LEGISLATIVE UPDATE FROM EQUIP FOR EQUALITY
February 13, 2015
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 16, 2015:
House Health Care Availability and Accessibility Committee
February 18, 2015, 3:30 p.m.
Room 115, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
HB 76, Representative Lou Lang
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that each insured residing in an area designated as a mental health professional shortage area may obtain services from professionals licensed under the Illinois Alcoholism and Other Drug Abuse and Dependency Act through the use of telehealth services.
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HB 108, Representative Mary E. Flowers
Creates the Illinois Universal Health Care Act. Provides that all individuals residing in the State are covered under the Illinois Health Services Program for health insurance. Sets forth the health coverage benefits that participants are entitled to under the Program. Sets forth the qualification requirements for participating health providers. Sets forth standards for provider reimbursement. Provides that it is unlawful for private health insurers to sell health insurance coverage that duplicates the coverage of the Program. Provides that investor-ownership of health delivery facilities is unlawful. Provides that the State shall establish the Illinois Health Services Trust to provide financing for the Program. Sets forth the requirements for claims billing under the Program. Provides that the Program shall include funding for long-term care services and mental health services. Provides that the Program shall establish a single prescription drug formulary and list of approved durable medical goods and supplies. Creates the Pharmaceutical and Durable Medical Goods Committee to negotiate the prices of pharmaceuticals and durable medical goods with suppliers or manufacturers on an open bid competitive basis. Sets forth provisions concerning patients' rights. Provides that the employees of the Program shall be compensated in accordance with the current pay scale for State employees and as deemed professionally appropriate by the General Assembly.
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House Elementary & Secondary Education: School Curriculum and Policies Committee
February 19, 2015, 10:00 a.m.
Room 114, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
*HB 216, Representative Jay Hoffman
Amends the School Code. Allows a school board to suspend or authorize the superintendent of the school district or the principal, assistant principal, or dean of students of a school to suspend a student for a period not to exceed 10 school days or to expel a student for a definite period of time not to exceed 2 calendar years, as determined on a case-by-case basis, if (i) the student has been convicted of a violent felony and (ii) the board or, as authorized by board policy, the superintendent of the district or the principal, assistant principal, or dean of students of the school determines that the student's continued presence in school would have a substantial detrimental effect on the general welfare of the school. Provides that the board may also authorize the district superintendent to immediately refer or transfer the student to another attendance center or alternative school if the student has been charged with a violent felony. Defines "violent felony".
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*Equip for Equality opposes HB 216
HB 255, Representative Joe Sosnowski
Amends the Transportation Article of the School Code. Provides that a school board shall provide free transportation for pupils residing at a distance of 2 miles (instead of one and one-half miles) or more from school. Makes related changes in provisions concerning the transportation of pupils less than that distance from school, pupils attending a charter school or nonpublic school, reimbursement by the State for transportation, and reimbursement of a custodian of a qualifying pupil for transportation expenses paid by the custodian.
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*Equip for Equality opposes HB 255
Senate Education Committee
February 17, 2015, 1:00 p.m.
Room 212, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SR 88, Senator Kimberly A. Lightford
Encourages the Illinois State Board of Education to work with school districts to inform all students with developmental disabilities and their parents that the Prioritization for Urgency of Needs for Services database is a resource that can assist them in obtaining services for their needs. Encourages local school districts to direct parents and students to the Prioritization for Urgency of Needs for Services website for information annually during the Individualized Education Plan process.
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Senate Public Health Committee
February 17, 2015, 1:00 p.m.
Room 400, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SR 51, Senator Julie A. Morrison
Designates the month of September of 2015 as Teen Suicide Prevention Month in the State of Illinois.
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Senate Human Services Committee
February 17, 2015, 3:00 p.m.
Room 409, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SR 90, Senator Julie A. Morrision
Requests that the Department of Children and Family Services and the Department of Public Health collaborate and devise policy recommendations regarding HIV supportive services and prevention.
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Senate Judiciary Committee
February 17, 2015, 3:00 p.m.
Room 400, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SB 90, Senator Ira I. Silverstein
Amends the Probate Act of 1975. Provides that there is a rebuttable presumption that a will is void if it was executed or modified after the testator has been adjudicated disabled and the will was executed or modified without court approval. Provides that the presumption is overcome by clear and convincing evidence that the testator had the capacity to execute the will or codicil at the time the will or codicil was executed.
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Senate Executive Committee
February 18, 2015, 3:00 p.m.
Room 212, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SB 33, Senator Michael E. Hastings
Amends the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act. Adds "post-traumatic stress disorder" to the definition of "debilitating medical condition".
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Senate Licensed Activities and Pensions Committee
February 18, 2015, 3:00 p.m.
Room 400, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SB 731, Senator Iris Y. Martinez
Amends the Regulatory Sunset Act. Extends the repeal of the Hearing Instrument Consumer Protection Act from January 1, 2016 to January 1, 2026. Amends the Hearing Instrument Consumer Protection Act. Requires that the Department of Public Health use the International Hearing Society's licensure exam in licensing hearing instrument dispensers. Provides that the Department of Public Health determine an exam administration fee by rule to add to the exam fee of the International Hearing Society. Requires that licensed hearing instrument dispensers earn at least one hour of continuing education credit in Illinois law and ethics. Provides that continuing education offered by a college, university, or bar association, the International Hearing Society, the Illinois Academy of Audiology, or the Illinois Hearing Society regarding Illinois law and ethics shall be accepted toward satisfaction of this continuing education requirement.
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Senate Human Services Committee
February 19, 2015, 9:30 a.m.
Room 409, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SUBJECT MATTER HEARING: Testimony Regarding Issues Related to Managed Care with Reference to Dental Providers and Dental Benefit Managers.
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*Indicates Equip for Equality’s position on a bill
NOTE: If you wish to take any action regarding any of these bills/issues, you may wish to attend the committee 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: 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.
You may also use this website to file an electronic witness slip for any bill that is posted for hearing by clicking on “GA Dashboard” on the homepage. For additional information, please contact:
Cheryl R. Jansen
Legislative Director
Equip for Equality
217-544-0464 ext. 6013
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