HB0055 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 02659 LNS 12662 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB0055

Introduced 1/14/2021, by Rep. Daniel Didech

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

755 ILCS 5/11a-1	from Ch. 110 1/2, par. 11a-1
755 ILCS 5/11a-9	from Ch. 110 1/2, par. 11a-9

Amends the Guardians For Adults With Disabilities Article of the Probate Act of 1975. Changes the definition of "developmental disability" to mean a disability that is attributable to an intellectual disability or a related condition. Defines "intellectual disability". Provides that, in the case of an intellectual disability, the required report for a petition for adjudication of disability and for appointment of a guardian shall include a psychological evaluation of the respondent that has been performed by a clinical psychologist within one year of the date of the filing of the petition. Makes a corresponding change.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning civil law.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Probate Act of 1975 is amended by changing Sections 11a-1 and 11a-9 as follows:

(755 ILCS 5/11a-1) (from Ch. 110 1/2, par. 11a-1)

Sec. 11a-1. "Developmental disability", intellectual disability", and "related condition" defined. Developmental disability defined.)

"Developmental disability" means a disability that is attributable to an intellectual disability or a related condition.

"Intellectual disability" means significantly subaverage general intellectual functioning existing concurrently with deficits in adaptive behavior and manifested before the age of 22 years.

"Related condition" means a condition that:

(1) is attributable to cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or any other condition, other than mental illness, found to be closely related to an intellectual disability because that condition results in impairment of general intellectual functioning or adaptive behavior similar to that of individuals with an intellectual disability, and requires treatment or services similar to those required for those individuals. For purposes of this Act, autism is considered a related condition;

(2) is manifested before the individual reaches age 22;

(3) is likely to continue indefinitely; and

(4) results in substantial functional limitation in 3 or more of the following areas of major life activity: self-care, language, learning, mobility, self-direction, and capacity for independent living. "Developmental disability" means a disability which is attributable to: (a) an intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy or autism; or to (b) any other condition which results in impairment similar to that caused by an intellectual disability and which requires services similar to those required by persons with intellectual disabilities. Such disability must originate before the age of 18 years, be expected to continue indefinitely, and constitute a substantial disability.

(Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

(755 ILCS 5/11a-9) (from Ch. 110 1/2, par. 11a-9)

Sec. 11a-9. Report.)

(a) The petition for adjudication of disability and for appointment of a guardian should be accompanied by a report which contains (1) a description of the nature and type of the respondent's disability and an assessment of how the disability impacts on the ability of the respondent to make decisions or to function independently; (2) an analysis and results of evaluations of the respondent's mental and physical condition and, where appropriate, educational condition, adaptive behavior and social skills, which have been performed within 3 months of the date of the filing of the petition, or, in the case of an intellectual disability, a psychological evaluation of the respondent that has been performed by a clinical psychologist licensed under the Clinical Psychologist Licensing Act, within one year of the date of the filing of the petition; (3) an opinion as to whether guardianship is needed, the type and scope of the guardianship needed, and the reasons therefor; (4) a recommendation as to the most suitable living arrangement and, where appropriate, treatment or habilitation plan for the respondent and the reasons therefor; (5) the name, business address, business telephone number, and signatures of all persons who performed the evaluations upon which the report is based, one of whom shall be a licensed physician, or may, in the case of the an intellectual disability, be a clinical psychologist licensed under the Clinical Psychologist Licensing Act, and a statement of the certification, license, or other credentials that qualify the evaluators who prepared the report.

(b) If for any reason no report accompanies the petition, the court shall order appropriate evaluations to be performed by a qualified person or persons and a report prepared and filed with the court at least 10 days prior to the hearing.

(b-5) Upon oral or written motion by the respondent or the guardian ad litem or upon the court's own motion, the court shall appoint one or more independent experts to examine the respondent. Upon the filing with the court of a verified statement of services rendered by the expert or experts, the court shall determine a reasonable fee for the services performed. If the respondent is unable to pay the fee, the court may enter an order upon the petitioner to pay the entire fee or such amount as the respondent is unable to pay. However, in cases where the Office of State Guardian is the petitioner, consistent with Section 30 of the Guardianship and Advocacy Act, no expert services fees shall be assessed against the Office of the State Guardian.

(c) Unless the court otherwise directs, any report prepared pursuant to this Section shall not be made part of the public record of the proceedings but shall be available to the court or an appellate court in which the proceedings are subject to review, to the respondent, the petitioner, the guardian, and their attorneys, to the respondent's guardian ad litem, and to such other persons as the court may direct.

(Source: P.A. 98-1094, eff. 1-1-15.)