SB3889 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 24255 RJT 33486 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
SB3889

Introduced 1/21/2022, by Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Children's Mental Health Council Act. Provides that the Children's Mental Health Council shall conduct at least 4 meetings each year, in addition to emergency meetings called by the chairperson of the Council, research and provide recommendations for the General Assembly on children with mental and behavioral disabilities and residential placements around the State and out of state, research and provide recommendations on how State agencies will be able to provide emergency placement for children with disabilities, research and provide recommendations on expanding residential beds and increasing the workforce, and providing recommendations for the General Assembly, State Board of Education, Department of Children and Family Services, Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Department of Juvenile Justice, and any other agency that is involved in the process of the placement of a child. Provides guidelines for appointing members. Provides terms for members appointed by the Governor. Provides that members shall serve without compensation. Provides that the State Board of Education shall provide administrative support. Provides that the Council shall prepare and deliver annual reports to the General Assembly, the Governor, and State agencies with any recommendations for legislation and any additional recommendations regarding children's mental and behavioral health. Provides that the Act is repealed on January 1, 2032. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning health.

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 Children's Mental Health Council Act.

Section 5. Children's Mental Health Council.

(a) In this Act, "Council" means the Children's Mental Health Council.

(b) The Children's Mental Health Council is created.

(c) The Council shall:

(1) Conduct at least 4 meetings each year, in addition to emergency meetings called by the chairperson of the Council;

(2) Research and provide recommendations for the General Assembly regarding children with mental and behavioral disabilities and residential placements around the State and out of state;

(3) Research and provide recommendations regarding how State agencies will be able to provide emergency placement for children with disabilities;

(4) Research and provide recommendations regarding how the State is able to expand residential beds in the State and increase the workforce to obtain staff; and

(5) Review and provide recommendations for the General Assembly, State Board of Education, Department of Children and Family Services, Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice, and any other agency that is involved in the process of the placement of a child.

(d) The Council shall be composed of the following:

(1) The State Superintendent of Education or his or her designee;

(2) The Director of Children and Family Services or his or her designee;

(3) The Director of Healthcare and Family Services or his or her designee;

(4) The Director of Juvenile Justice or his or her designee;

(5) The Senate President or his or her designee;

(6) The Speaker of the House or his or her designee;

(7) The Minority Leader of the Senate or his or her designee;

(8) The Minority Leader of the House or his or her designee; and

(9) The following members shall be appointed by the Governor on or before December 1, 2022:

(A) Four members from children's residential schools in the State, from various geographic regions;

(B) Four members from public schools who specialize in social work in their districts, from various geographic regions;

(C) Four members from private schools who specialize in social work in their districts, from various geographic regions;

(D) Four members from various communities who have a child with mental and behavioral disabilities and have experience going through the system of trying to get a residential bed for their children. Members appointed under this paragraph shall reflect a diversity of age, gender, race, and ethnic backgrounds;

(E) One member from a children's hospital from northern Illinois;

(F) One member from a children's hospital from the southern half of Illinois; and

(G) Two members from juvenile detention centers from various geographic regions.

The members appointed by the Governor shall be appointed for terms of 4 years. A member shall serve until his or her successor is appointed and qualified. If a vacancy occurs in the Council membership, the vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the remainder of the term.

(e) The initial meeting of the Council shall be convened by the Senate President no later than January 1, 2023.

(f) The State Board of Education shall provide administrative support to the Council.

(g) The Council shall prepare and deliver an annual report to the General Assembly, the Governor's Office, and any State agency involved in the Council. The report shall include:

(1) Any recommendations for legislation regarding State policies, laws, or rules necessary to fulfill the purposes of this Act; and

(2) Any additional recommendations regarding children's mental and behavioral health that the Council deems necessary.

(h) The annual report shall be considered by the agencies involved and the General Assembly.

Section 10. Repeal. The Council is dissolved, and this Act is repealed, on January 1, 2032.

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