Sen. Ira I. Silverstein

Creates the Health Care Justice Act. Provides that the State of Illinois shall implement a health care plan that provides access to a full range of preventive, acute, and long-term health care services. Establishes the Bipartisan Health Care Reform Commission with members appointed by the Governor and legislative leaders. Provides for public hearings and a report by the Commission. Requires a preliminary report by February 1, 2005 and a final report by February 1, 2006. Effective immediately.

Amends the Sale of Tobacco to Minors Act. Prohibits the sale of tobacco over the Internet.

Creates the Arsonist Registration Act. Requires a person who has committed or attempted to commit arson, aggravated arson, residential arson, place of worship arson, or possession of explosives or explosive or incendiary devices to register with the Department of State Police for a 10-year period. Establishes procedures for registration and penalties for violation. Amends the Department of State Police Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Requires the Department of State Police to enter arsonist registration information into the Law Enforcement Agencies Data System (LEADS). Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Arsonist Registration Fund in the State treasury. Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that law enforcement records and juvenile court records of a minor may be disclosed to a fire or arson investigator of the Office of the State Fire Marshal or of a local fire department or fire protection district or to a person classified as a peace officer under the Peace Officer Fire Investigation Act during the investigation or prosecution of an arson.

Amends the Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act. Provides that if a person has been committed as a sexually violent person and has not been discharged, the Department of Human Services shall submit a written report to the court (rather than conduct an examination) on his or her mental condition within 6 months after an initial commitment and then at least once every 12 months thereafter. Provides that any examiner conducting an examination of the person shall prepare a written report of the examination no later than 30 days after the date of the examination. Provides that if a detainee or civilly committed sexually violent person escapes, dies, or is subject to any court-ordered change in custody status of the detainee or sexually violent person, the Department of Human Services shall make a reasonable attempt to notify, if he or she can be found, all of the following persons, if applicable, who request notification under the Act or under the Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act: (1) the victim of the act of sexual violence; (2) an adult member of the victim's family, if the victim died as a result of the act of sexual violence; (3) the victim's parent or legal guardian, if the victim is younger than 18 years old; and (4) the Department of Corrections. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that no life company may refuse to insure, refuse to continue to insure, limit the amount or extent or kind of coverage available to an individual, or charge an individual a different rate for the same coverage for reasons associated with an applicant's or insured's past lawful travel experiences. Effective immediately.

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall include, in the annual service needs report regarding autism submitted to the General Assembly, a plan to provide family support mechanisms to enable persons with autism to remain in a family home environment. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Extends Medicaid eligibility for continued home-based skilled or intermediate care to persons age 21 or older (under current law, eligibility is limited to persons under age 21). Requires an annual determination of need for that level of care and requires the Department of Human Services to make an annual report concerning services provided and other matters. Effective immediately.

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act. Authorizes disclosure of the records of a recipient of mental health or developmental disability services during the course of an assessment authorized by the Abuse of Adults with Disabilities Intervention Act. Effective immediately.

Mourns the death of Elaine "Leah" Welbel of Skokie.

Mourns the death of Sister Mary Luke Makuch of Chicago.

Mourns the death of Joe Potasiak of Chicago.