Public Act 100-0908
 
HB4936 EnrolledLRB100 18558 RLC 33777 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 Illinois Public Aid Code is amended  by 
adding Section 5-5.09 as follows:
 
    (305 ILCS 5/5-5.09 new)
    Sec. 5-5.09. Mental health professionals; veterans.
    (a) The General Assembly is proud of and grateful to 
members of all branches of the United States Armed Forces.  The 
General Assembly recognizes that returning veterans may have 
unique and specific needs that are better understood and 
addressed by persons with military exposure.   The Department of 
Healthcare and Family Services shall seek federal approval of 
an amendment to the Illinois Title XIX State Plan for the 
purpose of allowing a person who has completed a psychiatric 
training certification program from any branch of the United 
States Armed Forces and who has at least one year of experience 
in a mental health setting to be recognized as a mental health 
professional.
    (b) Upon receipt of federal approval of an amendment to the 
Illinois Title XIX State Plan for this purpose, the Department 
of Healthcare and Family Services, in collaboration with all 
necessary partners including the Department of Human Services, 
shall adopt within 180 days after the date upon which federal 
approval is received any necessary rules that would allow a 
person who has completed a psychiatric training certification 
program from any branch of the United States Armed Forces and 
who has at least one year of experience in a mental health 
setting to be recognized as a mental health professional for 
purposes of programs authorized or funded by the Department of 
Healthcare and Family Services under the standards of practice 
as authorized by the Department.