HB0855 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 02788 RJF 12795 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB0855

Introduced 2/10/2021, by Rep. Ann M. Williams

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Legislative Accessibility Act. Provides that the General Assembly shall make all efforts to increase the accessibility of the General Assembly for people with disabilities. Provides that the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate shall each appoint an accessibility coordinator who, in consultation with the Architect of the Capitol, shall be responsible for addressing accessibility needs for his or her corresponding house. Provides that the Illinois General Assembly website shall include either an email address, webform, or other similar mechanism to request reasonable accommodations to meet the accessibility needs of people with disabilities attending legislative events. Establishes the General Assembly Accessibility Task Force. Provides for the membership and meetings of the Task Force. Provides that members and ex officio members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation. Provides administrative support for the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall examine issues concerning accessibility of persons with a disability. Requires the Task Force to make recommendations to the General Assembly concerning General Assembly accessibility no later than December 31, 2021. Repeals specified provisions January 1, 2023. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning State government.

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

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Legislative Accessibility Act.

Section 5. General Assembly accessibility.

(a) The General Assembly shall make all efforts to increase the accessibility of the General Assembly for people with disabilities.

(b) The Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate shall each appoint an accessibility coordinator who, in consultation with the Architect of the Capitol, shall be responsible for addressing accessibility needs for his or her corresponding house.

(c) The Illinois General Assembly website shall include either an email address, webform, or other similar mechanism to request reasonable accommodations to meet the accessibility needs of people with disabilities attending legislative events, including, but not limited to, all hearings and floor proceedings.

Section 10. General Assembly Accessibility Task Force.

(a) There is hereby established the General Assembly Accessibility Task Force. The Task Force shall be convened by the Department of Central Management Services in coordination with the Secretary of State.

(b) The Governor shall appoint no more than 15 members to the Task Force, and shall include persons who self-identify as having a disability and advocates for such persons. In addition, the following State officials shall serve on the Task Force as ex officio members: (i) the Secretary of State or his or her designee; (ii) the Director of Central Management Services or his or her designee; (iii) the Speaker of the House of Representatives or his or her designee; (iv) the Minority leader of the House of Representatives or his or her designee; (v) the President of the Senate or his or her designee; and (vi) the Minority Leader of the Senate or his or her designee.

(c) The Task Force shall convene as soon as practicable after the effective date of this Act, and shall hold at least 2 meetings. Members and ex officio members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation. The Department of Central Management Services shall provide administrative and other support to the Task Force.

(d) The Task Force shall examine issues concerning accessibility of persons with a disability. No later than December 31, 2021, the Task Force shall issue recommendations to the General Assembly on what measures can be taken to increase the accessibility of the General Assembly to persons with a disability.

(e) This Section is repealed on January 1, 2023.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.