HB5513 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 26086 RJF 35558 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB5513

Introduced 1/31/2022, by Rep. Edgar Gonzalez, Jr.

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Conditions of Homeless Shelters in Illinois Act. Establishes the Conditions of Homeless Shelters in Illinois Commission. Provides that the Commission shall advise the Governor and the General Assembly on policy issues concerning health conditions in homeless shelters in this State with specified goals. Provides for membership of the Commission. Provides for qualifications for Commission appointees. Provides for member terms. Provides that members shall serve without compensation. Provides that the Office of the Governor shall provide administrative and technical support to the Commission. Provides for meetings of the Commission. Provides for reports of the Commission.

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 Conditions of Homeless Shelters in Illinois Act.

Section 5. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Commission" means the Conditions of Homeless Shelters in Illinois Commission created under this Act.

"Health conditions" means conditions that impact the mental, physical, and spiritual condition of an individual.

Section 10. The Conditions of Homeless Shelters in Illinois Commission.

(a) There is hereby created the Conditions of Homeless Shelters in Illinois Commission.

(b) The Commission shall advise the Governor and the General Assembly on policy issues concerning health conditions in homeless shelters in this State, including, but not limited to, the following goals:

(1) To identify the key healthcare conditions in Illinois homeless shelters through a process developed by the Commission that allows Commission members to monitor Illinois homeless shelters.

(2) To put in place developed processes of monitoring homeless shelters that adequately provide access to Commission members.

(3) To create a report that shares the key findings that create problematic health care conditions in Illinois homeless shelters.

(4) To create a report that shares the recommendations of policy changes to improve the health conditions of homeless shelters in Illinois.

(5) To release the Commission's public report to the Governor, the General Assembly, and the public.

(6) To disseminate information and build relationships between community organizations, State agencies, and commissions in furtherance of the Commission's goals under this Act.

Section 15. Commission members.

(a) The Commission shall consist of the following members:

(1) one member who is a representative of the Office of the Governor, appointed by the Governor;

(2) five members appointed one each by the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Minority Leader of the Senate, and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives;

(3) one representative of an organization advocating on behalf of homeless persons, appointed by the Governor;

(4) one representative of homeless shelters, appointed by the Governor; and

(5) one medical professional with expertise on health conditions among the homeless population, appointed by the Governor.

(b) The Director of each of the following State agencies or his or her designee shall serve as ex officio members of the Commission: the Department on Aging, the Department of Children and Family Services, the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the Department of Human Rights, and the Department of Public Health.

(c) The Governor shall select the chairperson of the Commission from among the members.

(d) Appointing authorities shall ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, that the Commission is diverse with respect to race, ethnicity, age, gender identity, and geography.

(e) Appointments to the Commission shall be persons of recognized ability and experience in one or more of the following areas: public policy, healthcare, equity advocacy, social services, and community advocacy and development.

(f) Members of the Commission shall serve 2-year terms. A member shall serve until his or her successor is appointed and qualified. Members of the Commission shall not be entitled to compensation for their services as members.

(g) The Office of the Governor shall provide administrative and technical support to the Commission.

Section 20. Meetings. The Commission shall meet at least once per quarter. In addition, the Commission may hold up to 2 public hearings annually to assist in the development of policy recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly, and implement processes to meet its overall mission goals. All meetings of the Commission shall be conducted in accordance with the Open Meetings Act. A majority of the non-ex officio members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum.

Section 25. Reports. The Commission shall electronically issue semi-annual reports on its policy recommendations by June 30 and December 31 of each year to the Governor and the General Assembly. The reports issued to the General Assembly under this Section shall be filed electronically with the General Assembly as provided under Section 3.1 of the General Assembly Organization Act, and shall be provided to any member of the General Assembly upon request.