Sen. Ram Villivalam

Amends the Illinois Dental Practice Act. Provides that a person who uses teledentistry practices dentistry within the meaning of the Act. Provides that a dentist may utilize and delegate dental services to a dental hygienist or dental assistant using telehealth only under the supervision requirements as specified in the Act for in-person patient care. Provides that a dental assistant who has at least 2,000 hours of direct clinical patient care experience and who has completed a structured training program provided by a continuing education provider approved by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation may perform specified procedures. Provides that a dental assistant who has completed specified training may perform coronal scaling and intracoronal temporization of a tooth under the supervision of a dentist. Changes the definition of "public health setting" to include a prison. Changes the definition of "teledentistry" to include limited patient diagnosis and treatment planning (rather than patient care) using synchronous and asynchronous communications under an Illinois licensed dentist's authority (rather than a dentist's authority). House Floor Amendment No. 2 Adds reference to: 225 ILCS 25/18 from Ch. 111, par. 2318 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill, and makes the following changes: Removes changes to the definition of "teledentistry". Removes a provision that provides that a person who uses teledentistry is considered to practice dentistry under the Act. Restores a provision providing that a dental assistant who has completed training and is an expanded function dental assistant, may place, carve, and finish amalgam restorations, and place, pack, and finish composite restorations as allowed under provisions concerning acts constituting the practice of dentistry. Provides that a dental assistant who has completed training and is an expanded function dental assistant may perform coronal scaling as allowed under provisions concerning acts constituting the practice of dentistry and intracoronal temporization of a tooth. Provides that an order to a hygienist on which services are necessary to be performed on the patient who is unable to travel to a dental office shall be implemented within 30 (rather than 120) days. Provides that without the supervision of a dentist, a dental hygienist may perform dental health education functions, including instruction in proper oral health care and dental hygiene in either a school setting or a long-term care facility. Provides that a dental hygienist may record care (instead of case) histories and oral conditions observed at any time prior to a clinical exam by a dentist. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the engrossed bill, and makes the following changes: Provides that a dental assistant who has completed training and is an expanded function dental assistant may perform coronal scaling only on patients 17 (instead of 12) years of age or younger who have an absence of periodontal disease and who are not medically compromised as allowed under provisions concerning acts constituting the practice of dentistry and intracoronal temporization of a tooth. Restores a provision that provides that coronal sealing shall only be utilized on patients who are eligible for Medicaid, who are uninsured, or whose household income is not greater than 400% (rather than 200%) of the federal poverty level. Provides that an order to a hygienist on which services are necessary to be performed on the patient who is unable to travel to a dental office shall be implemented within 45 (rather than 30) days. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Expands the definition of "public health setting" to include a long-term care facility. Provides that the training program for expanded functions for dental assistants or hygienists must include a minimum of 32 hours of instruction in both didactic and clinical manikin or human subject instruction (rather than a minimum of 16 hours of instruction in both didactic and clinical manikin or human subject instruction). Provides that coronal scaling performed by dental assistants shall be utilized on patients whose household income is not greater that 300% (rather than 400%) of the federal poverty level. Provides that a dental hygienist who is certified as a public health dental hygienist may provide services to patients who are uninsured and whose household income is not greater than 300% (rather than 200%) of the federal poverty level.

Amends the State Comptroller Act. Provides that the Comptroller shall establish and maintain a Geographic Information System (GIS) interactive map on the Comptroller's Internet website that provides the boundaries of all taxing bodies in this State. Provides that the interactive map shall contain detailed information specifying the amount each taxing body levies, the function of the taxing body, and the annual budget of the taxing body. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 15 ILCS 405/28 new Adds reference to: 15 ILCS 405/30 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the State Comptroller Act. Authorizes the Comptroller to establish and maintain an interactive map on the Comptroller's Internet website that provides the location and annual financial information of taxing bodies as reported to the Comptroller's office.

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 Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that each participating municipality or instrumentality that employs an employee who is an elected trustee shall make available to the elected trustee at least 20 days of paid leave of absence per year for the purpose of attending meetings of the Board of Trustees, committee meetings of the Board of Trustees, and seminars regarding issues for which the Board of Trustees is responsible. Provides that the Fund may reimburse affected participating municipalities and instrumentalities for the actual cost of hiring a substitute employee during such leaves of absence. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement by the State.

Amends the School Code. Provides that every school district shall include safe gun storage information in schools' student handbooks. Effective immediately. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 105 ILCS 5/10-20.83 new 105 ILCS 5/34-18.78 new Adds reference to: 105 ILCS 5/27-17 from Ch. 122, par. 27-17 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Course of Study Article of the School Code. Provides that the safety education that school boards and other boards may provide instruction in includes safe gun storage.

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 Illinois Vehicle Code. Adds a licensed physical therapist as a person who can verify that a person is a person with disabilities for the purposes of the Code.

Creates the Equity and Representation in Health Care Act. Contains the findings of the General Assembly. Creates the Equity and Representation in Health Care Workforce Repayment Program and the Equity and Representation in Health Care Workforce Scholarship Program to be administered by the Department of Public Health. Provides that a health care professional, medical facility, or behavioral health provider may apply to the Department for loan repayment assistance under the Program. Provides that, in order to be eligible for loan repayment under the Act, the health care professional or behavioral health provider shall comply with specified requirements. Requires the Department to submit an annual report with specified requirements to the General Assembly and the Governor. Contains provisions regarding the adoption of rules by the Department. Contains other provisions. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill with the following changes. Provides that loan repayment and scholarship program funds are subject to appropriation. Provides that an individual who is awarded a loan repayment authorized under the Act shall not receive concurrent loan repayments through any other Illinois or federal loan repayment program. Requires the Department of Public Health to share information about the application process for a scholarship or loan repayment under the Act prominently on the Department's website, as well as with specified Illinois-based health care training programs and institutions of higher education. Requires recipients who fail to meet their obligations to pay to the Department a sum of at least 1.5 times plus 7% interest annually (rather than a sum equal to) the amount of the received moneys. Contains provisions for waiver or deferment of a recipient's obligation under the Act. Provides that the Act is effective January 1, 2023. Makes other changes. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Provides that a nurse is a "health care professional". Removes language providing that a certified nurse midwife is a "health care professional". Defines "nurse" as a person who is licensed as a licensed practical nurse or as a registered nurse under the Nurse Practice Act.

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Renames the School Social Work Shortage Loan Repayment Program to School and Municipal Social Work Shortage Loan Repayment Program. Expands the Program to require the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to, each year, receive and consider applications from eligible social workers working for an Illinois municipality who do not report directly to a police department (now the Program only accepts applications from social workers who are employed by a public elementary or secondary school in this State) to encourage a grant recipient to use the financial assistance for the repayment of educational loans.

Amends the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Act. Provides that the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Act, to the extent that there is a conflict between the provisions of Executive Order 2017-1 and the Act, supersedes the Executive Order, and shall be controlling. Provides that the position of State Historian is now an honorary position, and specifies new duties of the honorary State Historian. Transfers previously held duties and requirements of the State Historian under the Act to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and its Executive Director. Removes provision requiring the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation to mutually cooperate to establish a working group for specified purposes. Removes provision allowing the Executive Director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum to have hiring and appointing power over specified personnel. Repeals the State Historical Library Act. Repeals the Illinois Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission Act. Makes conforming changes concerning the State Historian. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 3475/20 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Act. Provides that the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Act, to the extent that there is a conflict between the provisions of Executive Order 2017-1 and the Act, supersedes the Executive Order, and shall be controlling. Provides that the Governor in consultation with the Board of Trustees of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and the Illinois Historical Society shall appoint the Illinois State Historian (currently, appointed by the Executive Director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum). Provides for qualifications and term requirements of the Illinois State Historian. Transfers previously held duties and requirements of the State Historian under the Act to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and its Executive Director. Removes provision requiring the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation to mutually cooperate to establish a working group for specified purposes. Removes provision allowing the Executive Director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum to have hiring and appointing power over specified personnel. Repeals the State Historical Library Act. Repeals the Illinois Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Commission Act. Makes conforming changes.