Illinois

Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Provides that, in relation to the prescriber and dispenser inquiry system, "one-to-one secure link" includes any communications exchange platform that aligns with widely adopted standards, including, but not limited to, the Prescription Monitoring Information Exchange standard, which facilitates the secure transfer of prescription monitoring program data across state lines.

Amends the School Code. For websites that are blocked from being accessed by a student on a school-issued electronic device, requires each school board to develop an appeal process by which a student, at the request of the student's parent or guardian, may access a blocked website if the website is reasonably related to the student's education or pursuit of work opportunities during or after high school.

Amends the Nurse Practice Act. In provisions concerning registered professional nurses, adds provisions concerning: the use of artificial intelligence in recorded or transcribed encounters; prohibition on substituting artificial intelligence for nursing services; use of artificial intelligence as clinical decision support under the control of a registered professional nurse; patient notice and transparency; confidentiality protections; exceptions for nonclinical activity; and defined terms. Amends the grounds for discipline to add violations of the artificial intelligence provisions by a registered professional nurse. Requires a health care entity that employs registered professional nurses and deploys artificial intelligence in direct patient care to maintain validation and bias monitoring records for each system and make such records available to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation upon request; provide registered professional nurses with training on intended use, data limits, and known failure modes; ensure registered professional nurses have access to data inputs and key factors that produced any recommendation used in direct patient care; and prohibit staffing, triage, admission, discharge, or transfer decisions that rely solely on artificial intelligence. Allows the Department to investigate any health care entity that employs registered professional nurses for a violation of the artificial intelligence provisions. Effective immediately.

Creates the Naturopathic Medical Practice Act. Provides for the licensure of naturopathic doctors. Sets forth the qualifications for licensure. Provides the scope of practice of naturopathic doctors. Requires a person licensed under the Act to use specified titles and prohibits a person not licensed under the Act from using specified titles. Creates the Naturopathic Medical Board to oversee the licensure of naturopathic doctors and matters relating to training and licensure of naturopathic doctors. Sets forth the membership and duties of the Board. Contains provisions concerning approved naturopathic medical educational programs; displaying licenses; written collaboration agreements; prohibited actions by a licensee; exemptions; license expiration, renewal, denial, revocation, and continuing education; grounds for disciplinary action; investigations, notice, and hearings; records of proceedings at formal hearings; and confidentiality. Amends the Medical Practice Act of 1987. Authorizes physicians to collaborate with a naturopathic doctor in accordance with the requirements of the Naturopathic Medical Practice Act. Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Adds naturopathic doctors to meaning of "prescriber" and "prescription". Effective immediately.

Amends the State Finance Act. Creates the Public, Educational, and Governmental Programming Fund. Provides that moneys in the Public, Educational, and Governmental Programming Fund shall be used by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for operational and administrative expenditures related to, as well as the award of grants to, public, educational, and governmental programmers and public, educational, and governmental studio operators with the purpose of subsidizing operational, capital, and equipment costs related to producing and procuring that programming. Effective immediately.

Amends the Election Code. Provides that expenditures by a political committee for expenses related to personal security services are only exempt from provisions prohibiting certain expenditures by a political committee if the personal security services are provided by a private security contractor agency licensed under the Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Provides that, for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, a taxpayer who is an eligible member of the judiciary is allowed an income tax credit in an amount equal to the qualified security expenses incurred by the taxpayer during the taxable year. Specifies that the credit may not be carried back and may not reduce the taxpayer's liability to less than zero. Provides that, if the amount of the credit exceeds the taxpayer's tax liability for the taxable year, then the excess may be carried forward and applied to the tax liability of the 5 taxable years following the excess credit year. Requires the tax credit to be applied to the earliest year for which there is a tax liability. Provides that, if there are credits for more than one year that are available to offset a liability, the earlier credit shall be applied first. Defines the terms "eligible member of the judiciary", "federal judge", and "qualified security expense". Effective immediately.

Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Provides that instruction in safety education shall include the risks of firearm ownership and usage for students enrolled in grades 6 through 12. Sets forth what information this instruction must include, provides that the instruction may be taught by a licensed educator, school nurse, or school counselor, provides for student evaluation, and requires the State Board of Education to develop an age-appropriate, trauma-informed curriculum. Amends the School Safety Drill Act. Requires schools to provide, after a lockdown drill has been completed, a forum for trauma-informed discussion with students, parents, and staff regarding any mental health concerns that the impact of the lockdown drill has had on students. Amends the Firearm Dealer License Certification Act. Makes changes to require a certified firearm dealer to provide, at the time of application for a firearm purchase, specified information to increase awareness about the risks posed by firearms in the home and State laws regarding firearm ownership.

Amends the Energy Efficient Building Act. Provides that municipalities and counties (instead of municipalities only) may adopt the Illinois Stretch Energy Code.

Amends the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF) Article of the Illinois Pension Code. Provides that the amendatory Act may be referred to as the Pension Equity Act. Provides that, beginning on January 1, 2027, for all purposes under the Code (including, without limitation, the calculation of benefits and employee contributions), the annual earnings of a Tier 2 sheriff's law enforcement employee shall not include overtime and shall not exceed $145,649.97 (instead of $108,600, as adjusted annually beginning in 2011) plus the lesser of (i) 3% of that amount or (ii) the annual unadjusted percentage increase (instead of one-half the annual unadjusted percentage increase) in the consumer price index-u for the 12 months ending with September 2026. Provides that, beginning on January 1, 2028, that amount shall annually thereafter be increased by the lesser of (i) 3% of that amount, including all previous adjustments, or (ii) the annual unadjusted percentage increase (instead of one-half the annual percentage increase) in the consumer price index-u for the 12 months ending with the September preceding each November 1, including all previous adjustments. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.

Amends the State Treasurer Act. Changes the name of the "College Savings Pool" to the "College, Secondary, and Elementary Education Savings Pool". In provisions relating to the College, Secondary, and Elementary Education Savings Pool established by the State Treasurer pursuant to Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code, provides that an "eligible educational institution" includes elementary or secondary public, private, or religious schools and "qualified expenses" include expenses, up to $10,000 per taxable year, for tuition in connection with enrollment or attendance at an elementary or secondary public, private, or religious school. Amends the Deposit of State Moneys Act, Illinois Income Tax Act, the Code of Civil Procedure, and the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Medical Assistance Article of the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that the Department of Healthcare and Family Services shall provide coverage under the medical assistance program for intensive outpatient services delivered via telehealth when the services: (1) are otherwise covered when provided in person; (2) are medically necessary; (3) are delivered by a provider enrolled in the medical assistance program and acting within the scope of the provider's license, certification, or authorization under State law; and (4) comply with all applicable federal and State telehealth requirements. Provides that intensive outpatient services provided via telehealth shall be subject to the same coverage requirements, utilization management, and reimbursement methodologies as intensive outpatient services provided in person. Sets forth standards for telehealth delivery of intensive outpatient services. Provides that implementation of the provisions is subject to any required federal approval. Effective immediately.

Amends the Acupuncture Practice Act. Provides that "acupuncture" also includes ordering laboratory tests in accordance with State law to check, track, evaluate, and monitor the status and effectiveness of pain management, herbal medicinal plans, dietary and exercise plans, and orders as may be provided to the patient from a physician licensed under the Medical Practice Act. Removes the provision that states that an acupuncturist licensed under the Act who is not also licensed as a physical therapist under the Illinois Physical Therapy Act shall not hold himself or herself out as being qualified to provide physical therapy or physiotherapy services.

Amends the Trustees Article of the Illinois Local Library Act. Provides that a candidate for the position of library trustee must have a valid library card for the library.

Amends the School Code. Provides that a school district, other than the Chicago school district, shall employ a sufficient number of school counselors to maintain a student-counselor ratio of 150 to 1 (rather than allowing the school district to employ a sufficient number of school counselors to maintain the national and State recommended student-counselor ratio of 250 to 1). Requires the Chicago Board of Education to employ a sufficient number of licensed school counselors to maintain a student-counselor ratio of 100 to 1 (rather than encouraging the board to employ a sufficient number of licensed school counselors to maintain a student/counselor ratio of 250 to 1).

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Provides that a group or individual policy of accident and health insurance or a managed care plan that is amended, delivered, issued, or renewed on or after July 1, 2025 shall provide coverage for the full cost of an annual PET scan for insureds age 35 or older who elect to get a PET scan, regardless of whether the PET scan was ordered by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches and regardless of whether the insured displays symptoms. Sets forth findings and definitions. Effective immediately.

Amends the Public Utilities Act. Provides that a portable solar generation device shall be exempt from (i) net metering program and interconnection requirements under provisions concerning net electricity metering and (ii) any rules adopted pursuant to those provisions. Provides that a portable solar generation device shall include a device or feature that prevents the portable solar generation device from energizing a building's electrical system during a power outage. Provides that an electricity provider shall not require an eligible customer who uses, or intends to install and use, a portable solar generation device to do any of the following: (1) obtain the electricity provider's approval before installing or using the portable solar generation device; (2) pay a fee or charge related to the installation or use of the portable solar generation device; or (3) install additional controls or equipment beyond what is integrated into the portable solar generation device. Provides that an electricity provider shall not be liable for any damage or injury caused by an eligible customer's portable solar generation device.

Amends the Time Standardization Act. Exempts the State, after Iowa and Missouri are exempt, from daylight saving time under the exemption provisions of the federal Uniform Time Act of 1966 and declares the standard time in the State year-round to be United States standard central time. Makes findings.

Creates the Protective Medical Equipment Freedom Act. Provides that every individual has the right to wear protective medical equipment in any place of public accommodation where they have a lawful right to be without obligation to disclose health status or any other protected information, and no person, entity, or authority shall deny, restrict, or infringe upon this right. Operators and public officials shall not discriminate against or penalize medical device wearers for exercising their right to wear protective medical equipment. Discrimination under this Act includes, but is not limited to: denial of service; eviction from premises; any form of harassment to remove or refrain from wearing such equipment for any amount of time; and specified actions taken by employers. Sets forth provisions concerning protection against retaliation; exceptions for security requirements and operational safety; enforcement by the Attorney General; and penalties for violating the Act. Effective immediately.

Amends the Garden Act. Provides that a person may save the seeds grown in a vegetable garden for personal consumption or non-commercial sharing. Provides that a unit of local government may not adopt a regulation or ordinance that precludes saving seeds grown in vegetable gardens.

Amends the Illinois Police Training Act. Provides that the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board shall develop or approve a course to assist law enforcement officers in identifying and interacting with individuals with epilepsy. Provides that the course must be fully consistent with the best practice guidelines issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Provides that the Board shall conduct or approve the epilepsy identification and treatment training course no later than 2 years after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Provides that the Board may consult with the Department of Public Health or the Department of Human Services to develop and update the curriculum as needed. Provides that, every 3 years, a law enforcement officer shall complete training on identifying and interacting with individuals with epilepsy.

Creates the Health Care Funding Act. Establishes the Health Care Funding Association for the primary purpose of equitably determining and collecting assessments for the cost of immunizations and health care information lines in the State that are not covered by other federal or State funding. Requires assessed entities, which include, but are not limited to, writers of individual, group, or stop-loss insurance, health maintenance organizations, third-party administrators, fraternal benefit societies, and certain other entities, to pay a specified quarterly assessment to the Association. Sets forth provisions concerning membership of the Association; powers and duties of the Association; methodology for calculating the assessment amount; reports and audits; immunities; tax-exempt status of the Association; an administrative allowance to the Department of Public Health; and other matters. Amends the State Finance Act to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that, by January 1, 2027, every county and municipality shall create a process by which a resident can report a business, including a retail tobacco store, that the resident has reason to believe is committing an offense of unlawful manufacture or delivery of nitrous oxide. Provides that, by January 1, 2027, every county and municipality shall adopt regulations to ensure that a business, including a retail tobacco store, is not selling nitrous oxide to consumers, with the intent to breathe, inhale, or ingest for the purpose of causing a condition of intoxication, elation, euphoria, dizziness, stupefaction, or dulling of the senses or for the purpose of, in any manner, changing, distorting, or disturbing the audio, visual, or mental processes. Provides that the regulations required by the provision shall outline how the municipality or county shall regulate a business when the municipality or county obtains actual knowledge that a business, including a retail tobacco store, committed an offense of unlawful manufacture or delivery of nitrous oxide. Limits home rule powers. Effective immediately.

Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Administrative Act. Requires the Department of Human Service to publish annually, beginning January 1, 2027, the assessment instruments used by the Department's Bureau of Accreditation, Licensure, and Certification to survey and license providers of community-integrated living arrangement homes for individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Requires rulemaking. Effective immediately.

Amends the Illinois Income Tax Act. Creates a corporate income tax deduction for hemp business establishments in an amount equal to 50% of the income generated by the sale of products made by businesses owned by minority and other specific priority-population-owned businesses. Amends the Tobacco Products Tax Act of 1995 to exclude hemp-cannabinoid products subject to tax under the Industrial Hemp Act from the definition of tobacco products. Amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934 to provide that hemp extract and hemp-cannabinoid products made in compliance with State law are considered fit for human consumption. Authorizes liquor license holders to manufacture, distribute, and sell such products. Amends the Industrial Hemp Act to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for hemp and hemp-derived cannabinoid products, including licensing, registration, packaging and labeling standards, age verification, laboratory testing, recordkeeping, enforcement, and penalties. Creates the Hemp Social Equity Fund to support loans, grants, and technical assistance for social equity applicants. Makes conforming changes to the State Finance Act. Effective January 1, 2027.