MENTAL HLTH PROFESSIONAL GRANT House SponsorsRep. Lindsey LaPointe-Maurice A. West, II, Will Guzzardi and Michelle Mussman 1/7/2025HouseSession Sine Die New Act20 ILCS 301/55-31 new30 ILCS 105/5.1015 new Creates the Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Professional Support Grant Program Act. Creates within the Department of Human Services a Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Professional Support Grant Program to provide grants to mental health facilities and substance use disorder treatment programs. Creates the Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Professional Support Grant Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Provides that money in the Fund shall be used by the Secretary of the Department to make grants to eligible mental health facilities and substance use disorder treatment programs. Requires grant recipients to use grant funds for expenses related to recruiting, retaining, and compensating licensed mental health or substance use disorder professionals. Provides that each grant recipient shall receive up to $200,000 in grant funding for each mental health or substance use disorder professional employed, engaged, or contracted by the recipient. Contains provisions concerning application requirements and Department rulemaking authority. Amends the Substance Use Disorder Act. Provides that the amendatory provisions may be referred to as the Equity in Accessibility Law. Requires the Department to provide funding and reimbursement for those costs associated with the provision of American Sign Language services and interpretive services for non-English speaking patients at substance use disorder treatment programs and facilities. Provides that funding and reimbursement shall be based upon the actual cost incurred by the substance use disorder treatment program or facility and shall reflect regional differences in costs and expenses related to the provision of American Sign Language and interpretive services at each location. Contains provisions on applications requirements and Department rulemaking authority. Effective immediately.House Committee Amendment No. 1 Creates the Equity in Accessibility Act. Provides that the Department of Human Services shall provide for funding and reimbursement of costs associated with the provision of American Sign Language services and interpretive services for non-English speaking patients for the benefit of patients of mental health treatment programs and facilities. Provides that the funding and reimbursement shall be based upon the actual cost incurred by the mental health treatment program or facility and shall reflect regional differences in costs and expenses related to the provision of American Sign Language and non-English interpretive services at each location. Provides that applicants seeking funding under this Act shall apply to the Department in a form and manner prescribed by the Department. Provides that the Department may adopt any rules necessary to implement the Act. Makes technical changes in the bill. 1/31/2024HouseFiled with the Clerk by Rep. Lindsey LaPointe 2/6/2024HouseFirst Reading 2/6/2024HouseReferred to Rules Committee 3/5/2024HouseAssigned to Mental Health & Addiction Committee 3/12/2024HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Lindsey LaPointe 3/12/2024HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee 3/13/2024HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Mental Health & Addiction Committee 3/20/2024HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Will Guzzardi 3/22/2024HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Maurice A. West, II 3/22/2024HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted in Mental Health & Addiction Committee; by Voice Vote 3/22/2024HouseDo Pass as Amended / Short Debate Mental Health & Addiction Committee; 014-005-000 3/22/2024HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Michelle Mussman 3/22/2024HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate 4/17/2024HouseSecond Reading - Short Debate 4/17/2024HouseHeld on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate 4/19/2024HouseRule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee 1/7/2025HouseSession Sine Die