LEGISLATIVE UPDATE FROM EQUIP FOR EQUALITY
The following are disability-related bills and/or issues pending in the Illinois General Assembly that are scheduled to be heard in committee during the week of April 8, 2024.
NOTE: April 12, 2024, is the 3rd Reading deadline for substantive Senate bills in the Senate.
The following are disability-related bills and/or issues pending in the Illinois General Assembly that are scheduled to be heard in committee during the week of April 8, 2024.
House Elementary & Secondary Education: School Curriculum & Policies Committee
April 11, 2024, 9:00 a.m.
Capitol Building, Room 114
Springfield, IL
HB 340, HA 1, Representative Michelle Mussman
Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. With regard to the
requirement that school boards provide parents of a child with prior written notice of any decision proposing to initiate or change or refusing to initiate or change the identification, evaluation or educational placement of a child or the provision of a free appropriate public education to the child, provides that the written notice must include the content required by subsection c of Section 14-8.02f of the Code. With regard to meetings to determine whether a child is eligible for special education or related services, provides that the required written notice to the parent or guardian from the local educational agency must inform the parent or guardian of their right to receive copies of all written materials that will be considered by the IEP team and the date the materials will be delivered or made available to them.
- To read the full text of HB 340, HA 1: Click
- To file an electronic witness slip on HB 340, HA 1: Click
House Human Services Committee
April 11, 2024, 9:00 a.m.
Stratton Building, Room D-1
Springfield, IL
HB 3714, HA 1, Representative Aaron M. Ortiz
Amends the Language Assistance Services Act. Provides for the use and availability of qualified medical interpreters (rather than interpreters) in health facilities. Defines “qualified medical interpreters”. Provides that employees of a health facility have the right to use a qualified medical interpreter for their own communication with a limited English proficient patient if a conversation between the limited English proficient patient and the employee would be jeopardized by the use of a volunteer interpreter. Requires the facility to annually transmit to the Department of Public Health a copy of the updated policy regarding language assistance services and to include a description of the facility’s process to ensure adequate and speedy communication between staff and patients with language or communication barriers. Provides that facilities must prepare and maintain a list of contact information for American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter providers or individuals who have been identified as being proficient in sign language, as well as a list of the languages of the population of the geographical area served by the facility. Removes language allowing facilities to consider providing its nonbilingual staff with standardized picture and phrase sheets for use in routine communications with patients who have language or communication barriers. Makes other changes.
- To read the full text of HB 3714: Click
- To read the full text of HA 1: Click
- To file an electronic witness slip on HB 3714, HA 1: Click
HB 5095, HA 1, Representative Anna Moeller
Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Adds (in addition to other criteria) that if a resident fails to pay or has a late payment and the facility follows the federal discharge and transfer requirements, including the issuance of a notice of facility-initiated discharge, then a facility that participates in the Medical Assistance Program may refuse to retain as a resident any person who resides in a part of the facility that does not participate in the Medical Assistance Program and who is unable to pay for his or her care in the facility without medical assistance.
- To read the full text of HB 5095: Click
- To read the full text of HA 1: Click
- To file an electronic witness slip on HB 5095: Click
House Labor & Commerce Committee
April 11, 2024, 2:00 p.m.
Capitol Building, Room 114
Springfield, IL
HB 5256, HA 1, Representative Harry Benton
Amends the Department of Central Management Services Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department shall, by rule, establish a fellowship program through which an individual with a disability may attain state employment. Provides that a participant in the program shall be employed by a State agency for a 6-month period in a position determined by the State agency in collaboration with the participant. After the 6-month period, the State agency shall consider the participant for permanent employment and evaluate the participant based on the work performed during the fellowship. No additional pre-employment interviews or examinations shall be required.
- To read the full text of HB 5256, HA 1: Click
- To read the full text of HA 1: Click
- To file an electronic witness slip on HB 5256, HA 1: Click
House Appropriations-Human Services Committee
April 12, 2024, 8:30 a.m.
Capitol Building, Room 114 and Virtual Room 1, www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL
SUBJECT MATTER: Department of Human Services, Department on Aging
- To file an electronic witness slip for the subject matter hearing: Click
House Mental Health & Addiction Committee
April 12, 2024, 10:00 a.m.
Stratton Building, Room C-1
Springfield, IL
HB 2838, HA 1, Representative Lindsey LaPointe
Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Provides that, beginning with the 2023-2024 academic year, the Department of Human Services shall establish and administer the Behavioral Health Scholarship Program for the purpose of incentivizing students to pursue degrees in a behavioral health discipline. Provides that the Department shall award financial assistance in the form of a scholarship to cover the cost of tuition, university fees, and books each year for a maximum of 4 years at a participating university if the applicant meets certain conditions. Sets forth rules, regulations, and other requirements for the Program. Provides that the Department shall establish the Employment Funding Grant Program to provide grants to qualified individuals who work for a community not-for-profit behavioral health agency or a federally qualified health center. Defines who is a qualified individual. Sets forth rules, regulations, and other requirements for the Program. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Behavioral Health Education Program Fund. Makes other changes.
- To read the full text of HB 2838: Click
- To read the full text of HA 1: Click
- To file an electronic witness slip on HB 2838, HA 1: Click
HB 5094, HA 1, Representative Lindsey LaPointe
Creates the Workforce Direct Care Act. Establishes the Behavioral Health Administrative Burden Work Group within the Office of the Chief Behavioral Health Officer. Sets forth membership and responsibilities of the Work Group, including to review policies and regulations affecting the behavioral health industry to identify inefficiencies, duplicate or unnecessary requirements, unduly burdensome restrictions, and other administrative barriers that prevent behavioral health professionals from providing services and to analyze the impact of administrative burdensome the delivery of quality care and access to behavioral health services. Requires the Work Group to meet at least once a month and to prepare an administrative burden reduction plan with policy recommendations to improve access to behavioral health care.
- To read the full text of HB 5094: Click
- To read the full text of HA 1: Click
- To file an electronic witness slip on HB 5094, HA 1: Click
Senate Education Committee
April 9, 2024, 3:30 p.m.
Capitol Building, Room 212
Springfield, IL
SB 1400, Senator Kimberly Lightford
Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning student discipline policies, provides that the State Board of Education shall draft and publish model policy guidelines for the development of reciprocal reporting systems and school bus safety protocols and for evidence-based early intervention procedures. In provisions concerning the suspension or expulsion of students, makes changes concerning a student’s gross disobedience or misconduct posing an immediate threat to the health or safety of students or school personnel, when school exclusions should be used, the number and duration of expulsions and suspensions, the implementation of proactive evidence-based interventions that improve behavioral outcomes for all students, non-exclusionary discipline, out-of-school suspensions of 3 days or less, model policy guidelines for the re-engagement of students, professional development, and the removal of children with disabilities who violate the student discipline policies from their current placement. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.
Senate Judiciary Committee
April 9, 2024, 3:30 p.m.
Capitol Building, Room 409
Springfield, IL
SB 3288, Senator Robert Peters
Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act. Defines “research” to have the meaning that is ascribed to it in HIPAA and the Code of Federal Regulations. Changes the consent form to delete the requirement that the signature of the person giving consent or revocation of a consent does not have to be witnessed by a person who can attest to the identity of the person signing. Provides that records and communications may be disclosed for research in accordance with the requirements set forth under HIPAA and the Code of Federal Regulations.
Senate Behavioral and Mental Health Committee
April 10, 2024, 10:00 a.m.
Capitol Building, Room 400
Springfield, IL
SB 3316, SA 2, Senator Sara Feigenholtz
Amends various Acts concerning children’s mental health. Amends the School Code. Provides that on or before October 1, 2024, the State Board of Education, in consultation with the Children’s Behavioral Health Transformation Team, the Office of the Governor, and relevant stakeholders as needed shall release a strategy that includes a tool for measuring capacity and readiness to implement universal mental health screening of students. Provides that the State Board of Education shall issue a report to the Governor and the General Assembly on school district readiness and plan for phased approach to universal mental health screening of students on or before April 1, 2025. Repeals the Wellness Checks in Schools Program Act. Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall implement guidance to managed care organizations and similar care coordination entities contracted with the Department, so that the managed care organizations and care coordination entities respond to lead indicators with services and interventions that are designed to help stabilize the child. Amends the Children’s Mental Health Act. Provides that the Children’s Mental Health Partnership shall advise the Children’s Behavioral Health Transformation Initiative on designing and implementing short-term and long-term strategies to provide comprehensive and coordinated services for children from birth to age 25 and their families with the goal of addressing children’s mental health needs across a full continuum of care, including social determinants of health, prevention, early identification, and treatment. Provides that the Department of Public health (rather than the Department of Healthcare and Family Services) shall provide technical and administrative support for the Partnership. Deletes provision that the Partnership shall employ an Executive Director and set the compensation of the Executive Director and other such employees and technical assistance as it deems necessary to carry out its duties. Amends the Interagency Children’s Behavioral Health Services Act. Provides that the Children’s Behavioral Health Transformation Team in collaboration with the Department of Human Services shall develop a program to provide one-on-one in-home respite behavioral health aids to youth requiring intensive supervision due to behavioral health needs. Effective immediately.
- To read the full text of SB 3316: Click
- To read the full text of SA 2: Click
- To file an electronic witness slip on SB 3316, SA 2: Click
SR 796, Senator Michael W. Halpin
Declares the week of October 20 through October 26, 2024 as Invisible Disabilities Week in Illinois. Urges State Facilities to adopt the Sunflower Project, including making Sunflower decals visible upon entry, making Sunflower lanyards, wristbands, and/or cards available, and educating staff on the meaning and desired goal of the Sunflower Project.
SR 811, Senator Laura Fine
Declares May of 2024 as “BPD” (Borderline Personality Disorder) Month.
Senate Local Government Committee
April 10, 2024, 4:30 p.m.
Capitol Building, Room 409
Springfield, IL
SB 2751, SA 1, Senator Dan McConchie
Amends the Counties Code, Township Code, and Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a veteran with a disability or the veteran’s caregiver shall not be charged any building permit fee for improvements to the residence of the veteran with a disability if the improvements are required to accommodate a disability of the veteran. Provides that the applications, forms, and other paperwork required to obtain a building permit must still be submitted. Limits the concurrent exercise of home rule powers. Effective January 1, 2025.
- To read the full text of SB 2751: Click
- To read the full text of SA 1: Click
- To file an electronic witness slip on SB 2751, SA 1: Click
Senate Appropriations-Human Services Committee
April 10, 2024, 5:30 p.m.
Capitol Building, Room 212
Springfield, IL
SUBJECT MATTER: On: SB 3848 Illinois Healthcare and Family Services, SB 2684, SB 2730, SB 2792, SB 3484, SB 2684, SB 2730, SB 2792
- To file an electronic witness slip for the subject matter hearing: Click
NOTE: If you wish to take any action regarding any of these bills/issues, you may wish to file an electronic witness slip and/or or submit oral or written testimony to the committee holding the hearing and/or contact the members of the committee conducting the hearing and/or the legislators in your home district. The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of all legislators, both Representatives and Senators, can be found on the Illinois General Assembly website at: www.ilga.gov. You may check this website to find out if any of the committee hearing dates or times have been changed, which may happen upon very short notice.
For additional information, please contact:
Cheryl R. Jansen
Public Policy Director
cherylj2@equipforequality.org
217-303-8543
