Sen. Christopher Belt

Amends the Illinois Dental Practice Act. In provisions concerning teledentistry, provides that an initial examination for new patients, excluding patients seeking orthodontic treatment, may be conducted through teledentistry if the authorizing dentist establishes a bona fide dentist-patient relationship by reviewing the patient's medical and dental history and verifying both the patient's identity and physical location to ensure that dental care is being administered within the State. Provides that an initial examination for orthodontia treatment shall be performed in person only. Requires an in-person clinical examination to be performed immediately before providing or authorizing services or treatments to patients that are not reversible. Provides that, for ongoing dentist-patient relationships, dentists shall strongly encourage patients to be seen in person at least annually. Makes other changes.

Amends the State Fire Marshal Act. Provides that the Office of the State Fire Marshal shall award grants to not-for-profit fire departments exempt from federal income taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (in addition to units of local government) for the rehabilitation or construction of fire stations.

Amends the Sexual Assault Survivors Emergency Treatment Act. Provides that beginning January 1, 2028, a treatment hospital, treatment hospital with approved pediatric transfer, or approved pediatric health care facility may submit a sexual assault treatment plan which includes the use of a TeleSANE interactive telecommunications system which allows a qualified medical provider to precept a medical forensic examination while located at a distant site. Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that in inspection and copying of law enforcement records maintained by law enforcement agencies that relate to a minor who has been investigated, arrested, or taken into custody before the minor's 18th birthday by victims and their attorneys, the information identifying the nonrequesting victims shall be redacted in cases of multiple minor victims or multiple victims of sex offenses. Amends the Rights of Crime Victims and Witnesses Act. Provides that a victim shall not be excluded from any part of the trial unless a written motion to exclude a victim from trial was filed at least 60 days prior to the date set for trial. Makes other structural and technical changes in the Act. Makes other changes. Amends the Address Confidentiality for Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Human Trafficking, or Stalking Act. Defines "eligible person" as a person 18 years of age or older who is the victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, or stalking; the parent or guardian of a minor or disabled adult who is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, or stalking; and a household member of a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, or stalking. Allows household members who are not victims to participate in the program. Provides that a participant whose certification has not been withdrawn or cancelled may reapply to the Address Confidentiality Program to renew certification for an additional 4 years. Changes notice process for certification cancellation. Allows the Attorney General discretion to continue the participation of participants who have a change of legal name and specifies notice in that process. Makes other changes.

Amends the Children's Advocacy Center Act. Provides that Multidisciplinary Team members shall work together, share information, and maintain confidentiality throughout the investigative process. Provides that Multidisciplinary Team members shall coordinate, communicate, and keep nonoffending parents, caregivers, and their families aware of the status of child abuse investigations. Provides that Children's Advocacy Centers shall be (rather than may be) established to coordinate the activities of the various agencies involved in the investigation, prosecution, and treatment of child maltreatment. Provides that every Child Advocacy Center shall include a multidisciplinary systems approach that includes all Multidisciplinary Team members as equal partners in the investigation of child maltreatment. Provides that an investigation into child maltreatment shall include a comprehensive interagency notification procedure for all Multidisciplinary Team partners. Amends the Privacy of Child Victims of Criminal Sexual Offenses Act. Provides that a multidisciplinary team member shall not reveal the identity of any child who is the victim of a criminal sexual offense or is allegedly the victim of a criminal sexual offense in a criminal proceeding or a related investigation, unless permitted by a court order. Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that certain exceptions to the hearsay rule shall apply to prosecutions for physical or sexual acts perpetrated upon or against a child or youth who is a victim of trafficking in persons, involuntary servitude, and related offenses. Amends the Bill of Rights for Children. Provides that every child reported to the Department of Children and Family Services to be a victim of a physical act, trafficking in person, involuntary servitude, and related offenses has the right to a forensic interview. Provides that notice of this right must be given by investigative personnel. Amends the Bill of Rights for children. Provides that every child reported to the Department of Children and Family services to be a victim of a physical act, trafficking in persons, involuntary servitude, and related offenses has the right to a forensic interview. Provides that notice of this right must be given by investigation personnel. Makes other changes.

Creates the Illinois Menopause Equity and Care Act. Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law. Requires the Department of Public Health to create educational materials regarding menopause, including symptoms, treatment options, and patient rights for distribution to the public online. Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that on or after January 1, 2028, all individual and group health insurance policies issued, renewed, or amended must provide coverage for medically necessary evaluation and treatment of perimenopause and menopause as determined by a licensed health care provider using evidence-based guidelines. Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1987. Provides if a licensee treats or evaluates patients suffering from menopause-related conditions, 5 hours of the required 50 hours must include continuing education on menopause care, including management of symptoms, hormonal and non-hormonal therapies, and bone health. Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act. Defines "menopause-related condition" includes perimenopause, menopause, and associated medical or symptomatic conditions, including, but not limited to, vasomotor symptoms, sleep disruption, cognitive or mood changes, and osteoporosis-related changes. Provides that it is a civil rights violation to unlawfully discriminate because of a menopause-related condition or fail or refuse to provide reasonable accommodations.

Amends the Southwestern Illinois Metropolitan and Regional Planning Act. Provides that, beginning on the effective date of the amendatory Act, the Southwestern Illinois Metropolitan and Regional Planning Commission shall consist of 34 commissioners, 27 of whom shall be voting members and 7 of whom shall be nonvoting at-large members. Provides that the 27 voting members of the Commission shall be (1) 7 commissioners who shall be the chairman of the Bond County Board, the chairman of the Clinton County Board, the chairman of the Monroe County Board, the chairman of the Randolph County Board, the chairman of the Washington County Board, the chairman of the Madison County Board, and the chairman of the St. Clair County Board; (2) 10 commissioners appointed 2 apiece by the chairman of the Bond County Board, the chairman of the Clinton County Board, the chairman of the Monroe County Board, the chairman of the Randolph County Board, and the chairman of the Washington County Board; (3) 6 commissioners appointed 3 apiece by the chairman of the Madison County Board and the chairman of the St. Clair County Board; (4) 2 commissioners appointed one apiece by the board of the America's Central Port District and board of Kaskaskia Regional Port District; (5) one commissioner appointed by the Southwestern Illinois Council of Mayors from its council; and (6) one commissioner appointed by the Metro East Sanitary District from its board. Provides that the 7 nonvoting at-large members of the Commission shall reside in the metropolitan and regional counties area and be appointed as follows: (1) one member appointed by the Governor; (2) one member appointed by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity; (3) one member appointed by the Leadership Council of Southwestern Illinois; (4) one member appointed by the Bi-State Development; (5) one member appointed by the Metro East Transit District; (6) one member appointed by the St. Clair County Transit District; and (7) one member appointed by the East-West Gateway Council of Governments. Provides that all funds received for the use of the Commission shall be deposited in a depository approved by the Commission and shall be withdrawn or paid out only if authorized by any 2 of the commissioners or employees designated by the Commission to act as signatories to withdraw funds of the Commission. Makes other and conforming changes.

Amends the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act. Provides that for all funds in the State treasury established to provide funding for the administration and operation of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency's responsibilities, interest earned by the investment or deposit of moneys accumulated in the funds shall be deposited into the respective fund. Effective immediately.

Amends the Assisted Living and Shared Housing Act. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall allow assisted living establishments and supportive living establishments to provide an approved course of training for certified nursing assistants at the establishment, so long as the training meets the requirements of the Nursing Home Care Act and rules adopted by the Department. Sets forth provisions concerning the supervised clinical training portion of the training program. Provides that the Department shall adopt rules requiring that the Health Care Worker Registry include information identifying where an individual received clinical training and may amend specified rules as necessary to implement the certified nursing assistant training program.

Amends the Illinois Procurement Code. Provides that the chief procurement officer having jurisdiction over construction-related services for the Department of Central Management Services also has jurisdiction over construction procurements for the Department of Central Management Services. Amends the Design-Build Procurement Act. Extends the repeal of the Act until January 1, 2030 (currently, January 1, 2027). Effective immediately.

Amends the Job Opportunities for Qualified Applicants Act. Provides that, unless driving is an essential job function or is related to a legitimate business purpose for a position, an employer or employment agency shall not: (1) refuse to hire, segregate, or act with respect to recruitment, hiring, promotion, renewal of employment, selection for training or apprenticeship, discharge, discipline, tenure or terms, or privileges or conditions of employment on the basis of an applicant or employee not possessing a driver's license; or (2) include a statement in a posting for a job opening for the position that an applicant must have a valid driver's license. Defines "driver's license". Effective January 1, 2027.