SB2749 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 16389 KTG 29778 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB2749

Introduced 1/13/2026, by Sen. Julie A. Morrison

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

20 ILCS 301/1-10
20 ILCS 301/5-10
20 ILCS 301/5-20
20 ILCS 301/10-10
20 ILCS 301/55-40

Amends the Substance Use Disorder Act. Expands the Act to include counseling, referral, and other supportive services for persons with gambling disorders. Requires the Department of Human Services to collaborate with the State Board of Education in the development of instructional resources for substance use or gambling disorder prevention and awareness that may be used by school districts. Permits the Department to cooperate with institutions of higher education in the development of programs on substance use and gambling disorders. Requires the Department to establish a toll-free hotline and website that provides crisis counseling and referral services for families experiencing difficulty related to a gambling disorder. Requires the Department to promote public awareness regarding the impact of gambling disorders on individuals, families, and communities. Makes other changes.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning health.

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

Section 5. The Substance Use Disorder Act is amended by changing Sections 1-10, 5-10, 5-20, 10-10, and 55-40 as follows:

(20 ILCS 301/1-10)

Sec. 1-10. Definitions. As used in this Act, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the following words and terms have the following meanings:

"Case management" means a coordinated approach to the delivery of health and medical treatment, substance use disorder treatment, mental health treatment, and social services, linking patients with appropriate services to address specific needs and achieve stated goals. In general, case management assists patients with other disorders and conditions that require multiple services over extended periods of time and who face difficulty in gaining access to those services.

"Crime of violence" means any of the following crimes: murder, voluntary manslaughter, criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, predatory criminal sexual assault of a child, armed robbery, robbery, arson, kidnapping, aggravated battery, aggravated arson, or any other felony that involves the use or threat of physical force or violence against another individual.

"Department" means the Department of Human Services.

"DUI" means driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

"Designated program" means a category of service authorized by an intervention license issued by the Department for delivery of all services as described in Article 40 in this Act.

"Early intervention" means services, authorized by a treatment license, that are sub-clinical and pre-diagnostic and that are designed to screen, identify, and address risk factors that may be related to problems associated with substance use disorders and to assist individuals in recognizing harmful consequences. Early intervention services facilitate emotional and social stability and involves referrals for treatment, as needed.

"Facility" means the building or premises are used for the provision of licensable services, including support services, as set forth by rule.

"Gambling" means the activity of betting or wagering on uncertain outcomes that is regulated by the Illinois Gaming Board.

"Gambling disorder" means persistent and recurring maladaptive gambling behavior that disrupts personal, family, or vocational pursuits.

"Holds itself out" means any activity that would lead one to reasonably conclude that the individual or entity provides or intends to provide licensable substance-related disorder intervention or treatment services. Such activities include, but are not limited to, advertisements, notices, statements, or contractual arrangements with managed care organizations, private health insurance, or employee assistance programs to provide services that require a license as specified in Article 15.

"Informed consent" means legally valid written consent, given by a client, patient, or legal guardian, that authorizes intervention or treatment services from a licensed organization and that documents agreement to participate in those services and knowledge of the consequences of withdrawal from such services. Informed consent also acknowledges the client's or patient's right to a conflict-free choice of services from any licensed organization and the potential risks and benefits of selected services.

"Intoxicated person" means a person whose mental or physical functioning is substantially impaired as a result of the current effects of alcohol or other drugs within the body.

"Medication assisted treatment" means the prescription of medications that are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment to assist with treatment for a substance use disorder and to support recovery for individuals receiving services in a facility licensed by the Department. Medication assisted treatment includes opioid treatment services as authorized by a Department license.

"Off-site services" means licensable services are conducted at a location separate from the licensed location of the provider, and services are operated by an entity licensed under this Act and approved in advance by the Department.

"Person" means any individual, firm, group, association, partnership, corporation, trust, government or governmental subdivision or agency.

"Prevention" means an interactive process of individuals, families, schools, religious organizations, communities and regional, state and national organizations whose goals are to reduce the prevalence of substance use disorders, prevent the use of illegal drugs and the abuse of legal drugs by persons of all ages, prevent the use of alcohol by minors, build the capacities of individuals and systems, and promote healthy environments, lifestyles, and behaviors.

"Recovery" means a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and reach their full potential.

"Recovery support" means services designed to support individual recovery from a substance use disorder that may be delivered pre-treatment, during treatment, or post treatment. These services may be delivered in a wide variety of settings for the purpose of supporting the individual in meeting his or her recovery support goals.

"Secretary" means the Secretary of the Department of Human Services or his or her designee.

"Substance use disorder" means a spectrum of persistent and recurring problematic behavior that encompasses 10 separate classes of drugs: alcohol; caffeine; cannabis; hallucinogens; inhalants; opioids; sedatives, hypnotics and anxiolytics; stimulants; and tobacco; and other unknown substances leading to clinically significant impairment or distress.

"Treatment" means the broad range of emergency, outpatient, and residential care (including assessment, diagnosis, case management, treatment, and recovery support planning) may be extended to individuals with substance use disorders or to the families of those persons.

"Withdrawal management" means services designed to manage intoxication or withdrawal episodes (previously referred to as detoxification), interrupt the momentum of habitual, compulsive substance use and begin the initial engagement in medically necessary substance use disorder treatment. Withdrawal management allows patients to safely withdraw from substances in a controlled medically-structured environment.

(Source: P.A. 100-759, eff. 1-1-19.)

(20 ILCS 301/5-10)

Sec. 5-10. Functions of the Department.

(a) In addition to the powers, duties and functions vested in the Department by this Act, or by other laws of this State, the Department shall carry out the following activities:

(1) Design, coordinate and fund comprehensive community-based and culturally and gender-appropriate services throughout the State. These services must include prevention, early intervention, treatment, and other recovery support services for substance use disorders that are accessible and address the needs of at-risk individuals and their families.

(2) Act as the exclusive State agency to accept, receive and expend, pursuant to appropriation, any public or private monies, grants or services, including those received from the federal government or from other State agencies, for the purpose of providing prevention, early intervention, treatment, and other recovery support services for substance use disorders.

(2.5) In partnership with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services, act as one of the principal State agencies for the sole purpose of calculating the maintenance of effort requirement under Section 1930 of Title XIX, Part B, Subpart II of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300x-30) and the Interim Final Rule (45 CFR 96.134).

(3) Coordinate a statewide strategy for the prevention, early intervention, treatment, and recovery support of substance use disorders. This strategy shall include the development of a comprehensive plan, submitted annually with the application for federal substance use disorder block grant funding, for the provision of an array of such services. The plan shall be based on local community-based needs and upon data including, but not limited to, that which defines the prevalence of and costs associated with these substance use disorders. This comprehensive plan shall include identification of problems, needs, priorities, services and other pertinent information, including the needs of marginalized communities minorities and other specific priority populations in the State, and shall describe how the identified problems and needs will be addressed. For purposes of this paragraph, the term "marginalized communities minorities and other specific priority populations" may include, but shall not be limited to, groups such as women, children, persons who use intravenous drugs intravenous drug users, persons with AIDS or who are HIV infected, veterans, African-Americans, Puerto Ricans, Hispanics, Asian Americans, the elderly, persons in the criminal justice system, persons who are clients of services provided by other State agencies, persons with disabilities and such other specific populations as the Department may from time to time identify. In developing the plan, the Department shall seek input from providers, parent groups, associations and interested citizens.

The plan developed under this Section shall include an explanation of the rationale to be used in ensuring that funding shall be based upon local community needs, including, but not limited to, the incidence and prevalence of, and costs associated with, substance use disorders, as well as upon demonstrated program performance.

The plan developed under this Section shall also contain a report detailing the activities of and progress made through services for the care and treatment of substance use disorders among pregnant women and mothers and their children established under subsection (j) of Section 35-5.

As applicable, the plan developed under this Section shall also include information about funding by other State agencies for prevention, early intervention, treatment, and other recovery support services.

(4) Lead, foster and develop cooperation, coordination and agreements among federal and State governmental agencies and local providers that provide assistance, services, funding or other functions, peripheral or direct, in the prevention, early intervention, treatment, and recovery support for substance use disorders. This shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:

(A) Cooperate with and assist other State agencies, as applicable, in establishing and conducting these substance use disorder services among the populations they respectively serve.

(B) Cooperate with and assist the Illinois Department of Public Health in the establishment, funding and support of programs and services for the promotion of maternal and child health and the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, including, but not limited to, HIV infection, especially with respect to those persons who are high risk due to intravenous injection of illegal drugs, or who may have been sexual partners of these individuals, or who may have impaired immune systems as a result of a substance use disorder.

(C) Supply to the Department of Public Health and prenatal care providers a list of all providers who are licensed to provide substance use disorder treatment for pregnant women in this State.

(D) Assist in the placement of child abuse or neglect perpetrators (identified by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)) who have been determined to be in need of substance use disorder treatment pursuant to Section 8.2 of the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.

(E) Cooperate with and assist DCFS in carrying out its mandates to:

(i) identify substance use disorders among its clients and their families; and

(ii) develop services to deal with such disorders.

These services may include, but shall not be limited to, programs to prevent or treat substance use disorders with DCFS clients and their families, identifying child care needs within such treatment, and assistance with other issues as required.

(F) Cooperate with and assist the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority with respect to statistical and other information concerning the incidence and prevalence of substance use disorders.

(G) Cooperate with and assist local the State Superintendent of Education, boards of education, schools, police departments, the Illinois State Police, courts, and other public and private agencies and individuals in establishing substance use or gambling disorder prevention programs statewide and preparing instructional resources curriculum materials for use at all levels of education.

(G-5) Collaborate with the State Board of Education to the extent the Board develops instructional resources for substance use or gambling disorder prevention and awareness that may be used by school districts.

(H) Cooperate with and assist the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services in the development and provision of services offered to recipients of public assistance for the treatment and prevention of substance use and gambling disorders.

(I) (Blank).

(5) From monies appropriated to the Department from the Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Fund, reimburse DUI evaluation and risk education programs licensed by the Department for providing indigent persons with free or reduced-cost evaluation and risk education services relating to a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

(6) Promulgate regulations to identify and disseminate best practice guidelines that can be utilized by publicly and privately funded programs as well as for levels of payment to government funded programs that provide prevention, early intervention, treatment, and other recovery support services for substance use disorders and those services referenced in Sections 15-10 and 40-5.

(7) In consultation with providers and related trade associations, specify a uniform methodology for use by funded providers and the Department for billing and collection and dissemination of statistical information regarding services related to substance use disorders.

(8) Receive data and assistance from federal, State and local governmental agencies, and obtain copies of identification and arrest data from all federal, State and local law enforcement agencies for use in carrying out the purposes and functions of the Department.

(9) Designate and license providers to conduct screening, assessment, referral and tracking of clients identified by the criminal justice system as having indications of substance use disorders and being eligible to make an election for treatment under Section 40-5 of this Act, and assist in the placement of individuals who are under court order to participate in treatment.

(10) Identify and disseminate evidence-based best practice guidelines as maintained in administrative rule that can be utilized to determine a substance use disorder diagnosis.

(11) (Blank).

(12) Make grants with funds appropriated from the Drug Treatment Fund in accordance with Section 50-35 of this Act.

(13) Encourage all health and disability insurance programs to include substance use disorder treatment as a covered service and to use evidence-based best practice criteria as maintained in administrative rule and as required in Public Act 99-0480 in determining the necessity for such services and continued stay.

(14) Award grants and enter into fixed-rate and fee-for-service arrangements with any other department, authority or commission of this State, or any other state or the federal government or with any public or private agency, including the disbursement of funds and furnishing of staff, to effectuate the purposes of this Act.

(15) Conduct a public information campaign to inform the State's Hispanic residents regarding the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders.

(b) In addition to the powers, duties and functions vested in it by this Act, or by other laws of this State, the Department may undertake, but shall not be limited to, the following activities:

(1) Require all organizations licensed or funded by the Department to include an education component to inform participants regarding the causes and means of transmission and methods of reducing the risk of acquiring or transmitting HIV infection and other infectious diseases, and to include funding for such education component in its support of the program.

(2) Review all State agency applications for federal funds that include provisions relating to the prevention, early intervention and treatment of substance use disorders in order to ensure consistency.

(3) Prepare, publish, evaluate, disseminate and serve as a central repository for educational materials dealing with the nature and effects of substance use disorders. Such materials may deal with the educational needs of the citizens of Illinois, and may include at least pamphlets that describe the causes and effects of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders.

(4) Develop and coordinate, with regional and local agencies, education and training programs for persons engaged in providing services for persons with substance use disorders, which programs may include specific HIV education and training for program personnel.

(5) Cooperate with and assist in the development of education, prevention, early intervention, and treatment programs for employees of State and local governments and businesses in the State.

(6) Utilize the support and assistance of interested persons in the community, including recovering persons, to assist individuals and communities in understanding the dynamics of substance use and gambling disorders, and to encourage individuals with these substance use disorders to voluntarily undergo treatment.

(7) Promote, conduct, assist or sponsor basic clinical, epidemiological and statistical research into substance use disorders and research into the prevention of those problems either solely or in conjunction with any public or private agency.

(8) Cooperate with public and private agencies, institutions of higher education, organizations, and individuals in the development of programs, and to provide technical assistance and consultation services for this purpose.

(9) (Blank).

(10) (Blank).

(11) Fund, promote, or assist entities dealing with substance use disorders.

(12) With monies appropriated from the Group Home Loan Revolving Fund, make loans, directly or through subcontract, to assist in underwriting the costs of housing in which individuals recovering from substance use disorders may reside, pursuant to Section 50-40 of this Act.

(13) Promulgate such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the purposes and enforce the provisions of this Act.

(14) Provide funding to help parents be effective in preventing substance use disorders by building an awareness of the family's role in preventing substance use disorders through adjusting expectations, developing new skills, and setting positive family goals. The programs shall include, but not be limited to, the following subjects: healthy family communication; establishing rules and limits; how to reduce family conflict; how to build self-esteem, competency, and responsibility in children; how to improve motivation and achievement; effective discipline; problem solving techniques; and how to talk about substance use or gambling drugs and alcohol. The programs shall be open to all parents.

(15) Establish an Opioid Remediation Services Capital Investment Grant Program. The Department may, subject to appropriation and approval through the Opioid Overdose Prevention and Recovery Steering Committee, after recommendation by the Illinois Opioid Remediation Advisory Board, and certification by the Office of the Attorney General, make capital improvement grants to units of local government and substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery service providers addressing opioid remediation in the State for approved abatement uses under the Illinois Opioid Allocation Agreement. The Illinois Opioid Remediation State Trust Fund shall be the source of funding for the program. Eligible grant recipients shall be units of local government and substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery service providers that offer facilities and services in a manner that supports and meets the approved uses of the opioid settlement funds. Eligible grant recipients have no entitlement to a grant under this Section. The Department of Human Services may consult with the Capital Development Board, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and the Illinois Housing Development Authority to adopt rules to implement this Section and may create a competitive application procedure for grants to be awarded. The rules may specify the manner of applying for grants; grantee eligibility requirements; project eligibility requirements; restrictions on the use of grant moneys; the manner in which grantees must account for the use of grant moneys; and any other provision that the Department of Human Services determines to be necessary or useful for the administration of this Section. Rules may include a requirement for grantees to provide local matching funds in an amount equal to a specific percentage of the grant. No portion of an opioid remediation services capital investment grant awarded under this Section may be used by a grantee to pay for any ongoing operational costs or outstanding debt. The Department of Human Services may consult with the Capital Development Board, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and the Illinois Housing Development Authority in the management and disbursement of funds for capital-related projects. The Capital Development Board, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and the Illinois Housing Development Authority shall act in a consulting role only for the evaluation of applicants, scoring of applicants, or administration of the grant program.

(c) There is created within the Department of Human Services an Office of Opioid Settlement Administration. The Office shall be responsible for implementing and administering approved abatement programs as described in Exhibit B of the Illinois Opioid Allocation Agreement, effective December 30, 2021. The Office may also implement and administer other opioid-related programs, including, but not limited to, prevention, treatment, and recovery services from other funds made available to the Department of Human Services. The Secretary of Human Services shall appoint or assign staff as necessary to carry out the duties and functions of the Office.

(Source: P.A. 103-8, eff. 6-7-23; 104-2, eff. 6-16-25.)

(20 ILCS 301/5-20)

Sec. 5-20. Gambling disorders.

(a) Subject to appropriation, the Department shall establish a program for public education, research, and training regarding gambling disorders and the treatment and prevention of gambling disorders. Subject to specific appropriation for these stated purposes, the program must include all of the following:

(1) Establishment and maintenance of a toll-free hotline and website "800" telephone number to provide crisis counseling and referral services for to families experiencing difficulty related to a as a result of gambling disorder disorders.

(2) Promotion of public awareness regarding the recognition and prevention of gambling disorders. Promotion of public awareness regarding the impact of gambling disorders on individuals, families, and communities and the stigma that surrounds gambling disorders.

(3) Facilitation, through in-service training, promotion of professional staff credentials, and other innovative means, of the availability of effective assistance programs for gambling disorders.

(4) Conducting studies to identify adults and juveniles in this State who have, or who are at risk of developing, gambling disorders.

(b) Subject to appropriation, the Department shall either establish and maintain the program or contract with a private or public entity for the establishment and maintenance of the program. Subject to appropriation, either the Department or the private or public entity shall implement the toll-free telephone number, promote public awareness, and conduct in-service training concerning gambling disorders.

(c) Subject to appropriation, the Department shall produce and supply the signs specified in Section 10.7 of the Illinois Lottery Law, Section 34.1 of the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975, Section 4.3 of the Bingo License and Tax Act, Section 8.1 of the Charitable Games Act, and Section 13.1 of the Illinois Gambling Act.

(Source: P.A. 100-759, eff. 1-1-19; 101-31, eff. 6-28-19.)

(20 ILCS 301/10-10)

Sec. 10-10. Powers and duties of the Council. The Council shall:

(a) Advise the Department on ways to encourage public understanding and support of the Department's programs.

(b) Advise the Department on regulations and licensure proposed by the Department.

(c) Advise the Department in the formulation, preparation, and implementation of the annual plan submitted with the federal Substance Use Disorder Block Grant application for prevention, early intervention, treatment, and other recovery support services for substance use disorders.

(d) Advise the Department on implementation of substance use disorder education and prevention programs throughout the State.

(e) Assist with incorporating into the annual plan submitted with the federal Substance Use Disorder Block Grant application, planning information specific to Illinois' female population. The information shall contain, but need not be limited to, the types of services funded, the population served, the support services available, and the goals, objectives, proposed methods of achievement, service projections and cost estimate for the upcoming year.

(f) Perform other duties as requested by the Secretary.

(g) Advise the Department in the planning, development, and coordination of programs among all agencies and departments of State government, including programs to reduce substance use disorders, prevent the misuse of illegal and legal drugs by persons of all ages, prevent gambling and gaming by minors, and prevent the use of alcohol by minors.

(h) Promote and encourage participation by the private sector, including business, industry, labor, and the media, in programs to prevent substance use disorders.

(i) Encourage the implementation of programs to prevent substance use disorders in the public and private schools and educational institutions.

(j) Gather information, conduct hearings, and make recommendations to the Secretary concerning additions, deletions, or rescheduling of substances under the Illinois Controlled Substances Act.

(k) Report as requested to the General Assembly regarding the activities and recommendations made by the Council.

(Source: P.A. 100-759, eff. 1-1-19.)

(20 ILCS 301/55-40)

Sec. 55-40. Recovery residences.

(a) As used in this Section, "recovery residence" means a recovery oriented, gambling free sober, safe, and healthy living environment that promotes recovery from alcohol and other drug use, gambling disorder, and associated problems. These residences are not subject to Department licensure as they are viewed as independent living residences that only provide peer support and a lengthened exposure to the culture of recovery.

(b) The Department shall develop and maintain an online registry for recovery residences that operate in Illinois to serve as a resource for individuals seeking continued recovery assistance.

(c) Non-licensable recovery residences are encouraged to register with the Department and the registry shall be publicly available through online posting.

(d) The registry shall indicate any accreditation, certification, or licensure that each recovery residence has received from an entity that has developed uniform national standards. The registry shall also indicate each recovery residence's location in order to assist providers and individuals in finding alcohol and drug free housing options with like-minded residents who are committed to a recovery-oriented life alcohol and drug free living.

(e) Registrants are encouraged to seek national accreditation from any entity that has developed uniform State or national standards for recovery residences.

(f) The Department shall include a disclaimer on the registry that states that the recovery residences are not regulated by the Department and their listing is provided as a resource but not as an endorsement by the State.

(Source: P.A. 100-1062, eff. 1-1-19; 101-81, eff. 7-12-19.)