By CCDI Governmental Affairs Consultant Phil Milsk

HB 817 (Special Education-Age of Eligibility)

This CCDI initiative clarifies that a student who requires IEP services to facilitate his or her transition to adult life activities shall receive services up until the day before their 22nd birthday. Most school districts currently will serve a student until the end of the school year in which the student turns 21. This bill could mean up to a year of additional IEP transition services for some students.
STATUS: Passed both Houses. Sent to the Governor on May 24, 2007.
CHIEF SPONSORS:
House: Coulson
Senate: Demuzio

SB 396 (Special Education-Transfer of Rights)
Another CCDI initiative on special education provides for the transfer of parental rights to the student at the student's 18th birthday in accordance with IDEA 2004. The bill establishes a delegation of rights procedure for a student who reaches 18 and does not have a legal guardian, but who prefers to have another adult make educational decisions for him or her. The delegation of rights is revocable at any time by the student and must be renewed annually.
STATUS: Passed both Houses
CHIEF SPONSORS:
Senate: Demuzio
House: Coulson

SB 593 (Human Rights Act-Places of Public Accommodation)
Incorporates the broader Americans with Disabilities Act definition of "place of public accommodation" into the Illinois Human Rights Act, with a few modifications. Under the revised definition, schools, medical and other professional offices, among others, would now be covered by the Act. The bill also changes references to "handicap" throughout the Act to "disability."
STATUS: Passed the Senate. House 3rd Reading.
CHIEF SPONSORS:
Senate: Cullerton
House: Fritchey

HB 1256 (Health Benefits for Workers with Disabilities)
This is an initiative of Health and Disability Advocates and the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. The bill makes changes to the HBWD (Medicaid Buy-In) program as follows: (1) Increases the income eligibility maximum from 200 to 350% of the federal poverty level, (2) Raises the asset exemption from $10,000 to $25,000, (3) Exempts retirement accounts that cannot be withdrawn without penalty until age 59 ½ and Medical Savings Accounts.
STATUS: Passed Senate. On House Concurrence Calendar (Senate Amendment #1).
CHIEF SPONSORS:
House: Feigenholtz
Senate: Harmon

HB 209 (Family Opportunity Act)
Requires the Departments of Human Services and Healthcare and Family Services to implement the Federal Family Opportunity Act (enacted as part of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005). FOA provides for State-optional Medicaid coverage for children with disabilities whose family income is between 200-300% of the Federal Poverty Level. These children are currently eligible for Illinois' All-Kids program, but this bill would allow Illinois to claim Federal matching funds for these expenses. The bill would also require the establishment of a Family to Family healthcare resource and information program (currently operated under a federal grant by the Arc of Illinois) and requires the State to apply for all available federal funds made available to implement the act. STATUS: Passed both Houses.
CHIEF SPONSORS:
House: Krause
Senate: Collins

SB 765 (Money Follows the Person Implementation Act)
As amended, this bill essentially becomes a vehicle for the implementation of a 5-year $55 million grant from the Federal Government to eliminate barriers or mechanisms that prevent the flexible use of Medicaid dollars to provide home and community-based service options for persons with disabilities and to "re-balance" the expenditure of long-term care dollars in Illinois. Sets a 5-year target for re-balancing. STATUS: Passed the House as amended. On Senate Concurrence Calendar (House Amendment #1)
CHIEF SPONSORS:
Senate: Crotty
House: Ryg