SB0348 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 12628 KTG 17967 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
SB0348

Introduced 2/19/2021, by Sen. Karina Villa

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Commission on the Prevention and Access to Treatment of Addiction Act. Provides that the Commission on the Prevention and Access to Treatment of Addiction is established within, but is not subject to the control of, the Department of Human Services. Provides that the Commission shall work to promote positive mental, emotional, and behavioral health and early intervention for persons with a mental illness, and to prevent substance use disorders among residents of the State. Contains provisions concerning the composition of the Commission and reappointments and vacancies. Provides that the Commission may establish advisory committees to assist its work. Sets forth the duties of the Commission, including: (i) promoting an understanding of the science of prevention, social determinants of health, and trauma-informed care; (ii) making recommendations to the General Assembly that promote behavioral health and prevention issues at the universal, selective, and indicated levels; (iii) hold public hearings and meetings to accept comment from the general public and to seek advice from experts; and other matters. Requires the Commission to submit annual reports to the General Assembly on the state of preventing substance use disorder and promoting behavioral health in Illinois.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning mental health.

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

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Commission on the Prevention and Access to Treatment of Addiction Act.

Section 5. Commission on the Prevention and Access to Treatment of Addiction. The Commission on the Prevention and Access to Treatment of Addiction is established within, but is not subject to the control of, the Department of Human Services. The Commission shall work to promote positive mental, emotional, and behavioral health and early intervention for persons with a mental illness, and to prevent substance use disorders among residents of the State.

Section 10. Members. The Commission shall consist of the following members:

(1) The Secretary of Human Services, or his or her designee, who shall serve as the chair of the Commission.

(2) The Director of Healthcare and Family Services, or his or her designee.

(3) The Director of Public Health, or his or her designee.

(4) One person appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; one person appointed by the Senate President; one person appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives; and one person appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate.

(5) One representative, appointed by the Governor, from each of the following organizations:

(i) An organization that represents local public health departments in Illinois.

(ii) An organization that represents behavioral health clinics and mental health clinics in Illinois.

(iii) An organization that represents federally qualified health centers in Illinois.

(iv) An organization that represents physicians in Illinois.

(vi) An organization that represents hospitals in Illinois.

The Governor may appoint up to 7 more members from organizations or experts that the Office of the Governor deems necessary to improve the Commission.

Section 15. Reappointment; vacancies. Members of the Commission shall serve for a term of 4 years, without compensation. Any member shall be eligible for reappointment. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as original appointments and any member so appointed shall serve during the remainder of the term for which the vacancy occurred. Any member who is appointed by the Governor may be removed by the Governor for cause.

Section 20. Powers and duties.

(a) The Commission may establish advisory committees to assist its work.

(b) The Commission shall:

(1) promote an understanding of:

(A) the science of prevention;

(B) population health;

(C) risk and protective factors;

(D) social determinants of health;

(E) evidence-based programming and policymaking;

(F) health equity; and

(G) trauma-informed care;

(2) consult with the Secretary of Human Services on grants from the Division of Substance Use Prevention and Recovery and the Division of Mental Health;

(3) make recommendations to the General Assembly that:

(A) promote behavioral health and prevention issues at the universal, selective, and indicated levels;

(B) strengthen community or State-level promotion and prevention systems;

(C) advance the identification, selection, and funding of evidence-based programs, practices, or systems designed to promote behavioral health and early intervention for persons with a mental illness and to prevent substance use disorders; and

(D) reduce healthcare and other public costs through evidence-based promotion and prevention; however, the Commission may use State and local prevalence and cost data to ensure Commission recommendations are data-informed and address risks at the universal, selective, and indicated levels of prevention;

(4) hold public hearings and meetings to accept comment from the general public and to seek advice from experts, including, but not limited to, those in the fields of neuroscience, public health, behavioral health, education, and prevention science; and

(5) submit an annual report to the General Assembly as provided in Section 25 on the state of preventing substance use disorder and promoting behavioral health in Illinois.

Section 25. Reporting requirements. Not later than March 1 of each year, beginning in calendar year 2022, the Commission shall file a report with the House Committee on Mental Health and the Senate Committee on Human Services on its activities and any recommendations. The Commission shall monitor the implementation of its recommendations and shall update recommendations to reflect current science and evidence-based practices.