SB0563eng 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB0563 Engrossed LRB099 03011 JLK 23019 b

AN ACT concerning State government.

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

Section 5. The Department of Veterans Affairs Act is amended by changing Sections 1.2, 2, 2.01, 2.04, and 3 and adding Section 2.12 as follows:

(20 ILCS 2805/1.2)

Sec. 1.2. Division of Women Veterans Affairs. Subject to appropriations for this purpose, the Division of Women Veterans Affairs is created as a Division within the Department. The head of the Division shall serve as an Assistant Director of Veterans' Affairs. The Division shall serve as an advocate for women veterans, in recognition of the unique issues facing women veterans. The Division shall assess the needs of women veterans with respect to issues including, but not limited to, compensation, rehabilitation, outreach, health care, and issues facing women veterans in the community. The Division shall review the Department's programs, activities, research projects, and other initiatives designed to meet the needs of women veterans and shall make recommendations to the Director of Veterans' Affairs concerning ways to improve, modify, and effect change in programs and services for women veterans.

(Source: P.A. 96-94, eff. 7-27-09; 97-297, eff. 1-1-12.)

(20 ILCS 2805/2) (from Ch. 126 1/2, par. 67)

Sec. 2. Powers and duties. The Department shall have the following powers and duties:

To perform such acts at the request of any veteran, or his or her spouse, surviving spouse or dependents as shall be reasonably necessary or reasonably incident to obtaining or endeavoring to obtain for the requester any advantage, benefit or emolument accruing or due to such person under any law of the United States, the State of Illinois or any other state or governmental agency by reason of the service of such veteran, and in pursuance thereof shall:

(1) Contact veterans, their survivors and dependents and advise them of the benefits of state and federal laws and assist them in obtaining such benefits;

(2) Establish field offices and direct the activities of the personnel assigned to such offices;

(3) Create and maintain a volunteer field force. The volunteer field force may include representatives from the following without limitation: of accredited representatives, representing educational institutions, labor organizations, veterans organizations, employers, churches, and farm organizations;

(4) Conduct informational and training services;

(5) Conduct educational programs through newspapers, periodicals, social media, television, and radio for the specific purpose of disseminating information affecting veterans and their dependents;

(6) Coordinate the services and activities of all state departments having services and resources affecting veterans and their dependents;

(7) Encourage and assist in the coordination of agencies within counties giving service to veterans and their dependents;

(8) Cooperate with veterans organizations and other governmental agencies;

(9) Make, alter, amend and promulgate reasonable rules and procedures for the administration of this Act;

(10) Make and publish annual reports to the Governor regarding the administration and general operation of the Department;

(11) (Blank); and

(12) (Blank).

The Department may accept and hold on behalf of the State, if for the public interest, a grant, gift, devise or bequest of money or property to the Department made for the general benefit of Illinois veterans, including the conduct of informational and training services by the Department and other authorized purposes of the Department. The Department shall cause each grant, gift, devise or bequest to be kept as a distinct fund and shall invest such funds in the manner provided by the Public Funds Investment Act, as now or hereafter amended, and shall make such reports as may be required by the Comptroller concerning what funds are so held and the manner in which such funds are invested. The Department may make grants from these funds for the general benefit of Illinois veterans. Grants from these funds, except for the funds established under Sections 2.01a and 2.03, shall be subject to appropriation.

The Department has the power to make grants, from funds appropriated from the Korean War Veterans National Museum and Library Fund, to private organizations for the benefit of the Korean War Veterans National Museum and Library.

The Department has the power to make grants, from funds appropriated from the Illinois Military Family Relief Fund, for benefits authorized under the Survivors Compensation Act.

(Source: P.A. 97-297, eff. 1-1-12; 97-765, eff. 7-6-12.)

(20 ILCS 2805/2.01) (from Ch. 126 1/2, par. 67.01)

Sec. 2.01. Veterans Home admissions.

(a) Any honorably discharged veteran is entitled to admission to an Illinois Veterans Home if the applicant meets the requirements of this Section.

(b) The veteran must:

(1) have served in the armed forces of the United States at least 1 day in World War II, the Korean Conflict, the Viet Nam Campaign, or the Persian Gulf Conflict between the dates recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or between any other present or future dates recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as a war period, or have served in a hostile fire environment and has been awarded a campaign or expeditionary medal signifying his or her service, for purposes of eligibility for domiciliary or nursing home care;

(2) have served and been honorably discharged or retired from the armed forces of the United States for a service connected disability or injury, for purposes of eligibility for domiciliary or nursing home care;

(3) have served as an enlisted person at least 90 days on active duty in the armed forces of the United States, excluding service on active duty for training purposes only, and entered active duty before September 8, 1980, for purposes of eligibility for domiciliary or nursing home care;

(4) have served as an officer at least 90 days on active duty in the armed forces of the United States, excluding service on active duty for training purposes only, and entered active duty before October 17, 1981, for purposes of eligibility for domiciliary or nursing home care;

(5) have served on active duty in the armed forces of the United States for 24 months of continuous service or more, excluding active duty for training purposes only, and enlisted after September 7, 1980, for purposes of eligibility for domiciliary or nursing home care;

(6) have served as a reservist in the armed forces of the United States or the National Guard and the service included being called to federal active duty, excluding service on active duty for training purposes only, and who completed the term, for purposes of eligibility for domiciliary or nursing home care;

(7) have been discharged for reasons of hardship or released from active duty due to a reduction in the United States armed forces prior to the completion of the required period of service, regardless of the actual time served, for purposes of eligibility for domiciliary or nursing home care; or

(8) have served in the National Guard or Reserve Forces of the United States and completed 20 years of satisfactory service, be otherwise eligible to receive reserve or active duty retirement benefits, and have been an Illinois resident for at least one year before applying for admission for purposes of eligibility for domiciliary care only.

(c) The veteran must have service accredited to the State of Illinois or have been a resident of this State for one year immediately preceding the date of application.

(d) For admission to the Illinois Veterans Homes at Anna and Quincy, the veteran must be disabled by disease, wounds, or otherwise and because of the disability be incapable of earning a living.

(e) For admission to the Illinois Veterans Homes at LaSalle and Manteno, the veteran must be disabled by disease, wounds, or otherwise and, for purposes of eligibility for nursing home care, require nursing care because of the disability.

(f) An individual who served during a time of conflict as set forth in subsection (a)(1) of this Section has preference over all other qualifying candidates, for purposes of eligibility for domiciliary or nursing home care at any Illinois Veterans Home.

(g) A veteran or spouse, once admitted to an Illinois Veterans Home facility, is considered a resident for interfacility purposes.

(Source: P.A. 97-297, eff. 1-1-12.)

(20 ILCS 2805/2.04) (from Ch. 126 1/2, par. 67.04)

Sec. 2.04. There shall be established in the State Treasury special funds known as (i) the LaSalle Veterans Home Fund, (ii) the Anna Veterans Home Fund, (iii) the Manteno Veterans Home Fund, and (iv) the Quincy Veterans Home Fund. All moneys received by an Illinois Veterans Home from Medicare and from maintenance charges to veterans, spouses, and surviving spouses residing at that Home shall be paid into that Home's Fund. All moneys received from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for patient care shall be transmitted to the Treasurer of the State for deposit in the Veterans Home Fund for the Home in which the veteran resides. Appropriations shall be made from a Fund only for the needs of the Home, including capital improvements, building rehabilitation, and repairs.

The administrator of each Veterans Home shall establish a locally-held member's benefits fund. The Director may authorize the Veterans Home to conduct limited fundraising in accordance with applicable laws and regulations for which the sole purpose is to benefit the Veterans Home's member's benefits fund. Revenues accruing to an Illinois Veterans Home, including any donations, grants for the operation of the Home, profits from commissary stores, and funds received from any individual or other source, including limited fundraising, shall be deposited into that Home's benefits fund. Expenditures from the benefits funds shall be solely for the special comfort, pleasure, and amusement of residents. Contributors of unsolicited private donations may specify the purpose for which the private donations are to be used.

Upon request of the Department, the State's Attorney of the county in which a resident or living former resident of an Illinois Veterans Home who is liable under this Act for payment of sums representing maintenance charges resides shall file an action in a court of competent jurisdiction against any such person who fails or refuses to pay such sums. The court may order the payment of sums due to maintenance charges for such period or periods of time as the circumstances require.

Upon the death of a person who is or has been a resident of an Illinois Veterans Home who is liable for maintenance charges and who is possessed of property, the Department may present a claim for such sum or for the balance due in case less than the rate prescribed under this Act has been paid. The claim shall be allowed and paid as other lawful claims against the estate.

The administrator of each Veterans Home shall establish a locally-held trust fund to maintain moneys held for residents. Whenever the Department finds it necessary to preserve order, preserve health, or enforce discipline, the resident shall deposit in a trust account at the Home such monies from any source of income as may be determined necessary, and disbursement of these funds to the resident shall be made only by direction of the administrator.

If a resident of an Illinois Veterans Home has a dependent child, spouse, or parent the administrator may require that all monies received be deposited in a trust account with dependency contributions being made at the direction of the administrator. The balance retained in the trust account shall be disbursed to the resident at the time of discharge from the Home or to his or her heirs or legal representative at the time of the resident's death, subject to Department regulations or order of the court.

The Director of Central Management Services, with the consent of the Director of Veterans' Affairs, is authorized and empowered to lease or let any real property held by the Department of Veterans' Affairs for an Illinois Veterans Home to entities or persons upon terms and conditions which are considered to be in the best interest of that Home. The real property must not be needed for any direct or immediate purpose of the Home. In any leasing or letting, primary consideration shall be given to the use of real property for agricultural purposes, and all moneys received shall be transmitted to the Treasurer of the State for deposit in the appropriate Veterans Home Fund.

(Source: P.A. 97-297, eff. 1-1-12.)

(20 ILCS 2805/2.12 new)

Sec. 2.12. Cemeteries. The Department may operate cemeteries at the Manteno Veterans Home and the Quincy Veterans Home for interment of veterans or their spouses as identified by the Department.

(20 ILCS 2805/3) (from Ch. 126 1/2, par. 68)

Sec. 3. The Department shall:

1. establish Establish an administrative office in Springfield and a branch thereof in Chicago;

2. establish Establish such field offices as it shall find necessary to enable it to perform its duties; and

3. maintain Cause to be maintained, at its various offices, case files containing records of services rendered to each applicant, service progress cards, and a follow-up system to facilitate the completion of each request.

(Source: P.A. 79-376.)

Section 10. The Nursing Home Care Act is amended by changing Sections 2-201.5, 3-101.5, and 3-303 and adding Section 3-202.6 as follows:

(210 ILCS 45/2-201.5)

Sec. 2-201.5. Screening prior to admission.

(a) All persons age 18 or older seeking admission to a nursing facility must be screened to determine the need for nursing facility services prior to being admitted, regardless of income, assets, or funding source. Screening for nursing facility services shall be administered through procedures established by administrative rule. Screening may be done by agencies other than the Department as established by administrative rule. This Section applies on and after July 1, 1996. No later than October 1, 2010, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, in collaboration with the Department on Aging, the Department of Human Services, and the Department of Public Health, shall file administrative rules providing for the gathering, during the screening process, of information relevant to determining each person's potential for placing other residents, employees, and visitors at risk of harm.

(a-1) Any screening performed pursuant to subsection (a) of this Section shall include a determination of whether any person is being considered for admission to a nursing facility due to a need for mental health services. For a person who needs mental health services, the screening shall also include an evaluation of whether there is permanent supportive housing, or an array of community mental health services, including but not limited to supported housing, assertive community treatment, and peer support services, that would enable the person to live in the community. The person shall be told about the existence of any such services that would enable the person to live safely and humanely and about available appropriate nursing home services that would enable the person to live safely and humanely, and the person shall be given the assistance necessary to avail himself or herself of any available services.

(a-2) Pre-screening for persons with a serious mental illness shall be performed by a psychiatrist, a psychologist, a registered nurse certified in psychiatric nursing, a licensed clinical professional counselor, or a licensed clinical social worker, who is competent to (i) perform a clinical assessment of the individual, (ii) certify a diagnosis, (iii) make a determination about the individual's current need for treatment, including substance abuse treatment, and recommend specific treatment, and (iv) determine whether a facility or a community-based program is able to meet the needs of the individual.

For any person entering a nursing facility, the pre-screening agent shall make specific recommendations about what care and services the individual needs to receive, beginning at admission, to attain or maintain the individual's highest level of independent functioning and to live in the most integrated setting appropriate for his or her physical and personal care and developmental and mental health needs. These recommendations shall be revised as appropriate by the pre-screening or re-screening agent based on the results of resident review and in response to changes in the resident's wishes, needs, and interest in transition.

Upon the person entering the nursing facility, the Department of Human Services or its designee shall assist the person in establishing a relationship with a community mental health agency or other appropriate agencies in order to (i) promote the person's transition to independent living and (ii) support the person's progress in meeting individual goals.

(a-3) The Department of Human Services, by rule, shall provide for a prohibition on conflicts of interest for pre-admission screeners. The rule shall provide for waiver of those conflicts by the Department of Human Services if the Department of Human Services determines that a scarcity of qualified pre-admission screeners exists in a given community and that, absent a waiver of conflicts, an insufficient number of pre-admission screeners would be available. If a conflict is waived, the pre-admission screener shall disclose the conflict of interest to the screened individual in the manner provided for by rule of the Department of Human Services. For the purposes of this subsection, a "conflict of interest" includes, but is not limited to, the existence of a professional or financial relationship between (i) a PAS-MH corporate or a PAS-MH agent and (ii) a community provider or long-term care facility.

(b) In addition to the screening required by subsection (a), a facility, except for those licensed as long term care for under age 22 facilities, shall, within 24 hours after admission, request a criminal history background check pursuant to the Uniform Conviction Information Act for all persons age 18 or older seeking admission to the facility, unless a background check was initiated by a hospital pursuant to subsection (d) of Section 6.09 of the Hospital Licensing Act or a pre-admission background check was conducted by the Department of Veterans' Affairs 30 days prior to admittance into an Illinois Veterans Home. Background checks conducted pursuant to this Section shall be based on the resident's name, date of birth, and other identifiers as required by the Department of State Police. If the results of the background check are inconclusive, the facility shall initiate a fingerprint-based check, unless the fingerprint check is waived by the Director of Public Health based on verification by the facility that the resident is completely immobile or that the resident meets other criteria related to the resident's health or lack of potential risk which may be established by Departmental rule. A waiver issued pursuant to this Section shall be valid only while the resident is immobile or while the criteria supporting the waiver exist. The facility shall provide for or arrange for any required fingerprint-based checks to be taken on the premises of the facility. If a fingerprint-based check is required, the facility shall arrange for it to be conducted in a manner that is respectful of the resident's dignity and that minimizes any emotional or physical hardship to the resident.

(c) If the results of a resident's criminal history background check reveal that the resident is an identified offender as defined in Section 1-114.01, the facility shall do the following:

(1) Immediately notify the Department of State Police, in the form and manner required by the Department of State Police, in collaboration with the Department of Public Health, that the resident is an identified offender.

(2) Within 72 hours, arrange for a fingerprint-based criminal history record inquiry to be requested on the identified offender resident. The inquiry shall be based on the subject's name, sex, race, date of birth, fingerprint images, and other identifiers required by the Department of State Police. The inquiry shall be processed through the files of the Department of State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to locate any criminal history record information that may exist regarding the subject. The Federal Bureau of Investigation shall furnish to the Department of State Police, pursuant to an inquiry under this paragraph (2), any criminal history record information contained in its files.

The facility shall comply with all applicable provisions contained in the Uniform Conviction Information Act.

All name-based and fingerprint-based criminal history record inquiries shall be submitted to the Department of State Police electronically in the form and manner prescribed by the Department of State Police. The Department of State Police may charge the facility a fee for processing name-based and fingerprint-based criminal history record inquiries. The fee shall be deposited into the State Police Services Fund. The fee shall not exceed the actual cost of processing the inquiry.

(d) (Blank).

(e) The Department shall develop and maintain a de-identified database of residents who have injured facility staff, facility visitors, or other residents, and the attendant circumstances, solely for the purposes of evaluating and improving resident pre-screening and assessment procedures (including the Criminal History Report prepared under Section 2-201.6) and the adequacy of Department requirements concerning the provision of care and services to residents. A resident shall not be listed in the database until a Department survey confirms the accuracy of the listing. The names of persons listed in the database and information that would allow them to be individually identified shall not be made public. Neither the Department nor any other agency of State government may use information in the database to take any action against any individual, licensee, or other entity, unless the Department or agency receives the information independent of this subsection (e). All information collected, maintained, or developed under the authority of this subsection (e) for the purposes of the database maintained under this subsection (e) shall be treated in the same manner as information that is subject to Part 21 of Article VIII of the Code of Civil Procedure.

(Source: P.A. 96-1372, eff. 7-29-10; 97-48, eff. 6-28-11.)

(210 ILCS 45/3-101.5)

Sec. 3-101.5. Illinois Veterans Homes. An Illinois Veterans Home licensed under this Act and operated by the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs is exempt from the license fee provisions of Section 3-103 of this Act and the provisions of Sections 3-104 through 3-106, 3-202.5, 3-208, 3-302, and 3-303, 3-401 through 3-423, 3-503 through 3-517, and 3-603 through 3-607 of this Act. A monitor or receiver shall be placed in an Illinois Veterans Home only by court order or by agreement between the Director of Public Health, the Director of Veterans' Affairs, and the Secretary of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

(Source: P.A. 96-703, eff. 8-25-09.)

(210 ILCS 45/3-202.6 new)

Sec. 3-202.6. Department of Veterans' Affairs facility plan review.

(a) Before commencing construction of a new facility or specified types of alteration or additions to an existing long-term care facility involving major construction, as defined by rule by the Department, with an estimated cost greater than $100,000, architectural drawings and specifications for the facility shall be submitted to the Department for review. A facility may submit architectural drawings and specifications for other construction projects for Department review according to subsection (b) of this Section that shall not be subject to fees under subsection (d) of this Section. Review of drawings and specifications shall be conducted by an employee of the Department meeting the qualifications established by the Department of Central Management Services class specifications for such an individual's position or by a person contracting with the Department who meets those class specifications.

(b) The Department shall inform an applicant in writing within 10 working days after receiving drawings and specifications from the applicant whether the applicant's submission is complete or incomplete. Failure to provide the applicant with this notice within 10 working days after receiving drawings and specifications from the applicant shall result in the submission being deemed complete for purposes of initiating the 60-day review period under this Section. If the submission is incomplete, the Department shall inform the applicant of the deficiencies with the submission in writing. If the submission is complete, the Department shall approve or disapprove drawings and specifications submitted to the Department no later than 60 days following receipt by the Department. The drawings and specifications shall be of sufficient detail, as provided by Department rule, to enable the Department to render a determination of compliance with design and construction standards under this Act. If the Department finds that the drawings are not of sufficient detail for it to render a determination of compliance, the plans shall be determined to be incomplete and shall not be considered for purposes of initiating the 60-day review period. If a submission of drawings and specifications is incomplete, the applicant may submit additional information. The 60-day review period shall not commence until the Department determines that a submission of drawings and specifications is complete or the submission is deemed complete. If the Department has not approved or disapproved the drawings and specifications within 60 days after receipt by the Department, the construction, major alteration, or addition shall be deemed approved. If the drawings and specifications are disapproved, the Department shall state in writing, with specificity, the reasons for the disapproval. The entity submitting the drawings and specifications may submit additional information in response to the written comments from the Department or request a reconsideration of the disapproval. A final decision of approval or disapproval shall be made within 45 days after the receipt of the additional information or reconsideration request. If denied, the Department shall state the specific reasons for the denial.

(c) The Department shall provide written approval for occupancy pursuant to subsection (e) of this Section and shall not issue a violation to a facility as a result of a licensure or complaint survey based upon the facility's physical structure if:

(1) the Department reviewed and approved or is deemed to have approved the drawings and specifications for compliance with design and construction standards;

(2) the construction, major alteration, or addition was built as submitted;

(3) the law or rules have not been amended since the original approval; and

(4) the conditions at the facility indicate that there is a reasonable degree of safety provided for the residents.

(d) The Department shall not charge a fee in connection with its reviews to the Department of Veterans' Affairs.

(e) The Department shall conduct an on-site inspection of the completed project no later than 30 days after notification from the applicant that the project has been completed and all certifications required by the Department have been received and accepted by the Department. The Department shall provide written approval for occupancy to the applicant within 5 working days after the Department's final inspection, provided the applicant has demonstrated substantial compliance as defined by Department rule. Occupancy of new major construction is prohibited until Department approval is received, unless the Department has not acted within the time frames provided in this subsection (e), in which case the construction shall be deemed approved. Occupancy shall be authorized after any required health inspection by the Department has been conducted.

(f) The Department shall establish, by rule, a procedure to conduct interim on-site review of large or complex construction projects.

(g) The Department shall establish, by rule, an expedited process for emergency repairs or replacement of like equipment.

(h) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to apply to maintenance, upkeep, or renovation that does not affect the structural integrity of the building, does not add beds or services over the number for which the long-term care facility is licensed, and provides a reasonable degree of safety for the residents.

(210 ILCS 45/3-303) (from Ch. 111 1/2, par. 4153-303)

Sec. 3-303. (a) The situation, condition or practice constituting a Type "AA" violation or a Type "A" violation shall be abated or eliminated immediately unless a fixed period of time, not exceeding 15 days, as determined by the Department and specified in the notice of violation, is required for correction.

(b) At the time of issuance of a notice of a Type "B" violation, the Department shall request a plan of correction which is subject to the Department's approval. The facility shall have 10 days after receipt of notice of violation in which to prepare and submit a plan of correction. The Department may extend this period up to 30 days where correction involves substantial capital improvement. The plan shall include a fixed time period not in excess of 90 days within which violations are to be corrected. If the Department rejects a plan of correction, it shall send notice of the rejection and the reason for the rejection to the facility. The facility shall have 10 days after receipt of the notice of rejection in which to submit a modified plan. If the modified plan is not timely submitted, or if the modified plan is rejected, the facility shall follow an approved plan of correction imposed by the Department.

(c) If the violation has been corrected prior to submission and approval of a plan of correction, the facility may submit a report of correction in place of a plan of correction. Such report shall be signed by the administrator under oath.

(d) Upon a licensee's petition, the Department shall determine whether to grant a licensee's request for an extended correction time. Such petition shall be served on the Department prior to expiration of the correction time originally approved. The burden of proof is on the petitioning facility to show good cause for not being able to comply with the original correction time approved.

(e) If a facility desires to contest any Department action under this Section it shall send a written request for a hearing under Section 3-703 to the Department within 10 days of receipt of notice of the contested action. The Department shall commence the hearing as provided under Section 3-703. Whenever possible, all action of the Department under this Section arising out of a violation shall be contested and determined at a single hearing. Issues decided after a hearing may not be reheard at subsequent hearings under this Section.

(f) For facilities operated by the Department of Veterans' Affairs, all deadlines contained in this Section for correction of violations are subject to adherence to applicable provisions of State procurement law and the availability of appropriations for the specific purpose.

(Source: P.A. 96-1372, eff. 7-29-10.)

Section 15. The Veterans and Servicemembers Court Treatment Act is amended by changing Sections 10 and 25 as follows:

(730 ILCS 167/10)

Sec. 10. Definitions. In this Act:

"Combination Veterans and Servicemembers Court program" means a court program that includes a pre-adjudicatory and a post-adjudicatory Veterans and Servicemembers court program.

"Court" means Veterans and Servicemembers Court.

"IDVA" means the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs.

"Peer recovery coach" means a volunteer veteran mentor assigned to a veteran or servicemember during participation in a veteran treatment court program who has been trained and certified by the court to guide and mentor the participant to successfully complete the assigned requirements.

"Post-adjudicatory Veterans and Servicemembers Court Program" means a program in which the defendant has admitted guilt or has been found guilty and agrees, along with the prosecution, to enter a Veterans and Servicemembers Court program as part of the defendant's sentence.

"Pre-adjudicatory Veterans and Servicemembers Court Program" means a program that allows the defendant with the consent of the prosecution, to expedite the defendant's criminal case before conviction or before filing of a criminal case and requires successful completion of the Veterans and Servicemembers Court programs as part of the agreement.

"Servicemember" means a person who is currently serving in the Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, or Coast Guard on active duty, reserve status or in the National Guard.

"VA" means the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs.

"Veteran" means a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service and who was discharged or released therefrom under conditions other than dishonorable.

"Veterans and Servicemembers Court professional" means a member of the Veterans and Servicemembers Court team, including but not limited to a judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, probation officer, coordinator, treatment provider, or peer recovery coach.

"Veterans and Servicemembers Court" means a court or program with an immediate and highly structured judicial intervention process for substance abuse treatment, mental health, or other assessed treatment needs of eligible veteran and servicemember defendants that brings together substance abuse professionals, mental health professionals, VA professionals, local social programs and intensive judicial monitoring in accordance with the nationally recommended 10 key components of drug courts.

(Source: P.A. 96-924, eff. 6-14-10; 97-946, eff. 8-13-12.)

(730 ILCS 167/25)

Sec. 25. Procedure.

(a) The Court shall order the defendant to submit to an eligibility screening and an assessment through the VA and/or the IDVA to provide information on the defendant's veteran or servicemember status.

(b) The Court shall order the defendant to submit to an eligibility screening and mental health and drug/alcohol screening and assessment of the defendant by the VA or by the IDVA to provide assessment services for Illinois Courts. The assessment shall include a risks assessment and be based, in part, upon the known availability of treatment resources available to the Veterans and Servicemembers Court. The assessment shall also include recommendations for treatment of the conditions which are indicating a need for treatment under the monitoring of the Court and be reflective of a level of risk assessed for the individual seeking admission. An assessment need not be ordered if the Court finds a valid screening and/or assessment related to the present charge pending against the defendant has been completed within the previous 60 days.

(c) The judge shall inform the defendant that if the defendant fails to meet the conditions of the Veterans and Servicemembers Court program, eligibility to participate in the program may be revoked and the defendant may be sentenced or the prosecution continued as provided in the Unified Code of Corrections for the crime charged.

(d) The defendant shall execute a written agreement with the Court as to his or her participation in the program and shall agree to all of the terms and conditions of the program, including but not limited to the possibility of sanctions or incarceration for failing to abide or comply with the terms of the program.

(e) In addition to any conditions authorized under the Pretrial Services Act and Section 5-6-3 of the Unified Code of Corrections, the Court may order the defendant to complete substance abuse treatment in an outpatient, inpatient, residential, or jail-based custodial treatment program, order the defendant to complete mental health counseling in an inpatient or outpatient basis, comply with physicians' recommendation regarding medications and all follow up treatment. This treatment may include but is not limited to post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury and depression.

(f) The Court may establish a mentorship program that provides access and support to program participants by peer recovery coaches. Courts shall be responsible to administer the mentorship program with the support of volunteer veterans and local veteran service organizations. Peer recovery coaches shall be trained and certified by the Court prior to being assigned to participants in the program.

(Source: P.A. 96-924, eff. 6-14-10.)

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