LEGISLATIVE UPDATE FROM EQUIP FOR EQUALITY

February 13, 2023

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 February 13, 2023:

 

House Appropriations-Elementary & Secondary Education Committee
February 14, 2023, 2:00 p.m.
Room 118, Capitol Building

or

Virtual Room 1 www.ilga.gov
Springfield, IL

 

SUBJECT MATTER: The Future of Evidence-Based Funding

• To file an electronic witness slip for the subject matter hearing: Click

 

House Elementary & Secondary Education Committee: Administration
Licensing & Charter Schools
February 15, 2023, 2:00 p.m.
Room 115, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL

 

HB 1124, Representative Michelle Mussman

Amends the School Code. Provides that the dyslexia handbook developed by the State Board of Education shall include guidelines on the administration of a universal screener and dyslexia screening, the interpretation of data from these screeners, and the resulting appropriate instruction within a multi-tiered system of support framework. Provides that the State Board of Education shall adopt any rules necessary to ensure that a student will be screened for the risk factors of dyslexia using a universal screener. Sets forth which students are required to be screened. Provides that no later than January 1, 2024, the State Board of Education shall employ at least 5 dyslexia specialists or dyslexia therapists with a minimum of 5 years of field experience in screening, identifying, and treating dyslexia and related disorders. Provides that beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, each school district must screen students in grades kindergarten through 2 for the risk factors of dyslexia using a universal screener approved by the State Board of Education. Provides that if a student is determined to be either at risk or at some risk for dyslexia after the universal screener has been administered, the school district must administer a dyslexia screening of the student. Provides that if a student’s dyslexia screening indicates that the student has characteristics of dyslexia, the dyslexia intervention services provided to the student must utilize a structured literacy approach as outlined in the State Board of Education’s handbook. Makes other changes.

• To read the full text of HB 1124: Click
• To file an electronic witness slip on HB 1124: Click

 

Senate Health and Human Services Committee
February 14, 2023, 3:00 p.m.
Room 400, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL

SB 216, Senator Mary Edly-Allen

Amends the Guardianship and Advocacy Act. Provides that the guardianship training program shall include content regarding Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Amends the Probate Act of 1975. Requires a public guardian to complete a one-hour course on Alzheimer’s disease and dementia within 6 months of appointment and annually thereafter.

• To read the full text of SB 216: Click
• To file an electronic witness slip on SB 216: Click

 

SB 222, Senator Tom Bennett

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Provides that upon commencement of services, or as soon thereafter as the condition of the recipient permits, every adult recipient, as well as the recipient’s guardian or substitute decision maker, and every recipient who is 12 years of age or older and the parent or guardian of a minor or person under guardianship shall be informed orally and in writing that physical assault by a recipient may be reported to law enforcement pursuant to the Health Care Violence Prevention Act.

• To read the full text of SB 222: Click
• To file an electronic witness slip on SB 222: 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
Equip for Equality
cherylj2@equipforequality.org
217-303-8543