HB4936 EnrolledLRB100 18558 RLC 33777 b


  
1    AN ACT concerning State government.
  
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
 
3represented in the General Assembly:
  


 
4    Section 5. The Illinois Public Aid Code is amended  by 
5adding Section 5-5.09 as follows:
 
6    (305 ILCS 5/5-5.09 new)
7    Sec. 5-5.09. Mental health professionals; veterans.
8    (a) The General Assembly is proud of and grateful to 
9members of all branches of the United States Armed Forces.  The 
10General Assembly recognizes that returning veterans may have 
11unique and specific needs that are better understood and 
12addressed by persons with military exposure.   The Department of 
13Healthcare and Family Services shall seek federal approval of 
14an amendment to the Illinois Title XIX State Plan for the 
15purpose of allowing a person who has completed a psychiatric 
16training certification program from any branch of the United 
17States Armed Forces and who has at least one year of experience 
18in a mental health setting to be recognized as a mental health 
19professional.
20    (b) Upon receipt of federal approval of an amendment to the 
21Illinois Title XIX State Plan for this purpose, the Department 
22of Healthcare and Family Services, in collaboration with all 
23necessary partners including the Department of Human Services, 
 
 
HB4936 Enrolled- 2 -LRB100 18558 RLC 33777 b

1shall adopt within 180 days after the date upon which federal 
2approval is received any necessary rules that would allow a 
3person who has completed a psychiatric training certification 
4program from any branch of the United States Armed Forces and 
5who has at least one year of experience in a mental health 
6setting to be recognized as a mental health professional for 
7purposes of programs authorized or funded by the Department of 
8Healthcare and Family Services under the standards of practice 
9as authorized by the Department.