SB0226sam001 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Sen. Kimberly A. Lightford

Filed: 4/17/2015

09900SB0226sam001 LRB099 03155 NHT 34250 a

AMENDMENT TO SENATE BILL 226

AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend Senate Bill 226 by replacing everything after the enacting clause with the following:

"Section 5. The School Code is amended by adding Section 2-3.163 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.163 new)

Sec. 2-3.163. Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services database.

(a) The General Assembly makes all of the following findings:

(1) The Department of Human Services maintains a statewide database known as PUNS or Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services that records information about individuals with developmental disabilities who are potentially in need of services.

(2) The Department of Human Services uses the data on Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services to select individuals for services as funding becomes available, to develop proposals and materials for budgeting, and to plan for future needs.

(3) Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services exists in order to provide assistance with services of needs.

(4) Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services is available for children and teens with developmental disorders who need services of support.

(5) Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services is the first step toward getting services in this State. If individuals are not on the Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services waiting list, they are not in queue for State services.

(6) Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services may be underutilized by children and their parents or guardians due to lack of awareness or lack of information.

(b) The State Board of Education may work with school districts to inform all students with developmental disabilities and their parents or guardians that the Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services database is a resource that can assist them in obtaining services for their needs.

(c) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the Division of Developmental Disabilities of the Department of Human Services, shall develop and implement a training program for pre-admission screening and independent service coordination agencies to train and provide all resources necessary for case workers in every public school in this State to register all students in an individual setting who are designated as being developmentally disabled by their individualized education program (IEP) with the Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services waiting list for services. If training is not able to be provided to case workers, then the school district, working with the Division of Developmental Disabilities of the Department of Human Services, shall provide yearly opportunities for people to sign up for the Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services waiting list at organized events in the school district.

(d) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the Division of Developmental Disabilities of the Department of Human Services, shall inform parents and guardians of students and provide a 2-page information sheet on the Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services waiting list and how to register during every IEP meeting, starting from early childhood until the student's 22nd birthday.".