession of certain items. Removes references to reagents, test strips, and quantification instruments. Provides that no quantity of drug adulterant testing supplies greater than necessary to conduct 5 assays of substances suspected of containing adulterants shall be dispensed in any single transaction. Removes language providing that the amendatory Act is effective immediately. Makes other changes. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that provisions regarding the dispensing of drug adulterant testing supplies apply to advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants. Provides that the amendatory Act is effective immediately.

Creates the Lake Michigan Rescue Equipment Act. Provides that the owner of a pier or drop-off on Lake Michigan shall install public rescue equipment, including, at a minimum, ring life buoys, on each of the owner's piers and drop-offs along the Lake Michigan coast. Provides that public rescue equipment shall also be installed in all high-incident drowning areas on an owner's property. Includes requirements for ring life buoys. Provides that each unit of local government owning a pier or drop-off on Lake Michigan shall track and report to the Department of Public Health, in a form prescribed by the Department, Lake Michigan lakefront drownings, both fatal and non-fatal drownings, near the unit's piers and drop-offs. Includes tracking and reporting requirements. Provides that the Department shall analyze the tracking and reporting and appropriately provide a plan and recommendations for reduction in drowning incidents. Defines terms. Effective 180 days after becoming law. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes: Modifies definitions. Provides that, to reduce vandalism and theft, the rescue equipment station shall have signage (rather than an alarm, signage, and a warning of cameras) that warns lakefront patrons that tampering with or misuse of public rescue equipment is strictly prohibited. Removes provisions about automatic contacting of 9-1-1 and compliance with a specified guide. Provides that the buoyant line attached to each ring life buoy must be at least 100 feet in length (rather than 100 inches). Provides that each unit of local government owning a pier or drop-off on Lake Michigan shall track and publish a report on the unit's website lakefront drownings if such drownings occur within 100 feet of the unit's piers and drop-offs and if the unit was made aware of such drowning (rather than making a report to the Department of Public Health). Provides that, if there have been drownings during the reporting period, each unit of local government must also publish a water safety plan on the unit's website. Adds provisions relating to high-incident drowning area plans. Makes other changes. Changes the effective date from 180 days after becoming law to one year after becoming law.

Amends the Critical Health Problems and Comprehensive Health Education Act. With respect to the Comprehensive Health Education Program, requires that the instruction on mental health and illness discuss how and where to find mental health resources in this State. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 105 ILCS 110/5.5 new Adds provisions regarding instruction on mental health and illness to include how to find a mental health provider and how to access the mental health system. Creates the Student Mental Health Council to evaluate mental health among students, how mental health resources are being used, and the effect of COVID-19 on students' mental health. Provides that the Council shall meet at least once per quarter. Provides that the Council shall advise and make recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor regarding: (i) the dissemination of information to schools, including agency websites, informational materials, and outreach personnel; (ii) available services to students and any gaps; and (iii) how to improve state policy concerning student mental health. Provides guidelines for appointing members. Provides that the State Board of Education shall provide administrative support. Defines which members serve for compensation, and the amount of the compensation. Provides that the Council shall deliver annual reports to the General Assembly and the Governor's Office. Provides that the Council is dissolved, and the Section creating the Council is repealed, on January 1, 2026. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Critical Health Problems and Comprehensive Health Education Act. Adds provisions regarding requiring instruction on how and where to find mental health resources and specialized treatment in the State. Creates the Student Mental Health Council to evaluate: mental health; how mental health resources are being used; and the effect of COVID-19 on students' mental health, substance use disorders, and other mental health conditions. Provides that the Council shall meet at least once per quarter. Provides that the Council shall advise and make recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor regarding: (i) the dissemination of information to schools, including agency websites, informational materials, and outreach personnel; (ii) available services to students and any service gaps; and (iii) how to improve State policy concerning student mental health. Provides guidelines for appointing members. Provides that the State Board of Education shall provide administrative support. Describes which members serve for compensation and the amount of the compensation. Provides that the Council shall deliver annual reports to the General Assembly and the Governor's Office. Provides that the Council is dissolved, and the Section creating the Council is repealed, on January 1, 2026. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the bill, as amended by Senate Amendment No. 2, with the following changes. Removes a provision providing for a stipend for certain members. Provides that no member of the Council, including the chairperson, shall receive any compensation for services on the Council but shall be reimbursed for ordinary and necessary expenses incurred in attending meetings of the Council. Senate Floor Amendment No. 4 Deletes reference to: 105 ILCS 110/5.5 new Adds reference to: 405 ILCS 49/5 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes: With respect to the Comprehensive Health Education Program, requires that the Program include instruction on how and where to find mental health resources and specialized treatment in the State (rather than on mental health and illness discuss how and where to find mental health resources in the State). Amends the Children's Mental Health Act of 2003. Provides that the Children's Mental Health Partnership shall also include an adjunct council. Defines membership and qualifications of the adjunct council. Provides that the adjunct council will make recommendations to the Partnership regarding youth mental health, including, but not limited to, identifying barriers to youth feeling supported by and empowered by the system of mental health and treatment providers, barriers perceived by youth in accessing mental health services, gaps in the mental health system, available resources in schools, including youth's perceptions and experiences with outreach personnel, agency websites, and informational materials, methods to destigmatize mental health services, and how to improve State policy concerning student mental health. Provides that the council shall meet at least 4 times annually. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Provides that the Partnership shall include an adjunct council comprised of no more than 6 youth aged 14 to 25 and (rather than no more than) 4 representatives of 4 different community-based organizations (instead of 3 representatives of 3 different community based organizations) that focus on youth mental health. Provides that, of the community-based organizations that focus on youth mental health, one of the community-based organizations shall be led by an LGBTQ-identified person, one of the community-based organizations shall be led by a person of color, and one of the community-based organizations shall be led by a woman (instead of each community-based organization shall be led by an LGBTQ-identified person, a person of color, or a woman). Provides that, of the representatives appointed to the council from the community-based organizations, at least one representative shall be LGBTQ-identified, at least one representative shall be a person of color, and at least one representative shall be a woman.

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services and the Department of Human Services to jointly develop and administer a program that provides free and accessible child care services to parenting youth in foster care. Grants the Departments rulemaking authority. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 20 ILCS 505/5.21 new Adds reference to: 305 ILCS 5/9A-11 from Ch. 23, par. 9A-11 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Expands eligibility under the Department of Human Services' Child Care Assistance Program to include the following categories of families: (i) foster parents or caregivers of youth in care, regardless of whether they are working or participating in Department-approved employment or education or training programs; (ii) youth in care who are parents, regardless of whether they are working or participating in Department-approved employment or education or training programs; (iii) parents who have custody of their children and their children are the subjects of pending cases under Article II of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, regardless of whether they are working or participating in Department-approved employment or education or training programs; (iv) families with children who have an open intact family services case with the Department of Children and Family Services (rather than families with children under the age of 5 who have an open intact family services case with the Department of Children and Family Services); and (v) families receiving Extended Family Support Program services from the Department of Children and Family Services, regardless of whether they are working or participating in Department-approved employment or education or training programs. Provides that youth in care who are parents and parents whose children are the subjects of pending cases under Article II of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 shall receive extended child care eligibility for a specified period of time, regardless of whether they are working or participating in Department-approved employment or education or training programs. Effective July 1, 2023. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 505/5a from Ch. 23, par. 5005a 325 ILCS 20/3 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Expands eligibility under the Department of Human Services' Child Care Assistance Program to include the following categories of families: (i) youth in care who are parents, regardless of income or whether they are working or participating in Department-approved employment or education or training programs; and (ii) families receiving Extended Family Support Program services from the Department of Children and Family Services, regardless of income or whether they are working or participating in Department-approved employment or education or training programs. Provides that beginning October 1, 2023, and every October 1 thereafter, the Department of Children and Family Services shall report to the General Assembly on the number of children who received child care via vouchers paid for by the Department of Children and Family Services during the preceding fiscal year. Requires the report to include the ages of children who received child care, the type of child care they received, and the number of months they received child care. Amends the Early Intervention Services System Act. Expands the definition of "eligible infants and toddlers" to include any child under the age of 3 who is the subject of a substantiated case of child abuse or neglect as defined in the federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act. Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that the rates paid to day care providers by the Department of Children and Family Services shall match the rates paid to child care providers by the Department of Human Services under the child care assistance program, including base rates and any relevant rate enhancements. Effective immediately, except that certain provisions take effect on July 1, 2023.

Amends the Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 215 ILCS 105/1 Adds reference to: New Act Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Consumer Legal Funding Act. Sets forth provisions concerning consumer legal funding contract requirements and right of rescission. Sets forth consumer legal funding company prohibitions. Sets forth the fees that may be charged by a consumer legal funding company and provides that a consumer legal funding company shall not collect any additional fees besides those specified in the Act. Provides that all consumer legal funding contracts shall contain specified disclosures. Provides that the contingent right to receive an amount of the potential proceeds of a legal claim is assignable by a consumer. Provides that an attorney or law firm retained by the consumer in the legal claim shall not have a financial interest in the consumer legal funding company offering consumer legal funding to that consumer. Sets forth provisions concerning application and fees for a consumer legal funding license. Provides that every consumer legal funding licensee shall appoint the Director of Financial Institutions as attorney-in-fact upon whom all lawful process against the licensee may be served. Sets forth provisions concerning investigation to determine whether a consumer legal funding license shall be issued, the license, the issuance of more than one license to a licensee, and an annual license fee. Provides that the Director may fine a licensee an amount not exceeding $10,000 per violation or revoke or suspend a license if he or she finds specified information. Provides that the Division of Financial Institutions shall establish rules and a schedule of fines for the administration and enforcement of the Act. Sets forth provisions concerning closing of business and surrender of a consumer legal funding license, investigation of conduct of business, books and records that shall be retained by every licensee, and other business that may be conducted by a licensee. Provides that the Director may issue a cease and desist order to a licensee in specified circumstances. Provides that the Division may adopt rules that are necessary and appropriate for the protection of consumers in the State. Provides that the Director may apply to a court for an injunction or civil penalty against a violation of the Act. Defines terms. Makes other changes. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 815 ILCS 205/4 from Ch. 17, par. 6404 815 ILCS 505/2AAAA new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Consumer Legal Funding Act. Sets forth provisions concerning consumer legal funding contract requirements, right of rescission, and consumer legal funding company prohibitions. Sets forth the fees that may be charged by a consumer legal funding company and provides that a consumer legal funding company shall not collect any additional fees besides those specified in the Act. Provides that all consumer legal funding contracts shall contain specified disclosures. Provides that the contingent right to receive an amount of the potential proceeds of a legal claim is assignable by a consumer. Provides that an attorney or law firm retained by the consumer in the legal claim shall not have a financial interest in the consumer legal funding company offering consumer legal funding to that consumer. Provides that a violation of the Act constitutes a violation of the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Sets forth provisions concerning the functions and powers of the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation. Provides that the Secretary may issue a cease and desist order to any licensee or a person doing business without a license in specified circumstances. Provides that the Secretary may apply for an injunction against a violation of the Act. Provides that any person who engages in business as a licensee without the license required by the Act commits a Class 4 felony. Provides that a violation of the Act may be asserted in a civil action. Sets forth provisions concerning definitions; consumer legal funding license scope; license application process and forms; surrender of license; license renewal; examination of business; suspension or revocation of license; license fees; investigation of complaints; additional investigation and examination authority; confidential information; information sharing; reports of violations; and rulemaking. Amends the Interest Act. Provides that it is lawful to receive or to contract to receive and collect interest and charges as authorized by specified law including the Consumer Legal Funding Act. Makes a conforming change in the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2023 that provides coverage for prescription drugs shall provide coverage for prenatal vitamins when prescribed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2024 (rather than January 1, 2023) that provides coverage for prescription drugs shall provide coverage for prenatal vitamins when prescribed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2024 that provides coverage for prescription drugs shall provide coverage for prenatal vitamins when prescribed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches or an advanced practice registered nurse licensed under the Nurse Practice Act (rather than only a physician).

Amends the University of Illinois Hospital Act, the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act, the Community Living Facilities Licensing Act, the Life Care Facilities Act, the Nursing Home Care Act, the MC/DD Act, the ID/DD Community Care Act, and the Hospital Licensing Act. Provides that hospitals, establishments, or facilities organized or licensed under the Acts shall ensure that nurses employed by the hospital, establishment, or facility are aware of the Illinois Professionals Health Program (IPHP) by completing specified requirements. Amends the Nurse Practice Act. In provisions regarding continuing education for RN and APRN licensees, requires one hour of training on substance abuse and disorders for nurses. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 225 ILCS 65/60-40 225 ILCS 65/65-60 was 225 ILCS 65/15-45 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the University of Illinois Hospital Act, the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act, the Community Living Facilities Licensing Act, the Life Care Facilities Act, the Nursing Home Care Act, the MC/DD Act, the ID/DD Community Care Act, and the Hospital Licensing Act. Provides that hospitals, establishments, or facilities organized or licensed under the Acts shall ensure that specified employees of the hospital, establishment, or facility are made aware of employee assistance programs or other like programs available for the physical and mental well-being of the employees. Requires hospitals, establishments, or facilities to provide information on these programs, no less than at the time of employment and during any benefit open enrollment period, by an information form about the respective programs that an employee must sign during onboarding at the hospital. Contains other provisions. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 In provisions amending the University of Illinois Hospital Act, provides that the University of Illinois Hospital shall ensure that its employees (rather than nurses it employs) are aware of employee assistance programs or other like programs available. Removes language requiring the information regarding employee assistance programs or other like programs to be provided by an information form about the respective programs that a nurse must sign during onboarding and must be added to the nurse's personnel file. In provisions amending the Hospital Licensing Act, removes language requiring the information regarding employee assistance programs or other like programs to be provided by an information form about the respective programs that a nurse must sign during onboarding at the hospital.

Creates the Agriculture Equity Commission Act. Establishes the Agriculture Equity Commission. Provides for membership of the Commission. Provides that members shall serve without compensation. Provides for the filling of Commission vacancies. Provides for administrative and other support to the Commission. Provides for the duties of the Commission. Requires the Commission to annually report to the Governor and the General Assembly on its findings, recommendations, and other relevant matters concerning and based upon its duties.