HB4201 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 20703 CMG 29581 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB4201

Introduced 1/5/2022, by Rep. Maurice A. West, II

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

110 ILCS 305/160 new
110 ILCS 520/135 new
110 ILCS 660/5-245 new
110 ILCS 665/10-245 new
110 ILCS 670/15-245 new
110 ILCS 675/20-250 new
110 ILCS 680/25-245 new
110 ILCS 685/30-255 new
110 ILCS 690/35-250 new
110 ILCS 805/3-29.20 new

Amends various Acts relating to the governance of public universities and community colleges in Illinois. Requires the governing board of each public university and community college district to employ a benefits navigator for the purpose of helping students at the institution of higher education apply for and receive assistance from benefits programs; defines "benefits program". Requires the governing board (i) to provide training for the benefits navigator, with training guidance and support provided by the Department of Human Services, (ii) participate in a statewide consortium with other public institutions of higher education for the purpose of facilitating communication between benefits navigators at different institutions and developing best practices for benefits navigators, and (iii) develop an internal process to enable students to provide feedback and recommendations on how the institution can better assist students in determining eligibility for benefits programs and applying for assistance under benefits programs. Sets forth the duties of a benefits navigator. Effective January 1, 2023.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning education.

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

Section 5. The University of Illinois Act is amended by adding Section 160 as follows:

(110 ILCS 305/160 new)

Sec. 160. Benefits navigator.

(a) In this Section:

"Benefits navigator" means an individual who is employed by the Board of Trustees for the purpose of helping students at the University apply for and receive assistance from benefits programs.

"Benefits program" means any federal, State, or local program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on the basis of need.

(b) The Board of Trustees shall:

(1) employ a benefits navigator who has a detailed understanding of eligibility requirements for benefits programs and how to apply for assistance under benefits programs;

(2) provide training for the benefits navigator, with training guidance and support provided by the Department of Human Services to the University; and

(3) participate in a statewide consortium with other public institutions of higher education for the purpose of facilitating communication between benefits navigators at different institutions and developing best practices for benefits navigators.

(c) The benefits navigator employed under this Section shall:

(1) assist students at the University in determining eligibility for benefits programs and applying for assistance under benefits programs;

(2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits navigators at other public institutions of higher education for the purpose of collecting data and developing best practices for helping students apply for and receive assistance from benefits programs; and

(3) coordinate and provide culturally specific resources, including resources for non-English speakers, to support students at the University.

(d) The Board of Trustees, in consultation with the benefits navigator employed under this Section, shall develop an internal process to enable students at the University to provide feedback and recommendations on how the University can better assist students in determining eligibility for benefits programs and applying for assistance under benefits programs.

Section 10. The Southern Illinois University Management Act is amended by adding Section 135 as follows:

(110 ILCS 520/135 new)

Sec. 135. Benefits navigator.

(a) In this Section:

"Benefits navigator" means an individual who is employed by the Board for the purpose of helping students at the University apply for and receive assistance from benefits programs.

"Benefits program" means any federal, State, or local program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on the basis of need.

(b) The Board shall:

(1) employ a benefits navigator who has a detailed understanding of eligibility requirements for benefits programs and how to apply for assistance under benefits programs;

(2) provide training for the benefits navigator, with training guidance and support provided by the Department of Human Services to the University; and

(3) participate in a statewide consortium with other public institutions of higher education for the purpose of facilitating communication between benefits navigators at different institutions and developing best practices for benefits navigators.

(c) The benefits navigator employed under this Section shall:

(1) assist students at the University in determining eligibility for benefits programs and applying for assistance under benefits programs;

(2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits navigators at other public institutions of higher education for the purpose of collecting data and developing best practices for helping students apply for and receive assistance from benefits programs; and

(3) coordinate and provide culturally specific resources, including resources for non-English speakers, to support students at the University.

(d) The Board, in consultation with the benefits navigator employed under this Section, shall develop an internal process to enable students at the University to provide feedback and recommendations on how the University can better assist students in determining eligibility for benefits programs and applying for assistance under benefits programs.

Section 15. The Chicago State University Law is amended by adding Section 5-245 as follows:

(110 ILCS 660/5-245 new)

Sec. 5-245. Benefits navigator.

(a) In this Section:

"Benefits navigator" means an individual who is employed by the Board for the purpose of helping students at the University apply for and receive assistance from benefits programs.

"Benefits program" means any federal, State, or local program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on the basis of need.

(b) The Board shall:

(1) employ a benefits navigator who has a detailed understanding of eligibility requirements for benefits programs and how to apply for assistance under benefits programs;

(2) provide training for the benefits navigator, with training guidance and support provided by the Department of Human Services to the University; and

(3) participate in a statewide consortium with other public institutions of higher education for the purpose of facilitating communication between benefits navigators at different institutions and developing best practices for benefits navigators.

(c) The benefits navigator employed under this Section shall:

(1) assist students at the University in determining eligibility for benefits programs and applying for assistance under benefits programs;

(2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits navigators at other public institutions of higher education for the purpose of collecting data and developing best practices for helping students apply for and receive assistance from benefits programs; and

(3) coordinate and provide culturally specific resources, including resources for non-English speakers, to support students at the University.

(d) The Board, in consultation with the benefits navigator employed under this Section, shall develop an internal process to enable students at the University to provide feedback and recommendations on how the University can better assist students in determining eligibility for benefits programs and applying for assistance under benefits programs.

Section 20. The Eastern Illinois University Law is amended by adding Section 10-245 as follows:

(110 ILCS 665/10-245 new)

Sec. 10-245. Benefits navigator.

(a) In this Section:

"Benefits navigator" means an individual who is employed by the Board for the purpose of helping students at the University apply for and receive assistance from benefits programs.

"Benefits program" means any federal, State, or local program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on the basis of need.

(b) The Board shall:

(1) employ a benefits navigator who has a detailed understanding of eligibility requirements for benefits programs and how to apply for assistance under benefits programs;

(2) provide training for the benefits navigator, with training guidance and support provided by the Department of Human Services to the University; and

(3) participate in a statewide consortium with other public institutions of higher education for the purpose of facilitating communication between benefits navigators at different institutions and developing best practices for benefits navigators.

(c) The benefits navigator employed under this Section shall:

(1) assist students at the University in determining eligibility for benefits programs and applying for assistance under benefits programs;

(2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits navigators at other public institutions of higher education for the purpose of collecting data and developing best practices for helping students apply for and receive assistance from benefits programs; and

(3) coordinate and provide culturally specific resources, including resources for non-English speakers, to support students at the University.

(d) The Board, in consultation with the benefits navigator employed under this Section, shall develop an internal process to enable students at the University to provide feedback and recommendations on how the University can better assist students in determining eligibility for benefits programs and applying for assistance under benefits programs.

Section 25. The Governors State University Law is amended by adding Section 15-245 as follows:

(110 ILCS 670/15-245 new)

Sec. 15-245. Benefits navigator.

(a) In this Section:

"Benefits navigator" means an individual who is employed by the Board for the purpose of helping students at the University apply for and receive assistance from benefits programs.

"Benefits program" means any federal, State, or local program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on the basis of need.

(b) The Board shall:

(1) employ a benefits navigator who has a detailed understanding of eligibility requirements for benefits programs and how to apply for assistance under benefits programs;

(2) provide training for the benefits navigator, with training guidance and support provided by the Department of Human Services to the University; and

(3) participate in a statewide consortium with other public institutions of higher education for the purpose of facilitating communication between benefits navigators at different institutions and developing best practices for benefits navigators.

(c) The benefits navigator employed under this Section shall:

(1) assist students at the University in determining eligibility for benefits programs and applying for assistance under benefits programs;

(2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits navigators at other public institutions of higher education for the purpose of collecting data and developing best practices for helping students apply for and receive assistance from benefits programs; and

(3) coordinate and provide culturally specific resources, including resources for non-English speakers, to support students at the University.

(d) The Board, in consultation with the benefits navigator employed under this Section, shall develop an internal process to enable students at the University to provide feedback and recommendations on how the University can better assist students in determining eligibility for benefits programs and applying for assistance under benefits programs.

Section 30. The Illinois State University Law is amended by adding Section 20-250 as follows:

(110 ILCS 675/20-250 new)

Sec. 20-250. Benefits navigator.

(a) In this Section:

"Benefits navigator" means an individual who is employed by the Board for the purpose of helping students at the University apply for and receive assistance from benefits programs.

"Benefits program" means any federal, State, or local program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on the basis of need.

(b) The Board shall:

(1) employ a benefits navigator who has a detailed understanding of eligibility requirements for benefits programs and how to apply for assistance under benefits programs;

(2) provide training for the benefits navigator, with training guidance and support provided by the Department of Human Services to the University; and

(3) participate in a statewide consortium with other public institutions of higher education for the purpose of facilitating communication between benefits navigators at different institutions and developing best practices for benefits navigators.

(c) The benefits navigator employed under this Section shall:

(1) assist students at the University in determining eligibility for benefits programs and applying for assistance under benefits programs;

(2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits navigators at other public institutions of higher education for the purpose of collecting data and developing best practices for helping students apply for and receive assistance from benefits programs; and

(3) coordinate and provide culturally specific resources, including resources for non-English speakers, to support students at the University.

(d) The Board, in consultation with the benefits navigator employed under this Section, shall develop an internal process to enable students at the University to provide feedback and recommendations on how the University can better assist students in determining eligibility for benefits programs and applying for assistance under benefits programs.

Section 35. The Northeastern Illinois University Law is amended by adding Section 25-245 as follows:

(110 ILCS 680/25-245 new)

Sec. 25-245. Benefits navigator.

(a) In this Section:

"Benefits navigator" means an individual who is employed by the Board for the purpose of helping students at the University apply for and receive assistance from benefits programs.

"Benefits program" means any federal, State, or local program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on the basis of need.

(b) The Board shall:

(1) employ a benefits navigator who has a detailed understanding of eligibility requirements for benefits programs and how to apply for assistance under benefits programs;

(2) provide training for the benefits navigator, with training guidance and support provided by the Department of Human Services to the University; and

(3) participate in a statewide consortium with other public institutions of higher education for the purpose of facilitating communication between benefits navigators at different institutions and developing best practices for benefits navigators.

(c) The benefits navigator employed under this Section shall:

(1) assist students at the University in determining eligibility for benefits programs and applying for assistance under benefits programs;

(2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits navigators at other public institutions of higher education for the purpose of collecting data and developing best practices for helping students apply for and receive assistance from benefits programs; and

(3) coordinate and provide culturally specific resources, including resources for non-English speakers, to support students at the University.

(d) The Board, in consultation with the benefits navigator employed under this Section, shall develop an internal process to enable students at the University to provide feedback and recommendations on how the University can better assist students in determining eligibility for benefits programs and applying for assistance under benefits programs.

Section 40. The Northern Illinois University Law is amended by adding Section 30-255 as follows:

(110 ILCS 685/30-255 new)

Sec. 30-255. Benefits navigator.

(a) In this Section:

"Benefits navigator" means an individual who is employed by the Board for the purpose of helping students at the University apply for and receive assistance from benefits programs.

"Benefits program" means any federal, State, or local program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on the basis of need.

(b) The Board shall:

(1) employ a benefits navigator who has a detailed understanding of eligibility requirements for benefits programs and how to apply for assistance under benefits programs;

(2) provide training for the benefits navigator, with training guidance and support provided by the Department of Human Services to the University; and

(3) participate in a statewide consortium with other public institutions of higher education for the purpose of facilitating communication between benefits navigators at different institutions and developing best practices for benefits navigators.

(c) The benefits navigator employed under this Section shall:

(1) assist students at the University in determining eligibility for benefits programs and applying for assistance under benefits programs;

(2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits navigators at other public institutions of higher education for the purpose of collecting data and developing best practices for helping students apply for and receive assistance from benefits programs; and

(3) coordinate and provide culturally specific resources, including resources for non-English speakers, to support students at the University.

(d) The Board, in consultation with the benefits navigator employed under this Section, shall develop an internal process to enable students at the University to provide feedback and recommendations on how the University can better assist students in determining eligibility for benefits programs and applying for assistance under benefits programs.

Section 45. The Western Illinois University Law is amended by adding Section 35-250 as follows:

(110 ILCS 690/35-250 new)

Sec. 35-250. Benefits navigator.

(a) In this Section:

"Benefits navigator" means an individual who is employed by the Board for the purpose of helping students at the University apply for and receive assistance from benefits programs.

"Benefits program" means any federal, State, or local program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on the basis of need.

(b) The Board shall:

(1) employ a benefits navigator who has a detailed understanding of eligibility requirements for benefits programs and how to apply for assistance under benefits programs;

(2) provide training for the benefits navigator, with training guidance and support provided by the Department of Human Services to the University; and

(3) participate in a statewide consortium with other public institutions of higher education for the purpose of facilitating communication between benefits navigators at different institutions and developing best practices for benefits navigators.

(c) The benefits navigator employed under this Section shall:

(1) assist students at the University in determining eligibility for benefits programs and applying for assistance under benefits programs;

(2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits navigators at other public institutions of higher education for the purpose of collecting data and developing best practices for helping students apply for and receive assistance from benefits programs; and

(3) coordinate and provide culturally specific resources, including resources for non-English speakers, to support students at the University.

(d) The Board, in consultation with the benefits navigator employed under this Section, shall develop an internal process to enable students at the University to provide feedback and recommendations on how the University can better assist students in determining eligibility for benefits programs and applying for assistance under benefits programs.

Section 50. The Public Community College Act is amended by adding Section 3-29.20 as follows:

(110 ILCS 805/3-29.20 new)

Sec. 3-29.20. Benefits navigator.

(a) In this Section:

"Benefits navigator" means an individual who is employed by the board for the purpose of helping students at the community college apply for and receive assistance from benefits programs.

"Benefits program" means any federal, State, or local program that provides assistance or benefits to individuals on the basis of need.

(b) The board shall:

(1) employ a benefits navigator who has a detailed understanding of eligibility requirements for benefits programs and how to apply for assistance under benefits programs;

(2) provide training for the benefits navigator, with training guidance and support provided by the Department of Human Services to the community college district; and

(3) participate in a statewide consortium with other public institutions of higher education for the purpose of facilitating communication between benefits navigators at different institutions and developing best practices for benefits navigators.

(c) The benefits navigator employed under this Section shall:

(1) assist students at the community college in determining eligibility for benefits programs and applying for assistance under benefits programs;

(2) use the consortium under paragraph (3) of subsection (b) of this Section to coordinate with benefits navigators at other public institutions of higher education for the purpose of collecting data and developing best practices for helping students apply for and receive assistance from benefits programs; and

(3) coordinate and provide culturally specific resources, including resources for non-English speakers, to support students at the community college.

(d) The board, in consultation with the benefits navigator employed under this Section, shall develop an internal process to enable students at the community college to provide feedback and recommendations on how the community college district can better assist students in determining eligibility for benefits programs and applying for assistance under benefits programs.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect January 1, 2023.