LEGISLATIVE UPDATE FROM EQUIP FOR EQUALITY
May 16, 2014
The following are disability-related bills/issues pending in the Illinois General Assembly that are scheduled to be heard in committee during the week of May 19, 2014:
House Executive Committee
May 19, 2014, 2:30 p.m.
Room 118, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
*SB 2915, Representative Michael J. Madigan
Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Requires the Inspector General for the Department of Human Services to report to the Department of Public Health's health care worker registry the identity and finding of each employee of a facility or agency against whom there is a final investigative report containing a substantiated allegation of physical or sexual abuse, financial exploitation, or egregious neglect of an individual (rather than physical or sexual abuse or egregious neglect of an individual).
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*Equip for Equality supports SB 2915
House Insurance Committee
May 20, 2014, 10:00 a.m.
Room 114, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SB 647,HA 1, Representative Sara Feigenholtz
Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that if an individual or group policy of accident or health insurance provides coverage for telehealth services then it may not require:that an in-person contact occur between a health care provider and a patient; the health care provider to document a barrier to an in-person consultation for coverage of services provided by telehealth; the use of telehealth when the healthcare provider has determined that it is not appropriate; the use of telehealth when a patient chooses an in-person consultation. Provides that deductibles, copayments or coinsurance applicable to services provided through telehealth shall not exceed those required by the individual or group policy of accident or health insurance for the same services provided through in-person consultation.Defines “telehealth services”.Makes corresponding changes to the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, the Illinois Municipal Code, the School Code, the Health Maintenance Organization Act, the Limited Health Service Organization Act, and the Voluntary Health Services Plans Act.
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House Judiciary Committee
May 20, 2014, 10:00 a.m.
Room D-1, Stratton Building
Springfield, IL
SB 2801, HA 1, Representative Elgie R. Sims, Jr.
Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963 and the Unified Code of Corrections. If a defendant found unfit to stand trial or acquitted by reason of insanity is placed in the custody of the Department of Human Services, removes the ability of the court to order placement in a non-secure setting within the Department if compelling reasons exist. Any defendant sent to the Department shall be held in a secure setting. For an unfit defendant charged with a misdemeanor, changes the period of time in which the defendant, with treatment, may be expected to attain fitness for purposes of fitness determinations from one year to no longer than the length of sentence if convicted of the most serious offense. If an unfit defendant refuses psychotropic medication, allows the medication to be administered over the defendant's objections as provided in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. Allows any unfit defendant in the Department of Human Services custody (rather than only those ordered into s secure setting by the court) to be transported to court hearings or other necessary appointments off facility grounds by personnel of the Department, placed in security devices or otherwise secured during the period of transportation to assure secure transport of the defendant and the safety of Department of Human Services personnel and others. Adds provisions requiring an examiner of the defendant to provide notes, other evaluations and other videotaped interviews of a defendant to another examiner upon written request. Provides that all forensic interviews conducted of a defendant shall be videotaped unless impractical. Allows examiners to use these materials as part of their diagnosis and explanation, but prohibits other disclosure of the contents.
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House Revenue and Finance Committee
May 20 2014, 10:00 a.m.
Room 122B, Capitol Building
Springfield, IL
SB 218, Representative Arthur Turner
Amends the Illinois Lottery Law. Requires the Department of the Lottery to offer a special instant scratch-off game with the title "Ticket For Recovery". Requires the net revenue from that game to be deposited into the C. Vincent Bakeman Ticket For Recovery Grant Fund for appropriation by the General Assembly solely to the Department of Public Health for the purpose of making grants to public or private entities in Illinois for the purpose of supporting persons in mental health and substance abuse recovery. Requires the Department of Public Health, before grants are awarded, to provide copies of all grant applications to the Ticket For Recovery Board, receive and review the Board's recommendations and comments, and consult with the Board regarding the grants. Authorizes the Department of the Lottery to adopt rules necessary to implement and administer the game in consultation with the Ticket for Recovery Board. Provides that the Ticket For Recovery Board shall be an advisory board within the Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse of the Department of Human Services.
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House Appropriations-Human Services Committee
May 20, 2014, 11:30 a.m.
Room 413, Stratton Building
Springfield, IL
Appropriations bills for the Department on Aging:
HB 3418, HB 3459, HB 3463, HB 6062
Appropriations bills for the Department of Human Services:
HB 3418, HB 3453, HB 3465, HB 6064
Appropriations bills for the Department of Healthcare and Family Services:
HB 3455, HB 3464
Appropriations bills for the Department of Public Health:
HB 3461, HB 3468, HB 4575, HB 6063
Appropriations bills for the Department of Veterans Affairs:
HB 3460, HB 3467, HB 6074
Appropriations bills for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission:
HB 3472, HB 6058
Appropriations bills for the Guardianship and Advocacy Commission:
HB 3458, HB 3471, HB 6061
Appropriations bills for the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities:
HB 3452, HB 6059
To file electronic witness slip(s):
SB 742, Representative Elgie R. Sims, Jr.
Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that no later
than January 1, 2015, the monthly personal needs allowance required under Title XIX of the Social Security Act for any person residing in a facility licensed under the ID/DD Community Care Act and who has been determined eligible for medical assistance under this Code shall be no less than $50.
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SB 3171, Representative Edward J. Acevedo
Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code.Removes a provision requiring the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to limit adult podiatry services to individuals with diabetes.
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House Appropriations-Elementary & Secondary Education Committee
May 21, 2014, 11:00 a.m.
Room C-1, Stratton Building
Springfield, IL
Appropriations bills for the Illinois State Board of Education
HB 3421, HB 4493, HB 6006, HB 6037
To file electronic witness slip(s):
SB 577, Representative Jehan A. Gordon-Booth
Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code with respect to funding for children requiring special education services. In a provision prohibiting school districts from receiving payments totaling less than they received in fiscal year 2007, requires that, beginning with fiscal year 2014 and each fiscal year thereafter, if the State authorizes the conduct of electronic gaming or authorizes owners licenses under the Riverboat Gambling Act in addition to the 10 initial licenses, $15,000,000 in gaming revenues deposited into the Education Assistance Fund from the State Gaming Fund shall be used by the State Board of Education for the purpose of making the hold harmless payments.
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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 also 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
Legislative Director
Equip for Equality
217-544-0464 ext. 6013
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