Sen. Mike Simmons-Gessesse

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a contract between a pharmacy benefit manager or third-party payer and a covered entity under Section 340B of the federal Public Health Service Act shall not contain specified provisions. Provides that a violation by a pharmacy benefit manager constitutes an unfair or deceptive act or practice in the business of insurance, and that a provision that violates the prohibition on certain provisions in a contract between a pharmacy benefit manager or a third-party payer and a 340B covered entity that is entered into, amended, or renewed after July 1, 2022 shall be void and unenforceable. Defines terms. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning pharmacy payments, provides that no later than January 1, 2023, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall implement a mechanism for entities participating in the federal drug pricing program and their contracted pharmacies to submit quarterly retrospective utilization files containing the minimum fields necessary to accurately identify the drugs to the Department or its contractor for processing Medicaid drug rebate requests to Medicaid beneficiaries or Medicaid managed care organization enrollees. Provides that the Department or its contractor shall use the utilization files to remove 340B claims from the Department's Medicaid drug rebate requests and that the Department shall not require the entities or their contracted pharmacies to use any other method or billing code to identify 340B drugs billed to Medicaid or Medicaid managed care organizations. In provisions concerning pharmacy benefits, provides that a Medicaid managed care organization or pharmacy benefit manager administering or managing benefits on behalf of a Medicaid managed organization shall not include specified provisions in a contract with a covered entity or with any pharmacy owned by or contracted with the covered entity. Provides that a violation by a Medicaid managed care organization or its pharmacy benefit manager constitutes an unfair or deceptive act or practice in the business of insurance, and that a provision that violates the prohibition on certain provisions in a contract between a Medicaid managed care organization or its pharmacy benefit manager and a 340B covered entity entered into, amended, or renewed after July 1, 2022 shall be void and unenforceable. Effective July 1, 2022. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a contract between a pharmacy benefit manager or third-party payer and a 340B entity or 340B pharmacy shall not contain specified provisions. Provides that a violation by a pharmacy benefit manager constitutes an unfair or deceptive act or practice in the business of insurance, and that a provision that violates the prohibition on certain provisions in a contract between a pharmacy benefit manager or a third-party payer and a 340B entity that is entered into, amended, or renewed after July 1, 2022 shall be void and unenforceable. In provisions concerning pharmacy benefit managers, provides that the provisions apply to contracts entered into or renewed on or after July 1, 2022 (rather than July 1, 2020). Defines terms. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. In provisions concerning pharmacy benefits, provides that a Medicaid managed care organization or pharmacy benefit manager administering or managing benefits on behalf of a Medicaid managed organization shall not include specified provisions in a contract with a 340B entity or 340B pharmacy. Provides that a provision that violates the prohibition on certain provisions in a contract between a Medicaid managed care organization or its pharmacy benefit manager and a 340B entity entered into, amended, or renewed after July 1, 2022 shall be void and unenforceable. Effective July 1, 2022.

Amends the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act. Provides that members of the public and an applicant for a permit shall have 5 days from the posting of the State Board Staff Report (currently, 10 days before the meeting of the State Board) to submit any written response specific to the Board staff's written review or findings concerning an application for a permit. Provides that the written response shall not be used to introduce information that was not provided in the original application. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 20 ILCS 3960/6 Adds reference to: New Act 20 ILCS 3930/7.10 new 725 ILCS 173/1 725 ILCS 173/5 725 ILCS 173/10 725 ILCS 173/15 725 ILCS 173/20 725 ILCS 173/25 30 ILCS 105/5.833 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Crime Reduction Task Force Act. Creates the Crime Reduction Task Force. Establishes membership. Provides that the Task Force shall develop and propose policies and procedures to reduce crime in the State of Illinois. Provides that the members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation. Provides that the Task Force shall meet at least 4 times with the first meeting occurring within 60 days after the effective date of the Act. Provides that the Task Force shall review available research and best practices and take expert and witness testimony. Provides that the Task Force shall produce and submit a report detailing the Task Force's findings, recommendations, and needed resources to the General Assembly and the Governor on or before March 1, 2023. Provides that the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority shall provide administrative and technical support to the Task Force and be responsible for administering its operations and ensuring that the requirements of the Task Force are met. Repeals the Act on March 1, 2024. Amends the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority shall establish a grant program for organizations and units of local government for the purposes of providing a tip hotline or other system for crime victims and witnesses that: (1) allows the callers or participants to remain anonymous; and (2) provides cash rewards for tips that lead to arrest. Amends the Gang Crime Witness Protection Act of 2013. Changes the name of the Act to the Violent Crime Witness Protection Act. Provides that, no later than January 1, 2023, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, shall establish a program to assist victims and witnesses who are actively aiding in the prosecution of perpetrators of violent crime (rather than gang crime), and appropriate related persons or victims and witnesses determined by the Authority to be at risk of a discernible threat of violent crime. Makes other changes. Amends the State Finance Act to make a conforming change. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 3 Deletes reference to: 20 ILCS 3960/6 Adds reference to: New Act 20 ILCS 2605/2605-51 20 ILCS 3930/7.10 new 65 ILCS 5/Art. 11 Div. 1.5 heading new 65 ILCS 5/11-1.5-5 new 65 ILCS 5/11-1.5-10 new 65 ILCS 5/11-1.5-15 new 65 ILCS 5/11-1.5-20 new 65 ILCS 5/11-1.5-25 new 65 ILCS 5/11-1.5-30 new 65 ILCS 5/11-1.5-99 new 725 ILCS 173/1 725 ILCS 173/5 725 ILCS 173/10 725 ILCS 173/15 725 ILCS 173/20 725 ILCS 173/25 30 ILCS 105/5.833 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Crime Reduction Task Force. Establishes membership. Provides that the Task Force shall develop and propose policies and procedures to reduce crime in the State of Illinois. Provides that the members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation. Provides that the Task Force shall meet at least 4 times with the first meeting occurring within 60 days after the effective date of the Act. Provides that the Task Force shall review available research and best practices and take expert and witness testimony. Provides that the Task Force shall produce and submit a report detailing the Task Force's findings, recommendations, and needed resources to the General Assembly and the Governor on or before March 1, 2023. Provides that the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority shall provide administrative and technical support to the Task Force and be responsible for administering its operations and ensuring that the requirements of the Task Force are met. Repeals the Act on March 1, 2024. Amends the Illinois State Police Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Division of the Academy and Training of the Illinois State Police shall require all homicide investigator training to include instruction on victim-centered, trauma-informed investigation. Provides that the Division shall cooperate with the Division of Criminal Investigation to develop a model curriculum on victim-centered, trauma-informed investigation. Provides that the training and curriculum must be implemented by July 1, 2023. Amends the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority shall establish a grant program for organizations and units of local government for the purposes of providing a tip hotline or other system for crime victims and witnesses that: (1) allows the callers or participants to remain anonymous; and (2) provides cash rewards for tips that lead to arrest. Creates the Co-Responder Pilot Program Division in the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that the East St. Louis Police Department, Peoria Police Department, Springfield Police Department, and Waukegan Police Department shall establish, subject to appropriation, a co-responder unit no later than 6 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act, including the hiring of personnel as provided in the Division. Provides that, in addition to other responsibilities, the unit's social workers are responsible for conducting follow-up visits for victims who may benefit from mental or behavioral health services. Provides that the unit's primary area of focus shall be victim assistance. Includes other provisions. Repeals the Division on January 1, 2029. Amends the Gang Crime Witness Protection Act of 2013. Changes the name of the Act to the Violent Crime Witness Protection Act. Provides that, no later than January 1, 2023, the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, shall establish a program to assist victims and witnesses who are actively aiding in the prosecution of perpetrators of violent crime (rather than gang crime), and appropriate related persons or victims and witnesses determined by the Authority to be at risk of a discernible threat of violent crime. Makes other changes. Amends the State Finance Act to make a conforming change. Effective immediately. Senate Floor Amendment No. 4 Provides that Violent Crime Witness Protection Program Fund moneys may also be requested by local law enforcement agencies and used to establish local violent crime witness protection programs.

Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that, if a grocery store or a supermarket shows the price of an item on a screen or other display at the point of sale, and the item is being sold at a discount to the regular price, the display must show both the regular price and the discounted price when the price of the item is first displayed on the screen, rather than delaying the showing of the discounted price until the total price of all items is displayed, with specified exceptions. Provides that failure to comply with those requirements constitutes an unlawful practice within the meaning of the Act. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 815 ILCS 505/2WWW new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Sale Price Ad Act. Defines "retail mercantile establishment" to mean a retailer where 55% or more of its gross sales include nonprescription medicines and any cooked or uncooked article of food, beverage, alcohol, confection, or condiment, used for or intended to be used for human consumption off premises. Provides that if a discount is offered for an item, the retail mercantile establishment shall provide (i) the original price and the discounted price; (ii) the original price and a credit or reduction of the advertised savings; (iii) the amount saved or the amount reduced as a percentage; or (iv) any other format for showing the advertised savings of the discount to the consumer. Specifies exceptions. Denies home rule powers. Provides that a person or retail mercantile establishment shall not be fined in excess of $500 per year for violations under the Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after January 1, 2023 shall provide coverage for medically necessary breast reduction surgery. Makes conforming changes in the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Health Maintenance Organization, the Limited Health Service Organization Act, and the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act. House Committee Amendment No. 1 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 January 1, 2024 (rather than January 1, 2023) shall provide coverage for medically necessary breast reduction surgery. Makes grammatical changes.

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Provides that a paraprofessional educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations may be issued to an applicant who is at least 18 years of age and will be using the Educator License with Stipulations exclusively for elementary education. Makes a corresponding change. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the contents of the bill, but allows a paraprofessional educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations to be issued to an applicant who is at least 18 years of age only until the individual reaches the age of 19 years and otherwise meets the criteria for a paraprofessional educator endorsement.

Amends the Educator Licensure Article of the School Code. Provides for the reinstatement of a lapsed Professional Educator License upon the payment by the applicant of a $50 penalty (rather than a $500 penalty). Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Provides that licensees who are retired and qualify for benefits from a State of Illinois retirement system shall be listed as retired (instead of shall notify the State Board of Education using the Educator Licensure Information System (ELIS)). Provides that if a licensee retires during a renewal cycle, the license status must be updated using ELIS indicating that the licensee wishes to maintain the license in retired status (instead of requiring the licensee to notify the State Board of Education using ELIS that the licensee wishes to maintain the license in retired status). Provides that an individual with a license in retired status shall not be required to complete professional development activities (rather than shall not be required to complete professional development activities or pay registration fees) until returning to a position that requires educator licensure. Provides that upon returning to work in a position that requires a Professional Educator License, the license status shall immediately be updated using ELIS (instead of the licensee shall immediately pay a registration fee). Provides that a retired teacher, even if returning to a position that requires educator licensure, shall not be required to pay registration fees.

Expresses support for the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation's efforts to regain possession of the Shab-eh-nay Reservation that was illegally sold by the federal government in 1849.

Amends the Lawyers' Assistance Program Act and the State Finance Act. Repeals provisions concerning: the definition of "lawyers' assistance program"; support for lawyers' assistance programs; creation of the Lawyers' Assistance Program Fund; program funding; and powers of the Supreme Court. Provides for the transfer of the balance of the money in the Lawyers' Assistance Program Fund to the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission. Provides that the Lawyers' Assistance Program Act is repealed in its entirety on July 1, 2022. Effective January 1, 2022. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill, and makes the following changes: (1) provides that the Lawyers' Assistance Program Fund shall be dissolved as soon as practical after the required transfers are made; and (2) changes the effective date to provide that the Act is effective January 1, 2022, except that the provisions amending the State Finance Act take effect July 1, 2022.

Amends the School Code. Makes technical and revisory changes in a Section concerning waivers of School Code mandates. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 105 ILCS 5/2-3.25g Adds reference to: 105 ILCS 5/10-20.56 105 ILCS 5/10-20.83 new 105 ILCS 5/24-6 105 ILCS 5/27A-5 105 ILCS 5/34-18.78 new 105 ILCS 5/34-85e new 110 ILCS 305/160 new 110 ILCS 305/175 new 110 ILCS 520/135 new 110 ILCS 520/150 new 110 ILCS 660/5-245 new 110 ILCS 660/5-260 new 110 ILCS 665/10-245 new 110 ILCS 665/10-265 new 110 ILCS 670/15-245 new 110 ILCS 670/15-260 new 110 ILCS 675/20-250 new 110 ILCS 675/20-270 new 110 ILCS 680/25-245 new 110 ILCS 680/25-265 new 110 ILCS 685/30-255 new 110 ILCS 685/30-275 new 110 ILCS 690/35-250 new 110 ILCS 690/35-270 new 110 ILCS 805/3-29.20 new 110 ILCS 805/3-29.25 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the School Code to provide for pay and benefits to school district employees and contractors who provide educational support services for a school closure or e-learning day. Provides for COVID-19 paid administrative leave for school district employees who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Provides for the return of sick leave used during the 2021-2022 school year to teachers and employees who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public universities and community colleges in Illinois to provide for the return of sick leave used during the 2021-2022 school year to university or community college district employees who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Provides for COVID-19 paid administrative leave for employees who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 2 With respect to the Section of the School Code concerning e-learning days, provides that the definitions of "employee" and "school district" apply only to the amendatory provisions concerning payment to employees by school districts for e-learning days. Makes corresponding changes in the provisions of the School Code concerning charter schools. House Floor Amendment No. 3 Adds an exception to paying employees and contractors of a school district who provide educational support services for a school closure or e-learning day if the school day is rescheduled and the employee will be paid their daily, regular rate of pay and benefits on the rescheduled day when services are rendered. Pension Note, House Floor Amendment No. 2 (Government Forecasting & Accountability) The extent to which HB 1167 (H-AM 2) might have an indirect impact upon the Chicago Teacher Pension Fund, TRS or IMRF by allowing for the return of sick leave to a teacher who is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is not known. An updated impact note will be issued after CGFA staff conducts a consultation with the aforementioned systems. Pension Note, House Floor Amendment No. 3 (Government Forecasting & Accountability) The extent to which HB 1167 (H-AM 3) might have an indirect impact upon the Chicago Teacher Pension Fund, TRS or IMRF by allowing for the return of sick leave to a teacher who is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is not known. An updated impact note will be issued after CGFA staff conducts a consultation with the aforementioned systems. Fiscal Note, House Floor Amendment No. 2 (State Board of Education) HB 1167, as amended by HA-3 does not have a fiscal impact to the State Board of Education. There will be increased costs to school districts; however, that amount is not known. The State Board recommends the sponsors consult with IMRF and TRS regarding potential fiscal impact to the State. Fiscal Note, House Floor Amendment No. 3 (State Board of Education) HB 1167, as amended by HA-3 does not have a fiscal impact to the State Board of Education. There will be increased costs to school districts; however, that amount is not known. The State Board recommends the sponsors consult with IMRF and TRS regarding potential fiscal impact to the State.

Mourns the death of Elise Malary.