A listing of all new laws scheduled to go into effect on January 1, continues.

Not all measures approved by the General Assembly go into effect on the first of the year. Bills which contain a specific effective date within the language of the measure and bills that carry an “immediate” effective date can go into effect at other times of the year.

The State Senate meets on the third floor of the north side of the Illinois State Capitol.

However, January 1 is the default date for a new law to become effective if there is no specific language specifying when it will become effective.

Under the Illinois Constitution, the legislature must set a “uniform effective date” for laws passed prior to June 1 of a calendar year. That uniform effective date, which is January 1, applies if the legislation does not otherwise specify when the law becomes effective.

A listing of all new laws scheduled to go into effect on January 1, follows.

Not all measures approved by the General Assembly go into effect on the first of the year. Bills which contain a specific effective date within the language of the measure and bills that carry an “immediate” effective date can go into effect at other times of the year.

However, January 1 is the default date for a new law to become effective if there is no specific language specifying when it will become effective.

Under the Illinois Constitution, the legislature must set a “uniform effective date” for laws passed prior to June 1 of a calendar year. That uniform effective date, which is January 1, applies if the legislation does not otherwise specify when the law becomes effective.

Health and Human Services continued

Breast Cancer Reconstructive Surgery Info (HB 3175/PA-0479): Requires the DepEpilepsy Deaths (SB 1226/PA 98-0340): Requires all autopsies in the state to include an inquiry as to whether the death was the result of a seizure or epilepsy. Also creates a definition of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP.)

AIDS/ARC/HIV School Reporting Repeal (HB 61/PA-0353): Repeals language requiring the Illinois Department of Public Health or local health departments to report cases of AIDS, ARC, or HIV to the school an infected child attends.

Infectious Medical Waste (HB 702/PA 98-0366): Affects the handling of “potentially infectious medical waste” (PIMW), to grant an exemption for “sharps” (for example needles or blood testing pins) that are packaged before being disposed of, so that they are non-potentially infectious. Currently, sharps are excluded from the definition of the term “potentially infectious medical waste” (PIMW) if their infectious potential is eliminated through treatment and they are rendered unrecognizable by that treatment. Once PIMW has been treated and the sharps have been packaged properly, they can be placed in a landfill.

Funds from Facility Closures (HB 1683/PA-0403): Whenever a state-operated mental health or developmental disability facility is closed, the Department of Human Services (DHS) is required, at the direction of the Governor, to transfer funds from the closed facility to the appropriate line item for the new venue of care, provided the new venue is a DHS- funded provider.

Cancer Disability (HB 1809/PA-0405): Expands the definition of disabled within the vehicle code to include persons whose ability to walk is severely limited due to cancer.

HFPB Jurisdiction Exemption (HB 2423/PA 98-0414):  Exempts doctors working under a contract with a facility from the jurisdiction of the Health Facilities Planning Board (HFPB). Requires that the HFPB must adopt rules changing its category of services.

Trafficking Tattoo Removal Reimbursement (HB 2640/PA 98-0435):  Provides that victims of human trafficking may be reimbursed the cost of removing a tattoo that was applied in connection with the commission of human trafficking.

Out of State Transfers (HB 2760/PA 98-0448): Would allow an out of state physician to oversee and direct home care services for patients living in Illinois while a patient is transitioned to an in-state doctor. Would allow 90 days for the transition.

Childhood Cancer Research (HB 3003/PA-0464): Creates the Childhood Cancer Research Advisory Board to review grant applications and make recommendations to the Illinois Department of Public Health in the awarding of grants for childhood cancer research. Prohibits members of the board from being paid or receiving reimbursement for expenses.

New Americans (HB 3047/PA 98-0467): Creates the Governor’s Office of New Americans, aimed at helping immigrants assimilate into society.

Department of Public Health (DPH) to establish a program to inform breast cancer patients, especially minorities and ethnicities, of availability and coverage of breast reconstruction, prosthetics, and other options available through surgery.

Breast Cancer Brochure (SB 2314/PA-0502):  Requires the Department of Public Health to publish information about the impact and concerns surrounding dense breast tissue in the breast cancer brochure the Department currently publishes and distributes.

Human Service Provider Protection (SB 1609/PA 98-0529):  Makes it a Class 3 felony to make a threat to a human services provider involving bodily harm, sexual assault, confinement, or restraint; as well as any threat that damage will occur to property. The threat must be linked to the duties of human service provider. Applies to  social workers, case workers, or investigators that work under a contract or grant from the Department of Human Services, the Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, or the Department on Aging.