LEGISLATIVE UPDATE FROM EQUIP FOR EQUALITY
NOTE: May 17, 2024, is the Third Reading deadline for substantive Senate bills in the House and substantive House 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 May 13, 2024:
Senate Education Committee
May 14, 2024, 2:30 p.m.
Capitol Building, Room 212
Springfield, IL
SB 1400, Senator Kimberly A. 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 Health and Human Services Committee
May 14, 2024, 4:00 p.m.
Capitol Building, Room 400
Springfield, IL
SB 3723, Senator Kimberly A. Lightford
Amends the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act. Adds provisions concerning involuntary terminations of residency, hearings when residency is involuntarily terminated, and readmission of residents. Provides that an establishment shall notify a resident when the establishment’s ability to meet the resident’s needs may be affected. Provides that if an establishment initiates a termination of residency, then the resident shall be provided with written notice. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall (rather than may) offer assistance to an establishment and resident in preparation for a residency termination. Provides that an establishment that improperly terminates the residency of a resident shall be assessed a violation. Makes additions to provisions concerning resident rights. Makes other changes. Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Makes changes to provisions concerning the involuntary transfer or discharge of a resident, hearings when a resident is involuntarily transferred or discharged, and the readmission of residents. Provides that a resident has a right not to be unlawfully transferred or discharged from a facility. Makes other changes. Amends the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act and the Nursing Home Care Act. Provides that in certain circumstances the Department shall order immediate readmission of a resident. Provides that failure to readmit a resident after receiving an order to do so from the Department shall result in a specified daily fine. Provides that the Department shall adopt rules related to conflicts of interest for persons who conduct specified hearings.
Senate Behavioral and Mental Health Committee
May 15, 2024, 9:30 a.m.
Capitol Building, Room 400
Springfield, IL
HB 4498, Senator Steve Stadelman
Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Provides that a voluntary recipient admitted to a mental health facility who gives a written notice to the treatment staff that the recipient wishes to be discharged from the facility may be involuntarily held at the facility if within 5 days after giving the notice, a copy of the notice and a petition and the 2 certificates executed by a physician, qualified examiner, psychiatrist, advanced practice psychiatric nurse, or clinical psychologist which states that the recipient is subject to involuntary admission on an inpatient basis and requires immediate hospitalization are filed with the court (rather than only the petition and 2 certificates).
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
