House Appropriations-Elementary & Secondary Education Committee
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE FROM EQUIP FOR EQUALITY
February 27, 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 March 2, 2015:
House Appropriations-Elementary & Secondary Education Committee
March 3, 2015, 1:00 p.m.
Room 114, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SUBJECT MATTER HEARING: SB 1 Overview (Sen. Manar), ISBE Mandates and Pressures
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House Juvenile Justice & System-Involved Youth Committee
March 3, 2015, 1:00 p.m.
Room 115, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
HB 217, Representative Kelly M. Cassidy
Creates the Conversion Therapy Prohibition Act. Defines "mental health provider" and "sexual orientation change efforts". Provides that no mental health provider shall engage in sexual orientation change efforts with a person under the age of 18. Further provides that any sexual orientation change effort attempted on a person under the age of 18 by a mental health provider shall be considered unprofessional conduct and that a mental health provider found to have engaged in a sexual orientation change effort shall be disciplined by the licensing entity or disciplinary review board with competent jurisdiction.
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House Health Care Availability and Accessibility Committee
March 3 2015, 2:30 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 1358, Representative Esther Golar
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance must provide coverage for medically necessary preventative physical therapy for insureds diagnosed with multiple sclerosis without any treatment limitation or calendar year maximum. Removes requirements that coverage under this provision be subject to the same waiting period, cost sharing limitation, treatment limitation, calendar year maximum, or other limitation as provided for other physical or rehabilitative therapy benefits.
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House Appropriations-Human Services Committee
March 3, 2015, 3:00 p.m.
Room 114, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SUBJECT MATTER HEARING: Medicaid Redetermination Status Update.
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House Human Services Committee
March 4, 2015, 8:30 a.m.
Room C-1, Stratton Building
Springfield, IL
HB 205, HA 1, Representative Sara Feigenholtz
Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. In a provision concerning access to psychiatric mental health services, provides that the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall reimburse "licensed mental health professionals as defined by the Department" (rather than psychiatrists) and federally qualified health centers as defined in the federal Social Security Act for mental health services provided by "licensed mental health professionals" (rather than psychiatrists), as authorized by Illinois law, to recipients via telepsychiatry.
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HB 1512, Representative Reginald Phillips
Amends the Health Facilities Planning Act. Removes nursing homes from the requirements of the Act and the authority of the Health Facilities and Services Review Board. Makes conforming changes in the Nursing Home Care Act.
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House Elementary & Secondary Education: School Curriculum and Policies Committee
March 4, 2015, 9:00 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
House Appropriations-Human Services Committee
March 5, 2015, 8:00 a.m.
Room C-1,Stratton Building
Springfield, IL
SUBJECT MATTER HEARING: Department of Human Rights, Human Rights Commission, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission, Guardianship and Advocacy Commission
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House Revenue & Finance Committee
March 5, 2015, 9:30 a.m.
Room 118, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
HB 1487, Representative LaShawn K. Ford
Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates an income tax checkoff for the Mental Health Income Tax Checkoff Fund. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Fund. Provides that moneys in the Fund may be used by the Department of Public Health for the purpose of making grants to providers of mental health services in the State.
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HB 1523, Representative Brian W. Stewart
Amends the Property Tax Code. In a Section concerning the disabled veterans standard homestead exemption, provides that, for taxable years 2015 and thereafter, if the veteran has a service connected disability of 30% or more, then the property is exempt from taxation under the Code.
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Income Tax Subcommittee
HB 157, Representative Jack D. Franks
Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. In a Section granting a tax credit for residential real property taxes, provides that, for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2015, if the taxpayer qualifies for the disabled persons' homestead exemption under the Property Tax Code, then the taxpayer is entitled to a credit equal to 10% (instead of 5%) of real property taxes paid by the taxpayer during the taxable year on the qualifying property. Provides that the credit may not be carried forward or back and may not reduce the taxpayer's liability to less than zero. Exempts the credit from the Act's automatic sunset provision.
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Property Tax Subcommittee
HB 159, HA 1, Representative Jack D. Franks
Amends the Property Tax Code. In a Section concerning the disabled veterans standard homestead exemption, provides that, for taxable years 2015 and thereafter: (i) if the veteran has a service connected disability of 30% or more but less than 50%, the annual exemption is $2,500; (ii) if the veteran has a service connected disability of 50% or more but less than 70%, the annual exemption is $5,000; and (iii) if the veteran has a service connected disability of 70% or more, then the property is exempt from taxation.
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HB 368, Representative Deborah Conroy
Amends the Property Tax Code. Includes disabled persons within the provisions granting an assessment freeze homestead exemption to senior citizens and changes the title of the exemption to the Senior Citizens and Disabled Persons Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement by the State.
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Senate Education Committee
March 3, 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
March 3, 2015, 1:00 p.m.
Room 400, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SB 1306, Senator Ira I. Silverstein
Amends the Nursing Home Care Act. Requires a nursing home to place electronic monitoring devices throughout the facility in areas including specified common areas and residents' rooms. Allows residents to opt out of electronic monitoring in their rooms. Sets forth requirements concerning recordings. Provides that intentionally hampering, obstructing, tampering with, or destroying an electronic monitoring device installed in a facility is a Class A misdemeanor for which a $5,000 fine may be imposed. Provides for access to real-time and recorded files. Allows for the admission of recordings into evidence. Contains provisions concerning civil liability; reimbursement of facilities for expenses incurred in installing electronic monitoring systems; the authority of the Department of Public Health to deny, suspend, or refuse to renew a facility's license; the adoption of rules by the Department; and other matters.
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Senate Human Services Committee
March 3, 2015, 3:00 p.m.
Room 409, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SB 788, Senator Heather A. Steans
Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Requires the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to develop and implement an algorithm that is based on quality scores and other operational proficiency criteria developed, defined, and adopted by the Department, by rule, to automatically assign Medicaid enrollees served under the Family Health Plan and the Integrated Care Program and those Medicaid enrollees eligible for medical assistance pursuant to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act into managed care entities, including Accountable Care Entities, Care Coordination Entities, Children with Special Needs Care Coordination Entities, Managed Care Community Networks, and Managed Care Organizations. Provides that the algorithm developed and implemented shall favor assignment into managed care entities with the highest quality scores and levels of compliance with the operational proficiency criteria established.
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SB 832, Senator Michael E. Hastings
Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that drugs in the following therapeutic classes shall not be subject to prior approval as a result of the 4-prescription limit: immunosuppressant drugs, oncolytic drugs, anti-retroviral drugs, "antipsychotic drugs, and, on or after July 1, 2015, anti-depressant and anti-anxiety drugs" (rather than immunosuppressant drugs, oncolytic drugs, anti-retroviral drugs, and, on or after July 1, 2014, antipsychotic drugs).
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SB 850, Senator Pamela A. Althoff
Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to develop, by rule, criteria for determining when a child may be voluntarily placed in out-of-home care funded by the Department for the purpose of obtaining mental health treatment for the child or treatment for the child's developmental disability. Provides that relinquishment of custody of a child shall not be a condition for receipt of services or care delivered or funded by the Department. Provides that a child voluntarily placed in out-of-home care shall be placed pursuant to a voluntary placement agreement voluntarily entered into by the parent or legal guardian of the child. Provides that for a child to remain in out-of-home care for longer than 180 days, a juvenile court must make a judicial determination within the first 180 days of the placement that the placement is in the best interests of the child. Provides that the inability of a parent or legal guardian to care for a child with a serious mental illness, serious emotional disturbance, or developmental disability shall not in itself be the basis for a finding of abuse or neglect of the child.
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SB 1249, Senator Heather A. Steans
Amends the Specialized Mental Health Rehabilitation Act of 2013. In a provision concerning mental health system planning, provides that the Office of the Governor (instead of the Governor's Office of Health Innovation and Transformation) shall oversee a process for identifying needed services and identifying the financing strategies for developing those needed services. Makes a change in a provision concerning the purpose of the process. Adds language requiring the process to address the need and financing strategies for trauma-informed care. Requires the Office of the Governor (instead of the Governor's Office of Health Innovation and Transformation) to report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly by January 15, 2016 (instead of July 1, 2015). Makes other changes.
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SB 1367, Senator Heather A. Steans
Amends the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the State shall not accept any special terms and conditions for federal approval of any research and demonstration project waiver proposal submitted to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on June 4, 2014 under Section 1115 of the Social Security Act without prior approval from the General Assembly. Provides that the State shall not make any changes or amendments to any research and demonstration project waiver proposal submitted to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on June 4, 2014 under Section 1115 of the Social Security Act without prior approval from the General Assembly.
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SB 1387, Senator William E. Brady
Repeals the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Act and abolishes the Health Facilities and Services Review Board. Amends the Health Care Worker Self-Referral Act to transfer the Board's functions under that Act to the Department of Public Health. Amends various other Acts to eliminate references to the Board or the Act.
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Subcommittee on Issues Relating to the Department of Children and Family Services
SR 90, Senator Julie A. Morrison
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
March 3, 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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SB 834, Senator William R. Haine
Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code concerning court hearings under the Admission, Transfer and Discharge Procedures for the Mentally Ill Chapter of the Code. Deletes provision that any party may request a change of venue or transfer to any other county because of the convenience of parties or witnesses or the condition of the respondent. Provides that the court shall grant the request of the respondent to have the proceedings transferred to the county of his or her residence if and only if the court determines that the transfer is necessary to ensure the attendance of any material witness.
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SB 1309, Senator Ira I. Silverstein
Amends the Adult Protective Services Act. In provisions concerning reports of abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, or self-neglect of an eligible adult as defined under the Act, adds a representative of the public guardian acting in the course of investigating the appropriateness of guardianship for the eligible adult or while pursuing a petition for guardianship of the eligible adult to the list of persons granted access, upon request, to all records concerning reports of abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, or self-neglect and all records generated as a result of such reports.
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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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