HB0290eng 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB0290 Engrossed LRB102 10791 CMG 16121 b

AN ACT concerning education.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

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

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.163)

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 the 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 is available for children and adults with a developmental disability who have an unmet service need anticipated in the next 5 years.

(4) Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services is the first step toward getting developmental disabilities 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 developmental disabilities services.

(5) 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 about the Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services database.

(c) Subject to appropriation, the Department of Human Services and State Board of Education shall develop and implement an online, computer-based training program for at least one designated employee in every public school in this State to educate him or her about the Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services database and steps to be taken to ensure children and adolescents are enrolled. The training shall include instruction for at least one designated employee in every public school in contacting the appropriate developmental disabilities Independent Service Coordination agency to enroll children and adolescents in the database. At least one designated employee in every public school shall ensure the opportunity to enroll in the Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services database is discussed during annual individualized education program (IEP) meetings for all children and adolescents believed to have a developmental disability.

(d) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the Department of Human Services, through school districts, shall provide to inform parents and guardians of students a copy of the Department of Human Services's guide titled "Understanding PUNS: A Guide to Prioritization for Urgency of Need for Services" each year at the annual review meeting for the student's individualized education program through school districts about the Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services waiting list, including the consideration required in subsection (e) of this Section.

(e) The Department of Human Services shall consider the length of time spent on the Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services waiting list, in addition to other factors considered, when selecting individuals on the list for services.

(Source: P.A. 99-144, eff. 1-1-16; 99-642, eff. 7-28-16; 99-716, eff. 1-1-17.)

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