HB2512 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB099 07056 RLC 27139 b

99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2015 and 2016
HB2512

Introduced 2/18/2015, by Rep. Michael J. Zalewski

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Protection of Individuals with Disabilities in the Criminal Justice System Task Force consisting of up to 25 members appointed by the Attorney General. Provides that the members shall reflect the racial, ethnic, and geographic diversity of the State. Specifies the categories of individuals to serve on the Task Force. Provides that the members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation. Provides that the Office of the Attorney General shall provide administrative and other support to the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall consider issues that affect adults and juveniles with disabilities with respect to their involvement with the police, detention and confinement in corrections facilities, representation by counsel, participation in the criminal justice system, communications with their families, awareness and accommodations for their disabilities, and concerns for the safety of the general public and individuals working in the criminal justice system. Provides that the Task Force shall make recommendations to the Governor and to the General Assembly regarding policies, procedures, legislation, and other actions that can be taken to protect the public safety and the well-being and rights of individuals with disabilities in the criminal justice system. Provides that the Task Force shall submit a report with its findings and recommendations to the Governor, the Attorney General, and the General Assembly on or before March 31, 2016. Repeals the Act on June 30, 2016. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning criminal law.

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 Protection of Individuals with Disabilities in the Criminal Justice System Task Force Act.

Section 5. Protection of Individuals With Disabilities in the Criminal Justice System Task Force; members.

(a) There is created the Protection of Individuals with Disabilities in the Criminal Justice System Task Force ("Task Force") consisting of up to 25 members appointed by the Attorney General. The appointments shall be made within 90 days after the effective date of this Act.

(b) The members shall reflect the racial, ethnic, and geographic diversity of this State and include:

(1) Judges who preside over criminal cases;

(2) State's Attorneys;

(3) Public Defenders;

(4) representatives of organizations that advocate for persons with developmental and intellectual disabilities;

(5) representatives of organizations that advocate for persons with physical disabilities;

(6) representatives of organizations that advocate for persons with mental illness;

(7) representatives of organizations that advocate for adolescents and youth;

(8) a representative from the State's Protection and Advocacy agency;

(9) Sheriffs or their designees;

(10) Chiefs of municipal police departments or their designees;

(11) individuals with disabilities;

(12) parents or guardians of individuals with disabilities;

(13) community-based providers of services to persons with disabilities; and

(14) a representative of a service coordination agency.

(c) The following State officials shall serve as ex-officio members of the Task Force:

(1) a liaison of the Governor's office;

(2) the Attorney General or his or her designee;

(3) the Director of State Police or his or her designee;

(4) the Secretary of Human Services or his or her designee;

(5) the Director of Corrections or his or her designee;

(6) the Director of Juvenile Justice or his or her designee;

(7) the Director of the Guardianship and Advocacy Commission or his or her designee; and

(8) the Director of the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority or his or her designee.

(d) The members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation.

(e) The Task Force members shall elect one of the appointed members to serve as a co-chair of the Task Force at the first meeting of the Task Force. The other co-chair shall be the liaison of the Governor's office.

(f) The Office of the Attorney General shall provide administrative and other support to the Task Force.

Section 10. Task Force duties. The Task Force shall consider issues that affect adults and juveniles with disabilities with respect to their involvement with the police, detention and confinement in correctional facilities, representation by counsel, participation in the criminal justice system, communications with their families, awareness and accommodations for their disabilities, and concerns for the safety of the general public and individuals working in the criminal justice system. The Task Force shall make recommendations to the Governor and to the General Assembly regarding policies, procedures, legislation, and other actions that can be taken to protect the public safety and the well-being and rights of individuals with disabilities in the criminal justice system.

Section 15. Meetings. The Task Force shall meet at least 4 times, with the first meeting taking place no later than 120 days after the effective date of this Act.

Section 20. Report. The Task Force shall submit a report with its findings and recommendations to the Governor, the Attorney General, and to the General Assembly on or before March 31, 2016.

Section 25. Repeal. This Act is repealed on June 30, 2016.

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