LOW-INCOME UTILITY RATES

SB3213, ELECTRONIC PRESCRIPTIONS

Amends the Pharmacy Practice Act. Provides that prescriptions for drugs in Schedule II of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act may be transferred only once and may not be further transferred, consistent with federal regulations. Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Provides that the prescriber shall not be required to issue prescriptions electronically if the prescriptions need to be filled outside of typical retail pharmacy operating hours or may be difficult to obtain because of drug shortages or pharmacy inventory limitations. Effective immediately.

SB2951, MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE TIME

Amends the Code of Civil Procedure. Provides that any indebtedness of any kind that is secured by a mortgage or deed of trust in the nature of a mortgage has a 10-year period to commence an action. Amends the Probate Act of 1975. Provides that in any proceeding to sell or mortgage real estate, if the secured creditors cannot be satisfied in full, then the court shall not direct the sale without the secured creditors' approval to accept partial satisfaction; and if the secured creditors cannot be satisfied in full, a sale of the property is not considered necessary for the proper administration of the estate. Effective immediately.

SB3465, CONSTRUCTION-SANITARY REQS

Amends the Construction Site Temporary Restroom Facility Act. Changes the Act's short title to the Construction Site Temporary Restroom Facility and Sanitary Conditions for Menstruation and Lactation Act. Repeals a provision which specifies that separate toileting facilities are not required for males and females if individual portable toilet facilities are used by an owner of a portable building or building under construction to provide access to a restroom. Provides that, if a woman or an individual who menstruates is present on a work site and there are 10 or more workers of any gender at the work site, then a separate toilet facility shall be provided at the work site and designated for use by women and individuals who menstruate. Requires employers in the construction industry to provide their workers who menstruate and are performing construction activities on a work site with minimum sanitary conditions. Describes the required minimum sanitary conditions. Requires employers in the construction industry, upon request, to provide their workers who are lactating and performing construction activities on a work site with reasonable accommodations needed to express breast milk. Describes reasonable accommodations for lactation. Provides that, on or before January 1, 2027, the Department of Public Health shall provide guidance to employers on the accommodations to be provided. Authorizes employees of construction sites to call the certified local public health agency with jurisdiction over a construction site to request an inspection if noncompliance with the Act is suspected. Prohibits retaliation by employers if a call is made by an employee on a construction site for suspected noncompliance with the Act. Provides that any owner who fails or refuses to comply with the provisions of the Act commits a petty offense and is subject to a fine to be determined by the certified local public health agency (rather than only being subject to a petty offense). Defines "employer". Effective immediately.

SB3211, TELEDENTISTRY EXAMINATIONS

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.

SB3707, VISION BENEFIT MANAGERS

Amends the Illinois Insurance Code. Creates the Vision Benefit Managers Article. Beginning on July 1, 2026, requires a vision benefit manager to be registered with the Department of Insurance, as specified, to conduct business in the State. Requires amounts collected under provisions concerning vision benefit manager registration requirements to be deposited into the Low-Income Student Vision Examination Fund, which is created as a special fund in the State treasury. Grants the Director or the Director's designee the authority to examine a registered vision benefit manager related to all of its lines of business. Amends the Vision Care Plan Regulation Act. Changes the name of the Act to the Vision Benefit Manager Regulation Act. Establishes the legislative intent of the Act. Makes changes to defined terms. Throughout the Act, replaces references to vision care plans with vision benefit plans and vision benefit discount plans and vision care organizations with vision benefit managers. Sets forth provisions concerning required actions for noncovered services; fee schedules for eye care providers; reimbursement paid by a vision benefit manager to an eye care provider; application of the Act to a specified limited health service organization; an eye care provider's choice of vendors and affiliations; the modification of a plan; audits of an eye care provider; prohibited conduct impacting patient access and choice; credentialing; termination of agreements; prohibition on security interests; arbitration costs; nonretaliation; and private rights of action. Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act and the State Finance Act to make conforming changes. Effective January 1, 2027.

SB3403, PEN CD-BD OF INVESTMENT AUDIT

Amends the Investment Board Article of the Illinois Pension. Provides that, if the Illinois State Board of Investment has not received a required audit opinion by December 15, the Board shall not be considered in violation of a provision requiring an annual report to each pension fund, retirement system, or education fund under the Board's jurisdiction within 6 months after the close of each fiscal year. Effective immediately.