SB2439 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB100 18051 XWW 33240 b

100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2017 and 2018
SB2439

Introduced 1/30/2018, by Sen. Scott M. Bennett

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

See Index

Amends various acts to remove provisions allowing or requiring licensing authorities to revoke professional licenses for defaulting on an educational loan provided by or guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning regulation.

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

Section 5. The Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois is amended by changing Sections 2105-15 and 2105-207 as follows:

(20 ILCS 2105/2105-15)

Sec. 2105-15. General powers and duties.

(a) The Department has, subject to the provisions of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, the following powers and duties:

(1) To authorize examinations in English to ascertain the qualifications and fitness of applicants to exercise the profession, trade, or occupation for which the examination is held.

(2) To prescribe rules and regulations for a fair and wholly impartial method of examination of candidates to exercise the respective professions, trades, or occupations.

(3) To pass upon the qualifications of applicants for licenses, certificates, and authorities, whether by examination, by reciprocity, or by endorsement.

(4) To prescribe rules and regulations defining, for the respective professions, trades, and occupations, what shall constitute a school, college, or university, or department of a university, or other institution, reputable and in good standing, and to determine the reputability and good standing of a school, college, or university, or department of a university, or other institution, reputable and in good standing, by reference to a compliance with those rules and regulations; provided, that no school, college, or university, or department of a university, or other institution that refuses admittance to applicants solely on account of race, color, creed, sex, sexual orientation, or national origin shall be considered reputable and in good standing.

(5) To conduct hearings on proceedings to revoke, suspend, refuse to renew, place on probationary status, or take other disciplinary action as authorized in any licensing Act administered by the Department with regard to licenses, certificates, or authorities of persons exercising the respective professions, trades, or occupations and to revoke, suspend, refuse to renew, place on probationary status, or take other disciplinary action as authorized in any licensing Act administered by the Department with regard to those licenses, certificates, or authorities. The Department shall issue a monthly disciplinary report. The Department shall deny any license or renewal authorized by the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois to any person who has defaulted on an educational loan or scholarship provided by or guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission or any governmental agency of this State; however, the Department may issue a license or renewal if the aforementioned persons have established a satisfactory repayment record as determined by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission or other appropriate governmental agency of this State. Additionally, beginning June 1, 1996, any license issued by the Department may be suspended or revoked if the Department, after the opportunity for a hearing under the appropriate licensing Act, finds that the licensee has failed to make satisfactory repayment to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for a delinquent or defaulted loan. For the purposes of this Section, "satisfactory repayment record" shall be defined by rule. The Department shall refuse to issue or renew a license to, or shall suspend or revoke a license of, any person who, after receiving notice, fails to comply with a subpoena or warrant relating to a paternity or child support proceeding. However, the Department may issue a license or renewal upon compliance with the subpoena or warrant.

The Department, without further process or hearings, shall revoke, suspend, or deny any license or renewal authorized by the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois to a person who is certified by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly Illinois Department of Public Aid) as being more than 30 days delinquent in complying with a child support order or who is certified by a court as being in violation of the Non-Support Punishment Act for more than 60 days. The Department may, however, issue a license or renewal if the person has established a satisfactory repayment record as determined by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly Illinois Department of Public Aid) or if the person is determined by the court to be in compliance with the Non-Support Punishment Act. The Department may implement this paragraph as added by Public Act 89-6 through the use of emergency rules in accordance with Section 5-45 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. For purposes of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, the adoption of rules to implement this paragraph shall be considered an emergency and necessary for the public interest, safety, and welfare.

(6) To transfer jurisdiction of any realty under the control of the Department to any other department of the State Government or to acquire or accept federal lands when the transfer, acquisition, or acceptance is advantageous to the State and is approved in writing by the Governor.

(7) To formulate rules and regulations necessary for the enforcement of any Act administered by the Department.

(8) To exchange with the Department of Healthcare and Family Services information that may be necessary for the enforcement of child support orders entered pursuant to the Illinois Public Aid Code, the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, the Non-Support of Spouse and Children Act, the Non-Support Punishment Act, the Revised Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act, the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984, or the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015. Notwithstanding any provisions in this Code to the contrary, the Department of Professional Regulation shall not be liable under any federal or State law to any person for any disclosure of information to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly Illinois Department of Public Aid) under this paragraph (8) or for any other action taken in good faith to comply with the requirements of this paragraph (8).

(8.5) To accept continuing education credit for mandated reporter training on how to recognize and report child abuse offered by the Department of Children and Family Services and completed by any person who holds a professional license issued by the Department and who is a mandated reporter under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. The Department shall adopt any rules necessary to implement this paragraph.

(9) To perform other duties prescribed by law.

(a-5) Except in cases involving default on an educational loan or scholarship provided by or guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission or any governmental agency of this State or in cases involving delinquency in complying with a child support order or violation of the Non-Support Punishment Act and notwithstanding anything that may appear in any individual licensing Act or administrative rule, no person or entity whose license, certificate, or authority has been revoked as authorized in any licensing Act administered by the Department may apply for restoration of that license, certification, or authority until 3 years after the effective date of the revocation.

(b) (Blank).

(c) For the purpose of securing and preparing evidence, and for the purchase of controlled substances, professional services, and equipment necessary for enforcement activities, recoupment of investigative costs, and other activities directed at suppressing the misuse and abuse of controlled substances, including those activities set forth in Sections 504 and 508 of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, the Director and agents appointed and authorized by the Director may expend sums from the Professional Regulation Evidence Fund that the Director deems necessary from the amounts appropriated for that purpose. Those sums may be advanced to the agent when the Director deems that procedure to be in the public interest. Sums for the purchase of controlled substances, professional services, and equipment necessary for enforcement activities and other activities as set forth in this Section shall be advanced to the agent who is to make the purchase from the Professional Regulation Evidence Fund on vouchers signed by the Director. The Director and those agents are authorized to maintain one or more commercial checking accounts with any State banking corporation or corporations organized under or subject to the Illinois Banking Act for the deposit and withdrawal of moneys to be used for the purposes set forth in this Section; provided, that no check may be written nor any withdrawal made from any such account except upon the written signatures of 2 persons designated by the Director to write those checks and make those withdrawals. Vouchers for those expenditures must be signed by the Director. All such expenditures shall be audited by the Director, and the audit shall be submitted to the Department of Central Management Services for approval.

(d) Whenever the Department is authorized or required by law to consider some aspect of criminal history record information for the purpose of carrying out its statutory powers and responsibilities, then, upon request and payment of fees in conformance with the requirements of Section 2605-400 of the Department of State Police Law (20 ILCS 2605/2605-400), the Department of State Police is authorized to furnish, pursuant to positive identification, the information contained in State files that is necessary to fulfill the request.

(e) The provisions of this Section do not apply to private business and vocational schools as defined by Section 15 of the Private Business and Vocational Schools Act of 2012.

(f) (Blank).

(g) Notwithstanding anything that may appear in any individual licensing statute or administrative rule, the Department shall deny any license application or renewal authorized under any licensing Act administered by the Department to any person who has failed to file a return, or to pay the tax, penalty, or interest shown in a filed return, or to pay any final assessment of tax, penalty, or interest, as required by any tax Act administered by the Illinois Department of Revenue, until such time as the requirement of any such tax Act are satisfied; however, the Department may issue a license or renewal if the person has established a satisfactory repayment record as determined by the Illinois Department of Revenue. For the purpose of this Section, "satisfactory repayment record" shall be defined by rule.

In addition, a complaint filed with the Department by the Illinois Department of Revenue that includes a certification, signed by its Director or designee, attesting to the amount of the unpaid tax liability or the years for which a return was not filed, or both, is prima facie evidence of the licensee's failure to comply with the tax laws administered by the Illinois Department of Revenue. Upon receipt of that certification, the Department shall, without a hearing, immediately suspend all licenses held by the licensee. Enforcement of the Department's order shall be stayed for 60 days. The Department shall provide notice of the suspension to the licensee by mailing a copy of the Department's order to the licensee's address of record or emailing a copy of the order to the licensee's email address of record. The notice shall advise the licensee that the suspension shall be effective 60 days after the issuance of the Department's order unless the Department receives, from the licensee, a request for a hearing before the Department to dispute the matters contained in the order.

Any suspension imposed under this subsection (g) shall be terminated by the Department upon notification from the Illinois Department of Revenue that the licensee is in compliance with all tax laws administered by the Illinois Department of Revenue.

The Department may promulgate rules for the administration of this subsection (g).

(h) The Department may grant the title "Retired", to be used immediately adjacent to the title of a profession regulated by the Department, to eligible retirees. For individuals licensed under the Medical Practice Act of 1987, the title "Retired" may be used in the profile required by the Patients' Right to Know Act. The use of the title "Retired" shall not constitute representation of current licensure, registration, or certification. Any person without an active license, registration, or certificate in a profession that requires licensure, registration, or certification shall not be permitted to practice that profession.

(i) Within 180 days after December 23, 2009 (the effective date of Public Act 96-852), the Department shall promulgate rules which permit a person with a criminal record, who seeks a license or certificate in an occupation for which a criminal record is not expressly a per se bar, to apply to the Department for a non-binding, advisory opinion to be provided by the Board or body with the authority to issue the license or certificate as to whether his or her criminal record would bar the individual from the licensure or certification sought, should the individual meet all other licensure requirements including, but not limited to, the successful completion of the relevant examinations.

(Source: P.A. 99-85, eff. 1-1-16; 99-227, eff. 8-3-15; 99-330, eff. 8-10-15; 99-642, eff. 7-28-16; 99-933, eff. 1-27-17; 100-262, eff. 8-22-17; revised 10-4-17.)

(20 ILCS 2105/2105-207)

Sec. 2105-207. Records of Department actions.

(a) Any licensee subject to a licensing Act administered by the Division of Professional Regulation and who has been subject to disciplinary action by the Department may file an application with the Department on forms provided by the Department, along with the required fee of $175, to have the records classified as confidential, not for public release, and considered expunged for reporting purposes if:

(1) the application is submitted more than 3 years after the disciplinary offense or offenses occurred or after restoration of the license, whichever is later;

(2) the licensee has had no incidents of discipline under the licensing Act since the disciplinary offense or offenses identified in the application occurred;

(3) the Department has no pending investigations against the licensee; and

(4) the licensee is not currently in a disciplinary status.

(b) An application to make disciplinary records confidential shall only be considered by the Department for an offense or action relating to:

(1) failure to pay taxes or student loans;

(2) continuing education;

(3) failure to renew a license on time;

(4) failure to obtain or renew a certificate of registration or ancillary license;

(5) advertising;

(5.1) discipline based on criminal charges or convictions:

(A) that did not arise from the licensed activity and was unrelated to the licensed activity; or

(B) that were dismissed or for which records have been sealed or expunged; .

(5.2) past probationary status of a license issued to new applicants on the sole or partial basis of prior convictions; or

(6) any grounds for discipline removed from the licensing Act.

(c) An application shall be submitted to and considered by the Director of the Division of Professional Regulation upon submission of an application and the required non-refundable fee. The Department may establish additional requirements by rule. The Department is not required to report the removal of any disciplinary record to any national database. Nothing in this Section shall prohibit the Department from using a previous discipline for any regulatory purpose or from releasing records of a previous discipline upon request from law enforcement, or other governmental body as permitted by law. Classification of records as confidential shall result in removal of records of discipline from records kept pursuant to Sections 2105-200 and 2105-205 of this Act.

(d) Any applicant for licensure or a licensee whose petition for review is granted by the Department pursuant to subsection (a-1) of Section 2105-165 of this Law may file an application with the Department on forms provided by the Department to have records relating to his or her permanent denial or permanent revocation classified as confidential and not for public release and considered expunged for reporting purposes in the same manner and under the same terms as is provided in this Section for the offenses listed in subsection (b) of this Section, except that the requirements of a 7-year waiting period and the $200 application fee do not apply.

(Source: P.A. 100-262, eff. 8-22-17; 100-286, eff. 1-1-18; revised 10-4-17.)

(20 ILCS 3310/80 rep.)

Section 10. The Nuclear Safety Law of 2004 is amended by repealing Section 80.

Section 15. The School Code is amended by changing Section 21B-75 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/21B-75)

Sec. 21B-75. Suspension or revocation of license.

(a) As used in this Section, "teacher" means any school district employee regularly required to be licensed, as provided in this Article, in order to teach or supervise in the public schools.

(b) The State Superintendent of Education has the exclusive authority, in accordance with this Section and any rules adopted by the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, to initiate the suspension of up to 5 calendar years or revocation of any license issued pursuant to this Article for abuse or neglect of a child, immorality, a condition of health detrimental to the welfare of pupils, incompetency, unprofessional conduct (which includes the failure to disclose on an employment application any previous conviction for a sex offense, as defined in Section 21B-80 of this Code, or any other offense committed in any other state or against the laws of the United States that, if committed in this State, would be punishable as a sex offense, as defined in Section 21B-80 of this Code), the neglect of any professional duty, willful failure to report an instance of suspected child abuse or neglect as required by the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act, failure to establish satisfactory repayment on an educational loan guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, or other just cause. Unprofessional conduct shall include the refusal to attend or participate in institutes, teachers' meetings, or professional readings or to meet other reasonable requirements of the regional superintendent of schools or State Superintendent of Education. Unprofessional conduct also includes conduct that violates the standards, ethics, or rules applicable to the security, administration, monitoring, or scoring of or the reporting of scores from any assessment test or examination administered under Section 2-3.64a-5 of this Code or that is known or intended to produce or report manipulated or artificial, rather than actual, assessment or achievement results or gains from the administration of those tests or examinations. Unprofessional conduct shall also include neglect or unnecessary delay in the making of statistical and other reports required by school officers. Incompetency shall include, without limitation, 2 or more school terms of service for which the license holder has received an unsatisfactory rating on a performance evaluation conducted pursuant to Article 24A of this Code within a period of 7 school terms of service. In determining whether to initiate action against one or more licenses based on incompetency and the recommended sanction for such action, the State Superintendent shall consider factors that include without limitation all of the following:

(1) Whether the unsatisfactory evaluation ratings occurred prior to June 13, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 97-8).

(2) Whether the unsatisfactory evaluation ratings occurred prior to or after the implementation date, as defined in Section 24A-2.5 of this Code, of an evaluation system for teachers in a school district.

(3) Whether the evaluator or evaluators who performed an unsatisfactory evaluation met the pre-licensure and training requirements set forth in Section 24A-3 of this Code.

(4) The time between the unsatisfactory evaluation ratings.

(5) The quality of the remediation plans associated with the unsatisfactory evaluation ratings and whether the license holder successfully completed the remediation plans.

(6) Whether the unsatisfactory evaluation ratings were related to the same or different assignments performed by the license holder.

(7) Whether one or more of the unsatisfactory evaluation ratings occurred in the first year of a teaching or administrative assignment. When initiating an action against one or more licenses, the State Superintendent may seek required professional development as a sanction in lieu of or in addition to suspension or revocation. Any such required professional development must be at the expense of the license holder, who may use, if available and applicable to the requirements established by administrative or court order, training, coursework, or other professional development funds in accordance with the terms of an applicable collective bargaining agreement entered into after June 13, 2011 (the effective date of Public Act 97-8), unless that agreement specifically precludes use of funds for such purpose.

(c) The State Superintendent of Education shall, upon receipt of evidence of abuse or neglect of a child, immorality, a condition of health detrimental to the welfare of pupils, incompetency (subject to subsection (b) of this Section), unprofessional conduct, the neglect of any professional duty, or other just cause, further investigate and, if and as appropriate, serve written notice to the individual and afford the individual opportunity for a hearing prior to suspension, revocation, or other sanction; provided that the State Superintendent is under no obligation to initiate such an investigation if the Department of Children and Family Services is investigating the same or substantially similar allegations and its child protective service unit has not made its determination, as required under Section 7.12 of the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. If the State Superintendent of Education does not receive from an individual a request for a hearing within 10 days after the individual receives notice, the suspension, revocation, or other sanction shall immediately take effect in accordance with the notice. If a hearing is requested within 10 days after notice of an opportunity for hearing, it shall act as a stay of proceedings until the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board issues a decision. Any hearing shall take place in the educational service region where the educator is or was last employed and in accordance with rules adopted by the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board, and such rules shall include without limitation provisions for discovery and the sharing of information between parties prior to the hearing. The standard of proof for any administrative hearing held pursuant to this Section shall be by the preponderance of the evidence. The decision of the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board is a final administrative decision and is subject to judicial review by appeal of either party.

The State Board of Education may refuse to issue or may suspend the license of any person who fails to file a return or to pay the tax, penalty, or interest shown in a filed return or to pay any final assessment of tax, penalty, or interest, as required by any tax Act administered by the Department of Revenue, until such time as the requirements of any such tax Act are satisfied.

The exclusive authority of the State Superintendent of Education to initiate suspension or revocation of a license pursuant to this Section does not preclude a regional superintendent of schools from cooperating with the State Superintendent or a State's Attorney with respect to an investigation of alleged misconduct.

(d) The State Superintendent of Education or his or her designee may initiate and conduct such investigations as may be reasonably necessary to establish the existence of any alleged misconduct. At any stage of the investigation, the State Superintendent may issue a subpoena requiring the attendance and testimony of a witness, including the license holder, and the production of any evidence, including files, records, correspondence, or documents, relating to any matter in question in the investigation. The subpoena shall require a witness to appear at the State Board of Education at a specified date and time and shall specify any evidence to be produced. The license holder is not entitled to be present, but the State Superintendent shall provide the license holder with a copy of any recorded testimony prior to a hearing under this Section. Such recorded testimony must not be used as evidence at a hearing, unless the license holder has adequate notice of the testimony and the opportunity to cross-examine the witness. Failure of a license holder to comply with a duly issued, investigatory subpoena may be grounds for revocation, suspension, or denial of a license.

(e) All correspondence, documentation, and other information so received by the regional superintendent of schools, the State Superintendent of Education, the State Board of Education, or the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board under this Section is confidential and must not be disclosed to third parties, except (i) as necessary for the State Superintendent of Education or his or her designee to investigate and prosecute pursuant to this Article, (ii) pursuant to a court order, (iii) for disclosure to the license holder or his or her representative, or (iv) as otherwise required in this Article and provided that any such information admitted into evidence in a hearing is exempt from this confidentiality and non-disclosure requirement.

(f) The State Superintendent of Education or a person designated by him or her shall have the power to administer oaths to witnesses at any hearing conducted before the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board pursuant to this Section. The State Superintendent of Education or a person designated by him or her is authorized to subpoena and bring before the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board any person in this State and to take testimony either orally or by deposition or by exhibit, with the same fees and mileage and in the same manner as prescribed by law in judicial proceedings in civil cases in circuit courts of this State.

(g) Any circuit court, upon the application of the State Superintendent of Education or the license holder, may, by order duly entered, require the attendance of witnesses and the production of relevant books and papers as part of any investigation or at any hearing the State Educator Preparation and Licensure Board is authorized to conduct pursuant to this Section, and the court may compel obedience to its orders by proceedings for contempt.

(h) The State Board of Education shall receive an annual line item appropriation to cover fees associated with the investigation and prosecution of alleged educator misconduct and hearings related thereto.

(Source: P.A. 97-607, eff. 8-26-11; incorporates 97-8, eff. 6-13-11; 97-813, eff. 7-13-12; 98-972, eff. 8-15-14.)

Section 20. The Illinois Insurance Code is amended by changing Section 500-70 as follows:

(215 ILCS 5/500-70)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2027)

Sec. 500-70. License denial, nonrenewal, or revocation.

(a) The Director may place on probation, suspend, revoke, or refuse to issue or renew an insurance producer's license or may levy a civil penalty in accordance with this Section or take any combination of actions, for any one or more of the following causes:

(1) providing incorrect, misleading, incomplete, or materially untrue information in the license application;

(2) violating any insurance laws, or violating any rule, subpoena, or order of the Director or of another state's insurance commissioner;

(3) obtaining or attempting to obtain a license through misrepresentation or fraud;

(4) improperly withholding, misappropriating or converting any moneys or properties received in the course of doing insurance business;

(5) intentionally misrepresenting the terms of an actual or proposed insurance contract or application for insurance;

(6) having been convicted of a felony, unless the individual demonstrates to the Director sufficient rehabilitation to warrant the public trust; consideration of such conviction of an applicant shall be in accordance with Section 500-76;

(7) having admitted or been found to have committed any insurance unfair trade practice or fraud;

(8) using fraudulent, coercive, or dishonest practices, or demonstrating incompetence, untrustworthiness or financial irresponsibility in the conduct of business in this State or elsewhere;

(9) having an insurance producer license, or its equivalent, denied, suspended, or revoked in any other state, province, district or territory;

(10) forging a name to an application for insurance or to a document related to an insurance transaction;

(11) improperly using notes or any other reference material to complete an examination for an insurance license;

(12) knowingly accepting insurance business from an individual who is not licensed;

(13) failing to comply with an administrative or court order imposing a child support obligation;

(14) failing to pay state income tax or penalty or interest or comply with any administrative or court order directing payment of state income tax or failed to file a return or to pay any final assessment of any tax due to the Department of Revenue;

(15) (blank); or failing to make satisfactory repayment to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for a delinquent or defaulted student loan; or

(16) failing to comply with any provision of the Viatical Settlements Act of 2009.

(b) If the action by the Director is to nonrenew, suspend, or revoke a license or to deny an application for a license, the Director shall notify the applicant or licensee and advise, in writing, the applicant or licensee of the reason for the suspension, revocation, denial or nonrenewal of the applicant's or licensee's license. The applicant or licensee may make written demand upon the Director within 30 days after the date of mailing for a hearing before the Director to determine the reasonableness of the Director's action. The hearing must be held within not fewer than 20 days nor more than 30 days after the mailing of the notice of hearing and shall be held pursuant to 50 Ill. Adm. Code 2402.

(c) The license of a business entity may be suspended, revoked, or refused if the Director finds, after hearing, that an individual licensee's violation was known or should have been known by one or more of the partners, officers, or managers acting on behalf of the partnership, corporation, limited liability company, or limited liability partnership and the violation was neither reported to the Director nor corrective action taken.

(d) In addition to or instead of any applicable denial, suspension, or revocation of a license, a person may, after hearing, be subject to a civil penalty of up to $10,000 for each cause for denial, suspension, or revocation, however, the civil penalty may total no more than $100,000.

(e) The Director has the authority to enforce the provisions of and impose any penalty or remedy authorized by this Article against any person who is under investigation for or charged with a violation of this Code or rules even if the person's license or registration has been surrendered or has lapsed by operation of law.

(f) Upon the suspension, denial, or revocation of a license, the licensee or other person having possession or custody of the license shall promptly deliver it to the Director in person or by mail. The Director shall publish all suspensions, denials, or revocations after the suspensions, denials, or revocations become final in a manner designed to notify interested insurance companies and other persons.

(g) A person whose license is revoked or whose application is denied pursuant to this Section is ineligible to apply for any license for 3 years after the revocation or denial. A person whose license as an insurance producer has been revoked, suspended, or denied may not be employed, contracted, or engaged in any insurance related capacity during the time the revocation, suspension, or denial is in effect.

(Source: P.A. 100-286, eff. 1-1-18.)

Section 25. The Dietitian Nutritionist Practice Act is amended by changing Section 95 as follows:

(225 ILCS 30/95) (from Ch. 111, par. 8401-95)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2023)

Sec. 95. Grounds for discipline.

(1) The Department may refuse to issue or renew, or may revoke, suspend, place on probation, reprimand, or take other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action as the Department may deem appropriate, including imposing fines not to exceed $10,000 for each violation, with regard to any license or certificate for any one or combination of the following causes:

(a) Material misstatement in furnishing information to the Department.

(b) Violations of this Act or of rules adopted under this Act.

(c) Conviction by plea of guilty or nolo contendere, finding of guilt, jury verdict, or entry of judgment or by sentencing of any crime, including, but not limited to, convictions, preceding sentences of supervision, conditional discharge, or first offender probation, under the laws of any jurisdiction of the United States (i) that is a felony or (ii) that is a misdemeanor, an essential element of which is dishonesty, or that is directly related to the practice of the profession.

(d) Fraud or any misrepresentation in applying for or procuring a license under this Act or in connection with applying for renewal of a license under this Act.

(e) Professional incompetence or gross negligence.

(f) Malpractice.

(g) Aiding or assisting another person in violating any provision of this Act or its rules.

(h) Failing to provide information within 60 days in response to a written request made by the Department.

(i) Engaging in dishonorable, unethical or unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public.

(j) Habitual or excessive use or abuse of drugs defined in law as controlled substances, alcohol, or any other substance that results in the inability to practice with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety.

(k) Discipline by another state, the District of Columbia, territory, country, or governmental agency if at least one of the grounds for the discipline is the same or substantially equivalent to those set forth in this Act.

(l) Charging for professional services not rendered, including filing false statements for the collection of fees for which services are not rendered. Nothing in this paragraph (1) affects any bona fide independent contractor or employment arrangements among health care professionals, health facilities, health care providers, or other entities, except as otherwise prohibited by law. Any employment arrangements may include provisions for compensation, health insurance, pension, or other employment benefits for the provision of services within the scope of the licensee's practice under this Act. Nothing in this paragraph (1) shall be construed to require an employment arrangement to receive professional fees for services rendered.

(m) A finding by the Department that the licensee, after having his or her license placed on probationary status, has violated the terms of probation.

(n) Willfully making or filing false records or reports in his or her practice, including, but not limited to, false records filed with State agencies or departments.

(o) Allowing one's license under this Act to be used by an unlicensed person in violation of this Act.

(p) Practicing under a false or, except as provided by law, an assumed name.

(q) Gross and willful overcharging for professional services.

(r) (Blank).

(s) Willfully failing to report an instance of suspected child abuse or neglect as required by the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.

(t) Cheating on or attempting to subvert a licensing examination administered under this Act.

(u) Mental illness or disability that results in the inability to practice under this Act with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety.

(v) Physical illness, including, but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process or loss of motor skill that results in a licensee's inability to practice under this Act with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety.

(w) Advising an individual to discontinue, reduce, increase, or otherwise alter the intake of a drug prescribed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches or by a prescriber as defined in Section 102 of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act.

(2) The Department may refuse to issue or may suspend without hearing, as provided for in the Code of Civil Procedure, the license of any person who fails to file a return, or pay the tax, penalty, or interest shown in a filed return, or pay any final assessment of the tax, penalty, or interest as required by any tax Act administered by the Illinois Department of Revenue, until such time as the requirements of any such tax Act are satisfied in accordance with subsection (g) of Section 2105-15 of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(3) (Blank). The Department shall deny a license or renewal authorized by this Act to a person who has defaulted on an educational loan or scholarship provided or guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission or any governmental agency of this State in accordance with item (5) of subsection (a) of Section 2105-15 of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(4) In cases where the Department of Healthcare and Family Services has previously determined a licensee or a potential licensee is more than 30 days delinquent in the payment of child support and has subsequently certified the delinquency to the Department, the Department may refuse to issue or renew or may revoke or suspend that person's license or may take other disciplinary action against that person based solely upon the certification of delinquency made by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services in accordance with item (5) of subsection (a) of Section 2105-15 of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(5) The determination by a circuit court that a licensee is subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission, as provided in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code, operates as an automatic suspension. The suspension shall end only upon a finding by a court that the patient is no longer subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission and the issuance of an order so finding and discharging the patient.

(6) In enforcing this Act, the Department, upon a showing of a possible violation, may compel an individual licensed to practice under this Act, or who has applied for licensure under this Act, to submit to a mental or physical examination, or both, as required by and at the expense of the Department. The Department may order the examining physician to present testimony concerning the mental or physical examination of the licensee or applicant. No information shall be excluded by reason of any common law or statutory privilege relating to communications between the licensee or applicant and the examining physician. The examining physicians shall be specifically designated by the Department. The individual to be examined may have, at his or her own expense, another physician of his or her choice present during all aspects of this examination. The examination shall be performed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches. Failure of an individual to submit to a mental or physical examination, when directed, shall result in an automatic suspension without hearing.

A person holding a license under this Act or who has applied for a license under this Act who, because of a physical or mental illness or disability, including, but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process or loss of motor skill, is unable to practice the profession with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety, may be required by the Department to submit to care, counseling, or treatment by physicians approved or designated by the Department as a condition, term, or restriction for continued, reinstated, or renewed licensure to practice. Submission to care, counseling, or treatment as required by the Department shall not be considered discipline of a license. If the licensee refuses to enter into a care, counseling, or treatment agreement or fails to abide by the terms of the agreement, then the Department may file a complaint to revoke, suspend, or otherwise discipline the license of the individual. The Secretary may order the license suspended immediately, pending a hearing by the Department. Fines shall not be assessed in disciplinary actions involving physical or mental illness or impairment.

In instances in which the Secretary immediately suspends a person's license under this Section, a hearing on that person's license must be convened by the Department within 15 days after the suspension and completed without appreciable delay. The Department shall have the authority to review the subject individual's record of treatment and counseling regarding the impairment to the extent permitted by applicable federal statutes and regulations safeguarding the confidentiality of medical records.

An individual licensed under this Act and affected under this Section shall be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate to the Department that he or she can resume practice in compliance with acceptable and prevailing standards under the provisions of his or her license.

(Source: P.A. 97-1141, eff. 12-28-12; 98-148, eff. 8-2-13; 98-756, eff. 7-16-14.)

Section 30. The Environmental Health Practitioner Licensing Act is amended by changing Section 35 as follows:

(225 ILCS 37/35)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2019)

Sec. 35. Grounds for discipline.

(a) The Department may refuse to issue or renew, or may revoke, suspend, place on probation, reprimand, or take other disciplinary action with regard to any license issued under this Act as the Department may consider proper, including the imposition of fines not to exceed $5,000 for each violation, for any one or combination of the following causes:

(1) Material misstatement in furnishing information to the Department.

(2) Violations of this Act or its rules.

(3) Conviction of any felony under the laws of any U.S. jurisdiction, any misdemeanor an essential element of which is dishonesty, or any crime that is directly related to the practice of the profession.

(4) Making any misrepresentation for the purpose of obtaining a certificate of registration.

(5) Professional incompetence.

(6) Aiding or assisting another person in violating any provision of this Act or its rules.

(7) Failing to provide information within 60 days in response to a written request made by the Department.

(8) Engaging in dishonorable, unethical, or unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public as defined by rules of the Department.

(9) Habitual or excessive use or addiction to alcohol, narcotics, stimulants, or any other chemical agent or drug that results in an environmental health practitioner's inability to practice with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety.

(10) Discipline by another U.S. jurisdiction or foreign nation, if at least one of the grounds for a discipline is the same or substantially equivalent to those set forth in this Act.

(11) A finding by the Department that the registrant, after having his or her license placed on probationary status, has violated the terms of probation.

(12) Willfully making or filing false records or reports in his or her practice, including, but not limited to, false records filed with State agencies or departments.

(13) Physical illness, including, but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process or loss of motor skills that result in the inability to practice the profession with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety.

(14) Failure to comply with rules promulgated by the Illinois Department of Public Health or other State agencies related to the practice of environmental health.

(15) (Blank). The Department shall deny any application for a license or renewal of a license under this Act, without hearing, to a person who has defaulted on an educational loan guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission; however, the Department may issue a license or renewal of a license if the person in default has established a satisfactory repayment record as determined by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

(16) Solicitation of professional services by using false or misleading advertising.

(17) A finding that the license has been applied for or obtained by fraudulent means.

(18) Practicing or attempting to practice under a name other than the full name as shown on the license or any other legally authorized name.

(19) Gross overcharging for professional services including filing statements for collection of fees or moneys for which services are not rendered.

(b) The Department may refuse to issue or may suspend the license of any person who fails to (i) file a return, (ii) pay the tax, penalty, or interest shown in a filed return; or (iii) pay any final assessment of the tax, penalty, or interest as required by any tax Act administered by the Illinois Department of Revenue until the requirements of the tax Act are satisfied.

(c) The determination by a circuit court that a licensee is subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission to a mental health facility as provided in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code operates as an automatic suspension. The suspension may end only upon a finding by a court that the licensee is no longer subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission, the issuance of an order so finding and discharging the patient, and the recommendation of the Board to the Director that the licensee be allowed to resume practice.

(d) In enforcing this Section, the Department, upon a showing of a possible violation, may compel any person licensed to practice under this Act or who has applied for licensure or certification pursuant to this Act to submit to a mental or physical examination, or both, as required by and at the expense of the Department. The examining physicians shall be those specifically designated by the Department. The Department may order the examining physician to present testimony concerning this mental or physical examination of the licensee or applicant. No information shall be excluded by reason of any common law or statutory privilege relating to communications between the licensee or applicant and the examining physician. The person to be examined may have, at his or her own expense, another physician of his or her choice present during all aspects of the examination. Failure of any person to submit to a mental or physical examination, when directed, shall be grounds for suspension of a license until the person submits to the examination if the Department finds, after notice and hearing, that the refusal to submit to the examination was without reasonable cause.

If the Department finds an individual unable to practice because of the reasons set forth in this Section, the Department may require that individual to submit to care, counseling, or treatment by physicians approved or designated by the Department, as a condition, term, or restriction for continued, reinstated, or renewed licensure to practice or, in lieu of care, counseling, or treatment, the Department may file a complaint to immediately suspend, revoke, or otherwise discipline the license of the individual.

Any person whose license was granted, continued, reinstated, renewed, disciplined, or supervised subject to such terms, conditions, or restrictions and who fails to comply with such terms, conditions, or restrictions shall be referred to the Director for a determination as to whether the person shall have his or her license suspended immediately, pending a hearing by the Department.

In instances in which the Director immediately suspends a person's license under this Section, a hearing on that person's license must be convened by the Department within 15 days after the suspension and completed without appreciable delay. The Department shall have the authority to review the subject person's record of treatment and counseling regarding the impairment, to the extent permitted by applicable federal statutes and regulations safeguarding the confidentiality of medical records.

A person licensed under this Act and affected under this Section shall be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate to the Department that he or she can resume practice in compliance with acceptable and prevailing standards under the provisions of his or her license.

(Source: P.A. 92-837, eff. 8-22-02.)

Section 35. The Funeral Directors and Embalmers Licensing Code is amended by changing Section 15-75 as follows:

(225 ILCS 41/15-75)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2023)

Sec. 15-75. Violations; grounds for discipline; penalties.

(a) Each of the following acts is a Class A misdemeanor for the first offense, and a Class 4 felony for each subsequent offense. These penalties shall also apply to unlicensed owners of funeral homes.

(1) Practicing the profession of funeral directing and embalming or funeral directing, or attempting to practice the profession of funeral directing and embalming or funeral directing without a license as a funeral director and embalmer or funeral director.

(2) Serving or attempting to serve as an intern under a licensed funeral director and embalmer without a license as a licensed funeral director and embalmer intern.

(3) Obtaining or attempting to obtain a license, practice or business, or any other thing of value, by fraud or misrepresentation.

(4) Permitting any person in one's employ, under one's control or in or under one's service to serve as a funeral director and embalmer, funeral director, or funeral director and embalmer intern when the person does not have the appropriate license.

(5) Failing to display a license as required by this Code.

(6) Giving false information or making a false oath or affidavit required by this Code.

(b) The Department may refuse to issue or renew, revoke, suspend, place on probation or administrative supervision, reprimand, or take other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action as the Department may deem appropriate, including imposing fines not to exceed $10,000 for each violation, with regard to any license under the Code for any one or combination of the following:

(1) Fraud or any misrepresentation in applying for or procuring a license under this Code or in connection with applying for renewal of a license under this Code.

(2) For licenses, conviction by plea of guilty or nolo contendere, finding of guilt, jury verdict, or entry of judgment or by sentencing of any crime, including, but not limited to, convictions, preceding sentences of supervision, conditional discharge, or first offender probation, under the laws of any jurisdiction of the United States: (i) that is a felony or (ii) that is a misdemeanor, an essential element of which is dishonesty, or that is directly related to the practice of the profession and, for initial applicants, convictions set forth in Section 15-72 of this Act.

(3) Violation of the laws of this State relating to the funeral, burial or disposition of deceased human bodies or of the rules and regulations of the Department, or the Department of Public Health.

(4) Directly or indirectly paying or causing to be paid any sum of money or other valuable consideration for the securing of business or for obtaining authority to dispose of any deceased human body.

(5) Professional incompetence, gross negligence, malpractice, or untrustworthiness in the practice of funeral directing and embalming or funeral directing.

(6) (Blank).

(7) Engaging in, promoting, selling, or issuing burial contracts, burial certificates, or burial insurance policies in connection with the profession as a funeral director and embalmer, funeral director, or funeral director and embalmer intern in violation of any laws of the State of Illinois.

(8) Refusing, without cause, to surrender the custody of a deceased human body upon the proper request of the person or persons lawfully entitled to the custody of the body.

(9) Taking undue advantage of a client or clients as to amount to the perpetration of fraud.

(10) Engaging in funeral directing and embalming or funeral directing without a license.

(11) Encouraging, requesting, or suggesting by a licensee or some person working on his behalf and with his consent for compensation that a person utilize the services of a certain funeral director and embalmer, funeral director, or funeral establishment unless that information has been expressly requested by the person. This does not prohibit general advertising or pre-need solicitation.

(12) Making or causing to be made any false or misleading statements about the laws concerning the disposition of human remains, including, but not limited to, the need to embalm, the need for a casket for cremation or the need for an outer burial container.

(13) (Blank).

(14) Embalming or attempting to embalm a deceased human body without express prior authorization of the person responsible for making the funeral arrangements for the body. This does not apply to cases where embalming is directed by local authorities who have jurisdiction or when embalming is required by State or local law. A licensee may embalm without express prior authorization if a good faith effort has been made to contact family members and has been unsuccessful and the licensee has no reason to believe the family opposes embalming.

(15) Making a false statement on a Certificate of Death where the person making the statement knew or should have known that the statement was false.

(16) Soliciting human bodies after death or while death is imminent.

(17) Performing any act or practice that is a violation of this Code, the rules for the administration of this Code, or any federal, State or local laws, rules, or regulations governing the practice of funeral directing or embalming.

(18) Performing any act or practice that is a violation of Section 2 of the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act.

(19) Engaging in dishonorable, unethical, or unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud or harm the public.

(20) Taking possession of a dead human body without having first obtained express permission from the person holding the right to control the disposition in accordance with Section 5 of the Disposition of Remains Act or a public agency legally authorized to direct, control or permit the removal of deceased human bodies.

(21) Advertising in a false or misleading manner or advertising using the name of an unlicensed person in connection with any service being rendered in the practice of funeral directing or funeral directing and embalming. The use of any name of an unlicensed or unregistered person in an advertisement so as to imply that the person will perform services is considered misleading advertising. Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent including the name of any owner, officer or corporate director of a funeral home, who is not a licensee, in any advertisement used by a funeral home with which the individual is affiliated, if the advertisement specifies the individual's affiliation with the funeral home.

(22) Charging for professional services not rendered, including filing false statements for the collection of fees for which services are not rendered.

(23) Failing to account for or remit any monies, documents, or personal property that belongs to others that comes into a licensee's possession.

(24) Treating any person differently to his detriment because of race, color, creed, gender, religion, or national origin.

(25) Knowingly making any false statements, oral or otherwise, of a character likely to influence, persuade or induce others in the course of performing professional services or activities.

(26) Willfully making or filing false records or reports in the practice of funeral directing and embalming, including, but not limited to, false records filed with State agencies or departments.

(27) Failing to acquire continuing education required under this Code.

(28) (Blank).

(29) Aiding or assisting another person in violating any provision of this Code or rules adopted pursuant to this Code.

(30) Failing within 10 days, to provide information in response to a written request made by the Department.

(31) Discipline by another state, District of Columbia, territory, foreign nation, or governmental agency, if at least one of the grounds for the discipline is the same or substantially equivalent to those set forth in this Section.

(32) (Blank).

(33) Mental illness or disability which results in the inability to practice the profession with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety.

(34) Gross, willful, or continued overcharging for professional services, including filing false statements for collection of fees for which services are not rendered.

(35) Physical illness, including, but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process or loss of motor skill which results in a licensee's inability to practice under this Code with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety.

(36) Failing to comply with any of the following required activities:

(A) When reasonably possible, a funeral director licensee or funeral director and embalmer licensee or anyone acting on his or her behalf shall obtain the express authorization of the person or persons responsible for making the funeral arrangements for a deceased human body prior to removing a body from the place of death or any place it may be or embalming or attempting to embalm a deceased human body, unless required by State or local law. This requirement is waived whenever removal or embalming is directed by local authorities who have jurisdiction. If the responsibility for the handling of the remains lawfully falls under the jurisdiction of a public agency, then the regulations of the public agency shall prevail.

(B) A licensee shall clearly mark the price of any casket offered for sale or the price of any service using the casket on or in the casket if the casket is displayed at the funeral establishment. If the casket is displayed at any other location, regardless of whether the licensee is in control of that location, the casket shall be clearly marked and the registrant shall use books, catalogues, brochures, or other printed display aids to show the price of each casket or service.

(C) At the time funeral arrangements are made and prior to rendering the funeral services, a licensee shall furnish a written statement of services to be retained by the person or persons making the funeral arrangements, signed by both parties, that shall contain: (i) the name, address and telephone number of the funeral establishment and the date on which the arrangements were made; (ii) the price of the service selected and the services and merchandise included for that price; (iii) a clear disclosure that the person or persons making the arrangement may decline and receive credit for any service or merchandise not desired and not required by law or the funeral director or the funeral director and embalmer; (iv) the supplemental items of service and merchandise requested and the price of each item; (v) the terms or method of payment agreed upon; and (vi) a statement as to any monetary advances made by the registrant on behalf of the family. The licensee shall maintain a copy of the written statement of services in its permanent records. All written statements of services are subject to inspection by the Department.

(D) In all instances where the place of final disposition of a deceased human body or the cremated remains of a deceased human body is a cemetery, the licensed funeral director and embalmer, or licensed funeral director, who has been engaged to provide funeral or embalming services shall remain at the cemetery and personally witness the placement of the human remains in their designated grave or the sealing of the above ground depository, crypt, or urn. The licensed funeral director or licensed funeral director and embalmer may designate a licensed funeral director and embalmer intern or representative of the funeral home to be his or her witness to the placement of the remains. If the cemetery authority, cemetery manager, or any other agent of the cemetery takes any action that prevents compliance with this paragraph (D), then the funeral director and embalmer or funeral director shall provide written notice to the Department within 5 business days after failing to comply. If the Department receives this notice, then the Department shall not take any disciplinary action against the funeral director and embalmer or funeral director for a violation of this paragraph (D) unless the Department finds that the cemetery authority, manager, or any other agent of the cemetery did not prevent the funeral director and embalmer or funeral director from complying with this paragraph (D) as claimed in the written notice.

(E) A funeral director or funeral director and embalmer shall fully complete the portion of the Certificate of Death under the responsibility of the funeral director or funeral director and embalmer and provide all required information. In the event that any reported information subsequently changes or proves incorrect, a funeral director or funeral director and embalmer shall immediately upon learning the correct information correct the Certificate of Death.

(37) A finding by the Department that the licensee, after having his or her license placed on probationary status or subjected to conditions or restrictions, violated the terms of the probation or failed to comply with such terms or conditions.

(38) (Blank).

(39) Being named as a perpetrator in an indicated report by the Department of Children and Family Services pursuant to the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act and, upon proof by clear and convincing evidence, being found to have caused a child to be an abused child or neglected child as defined in the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.

(40) Habitual or excessive use or abuse of drugs defined in law as controlled substances, alcohol, or any other substance which results in the inability to practice with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety.

(41) Practicing under a false or, except as provided by law, an assumed name.

(42) Cheating on or attempting to subvert the licensing examination administered under this Code.

(c) The Department may refuse to issue or renew or may suspend without a hearing, as provided for in the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, the license of any person who fails to file a return, to pay the tax, penalty or interest shown in a filed return, or to pay any final assessment of tax, penalty or interest as required by any tax Act administered by the Illinois Department of Revenue, until the time as the requirements of the tax Act are satisfied in accordance with subsection (g) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(d) No action may be taken under this Code against a person licensed under this Code unless the action is commenced within 5 years after the occurrence of the alleged violations. A continuing violation shall be deemed to have occurred on the date when the circumstances last existed that give rise to the alleged violation.

(e) Nothing in this Section shall be construed or enforced to give a funeral director and embalmer, or his or her designees, authority over the operation of a cemetery or over cemetery employees. Nothing in this Section shall be construed or enforced to impose duties or penalties on cemeteries with respect to the timing of the placement of human remains in their designated grave or the sealing of the above ground depository, crypt, or urn due to patron safety, the allocation of cemetery staffing, liability insurance, a collective bargaining agreement, or other such reasons.

(f) All fines imposed under this Section shall be paid 60 days after the effective date of the order imposing the fine.

(g) (Blank). The Department shall deny a license or renewal authorized by this Code to a person who has defaulted on an educational loan or scholarship provided or guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission or any governmental agency of this State in accordance with item (5) of subsection (a) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(h) In cases where the Department of Healthcare and Family Services has previously determined a licensee or a potential licensee is more than 30 days delinquent in the payment of child support and has subsequently certified the delinquency to the Department, the Department may refuse to issue or renew or may revoke or suspend that person's license or may take other disciplinary action against that person based solely upon the certification of delinquency made by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services in accordance with item (5) of subsection (a) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(i) A person not licensed under this Code who is an owner of a funeral establishment or funeral business shall not aid, abet, assist, procure, advise, employ, or contract with any unlicensed person to offer funeral services or aid, abet, assist, or direct any licensed person contrary to or in violation of any rules or provisions of this Code. A person violating this subsection shall be treated as a licensee for the purposes of disciplinary action under this Section and shall be subject to cease and desist orders as provided in this Code, the imposition of a fine up to $10,000 for each violation and any other penalty provided by law.

(j) The determination by a circuit court that a licensee is subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission as provided in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code, as amended, operates as an automatic suspension. The suspension may end only upon a finding by a court that the licensee is no longer subject to the involuntary admission or judicial admission and issues an order so finding and discharging the licensee, and upon the recommendation of the Board to the Secretary that the licensee be allowed to resume his or her practice.

(k) In enforcing this Code, the Department, upon a showing of a possible violation, may compel an individual licensed to practice under this Code, or who has applied for licensure under this Code, to submit to a mental or physical examination, or both, as required by and at the expense of the Department. The Department may order the examining physician to present testimony concerning the mental or physical examination of the licensee or applicant. No information shall be excluded by reason of any common law or statutory privilege relating to communications between the licensee or applicant and the examining physician. The examining physician shall be specifically designated by the Department. The individual to be examined may have, at his or her own expense, another physician of his or her choice present during all aspects of this examination. The examination shall be performed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches. Failure of an individual to submit to a mental or physical examination, when directed, shall result in an automatic suspension without hearing.

A person holding a license under this Code or who has applied for a license under this Code who, because of a physical or mental illness or disability, including, but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process or loss of motor skill, is unable to practice the profession with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety, may be required by the Department to submit to care, counseling, or treatment by physicians approved or designated by the Department as a condition, term, or restriction for continued, reinstated, or renewed licensure to practice. Submission to care, counseling, or treatment as required by the Department shall not be considered discipline of a license. If the licensee refuses to enter into a care, counseling, or treatment agreement or fails to abide by the terms of the agreement, the Department may file a complaint to revoke, suspend, or otherwise discipline the license of the individual. The Secretary may order the license suspended immediately, pending a hearing by the Department. Fines shall not be assessed in disciplinary actions involving physical or mental illness or impairment.

In instances in which the Secretary immediately suspends a person's license under this Section, a hearing on that person's license must be convened by the Department within 15 days after the suspension and completed without appreciable delay. The Department shall have the authority to review the subject individual's record of treatment and counseling regarding the impairment to the extent permitted by applicable federal statutes and regulations safeguarding the confidentiality of medical records.

An individual licensed under this Code and affected under this Section shall be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate to the Department that he or she can resume practice in compliance with acceptable and prevailing standards under the provisions of his or her license.

(Source: P.A. 99-876, eff. 1-1-17; 100-201, eff. 8-18-17.)

Section 40. The Marriage and Family Therapy Licensing Act is amended by changing Section 85 as follows:

(225 ILCS 55/85) (from Ch. 111, par. 8351-85)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2027)

Sec. 85. Refusal, revocation, or suspension.

(a) The Department may refuse to issue or renew a license, or may revoke, suspend, reprimand, place on probation, or take any other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action as the Department may deem proper, including the imposition of fines not to exceed $10,000 for each violation, with regard to any license issued under the provisions of this Act for any one or combination of the following grounds:

(1) Material misstatement in furnishing information to the Department.

(2) Violation of any provision of this Act or its rules.

(3) Conviction of or entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, finding of guilt, jury verdict, or entry of judgment or sentencing, including, but not limited to, convictions, preceding sentences of supervision, conditional discharge, or first offender probation, under the laws of any jurisdiction of the United States that is (i) a felony or (ii) a misdemeanor, an essential element of which is dishonesty or that is directly related to the practice of the profession.

(4) Fraud or misrepresentation in applying for or procuring a license under this Act or in connection with applying for renewal or restoration of a license under this Act or its rules.

(5) Professional incompetence.

(6) Gross negligence in practice under this Act.

(7) Aiding or assisting another person in violating any provision of this Act or its rules.

(8) Failing, within 60 days, to provide information in response to a written request made by the Department.

(9) Engaging in dishonorable, unethical, or unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud or harm the public as defined by the rules of the Department, or violating the rules of professional conduct adopted by the Department.

(10) Habitual or excessive use or abuse of drugs defined in law as controlled substances, of alcohol, or any other substance that results in the inability to practice with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety.

(11) Discipline by another jurisdiction if at least one of the grounds for the discipline is the same or substantially equivalent to those set forth in this Act.

(12) Directly or indirectly giving to or receiving from any person, firm, corporation, partnership, or association any fee, commission, rebate, or other form of compensation for any professional services not actually or personally rendered. Nothing in this paragraph (12) affects any bona fide independent contractor or employment arrangements among health care professionals, health facilities, health care providers, or other entities, except as otherwise prohibited by law. Any employment arrangements may include provisions for compensation, health insurance, pension, or other employment benefits for the provision of services within the scope of the licensee's practice under this Act. Nothing in this paragraph (12) shall be construed to require an employment arrangement to receive professional fees for services rendered.

(13) A finding by the Department that the licensee, after having his or her license placed on probationary status, has violated the terms of probation or failed to comply with the terms.

(14) Abandonment of a patient without cause.

(15) Willfully making or filing false records or reports relating to a licensee's practice, including but not limited to false records filed with State agencies or departments.

(16) Willfully failing to report an instance of suspected child abuse or neglect as required by the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.

(17) Being named as a perpetrator in an indicated report by the Department of Children and Family Services under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act and upon proof by clear and convincing evidence that the licensee has caused a child to be an abused child or neglected child as defined in the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.

(18) Physical illness or mental illness or impairment, including, but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process or loss of motor skill that results in the inability to practice the profession with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety.

(19) Solicitation of professional services by using false or misleading advertising.

(20) A pattern of practice or other behavior that demonstrates incapacity or incompetence to practice under this Act.

(21) Practicing under a false or assumed name, except as provided by law.

(22) Gross, willful, and continued overcharging for professional services, including filing false statements for collection of fees or moneys for which services are not rendered.

(23) Failure to establish and maintain records of patient care and treatment as required by law.

(24) Cheating on or attempting to subvert the licensing examinations administered under this Act.

(25) Willfully failing to report an instance of suspected abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, or self-neglect of an eligible adult as defined in and required by the Adult Protective Services Act.

(26) Being named as an abuser in a verified report by the Department on Aging and under the Adult Protective Services Act and upon proof by clear and convincing evidence that the licensee abused, neglected, or financially exploited an eligible adult as defined in the Adult Protective Services Act.

(b) (Blank). The Department shall deny any application for a license or renewal, without hearing, under this Act to any person who has defaulted on an educational loan guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission; however, the Department may issue a license or renewal if the person in default has established a satisfactory repayment record as determined by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

(c) The determination by a circuit court that a licensee is subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission, as provided in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code, operates as an automatic suspension. The suspension will terminate only upon a finding by a court that the patient is no longer subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission and the issuance of an order so finding and discharging the patient, and upon the recommendation of the Board to the Secretary that the licensee be allowed to resume his or her practice as a licensed marriage and family therapist or an associate licensed marriage and family therapist.

(d) The Department shall refuse to issue or may suspend the license of any person who fails to file a return, pay the tax, penalty, or interest shown in a filed return or pay any final assessment of tax, penalty, or interest, as required by any tax Act administered by the Illinois Department of Revenue, until the time the requirements of the tax Act are satisfied.

(e) In enforcing this Section, the Department or Board upon a showing of a possible violation may compel an individual licensed to practice under this Act, or who has applied for licensure under this Act, to submit to a mental or physical examination, or both, which may include a substance abuse or sexual offender evaluation, as required by and at the expense of the Department.

The Department shall specifically designate the examining physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches or, if applicable, the multidisciplinary team involved in providing the mental or physical examination or both. The multidisciplinary team shall be led by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches and may consist of one or more or a combination of physicians licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches, licensed clinical psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, licensed clinical professional counselors, licensed marriage and family therapists, and other professional and administrative staff. Any examining physician or member of the multidisciplinary team may require any person ordered to submit to an examination and evaluation pursuant to this Section to submit to any additional supplemental testing deemed necessary to complete any examination or evaluation process, including, but not limited to, blood testing, urinalysis, psychological testing, or neuropsychological testing.

The Department may order the examining physician or any member of the multidisciplinary team to provide to the Department any and all records, including business records, that relate to the examination and evaluation, including any supplemental testing performed.

The Department or Board may order the examining physician or any member of the multidisciplinary team to present testimony concerning the mental or physical examination of the licensee or applicant. No information, report, record, or other documents in any way related to the examination shall be excluded by reason of any common law or statutory privilege relating to communications between the licensee or applicant and the examining physician or any member of the multidisciplinary team. No authorization is necessary from the licensee or applicant ordered to undergo an examination for the examining physician or any member of the multidisciplinary team to provide information, reports, records, or other documents or to provide any testimony regarding the examination and evaluation.

The individual to be examined may have, at his or her own expense, another physician of his or her choice present during all aspects of this examination. However, that physician shall be present only to observe and may not interfere in any way with the examination.

Failure of an individual to submit to a mental or physical examination, when ordered, shall result in an automatic suspension of his or her license until the individual submits to the examination.

If the Department or Board finds an individual unable to practice because of the reasons set forth in this Section, the Department or Board may require that individual to submit to care, counseling, or treatment by physicians approved or designated by the Department or Board, as a condition, term, or restriction for continued, reinstated, or renewed licensure to practice; or, in lieu of care, counseling, or treatment, the Department may file, or the Board may recommend to the Department to file, a complaint to immediately suspend, revoke, or otherwise discipline the license of the individual. An individual whose license was granted, continued, reinstated, renewed, disciplined or supervised subject to such terms, conditions, or restrictions, and who fails to comply with such terms, conditions, or restrictions, shall be referred to the Secretary for a determination as to whether the individual shall have his or her license suspended immediately, pending a hearing by the Department.

In instances in which the Secretary immediately suspends a person's license under this Section, a hearing on that person's license must be convened by the Department within 30 days after the suspension and completed without appreciable delay. The Department and Board shall have the authority to review the subject individual's record of treatment and counseling regarding the impairment to the extent permitted by applicable federal statutes and regulations safeguarding the confidentiality of medical records.

An individual licensed under this Act and affected under this Section shall be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate to the Department or Board that he or she can resume practice in compliance with acceptable and prevailing standards under the provisions of his or her license.

(f) A fine shall be paid within 60 days after the effective date of the order imposing the fine or in accordance with the terms set forth in the order imposing the fine.

(Source: P.A. 100-372, eff. 8-25-17.)

Section 45. The Massage Licensing Act is amended by changing Section 45 as follows:

(225 ILCS 57/45)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2022)

Sec. 45. Grounds for discipline.

(a) The Department may refuse to issue or renew, or may revoke, suspend, place on probation, reprimand, or take other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action, as the Department considers appropriate, including the imposition of fines not to exceed $10,000 for each violation, with regard to any license or licensee for any one or more of the following:

(1) violations of this Act or of the rules adopted under this Act;

(2) conviction by plea of guilty or nolo contendere, finding of guilt, jury verdict, or entry of judgment or by sentencing of any crime, including, but not limited to, convictions, preceding sentences of supervision, conditional discharge, or first offender probation, under the laws of any jurisdiction of the United States: (i) that is a felony; or (ii) that is a misdemeanor, an essential element of which is dishonesty, or that is directly related to the practice of the profession;

(3) professional incompetence;

(4) advertising in a false, deceptive, or misleading manner;

(5) aiding, abetting, assisting, procuring, advising, employing, or contracting with any unlicensed person to practice massage contrary to any rules or provisions of this Act;

(6) engaging in immoral conduct in the commission of any act, such as sexual abuse, sexual misconduct, or sexual exploitation, related to the licensee's practice;

(7) engaging in dishonorable, unethical, or unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public;

(8) practicing or offering to practice beyond the scope permitted by law or accepting and performing professional responsibilities which the licensee knows or has reason to know that he or she is not competent to perform;

(9) knowingly delegating professional responsibilities to a person unqualified by training, experience, or licensure to perform;

(10) failing to provide information in response to a written request made by the Department within 60 days;

(11) having a habitual or excessive use of or addiction to alcohol, narcotics, stimulants, or any other chemical agent or drug which results in the inability to practice with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety;

(12) having a pattern of practice or other behavior that demonstrates incapacity or incompetence to practice under this Act;

(13) discipline by another state, District of Columbia, territory, or foreign nation, if at least one of the grounds for the discipline is the same or substantially equivalent to those set forth in this Section;

(14) a finding by the Department that the licensee, after having his or her license placed on probationary status, has violated the terms of probation;

(15) willfully making or filing false records or reports in his or her practice, including, but not limited to, false records filed with State agencies or departments;

(16) making a material misstatement in furnishing information to the Department or otherwise making misleading, deceptive, untrue, or fraudulent representations in violation of this Act or otherwise in the practice of the profession;

(17) fraud or misrepresentation in applying for or procuring a license under this Act or in connection with applying for renewal of a license under this Act;

(18) inability to practice the profession with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety as a result of physical illness, including, but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process, loss of motor skill, or a mental illness or disability;

(19) charging for professional services not rendered, including filing false statements for the collection of fees for which services are not rendered;

(20) practicing under a false or, except as provided by law, an assumed name; or

(21) cheating on or attempting to subvert the licensing examination administered under this Act.

All fines shall be paid within 60 days of the effective date of the order imposing the fine.

(b) A person not licensed under this Act and engaged in the business of offering massage therapy services through others, shall not aid, abet, assist, procure, advise, employ, or contract with any unlicensed person to practice massage therapy contrary to any rules or provisions of this Act. A person violating this subsection (b) shall be treated as a licensee for the purposes of disciplinary action under this Section and shall be subject to cease and desist orders as provided in Section 90 of this Act.

(c) The Department shall revoke any license issued under this Act of any person who is convicted of prostitution, rape, sexual misconduct, or any crime that subjects the licensee to compliance with the requirements of the Sex Offender Registration Act and any such conviction shall operate as a permanent bar in the State of Illinois to practice as a massage therapist.

(d) The Department may refuse to issue or may suspend the license of any person who fails to file a tax return, to pay the tax, penalty, or interest shown in a filed tax return, or to pay any final assessment of tax, penalty, or interest, as required by any tax Act administered by the Illinois Department of Revenue, until such time as the requirements of the tax Act are satisfied in accordance with subsection (g) of Section 2105-15 of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(e) (Blank). The Department shall deny a license or renewal authorized by this Act to a person who has defaulted on an educational loan or scholarship provided or guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission or any governmental agency of this State in accordance with item (5) of subsection (a) of Section 2105-15 of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(f) In cases where the Department of Healthcare and Family Services has previously determined that a licensee or a potential licensee is more than 30 days delinquent in the payment of child support and has subsequently certified the delinquency to the Department, the Department may refuse to issue or renew or may revoke or suspend that person's license or may take other disciplinary action against that person based solely upon the certification of delinquency made by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services in accordance with item (5) of subsection (a) of Section 2105-15 of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(g) The determination by a circuit court that a licensee is subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission, as provided in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code, operates as an automatic suspension. The suspension will end only upon a finding by a court that the patient is no longer subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission and the issuance of a court order so finding and discharging the patient.

(h) In enforcing this Act, the Department or Board, upon a showing of a possible violation, may compel an individual licensed to practice under this Act, or who has applied for licensure under this Act, to submit to a mental or physical examination, or both, as required by and at the expense of the Department. The Department or Board may order the examining physician to present testimony concerning the mental or physical examination of the licensee or applicant. No information shall be excluded by reason of any common law or statutory privilege relating to communications between the licensee or applicant and the examining physician. The examining physicians shall be specifically designated by the Board or Department. The individual to be examined may have, at his or her own expense, another physician of his or her choice present during all aspects of this examination. The examination shall be performed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches. Failure of an individual to submit to a mental or physical examination, when directed, shall result in an automatic suspension without hearing.

A person holding a license under this Act or who has applied for a license under this Act who, because of a physical or mental illness or disability, including, but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process or loss of motor skill, is unable to practice the profession with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety, may be required by the Department to submit to care, counseling, or treatment by physicians approved or designated by the Department as a condition, term, or restriction for continued, reinstated, or renewed licensure to practice. Submission to care, counseling, or treatment as required by the Department shall not be considered discipline of a license. If the licensee refuses to enter into a care, counseling, or treatment agreement or fails to abide by the terms of the agreement, the Department may file a complaint to revoke, suspend, or otherwise discipline the license of the individual. The Secretary may order the license suspended immediately, pending a hearing by the Department. Fines shall not be assessed in disciplinary actions involving physical or mental illness or impairment.

In instances in which the Secretary immediately suspends a person's license under this Section, a hearing on that person's license must be convened by the Department within 15 days after the suspension and completed without appreciable delay. The Department and Board shall have the authority to review the subject individual's record of treatment and counseling regarding the impairment to the extent permitted by applicable federal statutes and regulations safeguarding the confidentiality of medical records.

An individual licensed under this Act and affected under this Section shall be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate to the Department or Board that he or she can resume practice in compliance with acceptable and prevailing standards under the provisions of his or her license.

(Source: P.A. 97-514, eff. 8-23-11; 98-756, eff. 7-16-14.)

Section 50. The Naprapathic Practice Act is amended by changing Section 110 as follows:

(225 ILCS 63/110)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2023)

Sec. 110. Grounds for disciplinary action; refusal, revocation, suspension.

(a) The Department may refuse to issue or to renew, or may revoke, suspend, place on probation, reprimand or take other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action as the Department may deem appropriate, including imposing fines not to exceed $10,000 for each violation, with regard to any licensee or license for any one or combination of the following causes:

(1) Violations of this Act or of rules adopted under this Act.

(2) Material misstatement in furnishing information to the Department.

(3) Conviction by plea of guilty or nolo contendere, finding of guilt, jury verdict, or entry of judgment, or by sentencing of any crime, including, but not limited to, convictions, preceding sentences of supervision, conditional discharge, or first offender probation, under the laws of any jurisdiction of the United States: (i) that is a felony or (ii) that is a misdemeanor, an essential element of which is dishonesty, or that is directly related to the practice of the profession.

(4) Fraud or any misrepresentation in applying for or procuring a license under this Act or in connection with applying for renewal of a license under this Act.

(5) Professional incompetence or gross negligence.

(6) Malpractice.

(7) Aiding or assisting another person in violating any provision of this Act or its rules.

(8) Failing to provide information within 60 days in response to a written request made by the Department.

(9) Engaging in dishonorable, unethical, or unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public.

(10) Habitual or excessive use or abuse of drugs defined in law as controlled substances, alcohol, or any other substance which results in the inability to practice with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety.

(11) Discipline by another U.S. jurisdiction or foreign nation if at least one of the grounds for the discipline is the same or substantially equivalent to those set forth in this Act.

(12) Directly or indirectly giving to or receiving from any person, firm, corporation, partnership, or association any fee, commission, rebate, or other form of compensation for any professional services not actually or personally rendered. This shall not be deemed to include rent or other remunerations paid to an individual, partnership, or corporation by a naprapath for the lease, rental, or use of space, owned or controlled by the individual, partnership, corporation, or association. Nothing in this paragraph (12) affects any bona fide independent contractor or employment arrangements among health care professionals, health facilities, health care providers, or other entities, except as otherwise prohibited by law. Any employment arrangements may include provisions for compensation, health insurance, pension, or other employment benefits for the provision of services within the scope of the licensee's practice under this Act. Nothing in this paragraph (12) shall be construed to require an employment arrangement to receive professional fees for services rendered.

(13) Using the title "Doctor" or its abbreviation without further clarifying that title or abbreviation with the word "naprapath" or "naprapathy" or the designation "D.N.".

(14) A finding by the Department that the licensee, after having his or her license placed on probationary status, has violated the terms of probation.

(15) Abandonment of a patient without cause.

(16) Willfully making or filing false records or reports relating to a licensee's practice, including but not limited to, false records filed with State agencies or departments.

(17) Willfully failing to report an instance of suspected child abuse or neglect as required by the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.

(18) Physical or mental illness or disability, including, but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process or loss of motor skill that results in the inability to practice the profession with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety.

(19) Solicitation of professional services by means other than permitted advertising.

(20) Failure to provide a patient with a copy of his or her record upon the written request of the patient.

(21) Cheating on or attempting to subvert the licensing examination administered under this Act.

(22) Allowing one's license under this Act to be used by an unlicensed person in violation of this Act.

(23) (Blank).

(24) Being named as a perpetrator in an indicated report by the Department of Children and Family Services under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act and upon proof by clear and convincing evidence that the licensee has caused a child to be an abused child or a neglected child as defined in the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.

(25) Practicing under a false or, except as provided by law, an assumed name.

(26) Immoral conduct in the commission of any act, such as sexual abuse, sexual misconduct, or sexual exploitation, related to the licensee's practice.

(27) Maintaining a professional relationship with any person, firm, or corporation when the naprapath knows, or should know, that the person, firm, or corporation is violating this Act.

(28) Promotion of the sale of food supplements, devices, appliances, or goods provided for a client or patient in such manner as to exploit the patient or client for financial gain of the licensee.

(29) Having treated ailments of human beings other than by the practice of naprapathy as defined in this Act, or having treated ailments of human beings as a licensed naprapath independent of a documented referral or documented current and relevant diagnosis from a physician, dentist, or podiatric physician, or having failed to notify the physician, dentist, or podiatric physician who established a documented current and relevant diagnosis that the patient is receiving naprapathic treatment pursuant to that diagnosis.

(30) Use by a registered naprapath of the word "infirmary", "hospital", "school", "university", in English or any other language, in connection with the place where naprapathy may be practiced or demonstrated.

(31) Continuance of a naprapath in the employ of any person, firm, or corporation, or as an assistant to any naprapath or naprapaths, directly or indirectly, after his or her employer or superior has been found guilty of violating or has been enjoined from violating the laws of the State of Illinois relating to the practice of naprapathy when the employer or superior persists in that violation.

(32) The performance of naprapathic service in conjunction with a scheme or plan with another person, firm, or corporation known to be advertising in a manner contrary to this Act or otherwise violating the laws of the State of Illinois concerning the practice of naprapathy.

(33) Failure to provide satisfactory proof of having participated in approved continuing education programs as determined by and approved by the Secretary. Exceptions for extreme hardships are to be defined by the rules of the Department.

(34) (Blank).

(35) Gross or willful overcharging for professional services.

(36) (Blank).

All fines imposed under this Section shall be paid within 60 days after the effective date of the order imposing the fine.

(b) The Department may refuse to issue or may suspend without hearing, as provided for in the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code, the license of any person who fails to file a return, or pay the tax, penalty, or interest shown in a filed return, or pay any final assessment of the tax, penalty, or interest as required by any tax Act administered by the Illinois Department of Revenue, until such time as the requirements of any such tax Act are satisfied in accordance with subsection (g) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(c) (Blank). The Department shall deny a license or renewal authorized by this Act to a person who has defaulted on an educational loan or scholarship provided or guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission or any governmental agency of this State in accordance with item (5) of subsection (a) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(d) In cases where the Department of Healthcare and Family Services has previously determined a licensee or a potential licensee is more than 30 days delinquent in the payment of child support and has subsequently certified the delinquency to the Department, the Department may refuse to issue or renew or may revoke or suspend that person's license or may take other disciplinary action against that person based solely upon the certification of delinquency made by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services in accordance with item (5) of subsection (a) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(e) The determination by a circuit court that a licensee is subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission, as provided in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code, operates as an automatic suspension. The suspension shall end only upon a finding by a court that the patient is no longer subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission and the issuance of an order so finding and discharging the patient.

(f) In enforcing this Act, the Department, upon a showing of a possible violation, may compel an individual licensed to practice under this Act, or who has applied for licensure under this Act, to submit to a mental or physical examination and evaluation, or both, which may include a substance abuse or sexual offender evaluation, as required by and at the expense of the Department. The Department shall specifically designate the examining physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches or, if applicable, the multidisciplinary team involved in providing the mental or physical examination and evaluation, or both. The multidisciplinary team shall be led by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches and may consist of one or more or a combination of physicians licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches, licensed chiropractic physicians, licensed clinical psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, licensed clinical professional counselors, and other professional and administrative staff. Any examining physician or member of the multidisciplinary team may require any person ordered to submit to an examination and evaluation pursuant to this Section to submit to any additional supplemental testing deemed necessary to complete any examination or evaluation process, including, but not limited to, blood testing, urinalysis, psychological testing, or neuropsychological testing.

The Department may order the examining physician or any member of the multidisciplinary team to provide to the Department any and all records including business records that relate to the examination and evaluation, including any supplemental testing performed. The Department may order the examining physician or any member of the multidisciplinary team to present testimony concerning the examination and evaluation of the licensee or applicant, including testimony concerning any supplemental testing or documents in any way related to the examination and evaluation. No information, report, record, or other documents in any way related to the examination and evaluation shall be excluded by reason of any common law or statutory privilege relating to communications between the licensee or applicant and the examining physician or any member of the multidisciplinary team. No authorization is necessary from the licensee or applicant ordered to undergo an evaluation and examination for the examining physician or any member of the multidisciplinary team to provide information, reports, records, or other documents or to provide any testimony regarding the examination and evaluation. The individual to be examined may have, at his or her own expense, another physician of his or her choice present during all aspects of this examination. Failure of an individual to submit to a mental or physical examination and evaluation, or both, when directed, shall result in an automatic suspension without hearing, until such time as the individual submits to the examination.

A person holding a license under this Act or who has applied for a license under this Act who, because of a physical or mental illness or disability, including, but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process or loss of motor skill, is unable to practice the profession with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety, may be required by the Department to submit to care, counseling, or treatment by physicians approved or designated by the Department as a condition, term, or restriction for continued, reinstated, or renewed licensure to practice. Submission to care, counseling, or treatment as required by the Department shall not be considered discipline of a license. If the licensee refuses to enter into a care, counseling, or treatment agreement or fails to abide by the terms of the agreement, the Department may file a complaint to revoke, suspend, or otherwise discipline the license of the individual. The Secretary may order the license suspended immediately, pending a hearing by the Department. Fines shall not be assessed in disciplinary actions involving physical or mental illness or impairment.

In instances in which the Secretary immediately suspends a person's license under this Section, a hearing on that person's license must be convened by the Department within 15 days after the suspension and completed without appreciable delay. The Department shall have the authority to review the subject individual's record of treatment and counseling regarding the impairment to the extent permitted by applicable federal statutes and regulations safeguarding the confidentiality of medical records.

An individual licensed under this Act and affected under this Section shall be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate to the Department that he or she can resume practice in compliance with acceptable and prevailing standards under the provisions of his or her license.

(Source: P.A. 97-778, eff. 7-13-12; 98-214, eff. 8-9-13; 98-463, eff. 8-16-13.)

Section 55. The Illinois Occupational Therapy Practice Act is amended by changing Section 19 as follows:

(225 ILCS 75/19) (from Ch. 111, par. 3719)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2024)

Sec. 19. Grounds for discipline.

(a) The Department may refuse to issue or renew, or may revoke, suspend, place on probation, reprimand or take other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action as the Department may deem proper, including imposing fines not to exceed $10,000 for each violation and the assessment of costs as provided under Section 19.3 of this Act, with regard to any license for any one or combination of the following:

(1) Material misstatement in furnishing information to the Department;

(2) Violations of this Act, or of the rules promulgated thereunder;

(3) Conviction by plea of guilty or nolo contendere, finding of guilt, jury verdict, or entry of judgment or sentencing of any crime, including, but not limited to, convictions, preceding sentences of supervision, conditional discharge, or first offender probation, under the laws of any jurisdiction of the United States that is (i) a felony or (ii) a misdemeanor, an essential element of which is dishonesty, or that is directly related to the practice of the profession;

(4) Fraud or any misrepresentation in applying for or procuring a license under this Act, or in connection with applying for renewal of a license under this Act;

(5) Professional incompetence;

(6) Aiding or assisting another person, firm, partnership or corporation in violating any provision of this Act or rules;

(7) Failing, within 60 days, to provide information in response to a written request made by the Department;

(8) Engaging in dishonorable, unethical or unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud or harm the public;

(9) Habitual or excessive use or abuse of drugs defined in law as controlled substances, alcohol, or any other substance that results in the inability to practice with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety;

(10) Discipline by another state, unit of government, government agency, the District of Columbia, a territory, or foreign nation, if at least one of the grounds for the discipline is the same or substantially equivalent to those set forth herein;

(11) Directly or indirectly giving to or receiving from any person, firm, corporation, partnership, or association any fee, commission, rebate or other form of compensation for professional services not actually or personally rendered. Nothing in this paragraph (11) affects any bona fide independent contractor or employment arrangements among health care professionals, health facilities, health care providers, or other entities, except as otherwise prohibited by law. Any employment arrangements may include provisions for compensation, health insurance, pension, or other employment benefits for the provision of services within the scope of the licensee's practice under this Act. Nothing in this paragraph (11) shall be construed to require an employment arrangement to receive professional fees for services rendered;

(12) A finding by the Department that the license holder, after having his license disciplined, has violated the terms of the discipline;

(13) Wilfully making or filing false records or reports in the practice of occupational therapy, including but not limited to false records filed with the State agencies or departments;

(14) Physical illness, including but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process, or loss of motor skill which results in the inability to practice under this Act with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety;

(15) Solicitation of professional services other than by permitted advertising;

(16) Allowing one's license under this Act to be used by an unlicensed person in violation of this Act;

(17) Practicing under a false or, except as provided by law, assumed name;

(18) Professional incompetence or gross negligence;

(19) Malpractice;

(20) Promotion of the sale of drugs, devices, appliances, or goods provided for a patient in any manner to exploit the client for financial gain of the licensee;

(21) Gross, willful, or continued overcharging for professional services;

(22) Mental illness or disability that results in the inability to practice under this Act with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety;

(23) Violating the Health Care Worker Self-Referral Act;

(24) Having treated patients other than by the practice of occupational therapy as defined in this Act, or having treated patients as a licensed occupational therapist independent of a referral from a physician, advanced practice registered nurse or physician assistant in accordance with Section 3.1, dentist, podiatric physician, or optometrist, or having failed to notify the physician, advanced practice registered nurse, physician assistant, dentist, podiatric physician, or optometrist who established a diagnosis that the patient is receiving occupational therapy pursuant to that diagnosis;

(25) Cheating on or attempting to subvert the licensing examination administered under this Act; and

(26) Charging for professional services not rendered, including filing false statements for the collection of fees for which services are not rendered.

All fines imposed under this Section shall be paid within 60 days after the effective date of the order imposing the fine or in accordance with the terms set forth in the order imposing the fine.

(b) The determination by a circuit court that a license holder is subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission as provided in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code, as now or hereafter amended, operates as an automatic suspension. Such suspension will end only upon a finding by a court that the patient is no longer subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission and an order by the court so finding and discharging the patient. In any case where a license is suspended under this provision, the licensee shall file a petition for restoration and shall include evidence acceptable to the Department that the licensee can resume practice in compliance with acceptable and prevailing standards of their profession.

(c) The Department may refuse to issue or may suspend without hearing, as provided for in the Code of Civil Procedure, the license of any person who fails to file a return, to pay the tax, penalty, or interest shown in a filed return, or to pay any final assessment of tax, penalty, or interest as required by any tax Act administered by the Illinois Department of Revenue, until such time as the requirements of any such tax Act are satisfied in accordance with subsection (a) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(d) In enforcing this Section, the Department, upon a showing of a possible violation, may compel any individual who is licensed under this Act or any individual who has applied for licensure to submit to a mental or physical examination or evaluation, or both, which may include a substance abuse or sexual offender evaluation, at the expense of the Department. The Department shall specifically designate the examining physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches or, if applicable, the multidisciplinary team involved in providing the mental or physical examination and evaluation. The multidisciplinary team shall be led by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches and may consist of one or more or a combination of physicians licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches, licensed chiropractic physicians, licensed clinical psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, licensed clinical professional counselors, and other professional and administrative staff. Any examining physician or member of the multidisciplinary team may require any person ordered to submit to an examination and evaluation pursuant to this Section to submit to any additional supplemental testing deemed necessary to complete any examination or evaluation process, including, but not limited to, blood testing, urinalysis, psychological testing, or neuropsychological testing.

The Department may order the examining physician or any member of the multidisciplinary team to provide to the Department any and all records, including business records, that relate to the examination and evaluation, including any supplemental testing performed. The Department may order the examining physician or any member of the multidisciplinary team to present testimony concerning this examination and evaluation of the licensee or applicant, including testimony concerning any supplemental testing or documents relating to the examination and evaluation. No information, report, record, or other documents in any way related to the examination and evaluation shall be excluded by reason of any common law or statutory privilege relating to communication between the licensee or applicant and the examining physician or any member of the multidisciplinary team. No authorization is necessary from the licensee or applicant ordered to undergo an evaluation and examination for the examining physician or any member of the multidisciplinary team to provide information, reports, records, or other documents or to provide any testimony regarding the examination and evaluation. The individual to be examined may have, at his or her own expense, another physician of his or her choice present during all aspects of the examination.

Failure of any individual to submit to mental or physical examination or evaluation, or both, when directed, shall result in an automatic suspension without hearing, until such time as the individual submits to the examination. If the Department finds a licensee unable to practice because of the reasons set forth in this Section, the Department shall require the licensee to submit to care, counseling, or treatment by physicians approved or designated by the Department as a condition for continued, reinstated, or renewed licensure.

When the Secretary immediately suspends a license under this Section, a hearing upon such person's license must be convened by the Department within 15 days after the suspension and completed without appreciable delay. The Department shall have the authority to review the licensee's record of treatment and counseling regarding the impairment to the extent permitted by applicable federal statutes and regulations safeguarding the confidentiality of medical records.

Individuals licensed under this Act that are affected under this Section, shall be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate to the Department that they can resume practice in compliance with acceptable and prevailing standards under the provisions of their license.

(e) (Blank). The Department shall deny a license or renewal authorized by this Act to a person who has defaulted on an educational loan or scholarship provided or guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission or any governmental agency of this State in accordance with paragraph (5) of subsection (a) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(f) In cases where the Department of Healthcare and Family Services has previously determined a licensee or a potential licensee is more than 30 days delinquent in the payment of child support and has subsequently certified the delinquency to the Department, the Department may refuse to issue or renew or may revoke or suspend that person's license or may take other disciplinary action against that person based solely upon the certification of delinquency made by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services in accordance with paragraph (5) of subsection (a) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(Source: P.A. 100-513, eff. 1-1-18.)

Section 60. The Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics Practice Act is amended by changing Section 90 as follows:

(225 ILCS 84/90)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2020)

Sec. 90. Grounds for discipline.

(a) The Department may refuse to issue or renew a license, or may revoke or suspend a license, or may suspend, place on probation, or reprimand a licensee or take other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action as the Department may deem proper, including, but not limited to, the imposition of fines not to exceed $10,000 for each violation for one or any combination of the following:

(1) Making a material misstatement in furnishing information to the Department or the Board.

(2) Violations of or negligent or intentional disregard of this Act or its rules.

(3) Conviction of, or entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to any crime that is a felony under the laws of the United States or any state or territory thereof or that is a misdemeanor of which an essential element is dishonesty, or any crime that is directly related to the practice of the profession.

(4) Making a misrepresentation for the purpose of obtaining a license.

(5) A pattern of practice or other behavior that demonstrates incapacity or incompetence to practice under this Act.

(6) Gross negligence under this Act.

(7) Aiding or assisting another person in violating a provision of this Act or its rules.

(8) Failing to provide information within 60 days in response to a written request made by the Department.

(9) Engaging in dishonorable, unethical, or unprofessional conduct or conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public.

(10) Inability to practice with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety as a result of habitual or excessive use or addiction to alcohol, narcotics, stimulants, or any other chemical agent or drug.

(11) Discipline by another state or territory of the United States, the federal government, or foreign nation, if at least one of the grounds for the discipline is the same or substantially equivalent to one set forth in this Section.

(12) Directly or indirectly giving to or receiving from a person, firm, corporation, partnership, or association a fee, commission, rebate, or other form of compensation for professional services not actually or personally rendered. Nothing in this paragraph (12) affects any bona fide independent contractor or employment arrangements among health care professionals, health facilities, health care providers, or other entities, except as otherwise prohibited by law. Any employment arrangements may include provisions for compensation, health insurance, pension, or other employment benefits for the provision of services within the scope of the licensee's practice under this Act. Nothing in this paragraph (12) shall be construed to require an employment arrangement to receive professional fees for services rendered.

(13) A finding by the Board that the licensee or registrant, after having his or her license placed on probationary status, has violated the terms of probation.

(14) Abandonment of a patient or client.

(15) Willfully making or filing false records or reports in his or her practice including, but not limited to, false records filed with State agencies or departments.

(16) Willfully failing to report an instance of suspected child abuse or neglect as required by the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.

(17) Inability to practice the profession with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety as a result of a physical illness, including, but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process or loss of motor skill, or a mental illness or disability.

(18) Solicitation of professional services using false or misleading advertising.

(b) In enforcing this Section, the Department or Board upon a showing of a possible violation, may compel a licensee or applicant to submit to a mental or physical examination, or both, as required by and at the expense of the Department. The Department or Board may order the examining physician to present testimony concerning the mental or physical examination of the licensee or applicant. No information shall be excluded by reason of any common law or statutory privilege relating to communications between the licensee or applicant and the examining physician. The examining physicians shall be specifically designated by the Board or Department. The individual to be examined may have, at his or her own expense, another physician of his or her choice present during all aspects of this examination. Failure of an individual to submit to a mental or physical examination, when directed, shall be grounds for the immediate suspension of his or her license until the individual submits to the examination if the Department finds that the refusal to submit to the examination was without reasonable cause as defined by rule.

In instances in which the Secretary immediately suspends a person's license for his or her failure to submit to a mental or physical examination, when directed, a hearing on that person's license must be convened by the Department within 15 days after the suspension and completed without appreciable delay.

In instances in which the Secretary otherwise suspends a person's license pursuant to the results of a compelled mental or physical examination, a hearing on that person's license must be convened by the Department within 15 days after the suspension and completed without appreciable delay. The Department and Board shall have the authority to review the subject individual's record of treatment and counseling regarding the impairment to the extent permitted by applicable federal statutes and regulations safeguarding the confidentiality of medical records.

An individual licensed under this Act and affected under this Section shall be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate to the Department or Board that he or she can resume practice in compliance with acceptable and prevailing standards under the provisions of his or her license.

(c) (Blank). The Department shall deny a license or renewal authorized by this Act to a person who has defaulted on an educational loan or scholarship provided or guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission or any governmental agency of this State in accordance with subsection (a)(5) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois (20 ILCS 2105/2105-15).

(d) In cases where the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly Department of Public Aid) has previously determined that a licensee or a potential licensee is more than 30 days delinquent in the payment of child support and has subsequently certified the delinquency to the Department, the Department may refuse to issue or renew or may revoke or suspend that person's license or may take other disciplinary action against that person based solely upon the certification of delinquency made by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services in accordance with subsection (a)(5) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois (20 ILCS 2105/2105-15).

(e) The Department may refuse to issue or renew a license, or may revoke or suspend a license, for failure to file a return, to pay the tax, penalty, or interest shown in a filed return, or to pay any final assessment of tax, penalty, or interest as required by any tax Act administered by the Department of Revenue, until such time as the requirements of the tax Act are satisfied in accordance with subsection (g) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois (20 ILCS 2105/2105-15).

(Source: P.A. 98-756, eff. 7-16-14.)

Section 65. The Professional Counselor and Clinical Professional Counselor Licensing and Practice Act is amended by changing Section 80 as follows:

(225 ILCS 107/80)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2023)

Sec. 80. Grounds for discipline.

(a) The Department may refuse to issue, renew, or may revoke, suspend, place on probation, reprimand, or take other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action as the Department deems appropriate, including the issuance of fines not to exceed $10,000 for each violation, with regard to any license for any one or more of the following:

(1) Material misstatement in furnishing information to the Department or to any other State agency.

(2) Violations or negligent or intentional disregard of this Act or rules adopted under this Act.

(3) Conviction by plea of guilty or nolo contendere, finding of guilt, jury verdict, or entry of judgment or by sentencing of any crime, including, but not limited to, convictions, preceding sentences of supervision, conditional discharge, or first offender probation, under the laws of any jurisdiction of the United States: (i) that is a felony or (ii) that is a misdemeanor, an essential element of which is dishonesty, or that is directly related to the practice of the profession.

(4) Fraud or any misrepresentation in applying for or procuring a license under this Act or in connection with applying for renewal of a license under this Act.

(5) Professional incompetence or gross negligence in the rendering of professional counseling or clinical professional counseling services.

(6) Malpractice.

(7) Aiding or assisting another person in violating any provision of this Act or any rules.

(8) Failing to provide information within 60 days in response to a written request made by the Department.

(9) Engaging in dishonorable, unethical, or unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public and violating the rules of professional conduct adopted by the Department.

(10) Habitual or excessive use or abuse of drugs as defined in law as controlled substances, alcohol, or any other substance which results in inability to practice with reasonable skill, judgment, or safety.

(11) Discipline by another jurisdiction, the District of Columbia, territory, county, or governmental agency, if at least one of the grounds for the discipline is the same or substantially equivalent to those set forth in this Section.

(12) Directly or indirectly giving to or receiving from any person, firm, corporation, partnership, or association any fee, commission, rebate or other form of compensation for any professional service not actually rendered. Nothing in this paragraph (12) affects any bona fide independent contractor or employment arrangements among health care professionals, health facilities, health care providers, or other entities, except as otherwise prohibited by law. Any employment arrangements may include provisions for compensation, health insurance, pension, or other employment benefits for the provision of services within the scope of the licensee's practice under this Act. Nothing in this paragraph (12) shall be construed to require an employment arrangement to receive professional fees for services rendered.

(13) A finding by the Board that the licensee, after having the license placed on probationary status, has violated the terms of probation.

(14) Abandonment of a client.

(15) Willfully filing false reports relating to a licensee's practice, including but not limited to false records filed with federal or State agencies or departments.

(16) Willfully failing to report an instance of suspected child abuse or neglect as required by the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act and in matters pertaining to suspected abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, or self-neglect of adults with disabilities and older adults as set forth in the Adult Protective Services Act.

(17) Being named as a perpetrator in an indicated report by the Department of Children and Family Services pursuant to the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act, and upon proof by clear and convincing evidence that the licensee has caused a child to be an abused child or neglected child as defined in the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.

(18) Physical or mental illness or disability, including, but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process or loss of abilities and skills which results in the inability to practice the profession with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety.

(19) Solicitation of professional services by using false or misleading advertising.

(20) Allowing one's license under this Act to be used by an unlicensed person in violation of this Act.

(21) A finding that licensure has been applied for or obtained by fraudulent means.

(22) Practicing under a false or, except as provided by law, an assumed name.

(23) Gross and willful overcharging for professional services including filing statements for collection of fees or monies for which services are not rendered.

(24) Rendering professional counseling or clinical professional counseling services without a license or practicing outside the scope of a license.

(25) Clinical supervisors failing to adequately and responsibly monitor supervisees.

All fines imposed under this Section shall be paid within 60 days after the effective date of the order imposing the fine.

(b) (Blank). The Department shall deny, without hearing, any application or renewal for a license under this Act to any person who has defaulted on an educational loan guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission or any governmental agency of this State in accordance with item (5) of subsection (a) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(b-5) The Department may refuse to issue or may suspend without hearing, as provided for in the Code of Civil Procedure, the license of any person who fails to file a return, pay the tax, penalty, or interest shown in a filed return, or pay any final assessment of the tax, penalty, or interest as required by any tax Act administered by the Illinois Department of Revenue, until such time as the requirements of any such tax Act are satisfied in accordance with subsection (g) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(b-10) In cases where the Department of Healthcare and Family Services has previously determined a licensee or a potential licensee is more than 30 days delinquent in the payment of child support and has subsequently certified the delinquency to the Department, the Department may refuse to issue or renew or may revoke or suspend that person's license or may take other disciplinary action against that person based solely upon the certification of delinquency made by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services in accordance with item (5) of subsection (a) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(c) The determination by a court that a licensee is subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission as provided in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code will result in an automatic suspension of his or her license. The suspension will end upon a finding by a court that the licensee is no longer subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission, the issuance of an order so finding and discharging the patient, and the recommendation of the Board to the Secretary that the licensee be allowed to resume professional practice.

(c-5) In enforcing this Act, the Department, upon a showing of a possible violation, may compel an individual licensed to practice under this Act, or who has applied for licensure under this Act, to submit to a mental or physical examination, or both, as required by and at the expense of the Department. The Department may order the examining physician to present testimony concerning the mental or physical examination of the licensee or applicant. No information shall be excluded by reason of any common law or statutory privilege relating to communications between the licensee or applicant and the examining physician. The examining physicians shall be specifically designated by the Department. The individual to be examined may have, at his or her own expense, another physician of his or her choice present during all aspects of this examination. The examination shall be performed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches. Failure of an individual to submit to a mental or physical examination, when directed, shall result in an automatic suspension without hearing.

A person holding a license under this Act or who has applied for a license under this Act who, because of a physical or mental illness or disability, including, but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process or loss of motor skill, is unable to practice the profession with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety, may be required by the Department to submit to care, counseling, or treatment by physicians approved or designated by the Department as a condition, term, or restriction for continued, reinstated, or renewed licensure to practice. Submission to care, counseling, or treatment as required by the Department shall not be considered discipline of a license. If the licensee refuses to enter into a care, counseling, or treatment agreement or fails to abide by the terms of the agreement, the Department may file a complaint to revoke, suspend, or otherwise discipline the license of the individual. The Secretary may order the license suspended immediately, pending a hearing by the Department. Fines shall not be assessed in disciplinary actions involving physical or mental illness or impairment.

In instances in which the Secretary immediately suspends a person's license under this Section, a hearing on that person's license must be convened by the Department within 15 days after the suspension and completed without appreciable delay. The Department shall have the authority to review the subject individual's record of treatment and counseling regarding the impairment to the extent permitted by applicable federal statutes and regulations safeguarding the confidentiality of medical records.

An individual licensed under this Act and affected under this Section shall be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate to the Department that he or she can resume practice in compliance with acceptable and prevailing standards under the provisions of his or her license.

(d) (Blank).

(Source: P.A. 100-201, eff. 8-18-17.)

Section 70. The Sex Offender Evaluation and Treatment Provider Act is amended by changing Section 75 as follows:

(225 ILCS 109/75)

Sec. 75. Refusal, revocation, or suspension.

(a) The Department may refuse to issue or renew, or may revoke, suspend, place on probation, reprimand, or take other disciplinary or nondisciplinary action, as the Department considers appropriate, including the imposition of fines not to exceed $10,000 for each violation, with regard to any license or licensee for any one or more of the following:

(1) violations of this Act or of the rules adopted under this Act;

(2) discipline by the Department under other state law and rules which the licensee is subject to;

(3) conviction by plea of guilty or nolo contendere, finding of guilt, jury verdict, or entry of judgment or by sentencing for any crime, including, but not limited to, convictions, preceding sentences of supervision, conditional discharge, or first offender probation, under the laws of any jurisdiction of the United States: (i) that is a felony; or (ii) that is a misdemeanor, an essential element of which is dishonesty, or that is directly related to the practice of the profession;

(4) professional incompetence;

(5) advertising in a false, deceptive, or misleading manner;

(6) aiding, abetting, assisting, procuring, advising, employing, or contracting with any unlicensed person to provide sex offender evaluation or treatment services contrary to any rules or provisions of this Act;

(7) engaging in immoral conduct in the commission of any act, such as sexual abuse, sexual misconduct, or sexual exploitation, related to the licensee's practice;

(8) engaging in dishonorable, unethical, or unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public;

(9) practicing or offering to practice beyond the scope permitted by law or accepting and performing professional responsibilities which the licensee knows or has reason to know that he or she is not competent to perform;

(10) knowingly delegating professional responsibilities to a person unqualified by training, experience, or licensure to perform;

(11) failing to provide information in response to a written request made by the Department within 60 days;

(12) having a habitual or excessive use of or addiction to alcohol, narcotics, stimulants, or any other chemical agent or drug which results in the inability to practice with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety;

(13) having a pattern of practice or other behavior that demonstrates incapacity or incompetence to practice under this Act;

(14) discipline by another state, District of Columbia, territory, or foreign nation, if at least one of the grounds for the discipline is the same or substantially equivalent to those set forth in this Section;

(15) a finding by the Department that the licensee, after having his or her license placed on probationary status, has violated the terms of probation;

(16) willfully making or filing false records or reports in his or her practice, including, but not limited to, false records filed with State agencies or departments;

(17) making a material misstatement in furnishing information to the Department or otherwise making misleading, deceptive, untrue, or fraudulent representations in violation of this Act or otherwise in the practice of the profession;

(18) fraud or misrepresentation in applying for or procuring a license under this Act or in connection with applying for renewal of a license under this Act;

(19) inability to practice the profession with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety as a result of physical illness, including, but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process, loss of motor skill, or a mental illness or disability;

(20) charging for professional services not rendered, including filing false statements for the collection of fees for which services are not rendered; or

(21) practicing under a false or, except as provided by law, an assumed name.

All fines shall be paid within 60 days of the effective date of the order imposing the fine.

(b) The Department may refuse to issue or may suspend the license of any person who fails to file a tax return, to pay the tax, penalty, or interest shown in a filed tax return, or to pay any final assessment of tax, penalty, or interest, as required by any tax Act administered by the Illinois Department of Revenue, until such time as the requirements of the tax Act are satisfied in accordance with subsection (g) of Section 2105-15 of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(c) (Blank). The Department shall deny a license or renewal authorized by this Act to a person who has defaulted on an educational loan or scholarship provided or guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission or any governmental agency of this State in accordance with item (5) of subsection (a) of Section 2105-15 of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(d) In cases where the Department of Healthcare and Family Services has previously determined that a licensee or a potential licensee is more than 30 days delinquent in the payment of child support and has subsequently certified the delinquency to the Department, the Department may refuse to issue or renew or may revoke or suspend that person's license or may take other disciplinary action against that person based solely upon the certification of delinquency made by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services in accordance with item (5) of subsection (a) of Section 2105-15 of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(e) The determination by a circuit court that a licensee is subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission, as provided in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code, operates as an automatic suspension. The suspension will end only upon a finding by a court that the patient is no longer subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission and the issuance of a court order so finding and discharging the patient.

(f) In enforcing this Act, the Department or Board, upon a showing of a possible violation, may compel an individual licensed to practice under this Act, or who has applied for licensure under this Act, to submit to a mental or physical examination, or both, as required by and at the expense of the Department. The Department or Board may order the examining physician to present testimony concerning the mental or physical examination of the licensee or applicant. No information shall be excluded by reason of any common law or statutory privilege relating to communications between the licensee or applicant and the examining physician. The examining physician shall be specifically designated by the Board or Department. The individual to be examined may have, at his or her own expense, another physician of his or her choice present during all aspects of this examination. The examination shall be performed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches. Failure of an individual to submit to a mental or physical examination, when directed, shall result in an automatic suspension without hearing.

A person holding a license under this Act or who has applied for a license under this Act who, because of a physical or mental illness or disability, including, but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process or loss of motor skill, is unable to practice the profession with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety, may be required by the Department to submit to care, counseling, or treatment by physicians approved or designated by the Department as a condition, term, or restriction for continued, reinstated, or renewed licensure to practice. Submission to care, counseling, or treatment as required by the Department shall not be considered discipline of a license. If the licensee refuses to enter into a care, counseling, or treatment agreement or fails to abide by the terms of the agreement, the Department may file a complaint to revoke, suspend, or otherwise discipline the license of the individual. The Secretary may order the license suspended immediately, pending a hearing by the Department. Fines shall not be assessed in disciplinary actions involving physical or mental illness or impairment.

In instances in which the Secretary immediately suspends a person's license under this Section, a hearing on that person's license must be convened by the Department within 15 days after the suspension and completed without appreciable delay. The Department and Board shall have the authority to review the subject individual's record of treatment and counseling regarding the impairment to the extent permitted by applicable federal statutes and regulations safeguarding the confidentiality of medical records.

An individual licensed under this Act and subject to action under this Section shall be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate to the Department or Board that he or she can resume practice in compliance with acceptable and prevailing standards under the provisions of his or her license.

(Source: P.A. 97-1098, eff. 7-1-13; 98-756, eff. 7-16-14.)

Section 75. The Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act is amended by changing Section 16 as follows:

(225 ILCS 110/16) (from Ch. 111, par. 7916)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2028)

Sec. 16. Refusal, revocation or suspension of licenses.

(1) The Department may refuse to issue or renew, or may revoke, suspend, place on probation, censure, reprimand or take other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action as the Department may deem proper, including fines not to exceed $10,000 for each violation, with regard to any license for any one or combination of the following causes:

(a) Fraud in procuring the license.

(b) (Blank).

(c) Willful or repeated violations of the rules of the Department of Public Health.

(d) Division of fees or agreeing to split or divide the fees received for speech-language pathology or audiology services with any person for referring an individual, or assisting in the care or treatment of an individual, without the knowledge of the individual or his or her legal representative. Nothing in this paragraph (d) affects any bona fide independent contractor or employment arrangements among health care professionals, health facilities, health care providers, or other entities, except as otherwise prohibited by law. Any employment arrangements may include provisions for compensation, health insurance, pension, or other employment benefits for the provision of services within the scope of the licensee's practice under this Act. Nothing in this paragraph (d) shall be construed to require an employment arrangement to receive professional fees for services rendered.

(e) Employing, procuring, inducing, aiding or abetting a person not licensed as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist to engage in the unauthorized practice of speech-language pathology or audiology.

(e-5) Employing, procuring, inducing, aiding, or abetting a person not licensed as a speech-language pathology assistant to perform the functions and duties of a speech-language pathology assistant.

(f) Making any misrepresentations or false promises, directly or indirectly, to influence, persuade or induce patronage.

(g) Professional connection or association with, or lending his or her name to another for the illegal practice of speech-language pathology or audiology by another, or professional connection or association with any person, firm or corporation holding itself out in any manner contrary to this Act.

(h) Obtaining or seeking to obtain checks, money, or any other things of value by false or fraudulent representations, including but not limited to, engaging in such fraudulent practice to defraud the medical assistance program of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly Department of Public Aid).

(i) Practicing under a name other than his or her own.

(j) Improper, unprofessional or dishonorable conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud or harm the public.

(k) Conviction by plea of guilty or nolo contendere, finding of guilt, jury verdict, or entry of judgment or sentencing, including, but not limited to, convictions, preceding sentences of supervision, conditional discharge, or first offender probation, under the laws of any jurisdiction of the United States that is (i) a felony or (ii) a misdemeanor, an essential element of which is dishonesty, or that is directly related to the practice of the profession.

(1) Permitting a person under his or her supervision to perform any function not authorized by this Act.

(m) A violation of any provision of this Act or rules promulgated thereunder.

(n) Discipline by another state, the District of Columbia, territory, or foreign nation of a license to practice speech-language pathology or audiology or a license to practice as a speech-language pathology assistant in its jurisdiction if at least one of the grounds for that discipline is the same as or the equivalent of one of the grounds for discipline set forth herein.

(o) Willfully failing to report an instance of suspected child abuse or neglect as required by the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.

(p) Gross or repeated malpractice.

(q) Willfully making or filing false records or reports in his or her practice as a speech-language pathologist, speech-language pathology assistant, or audiologist, including, but not limited to, false records to support claims against the public assistance program of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly Illinois Department of Public Aid).

(r) Professional incompetence as manifested by poor standards of care or mental incompetence as declared by a court of competent jurisdiction.

(s) Repeated irregularities in billing a third party for services rendered to an individual. For purposes of this Section, "irregularities in billing" shall include:

(i) reporting excessive charges for the purpose of obtaining a total payment in excess of that usually received by the speech-language pathologist, speech-language pathology assistant, or audiologist for the services rendered;

(ii) reporting charges for services not rendered; or

(iii) incorrectly reporting services rendered for the purpose of obtaining payment not earned.

(t) (Blank).

(u) Violation of the Health Care Worker Self-Referral Act.

(v) Inability to practice with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety as a result of habitual or excessive use of or addiction to alcohol, narcotics, or stimulants or any other chemical agent or drug or as a result of physical illness, including, but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process or loss of motor skill, mental illness, or disability.

(w) Violation of the Hearing Instrument Consumer Protection Act.

(x) Failure by a speech-language pathology assistant and supervising speech-language pathologist to comply with the supervision requirements set forth in Section 8.8.

(y) Willfully exceeding the scope of duties customarily undertaken by speech-language pathology assistants set forth in Section 8.7 that results in, or may result in, harm to the public.

(z) Willfully failing to report an instance of suspected abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, or self-neglect of an eligible adult as defined in and required by the Adult Protective Services Act.

(aa) Being named as a perpetrator in an indicated report by the Department on Aging under the Adult Protective Services Act, and upon proof by clear and convincing evidence that the licensee has caused an eligible adult to be abused, neglected, or financially exploited as defined in the Adult Protective Services Act.

(bb) Violating Section 8.2 of this Act.

(cc) Violating Section 8.3 of this Act.

(2) (Blank). The Department shall deny a license or renewal authorized by this Act to any person who has defaulted on an educational loan guaranteed by the Illinois State Scholarship Commission; however, the Department may issue a license or renewal if the aforementioned persons have established a satisfactory repayment record as determined by the Illinois State Scholarship Commission.

(3) The entry of an order by a circuit court establishing that any person holding a license under this Act is subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission as provided for in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code, operates as an automatic suspension of that license. That person may have his or her license restored only upon the determination by a circuit court that the patient is no longer subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission and the issuance of an order so finding and discharging the patient, and upon the Board's recommendation to the Department that the license be restored. Where the circumstances so indicate, the Board may recommend to the Department that it require an examination prior to restoring any license automatically suspended under this subsection.

(4) The Department may refuse to issue or may suspend the license of any person who fails to file a return, or to pay the tax, penalty, or interest shown in a filed return, or to pay any final assessment of the tax penalty or interest, as required by any tax Act administered by the Department of Revenue, until such time as the requirements of any such tax Act are satisfied.

(5) In enforcing this Section, the Board upon a showing of a possible violation may compel an individual licensed to practice under this Act, or who has applied for licensure pursuant to this Act, to submit to a mental or physical examination, or both, as required by and at the expense of the Department. The examining physicians or clinical psychologists shall be those specifically designated by the Board. The individual to be examined may have, at his or her own expense, another physician or clinical psychologist of his or her choice present during all aspects of this examination. Failure of any individual to submit to a mental or physical examination, when directed, shall be grounds for suspension of his or her license until the individual submits to the examination if the Board finds, after notice and hearing, that the refusal to submit to the examination was without reasonable cause.

If the Board finds an individual unable to practice because of the reasons set forth in this Section, the Board may require that individual to submit to care, counseling, or treatment by physicians or clinical psychologists approved or designated by the Board, as a condition, term, or restriction for continued, restored, or renewed licensure to practice; or, in lieu of care, counseling, or treatment, the Board may recommend to the Department to file a complaint to immediately suspend, revoke, or otherwise discipline the license of the individual. Any individual whose license was granted, continued, restored, renewed, disciplined or supervised subject to such terms, conditions, or restrictions, and who fails to comply with such terms, conditions, or restrictions, shall be referred to the Secretary for a determination as to whether the individual shall have his or her license suspended immediately, pending a hearing by the Board.

In instances in which the Secretary immediately suspends a person's license under this Section, a hearing on that person's license must be convened by the Board within 15 days after the suspension and completed without appreciable delay. The Board shall have the authority to review the subject individual's record of treatment and counseling regarding the impairment to the extent permitted by applicable federal statutes and regulations safeguarding the confidentiality of medical records.

An individual licensed under this Act and affected under this Section shall be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate to the Board that he or she can resume practice in compliance with acceptable and prevailing standards under the provisions of his or her license.

(Source: P.A. 100-530, eff. 1-1-18.)

Section 80. The Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice Act of 2004 is amended by changing Section 25 as follows:

(225 ILCS 115/25) (from Ch. 111, par. 7025)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2024)

Sec. 25. Disciplinary actions.

1. The Department may refuse to issue or renew, or may revoke, suspend, place on probation, reprimand, or take other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action as the Department may deem appropriate, including imposing fines not to exceed $10,000 for each violation and the assessment of costs as provided for in Section 25.3 of this Act, with regard to any license or certificate for any one or combination of the following:

A. Material misstatement in furnishing information to the Department.

B. Violations of this Act, or of the rules adopted pursuant to this Act.

C. Conviction by plea of guilty or nolo contendere, finding of guilt, jury verdict, or entry of judgment or by sentencing of any crime, including, but not limited to, convictions, preceding sentences of supervision, conditional discharge, or first offender probation, under the laws of any jurisdiction of the United States that is (i) a felony or (ii) a misdemeanor, an essential element of which is dishonesty, or that is directly related to the practice of the profession.

D. Fraud or any misrepresentation in applying for or procuring a license under this Act or in connection with applying for renewal of a license under this Act.

E. Professional incompetence.

F. Malpractice.

G. Aiding or assisting another person in violating any provision of this Act or rules.

H. Failing, within 60 days, to provide information in response to a written request made by the Department.

I. Engaging in dishonorable, unethical, or unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public.

J. Habitual or excessive use or abuse of drugs defined in law as controlled substances, alcohol, or any other substance that results in the inability to practice with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety.

K. Discipline by another state, unit of government, government agency, District of Columbia, territory, or foreign nation, if at least one of the grounds for the discipline is the same or substantially equivalent to those set forth herein.

L. Charging for professional services not rendered, including filing false statements for the collection of fees for which services are not rendered.

M. A finding by the Board that the licensee or certificate holder, after having his license or certificate placed on probationary status, has violated the terms of probation.

N. Willfully making or filing false records or reports in his practice, including but not limited to false records filed with State agencies or departments.

O. Physical illness, including but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process, or loss of motor skill which results in the inability to practice under this Act with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety.

P. Solicitation of professional services other than permitted advertising.

Q. Allowing one's license under this Act to be used by an unlicensed person in violation of this Act.

R. Conviction of or cash compromise of a charge or violation of the Harrison Act or the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, regulating narcotics.

S. Fraud or dishonesty in applying, treating, or reporting on tuberculin or other biological tests.

T. Failing to report, as required by law, or making false report of any contagious or infectious diseases.

U. Fraudulent use or misuse of any health certificate, shipping certificate, brand inspection certificate, or other blank forms used in practice that might lead to the dissemination of disease or the transportation of diseased animals dead or alive; or dilatory methods, willful neglect, or misrepresentation in the inspection of milk, meat, poultry, and the by-products thereof.

V. Conviction on a charge of cruelty to animals.

W. Failure to keep one's premises and all equipment therein in a clean and sanitary condition.

X. Failure to provide satisfactory proof of having participated in approved continuing education programs.

Y. Mental illness or disability that results in the inability to practice under this Act with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety.

Z. Conviction by any court of competent jurisdiction, either within or outside this State, of any violation of any law governing the practice of veterinary medicine, if the Department determines, after investigation, that the person has not been sufficiently rehabilitated to warrant the public trust.

AA. Promotion of the sale of drugs, devices, appliances, or goods provided for a patient in any manner to exploit the client for financial gain of the veterinarian.

BB. Gross, willful, or continued overcharging for professional services.

CC. Practicing under a false or, except as provided by law, an assumed name.

DD. Violating state or federal laws or regulations relating to controlled substances or legend drugs.

EE. Cheating on or attempting to subvert the licensing examination administered under this Act.

FF. Using, prescribing, or selling a prescription drug or the extra-label use of a prescription drug by any means in the absence of a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship.

GG. Failing to report a case of suspected aggravated cruelty, torture, or animal fighting pursuant to Section 3.07 or 4.01 of the Humane Care for Animals Act or Section 26-5 or 48-1 of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012.

All fines imposed under this Section shall be paid within 60 days after the effective date of the order imposing the fine or in accordance with the terms set forth in the order imposing the fine.

2. The determination by a circuit court that a licensee or certificate holder is subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission as provided in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code operates as an automatic suspension. The suspension will end only upon a finding by a court that the patient is no longer subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission and issues an order so finding and discharging the patient. In any case where a license is suspended under this provision, the licensee shall file a petition for restoration and shall include evidence acceptable to the Department that the licensee can resume practice in compliance with acceptable and prevailing standards of his or her profession.

3. All proceedings to suspend, revoke, place on probationary status, or take any other disciplinary action as the Department may deem proper, with regard to a license or certificate on any of the foregoing grounds, must be commenced within 5 years after receipt by the Department of a complaint alleging the commission of or notice of the conviction order for any of the acts described in this Section. Except for proceedings brought for violations of items (CC), (DD), or (EE), no action shall be commenced more than 5 years after the date of the incident or act alleged to have violated this Section. In the event of the settlement of any claim or cause of action in favor of the claimant or the reduction to final judgment of any civil action in favor of the plaintiff, the claim, cause of action, or civil action being grounded on the allegation that a person licensed or certified under this Act was negligent in providing care, the Department shall have an additional period of one year from the date of the settlement or final judgment in which to investigate and begin formal disciplinary proceedings under Section 25.2 of this Act, except as otherwise provided by law. The time during which the holder of the license or certificate was outside the State of Illinois shall not be included within any period of time limiting the commencement of disciplinary action by the Department.

4. The Department may refuse to issue or may suspend without hearing, as provided for in the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure, the license of any person who fails to file a return, to pay the tax, penalty, or interest shown in a filed return, or to pay any final assessment of tax, penalty, or interest as required by any tax Act administered by the Illinois Department of Revenue, until such time as the requirements of any such tax Act are satisfied in accordance with subsection (g) of Section 2105-15 of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

5. In enforcing this Section, the Department, upon a showing of a possible violation, may compel any individual who is registered under this Act or any individual who has applied for registration to submit to a mental or physical examination or evaluation, or both, which may include a substance abuse or sexual offender evaluation, at the expense of the Department. The Department shall specifically designate the examining physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches or, if applicable, the multidisciplinary team involved in providing the mental or physical examination and evaluation. The multidisciplinary team shall be led by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches and may consist of one or more or a combination of physicians licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches, licensed chiropractic physicians, licensed clinical psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, licensed clinical professional counselors, and other professional and administrative staff. Any examining physician or member of the multidisciplinary team may require any person ordered to submit to an examination and evaluation pursuant to this Section to submit to any additional supplemental testing deemed necessary to complete any examination or evaluation process, including, but not limited to, blood testing, urinalysis, psychological testing, or neuropsychological testing.

The Department may order the examining physician or any member of the multidisciplinary team to provide to the Department any and all records, including business records, that relate to the examination and evaluation, including any supplemental testing performed. The Department may order the examining physician or any member of the multidisciplinary team to present testimony concerning this examination and evaluation of the registrant or applicant, including testimony concerning any supplemental testing or documents relating to the examination and evaluation. No information, report, record, or other documents in any way related to the examination and evaluation shall be excluded by reason of any common law or statutory privilege relating to communication between the licensee or applicant and the examining physician or any member of the multidisciplinary team. No authorization is necessary from the registrant or applicant ordered to undergo an evaluation and examination for the examining physician or any member of the multidisciplinary team to provide information, reports, records, or other documents or to provide any testimony regarding the examination and evaluation. The individual to be examined may have, at his or her own expense, another physician of his or her choice present during all aspects of the examination.

Failure of any individual to submit to mental or physical examination or evaluation, or both, when directed, shall result in an automatic suspension without hearing, until such time as the individual submits to the examination. If the Department finds a registrant unable to practice because of the reasons set forth in this Section, the Department shall require such registrant to submit to care, counseling, or treatment by physicians approved or designated by the Department as a condition for continued, reinstated, or renewed registration.

In instances in which the Secretary immediately suspends a registration under this Section, a hearing upon such person's registration must be convened by the Department within 15 days after such suspension and completed without appreciable delay. The Department shall have the authority to review the registrant's record of treatment and counseling regarding the impairment to the extent permitted by applicable federal statutes and regulations safeguarding the confidentiality of medical records.

Individuals registered under this Act who are affected under this Section, shall be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate to the Department that they can resume practice in compliance with acceptable and prevailing standards under the provisions of their registration.

6. (Blank). The Department shall deny a license or renewal authorized by this Act to a person who has defaulted on an educational loan or scholarship provided or guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission or any governmental agency of this State in accordance with paragraph (5) of subsection (a) of Section 2105-15 of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

7. In cases where the Department of Healthcare and Family Services has previously determined a licensee or a potential licensee is more than 30 days delinquent in the payment of child support and has subsequently certified the delinquency to the Department, the Department may refuse to issue or renew or may revoke or suspend that person's license or may take other disciplinary action against that person based solely upon the certification of delinquency made by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services in accordance with paragraph (5) of subsection (a) of Section 2105-15 of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(Source: P.A. 98-339, eff. 12-31-13; 99-78, eff. 7-20-15.)

Section 85. The Registered Surgical Assistant and Registered Surgical Technologist Title Protection Act is amended by changing Section 75 as follows:

(225 ILCS 130/75)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2024)

Sec. 75. Grounds for disciplinary action.

(a) The Department may refuse to issue, renew, or restore a registration, may revoke or suspend a registration, or may place on probation, reprimand, or take other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action with regard to a person registered under this Act, including but not limited to the imposition of fines not to exceed $10,000 for each violation and the assessment of costs as provided for in Section 90, for any one or combination of the following causes:

(1) Making a material misstatement in furnishing information to the Department.

(2) Violating a provision of this Act or rules adopted under this Act.

(3) Conviction by plea of guilty or nolo contendere, finding of guilt, jury verdict, or entry of judgment or by sentencing of any crime, including, but not limited to, convictions, preceding sentences of supervision, conditional discharge, or first offender probation, under the laws of any jurisdiction of the United States that is (i) a felony or (ii) a misdemeanor, an essential element of which is dishonesty, or that is directly related to the practice of the profession.

(4) Fraud or misrepresentation in applying for, renewing, restoring, reinstating, or procuring a registration under this Act.

(5) Aiding or assisting another person in violating a provision of this Act or its rules.

(6) Failing to provide information within 60 days in response to a written request made by the Department.

(7) Engaging in dishonorable, unethical, or unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public, as defined by rule of the Department.

(8) Discipline by another United States jurisdiction, governmental agency, unit of government, or foreign nation, if at least one of the grounds for discipline is the same or substantially equivalent to those set forth in this Section.

(9) Directly or indirectly giving to or receiving from a person, firm, corporation, partnership, or association a fee, commission, rebate, or other form of compensation for professional services not actually or personally rendered. Nothing in this paragraph (9) affects any bona fide independent contractor or employment arrangements among health care professionals, health facilities, health care providers, or other entities, except as otherwise prohibited by law. Any employment arrangements may include provisions for compensation, health insurance, pension, or other employment benefits for the provision of services within the scope of the registrant's practice under this Act. Nothing in this paragraph (9) shall be construed to require an employment arrangement to receive professional fees for services rendered.

(10) A finding by the Department that the registrant, after having his or her registration placed on probationary status, has violated the terms of probation.

(11) Willfully making or filing false records or reports in his or her practice, including but not limited to false records or reports filed with State agencies.

(12) Willfully making or signing a false statement, certificate, or affidavit to induce payment.

(13) Willfully failing to report an instance of suspected child abuse or neglect as required under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.

(14) Being named as a perpetrator in an indicated report by the Department of Children and Family Services under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act and upon proof by clear and convincing evidence that the registrant has caused a child to be an abused child or neglected child as defined in the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.

(15) (Blank).

(16) Failure to report to the Department (A) any adverse final action taken against the registrant by another registering or licensing jurisdiction, government agency, law enforcement agency, or any court or (B) liability for conduct that would constitute grounds for action as set forth in this Section.

(17) Habitual or excessive use or abuse of drugs defined in law as controlled substances, alcohol, or any other substance that results in the inability to practice with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety.

(18) Physical or mental illness, including but not limited to deterioration through the aging process or loss of motor skills, which results in the inability to practice the profession for which he or she is registered with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety.

(19) Gross malpractice.

(20) Immoral conduct in the commission of an act related to the registrant's practice, including but not limited to sexual abuse, sexual misconduct, or sexual exploitation.

(21) Violation of the Health Care Worker Self-Referral Act.

(b) The Department may refuse to issue or may suspend without hearing the registration of a person who fails to file a return, to pay the tax, penalty, or interest shown in a filed return, or to pay a final assessment of the tax, penalty, or interest as required by a tax Act administered by the Department of Revenue, until the requirements of the tax Act are satisfied in accordance with subsection (g) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(c) The determination by a circuit court that a registrant is subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission as provided in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code operates as an automatic suspension. The suspension will end only upon (1) a finding by a court that the patient is no longer subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission, (2) issuance of an order so finding and discharging the patient, and (3) filing of a petition for restoration demonstrating fitness to practice.

(d) (Blank). The Department shall deny a registration or renewal authorized by this Act to a person who has defaulted on an educational loan or scholarship provided or guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission or any governmental agency of this State in accordance with paragraph (5) of subsection (a) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(e) In cases where the Department of Healthcare and Family Services has previously determined a registrant or a potential registrant is more than 30 days delinquent in the payment of child support and has subsequently certified the delinquency to the Department, the Department may refuse to issue or renew or may revoke or suspend that person's registration or may take other disciplinary action against that person based solely upon the certification of delinquency made by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services in accordance with paragraph (5) of subsection (a) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(f) In enforcing this Section, the Department, upon a showing of a possible violation, may compel any individual registered under this Act or any individual who has applied for registration to submit to a mental or physical examination and evaluation, or both, that may include a substance abuse or sexual offender evaluation, at the expense of the Department. The Department shall specifically designate the examining physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches or, if applicable, the multidisciplinary team involved in providing the mental or physical examination and evaluation, or both. The multidisciplinary team shall be led by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches and may consist of one or more or a combination of physicians licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches, licensed chiropractic physicians, licensed clinical psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, licensed clinical professional counselors, and other professional and administrative staff. Any examining physician or member of the multidisciplinary team may require any person ordered to submit to an examination and evaluation pursuant to this Section to submit to any additional supplemental testing deemed necessary to complete any examination or evaluation process, including, but not limited to, blood testing, urinalysis, psychological testing, or neuropsychological testing.

The Department may order the examining physician or any member of the multidisciplinary team to provide to the Department any and all records, including business records, that relate to the examination and evaluation, including any supplemental testing performed. The Department may order the examining physician or any member of the multidisciplinary team to present testimony concerning this examination and evaluation of the registrant or applicant, including testimony concerning any supplemental testing or documents relating to the examination and evaluation. No information, report, record, or other documents in any way related to the examination and evaluation shall be excluded by reason of any common law or statutory privilege relating to communication between the registrant or applicant and the examining physician or any member of the multidisciplinary team. No authorization is necessary from the registrant or applicant ordered to undergo an evaluation and examination for the examining physician or any member of the multidisciplinary team to provide information, reports, records, or other documents or to provide any testimony regarding the examination and evaluation. The individual to be examined may have, at his or her own expense, another physician of his or her choice present during all aspects of the examination.

Failure of any individual to submit to mental or physical examination and evaluation, or both, when directed, shall result in an automatic suspension without a hearing until such time as the individual submits to the examination. If the Department finds a registrant unable to practice because of the reasons set forth in this Section, the Department shall require such registrant to submit to care, counseling, or treatment by physicians approved or designated by the Department as a condition for continued, reinstated, or renewed registration.

When the Secretary immediately suspends a registration under this Section, a hearing upon such person's registration must be convened by the Department within 15 days after such suspension and completed without appreciable delay. The Department shall have the authority to review the registrant's record of treatment and counseling regarding the impairment to the extent permitted by applicable federal statutes and regulations safeguarding the confidentiality of medical records.

Individuals registered under this Act and affected under this Section shall be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate to the Department that they can resume practice in compliance with acceptable and prevailing standards under the provisions of their registration.

(g) All fines imposed under this Section shall be paid within 60 days after the effective date of the order imposing the fine or in accordance with the terms set forth in the order imposing the fine.

(Source: P.A. 98-364, eff. 12-31-13.)

Section 90. The Genetic Counselor Licensing Act is amended by changing Section 95 as follows:

(225 ILCS 135/95)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2025)

Sec. 95. Grounds for discipline.

(a) The Department may refuse to issue, renew, or may revoke, suspend, place on probation, reprimand, or take other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action as the Department deems appropriate, including the issuance of fines not to exceed $10,000 for each violation, with regard to any license for any one or more of the following:

(1) Material misstatement in furnishing information to the Department or to any other State agency.

(2) Violations or negligent or intentional disregard of this Act, or any of its rules.

(3) Conviction by plea of guilty or nolo contendere, finding of guilt, jury verdict, or entry of judgment or sentencing, including, but not limited to, convictions, preceding sentences of supervision, conditional discharge, or first offender probation, under the laws of any jurisdiction of the United States: (i) that is a felony or (ii) that is a misdemeanor, an essential element of which is dishonesty, or that is directly related to the practice of genetic counseling.

(4) Making any misrepresentation for the purpose of obtaining a license, or violating any provision of this Act or its rules.

(5) Negligence in the rendering of genetic counseling services.

(6) Failure to provide genetic testing results and any requested information to a referring physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant.

(7) Aiding or assisting another person in violating any provision of this Act or any rules.

(8) Failing to provide information within 60 days in response to a written request made by the Department.

(9) Engaging in dishonorable, unethical, or unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public and violating the rules of professional conduct adopted by the Department.

(10) Failing to maintain the confidentiality of any information received from a client, unless otherwise authorized or required by law.

(10.5) Failure to maintain client records of services provided and provide copies to clients upon request.

(11) Exploiting a client for personal advantage, profit, or interest.

(12) Habitual or excessive use or addiction to alcohol, narcotics, stimulants, or any other chemical agent or drug which results in inability to practice with reasonable skill, judgment, or safety.

(13) Discipline by another governmental agency or unit of government, by any jurisdiction of the United States, or by a foreign nation, if at least one of the grounds for the discipline is the same or substantially equivalent to those set forth in this Section.

(14) Directly or indirectly giving to or receiving from any person, firm, corporation, partnership, or association any fee, commission, rebate, or other form of compensation for any professional service not actually rendered. Nothing in this paragraph (14) affects any bona fide independent contractor or employment arrangements among health care professionals, health facilities, health care providers, or other entities, except as otherwise prohibited by law. Any employment arrangements may include provisions for compensation, health insurance, pension, or other employment benefits for the provision of services within the scope of the licensee's practice under this Act. Nothing in this paragraph (14) shall be construed to require an employment arrangement to receive professional fees for services rendered.

(15) A finding by the Department that the licensee, after having the license placed on probationary status has violated the terms of probation.

(16) Failing to refer a client to other health care professionals when the licensee is unable or unwilling to adequately support or serve the client.

(17) Willfully filing false reports relating to a licensee's practice, including but not limited to false records filed with federal or State agencies or departments.

(18) Willfully failing to report an instance of suspected child abuse or neglect as required by the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.

(19) Being named as a perpetrator in an indicated report by the Department of Children and Family Services pursuant to the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act, and upon proof by clear and convincing evidence that the licensee has caused a child to be an abused child or neglected child as defined in the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.

(20) Physical or mental disability, including deterioration through the aging process or loss of abilities and skills which results in the inability to practice the profession with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety.

(21) Solicitation of professional services by using false or misleading advertising.

(22) Failure to file a return, or to pay the tax, penalty of interest shown in a filed return, or to pay any final assessment of tax, penalty or interest, as required by any tax Act administered by the Illinois Department of Revenue or any successor agency or the Internal Revenue Service or any successor agency.

(23) Fraud or making any misrepresentation in applying for or procuring a license under this Act or in connection with applying for renewal of a license under this Act.

(24) Practicing or attempting to practice under a name other than the full name as shown on the license or any other legally authorized name.

(25) Gross overcharging for professional services, including filing statements for collection of fees or monies for which services are not rendered.

(26) (Blank).

(27) Charging for professional services not rendered, including filing false statements for the collection of fees for which services are not rendered.

(28) Allowing one's license under this Act to be used by an unlicensed person in violation of this Act.

(b) (Blank). The Department shall deny, without hearing, any application or renewal for a license under this Act to any person who has defaulted on an educational loan guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission; however, the Department may issue a license or renewal if the person in default has established a satisfactory repayment record as determined by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

(c) The determination by a court that a licensee is subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission as provided in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code will result in an automatic suspension of his or her license. The suspension will end upon a finding by a court that the licensee is no longer subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission, the issuance of an order so finding and discharging the patient, and the determination of the Secretary that the licensee be allowed to resume professional practice.

(d) The Department may refuse to issue or renew or may suspend without hearing the license of any person who fails to file a return, to pay the tax penalty or interest shown in a filed return, or to pay any final assessment of the tax, penalty, or interest as required by any Act regarding the payment of taxes administered by the Illinois Department of Revenue until the requirements of the Act are satisfied in accordance with subsection (g) of Section 2105-15 of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(e) In cases where the Department of Healthcare and Family Services has previously determined that a licensee or a potential licensee is more than 30 days delinquent in the payment of child support and has subsequently certified the delinquency to the Department, the Department may refuse to issue or renew or may revoke or suspend that person's license or may take other disciplinary action against that person based solely upon the certification of delinquency made by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services in accordance with item (5) of subsection (a) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(f) All fines or costs imposed under this Section shall be paid within 60 days after the effective date of the order imposing the fine or costs or in accordance with the terms set forth in the order imposing the fine.

(Source: P.A. 99-173, eff. 7-29-15; 99-633, eff. 1-1-17; 100-201, eff. 8-18-17; 100-513, eff. 1-1-18.)

Section 95. The Illinois Architecture Practice Act of 1989 is amended by changing Section 22 as follows:

(225 ILCS 305/22) (from Ch. 111, par. 1322)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2020)

Sec. 22. Refusal, suspension and revocation of licenses; causes.

(a) The Department may, singularly or in combination, refuse to issue, renew or restore, or may suspend, revoke, place on probation, or take other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action as deemed appropriate, including, but not limited to, the imposition of fines not to exceed $10,000 for each violation, as the Department may deem proper, with regard to a license for any one or combination of the following causes:

(1) material misstatement in furnishing information to the Department;

(2) negligence, incompetence or misconduct in the practice of architecture;

(3) failure to comply with any of the provisions of this Act or any of the rules;

(4) making any misrepresentation for the purpose of obtaining licensure;

(5) purposefully making false statements or signing false statements, certificates or affidavits to induce payment;

(6) conviction of or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to any crime that is a felony under the laws of the United States or any state or territory thereof or that is a misdemeanor, an essential element of which is dishonesty, or any crime that is directly related to the practice of the profession of architecture;

(7) aiding or assisting another person in violating any provision of this Act or its rules;

(8) signing, affixing the architect's seal or permitting the architect's seal to be affixed to any technical submission not prepared by the architect or under that architect's responsible control;

(9) engaging in dishonorable, unethical or unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud or harm the public;

(10) habitual or excessive use or addiction to alcohol, narcotics, stimulants, or any other chemical agent or drug that results in the inability to practice with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety;

(11) making a statement of compliance pursuant to the Environmental Barriers Act that technical submissions prepared by the architect or prepared under the architect's responsible control for construction or alteration of an occupancy required to be in compliance with the Environmental Barriers Act are in compliance with the Environmental Barriers Act when such technical submissions are not in compliance;

(12) a finding by the Board that an applicant or registrant has failed to pay a fine imposed by the Department or a registrant, whose license has been placed on probationary status, has violated the terms of probation;

(13) discipline by another state, territory, foreign country, the District of Columbia, the United States government, or any other governmental agency, if at least one of the grounds for discipline is the same or substantially equivalent to those set forth herein;

(14) failure to provide information in response to a written request made by the Department within 30 days after the receipt of such written request;

(15) physical illness, including, but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process or loss of motor skill, mental illness, or disability which results in the inability to practice the profession with reasonable judgment, skill, and safety, including without limitation deterioration through the aging process, mental illness, or disability.

(a-5) In enforcing this Section, the Department or Board, upon a showing of a possible violation, may order a licensee or applicant to submit to a mental or physical examination, or both, at the expense of the Department. The Department or Board may order the examining physician to present testimony concerning his or her examination of the licensee or applicant. No information shall be excluded by reason of any common law or statutory privilege relating to communications between the licensee or applicant and the examining physician. The examining physicians shall be specifically designated by the Board or Department. The licensee or applicant may have, at his or her own expense, another physician of his or her choice present during all aspects of the examination. Failure of a licensee or applicant to submit to any such examination when directed, without reasonable cause as defined by rule, shall be grounds for either the immediate suspension of his or her license or immediate denial of his or her application.

If the Secretary immediately suspends the license of a licensee for his or her failure to submit to a mental or physical examination when directed, a hearing must be convened by the Department within 15 days after the suspension and completed without appreciable delay.

If the Secretary otherwise suspends a license pursuant to the results of the licensee's mental or physical examination, a hearing must be convened by the Department within 15 days after the suspension and completed without appreciable delay. The Department and Board shall have the authority to review the licensee's record of treatment and counseling regarding the relevant impairment or impairments to the extent permitted by applicable federal statutes and regulations safeguarding the confidentiality of medical records.

Any licensee suspended under this subsection (a-5) shall be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate to the Department or Board that he or she can resume practice in compliance with the acceptable and prevailing standards under the provisions of his or her license.

(b) The determination by a circuit court that a licensee is subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission, as provided in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code, operates as an automatic suspension. Such suspension will end only upon a finding by a court that the patient is no longer subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission, the issuance of an order so finding and discharging the patient, and the recommendation of the Board to the Secretary that the licensee be allowed to resume practice.

(c) (Blank). The Department shall deny a license or renewal authorized by this Act to a person who has defaulted on an educational loan or scholarship provided or guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission or any governmental agency of this State in accordance with subdivision (a)(5) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(d) In cases where the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly the Department of Public Aid) has previously determined that a licensee or a potential licensee is more than 30 days delinquent in the payment of child support and has subsequently certified the delinquency to the Department, the Department shall refuse to issue or renew or shall revoke or suspend that person's license or shall take other disciplinary action against that person based solely upon the certification of delinquency made by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services in accordance with subdivision (a)(5) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(e) The Department shall deny a license or renewal authorized by this Act to a person who has failed to file a return, to pay the tax, penalty, or interest shown in a filed return, or to pay any final assessment of tax, penalty, or interest as required by any tax Act administered by the Department of Revenue, until such time as the requirements of the tax Act are satisfied in accordance with subsection (g) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(f) Persons who assist the Department as consultants or expert witnesses in the investigation or prosecution of alleged violations of the Act, licensure matters, restoration proceedings, or criminal prosecutions, shall not be liable for damages in any civil action or proceeding as a result of such assistance, except upon proof of actual malice. The attorney general shall defend such persons in any such action or proceeding.

(Source: P.A. 98-756, eff. 7-16-14.)

Section 100. The Interior Design Title Act is amended by changing Section 13 as follows:

(225 ILCS 310/13) (from Ch. 111, par. 8213)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2022)

Sec. 13. Refusal, revocation or suspension of registration. The Department may refuse to issue, renew, or restore or may revoke, suspend, place on probation, reprimand or take other disciplinary action as the Department may deem proper, including fines not to exceed $5,000 for each violation, with regard to any registration for any one or combination of the following causes:

(a) Fraud in procuring the certificate of registration.

(b) Habitual intoxication or addiction to the use of drugs.

(c) Making any misrepresentations or false promises, directly or indirectly, to influence, persuade, or induce patronage.

(d) Professional connection or association with, or lending his or her name, to another for illegal use of the title "registered interior designer", or professional connection or association with any person, firm, or corporation holding itself out in any manner contrary to this Act.

(e) Obtaining or seeking to obtain checks, money, or any other items of value by false or fraudulent representations.

(f) Use of the title under a name other than his or her own.

(g) Improper, unprofessional, or dishonorable conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public.

(h) Conviction in this or another state, or federal court, of any crime which is a felony, if the Department determines, after investigation, that such person has not been sufficiently rehabilitated to warrant the public trust.

(i) A violation of any provision of this Act or its rules.

(j) Revocation by another state, the District of Columbia, territory, or foreign nation of an interior design or residential interior design registration if at least one of the grounds for that revocation is the same as or the equivalent of one of the grounds for revocation set forth in this Act.

(k) Mental incompetence as declared by a court of competent jurisdiction.

(l) Being named as a perpetrator in an indicated report by the Department of Children and Family Services pursuant to the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act, and upon proof by clear and convincing evidence that the registrant has caused a child to be an abused child or neglected child as defined in the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.

The Department shall deny a registration or renewal authorized by this Act to any person who has defaulted on an educational loan guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission; however, the Department may issue a certificate of registration or renewal if such person has established a satisfactory repayment record as determined by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

The Department may refuse to issue or may suspend the registration of any person who fails to file a return, or to pay the tax, penalty, or interest showing in a filed return, or to pay any final assessment of tax, penalty, or interest, as required by any tax Act administered by the Illinois Department of Revenue, until such time as the requirements of any such tax Act are satisfied.

The entry of a decree by any circuit court establishing that any person holding a certificate of registration under this Act is a person subject to involuntary admission under the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code shall operate as a suspension of that registration. That person may resume using the title "registered interior designer" only upon a finding by the Board that he or she has been determined to be no longer subject to involuntary admission by the court and upon the Board's recommendation to the Director that he or she be permitted to resume using the title "registered interior designer".

(Source: P.A. 95-1023, eff. 6-1-09; 96-1334, eff. 7-27-10.)

Section 105. The Professional Engineering Practice Act of 1989 is amended by changing Section 24 as follows:

(225 ILCS 325/24) (from Ch. 111, par. 5224)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2020)

Sec. 24. Rules of professional conduct; disciplinary or administrative action.

(a) The Department shall adopt rules setting standards of professional conduct and establish appropriate penalties for the breach of such rules.

(a-1) The Department may, singularly or in combination, refuse to issue, renew, or restore a license or may revoke, suspend, place on probation, reprimand, or take other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action with regard to a person licensed under this Act, including but not limited to, the imposition of a fine not to exceed $10,000 per violation upon any person, corporation, partnership, or professional design firm licensed or registered under this Act, for any one or combination of the following causes:

(1) Material misstatement in furnishing information to the Department.

(2) Violations of this Act or any of its rules.

(3) Conviction of or entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to any crime that is a felony under the laws of the United States or any state or territory thereof, or that is a misdemeanor, an essential element of which is dishonesty, or any crime that is directly related to the practice of engineering.

(4) Making any misrepresentation for the purpose of obtaining, renewing, or restoring a license or violating any provision of this Act or the rules promulgated under this Act pertaining to advertising.

(5) Willfully making or signing a false statement, certificate, or affidavit to induce payment.

(6) Negligence, incompetence or misconduct in the practice of professional engineering as a licensed professional engineer or in working as an engineer intern.

(7) Aiding or assisting another person in violating any provision of this Act or its rules.

(8) Failing to provide information in response to a written request made by the Department within 30 days after receipt of such written request.

(9) Engaging in dishonorable, unethical or unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud or harm the public.

(10) Inability to practice the profession with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety as a result of a physical illness, including, but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process or loss of motor skill, or mental illness or disability.

(11) Discipline by the United States Government, another state, District of Columbia, territory, foreign nation or government agency, if at least one of the grounds for the discipline is the same or substantially equivalent to those set forth in this Act.

(12) Directly or indirectly giving to or receiving from any person, firm, corporation, partnership or association any fee, commission, rebate or other form of compensation for any professional services not actually or personally rendered.

(13) A finding by the Department that an applicant or registrant has failed to pay a fine imposed by the Department, a registrant whose license has been placed on probationary status has violated the terms of probation, or a registrant has practiced on an expired, inactive, suspended, or revoked license.

(14) Signing, affixing the professional engineer's seal or permitting the professional engineer's seal to be affixed to any technical submissions not prepared as required by Section 14 or completely reviewed by the professional engineer or under the professional engineer's direct supervision.

(15) Inability to practice the profession with reasonable judgment, skill or safety as a result of habitual or excessive use or addiction to alcohol, narcotics, stimulants, or any other chemical agent or drug.

(16) The making of a statement pursuant to the Environmental Barriers Act that a plan for construction or alteration of a public facility or for construction of a multi-story housing unit is in compliance with the Environmental Barriers Act when such plan is not in compliance.

(17) (Blank).

(a-2) The Department shall deny a license or renewal authorized by this Act to a person who has failed to file a return, to pay the tax, penalty, or interest shown in a filed return, or to pay any final assessment of tax, penalty, or interest as required by any tax Act administered by the Department of Revenue, until such time as the requirements of the tax Act are satisfied in accordance with subsection (g) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois (20 ILCS 2105/2105-15).

(a-3) (Blank). The Department shall deny a license or renewal authorized by this Act to a person who has defaulted on an educational loan or scholarship provided or guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission or any governmental agency of this State in accordance with subdivision (a)(5) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois (20 ILCS 2105/2105-15).

(a-4) In cases where the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly the Department of Public Aid) has previously determined that a licensee or a potential licensee is more than 30 days delinquent in the payment of child support and has subsequently certified the delinquency to the Department, the Department shall refuse to issue or renew or shall revoke or suspend that person's license or shall take other disciplinary action against that person based solely upon the certification of delinquency made by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services in accordance with subdivision (a)(5) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois (20 ILCS 2105/2105-15).

(a-5) In enforcing this Section, the Department or Board, upon a showing of a possible violation, may order a licensee or applicant to submit to a mental or physical examination, or both, at the expense of the Department. The Department or Board may order the examining physician to present testimony concerning his or her examination of the licensee or applicant. No information shall be excluded by reason of any common law or statutory privilege relating to communications between the licensee or applicant and the examining physician. The examining physicians shall be specifically designated by the Board or Department. The licensee or applicant may have, at his or her own expense, another physician of his or her choice present during all aspects of the examination. Failure of a licensee or applicant to submit to any such examination when directed, without reasonable cause as defined by rule, shall be grounds for either the immediate suspension of his or her license or immediate denial of his or her application.

If the Secretary immediately suspends the license of a licensee for his or her failure to submit to a mental or physical examination when directed, a hearing must be convened by the Department within 15 days after the suspension and completed without appreciable delay.

If the Secretary otherwise suspends a license pursuant to the results of the licensee's mental or physical examination, a hearing must be convened by the Department within 15 days after the suspension and completed without appreciable delay. The Department and Board shall have the authority to review the licensee's record of treatment and counseling regarding the relevant impairment or impairments to the extent permitted by applicable federal statutes and regulations safeguarding the confidentiality of medical records.

Any licensee suspended under this subsection (a-5) shall be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate to the Department or Board that he or she can resume practice in compliance with the acceptable and prevailing standards under the provisions of his or her license.

(b) The determination by a circuit court that a registrant is subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission as provided in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code, as now or hereafter amended, operates as an automatic suspension. Such suspension will end only upon a finding by a court that the patient is no longer subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission, the issuance of an order so finding and discharging the patient, and the recommendation of the Board to the Director that the registrant be allowed to resume practice.

(Source: P.A. 98-756, eff. 7-16-14.)

Section 110. The Illinois Professional Land Surveyor Act of 1989 is amended by changing Section 27 as follows:

(225 ILCS 330/27) (from Ch. 111, par. 3277)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2020)

Sec. 27. Grounds for disciplinary action.

(a) The Department may refuse to issue or renew a license, or may place on probation or administrative supervision, suspend, or revoke any license, or may reprimand or take any disciplinary or non-disciplinary action as the Department may deem proper, including the imposition of fines not to exceed $10,000 per violation, upon any person, corporation, partnership, or professional land surveying firm licensed or registered under this Act for any of the following reasons:

(1) material misstatement in furnishing information to the Department;

(2) violation, including, but not limited to, neglect or intentional disregard, of this Act, or its rules;

(3) conviction of, or entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, any crime that is a felony under the laws of the United States or any state or territory thereof or that is a misdemeanor of which an essential element is dishonesty, or any crime that is directly related to the practice of the profession;

(4) making any misrepresentation for the purpose of obtaining a license, or in applying for restoration or renewal, or the practice of any fraud or deceit in taking any examination to qualify for licensure under this Act;

(5) purposefully making false statements or signing false statements, certificates, or affidavits to induce payment;

(6) proof of carelessness, incompetence, negligence, or misconduct in practicing land surveying;

(7) aiding or assisting another person in violating any provision of this Act or its rules;

(8) failing to provide information in response to a written request made by the Department within 30 days after receipt of such written request;

(9) engaging in dishonorable, unethical, or unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public;

(10) inability to practice with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety as a result of habitual or excessive use of, or addiction to, alcohol, narcotics, stimulants or any other chemical agent or drug;

(11) discipline by the United States government, another state, District of Columbia, territory, foreign nation or government agency if at least one of the grounds for the discipline is the same or substantially equivalent to those set forth in this Act;

(12) directly or indirectly giving to or receiving from any person, firm, corporation, partnership, or association any fee, commission, rebate, or other form of compensation for any professional services not actually or personally rendered;

(12.5) issuing a map or plat of survey where the fee for professional services is contingent on a real estate transaction closing;

(13) a finding by the Department that an applicant or licensee has failed to pay a fine imposed by the Department or a licensee whose license has been placed on probationary status has violated the terms of probation;

(14) practicing on an expired, inactive, suspended, or revoked license;

(15) signing, affixing the Professional Land Surveyor's seal or permitting the Professional Land Surveyor's seal to be affixed to any map or plat of survey not prepared by the Professional Land Surveyor or under the Professional Land Surveyor's direct supervision and control;

(16) inability to practice the profession with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety as a result of physical illness, including, but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process or loss of motor skill or a mental illness or disability;

(17) (blank); or

(18) failure to adequately supervise or control land surveying operations being performed by subordinates.

(a-5) In enforcing this Section, the Department or Board, upon a showing of a possible violation, may compel a person licensed to practice under this Act, or who has applied for licensure or certification pursuant to this Act, to submit to a mental or physical examination, or both, as required by and at the expense of the Department. The Department or Board may order the examining physician to present testimony concerning the mental or physical examination of the licensee or applicant. No information shall be excluded by reason of any common law or statutory privilege relating to communications between the licensee or applicant and the examining physician. The examining physicians shall be specifically designated by the Board or Department. The individual to be examined may have, at his or her own expense, another physician of his or her choice present during all aspects of the examination. Failure of an individual to submit to a mental or physical examination when directed shall be grounds for the immediate suspension of his or her license until the individual submits to the examination if the Department finds that the refusal to submit to the examination was without reasonable cause as defined by rule.

If the Secretary immediately suspends the license of a licensee for his or her failure to submit to a mental or physical examination when directed, a hearing must be convened by the Department within 15 days after the suspension and completed without appreciable delay.

If the Secretary otherwise suspends a person's license pursuant to the results of a compelled mental or physical examination, a hearing on that person's license must be convened by the Department within 15 days after the suspension and completed without appreciable delay. The Department and Board shall have the authority to review the subject individual's record of treatment and counseling regarding impairment to the extent permitted by applicable federal statutes and regulations safeguarding the confidentiality of medical records.

Any licensee suspended under this subsection (a-5) shall be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate to the Department or Board that he or she can resume practice in compliance with the acceptable and prevailing standards under the provisions of his or her license.

(b) The determination by a circuit court that a licensee is subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission as provided in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code, as now or hereafter amended, operates as an automatic license suspension. Such suspension will end only upon a finding by a court that the patient is no longer subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission and the issuance of an order so finding and discharging the patient and upon the recommendation of the Board to the Director that the licensee be allowed to resume his or her practice.

(c) (Blank). The Department shall deny a license or renewal authorized by this Act to a person who has defaulted on an educational loan or scholarship provided or guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission or any governmental agency of this State in accordance with subdivision (a)(5) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois (20 ILCS 2105/2105-15).

(d) In cases where the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly the Department of Public Aid) has previously determined that a licensee or a potential licensee is more than 30 days delinquent in the payment of child support and has subsequently certified the delinquency to the Department, the Department shall refuse to issue or renew or shall revoke or suspend that person's license or shall take other disciplinary action against that person based solely upon the certification of delinquency made by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services in accordance with subdivision (a)(5) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois (20 ILCS 2105/2105-15).

(e) The Department shall refuse to issue or renew or shall revoke or suspend a person's license or shall take other disciplinary action against that person for his or her failure to file a return, to pay the tax, penalty, or interest shown in a filed return, or to pay any final assessment of tax, penalty, or interest as required by any tax Act administered by the Department of Revenue, until such time as the requirements of the tax Act are satisfied in accordance with subsection (g) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois (20 ILCS 2105/2105-15).

(Source: P.A. 98-756, eff. 7-16-14.)

Section 115. The Structural Engineering Practice Act of 1989 is amended by changing Section 20 as follows:

(225 ILCS 340/20) (from Ch. 111, par. 6620)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2020)

Sec. 20. Refusal; revocation; suspension.

(a) The Department may refuse to issue or renew, or may revoke a license, or may suspend, place on probation, fine, or take any disciplinary or non-disciplinary action as the Department may deem proper, including a fine not to exceed $10,000 for each violation, with regard to any licensee for any one or combination of the following reasons:

(1) Material misstatement in furnishing information to the Department;

(2) Negligence, incompetence or misconduct in the practice of structural engineering;

(3) Making any misrepresentation for the purpose of obtaining licensure;

(4) The affixing of a licensed structural engineer's seal to any plans, specifications or drawings which have not been prepared by or under the immediate personal supervision of that licensed structural engineer or reviewed as provided in this Act;

(5) Conviction of, or entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, any crime that is a felony under the laws of the United States or of any state or territory thereof, or that is a misdemeanor an essential element of which is dishonesty, or any crime that is directly related to the practice of the profession;

(6) Making a statement of compliance pursuant to the Environmental Barriers Act, as now or hereafter amended, that a plan for construction or alteration of a public facility or for construction of a multi-story housing unit is in compliance with the Environmental Barriers Act when such plan is not in compliance;

(7) Failure to comply with any of the provisions of this Act or its rules;

(8) Aiding or assisting another person in violating any provision of this Act or its rules;

(9) Engaging in dishonorable, unethical or unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud or harm the public, as defined by rule;

(10) Habitual or excessive use or addiction to alcohol, narcotics, stimulants, or any other chemical agent or drug that results in the inability to practice with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety;

(11) Failure of an applicant or licensee to pay a fine imposed by the Department or a licensee whose license has been placed on probationary status has violated the terms of probation;

(12) Discipline by another state, territory, foreign country, the District of Columbia, the United States government, or any other governmental agency, if at least one of the grounds for discipline is the same or substantially equivalent to those set forth in this Section;

(13) Failure to provide information in response to a written request made by the Department within 30 days after the receipt of such written request; or

(14) Physical illness, including but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process or loss of motor skill, mental illness, or disability which results in the inability to practice the profession of structural engineering with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety.

(a-5) In enforcing this Section, the Department or Board, upon a showing of a possible violation, may order a licensee or applicant to submit to a mental or physical examination, or both, at the expense of the Department. The Department or Board may order the examining physician to present testimony concerning his or her examination of the licensee or applicant. No information shall be excluded by reason of any common law or statutory privilege relating to communications between the licensee or applicant and the examining physician. The examining physicians shall be specifically designated by the Board or Department. The licensee or applicant may have, at his or her own expense, another physician of his or her choice present during all aspects of the examination. Failure of a licensee or applicant to submit to any such examination when directed, without reasonable cause as defined by rule, shall be grounds for either the immediate suspension of his or her license or immediate denial of his or her application.

If the Secretary immediately suspends the license of a licensee for his or her failure to submit to a mental or physical examination when directed, a hearing must be convened by the Department within 15 days after the suspension and completed without appreciable delay.

If the Secretary otherwise suspends a license pursuant to the results of the licensee's mental or physical examination, a hearing must be convened by the Department within 15 days after the suspension and completed without appreciable delay. The Department and Board shall have the authority to review the licensee's record of treatment and counseling regarding the relevant impairment or impairments to the extent permitted by applicable federal statutes and regulations safeguarding the confidentiality of medical records.

Any licensee suspended under this subsection (a-5) shall be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate to the Department or Board that he or she can resume practice in compliance with the acceptable and prevailing standards under the provisions of his or her license.

(b) The determination by a circuit court that a licensee is subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission, as provided in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code, operates as an automatic suspension. Such suspension will end only upon a finding by a court that the patient is no longer subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission, the issuance of an order so finding and discharging the patient, and the recommendation of the Board to the Secretary that the licensee be allowed to resume practice.

(c) (Blank). The Department shall deny a license or renewal authorized by this Act to a person who has defaulted on an educational loan or scholarship provided or guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission or any governmental agency of this State in accordance with subdivision (a)(5) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(d) In cases where the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly the Department of Public Aid) has previously determined that a licensee or a potential licensee is more than 30 days delinquent in the payment of child support and has subsequently certified the delinquency to the Department, the Department shall refuse to issue or renew or shall revoke or suspend that person's license or shall take other disciplinary action against that person based solely upon the certification of delinquency made by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services in accordance with subdivision (a)(5) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(e) The Department shall deny a license or renewal authorized by this Act to a person who has failed to file a return, to pay the tax, penalty, or interest shown in a filed return, or to pay any final assessment of tax, penalty, or interest as required by any tax Act administered by the Department of Revenue, until such time as the requirements of the tax Act are satisfied in accordance with subsection (g) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(f) Persons who assist the Department as consultants or expert witnesses in the investigation or prosecution of alleged violations of the Act, licensure matters, restoration proceedings, or criminal prosecutions, are not liable for damages in any civil action or proceeding as a result of such assistance, except upon proof of actual malice. The Attorney General of the State of Illinois shall defend such persons in any such action or proceeding.

(Source: P.A. 98-756, eff. 7-16-14.)

Section 120. The Auction License Act is amended by changing Section 20-20 as follows:

(225 ILCS 407/20-20)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2020)

Sec. 20-20. Termination without hearing for failure to pay taxes or , child support, or a student loan. The Department may terminate or otherwise discipline any license issued under this Act without hearing if the appropriate administering agency provides adequate information and proof that the licensee has:

(1) failed to file a return, to pay the tax, penalty, or interest shown in a filed return, or to pay any final assessment of tax, penalty, or interest, as required by any tax act administered by the Illinois Department of Revenue until the requirements of the tax act are satisfied;

(2) failed to pay any court ordered child support as determined by a court order or by referral from the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly Illinois Department of Public Aid); or

(3) (blank). failed to repay any student loan or assistance as determined by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

If a license is terminated or otherwise disciplined pursuant to this Section, the licensee may request a hearing as provided by this Act within 30 days of notice of termination or discipline.

(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07; 95-572, eff. 6-1-08.)

Section 125. The Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Hair Braiding, and Nail Technology Act of 1985 is amended by changing Section 4-7 as follows:

(225 ILCS 410/4-7) (from Ch. 111, par. 1704-7)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)

Sec. 4-7. Refusal, suspension and revocation of licenses; causes; disciplinary action.

(1) The Department may refuse to issue or renew, and may suspend, revoke, place on probation, reprimand or take any other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action as the Department may deem proper, including civil penalties not to exceed $500 for each violation, with regard to any license for any one, or any combination, of the following causes:

a. For licensees, conviction of any crime under the laws of the United States or any state or territory thereof that is (i) a felony, (ii) a misdemeanor, an essential element of which is dishonesty, or (iii) a crime which is related to the practice of the profession and, for initial applicants, convictions set forth in Section 4-6.1 of this Act.

b. Conviction of any of the violations listed in Section 4-20.

c. Material misstatement in furnishing information to the Department.

d. Making any misrepresentation for the purpose of obtaining a license or violating any provision of this Act or its rules.

e. Aiding or assisting another person in violating any provision of this Act or its rules.

f. Failing, within 60 days, to provide information in response to a written request made by the Department.

g. Discipline by another state, territory, or country if at least one of the grounds for the discipline is the same as or substantially equivalent to those set forth in this Act.

h. Practice in the barber, nail technology, esthetics, hair braiding, or cosmetology profession, or an attempt to practice in those professions, by fraudulent misrepresentation.

i. Gross malpractice or gross incompetency.

j. Continued practice by a person knowingly having an infectious or contagious disease.

k. Solicitation of professional services by using false or misleading advertising.

l. A finding by the Department that the licensee, after having his or her license placed on probationary status, has violated the terms of probation.

m. Directly or indirectly giving to or receiving from any person, firm, corporation, partnership or association any fee, commission, rebate, or other form of compensation for any professional services not actually or personally rendered.

n. Violating any of the provisions of this Act or rules adopted pursuant to this Act.

o. Willfully making or filing false records or reports relating to a licensee's practice, including but not limited to, false records filed with State agencies or departments.

p. Habitual or excessive use or addiction to alcohol, narcotics, stimulants, or any other chemical agent or drug that results in the inability to practice with reasonable judgment, skill or safety.

q. Engaging in dishonorable, unethical or unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public as may be defined by rules of the Department, or violating the rules of professional conduct which may be adopted by the Department.

r. Permitting any person to use for any unlawful or fraudulent purpose one's diploma or license or certificate of registration as a cosmetologist, nail technician, esthetician, hair braider, or barber or cosmetology, nail technology, esthetics, hair braiding, or barber teacher or salon or shop or cosmetology clinic teacher.

s. Being named as a perpetrator in an indicated report by the Department of Children and Family Services under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act and upon proof by clear and convincing evidence that the licensee has caused a child to be an abused child or neglected child as defined in the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.

t. Operating a salon or shop without a valid registration.

u. Failure to complete required continuing education hours.

(2) In rendering an order, the Secretary shall take into consideration the facts and circumstances involving the type of acts or omissions in paragraph (1) of this Section including, but not limited to:

(a) the extent to which public confidence in the cosmetology, nail technology, esthetics, hair braiding, or barbering profession was, might have been, or may be, injured;

(b) the degree of trust and dependence among the involved parties;

(c) the character and degree of harm which did result or might have resulted;

(d) the intent or mental state of the licensee at the time of the acts or omissions.

(3) The Department may reissue the license or registration upon certification by the Board that the disciplined licensee or registrant has complied with all of the terms and conditions set forth in the final order or has been sufficiently rehabilitated to warrant the public trust.

(4) The Department shall refuse to issue or renew or suspend without hearing the license or certificate of registration of any person who fails to file a return, or to pay the tax, penalty or interest shown in a filed return, or to pay any final assessment of tax, penalty or interest, as required by any tax Act administered by the Illinois Department of Revenue, until such time as the requirements of any such tax Act are satisfied as determined by the Department of Revenue.

(5) (Blank.) The Department shall deny without hearing any application for a license or renewal of a license under this Act by a person who has defaulted on an educational loan guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission; however, the Department may issue or renew a license if the person in default has established a satisfactory repayment record as determined by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

(6) All fines imposed under this Section shall be paid within 60 days after the effective date of the order imposing the fine or in accordance with the terms set forth in the order imposing the fine.

(Source: P.A. 98-911, eff. 1-1-15; 99-427, eff. 8-21-15; 99-876, eff. 1-1-17.)

Section 130. The Electrologist Licensing Act is amended by changing Section 75 as follows:

(225 ILCS 412/75)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2024)

Sec. 75. Grounds for discipline.

(a) The Department may refuse to issue or renew and may revoke or suspend a license under this Act, and may place on probation, reprimand, or take other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action with regard to any licensee under this Act, as the Department may consider appropriate, including imposing fines not to exceed $10,000 for each violation and assess costs as provided for under Section 95 of this Act, for one or any combination of the following causes:

(1) Material misstatement in furnishing information to the Department.

(2) Violation of this Act or rules adopted under this Act.

(3) Conviction by plea of guilty or nolo contendere, finding of guilt, jury verdict, or entry of judgment or sentencing, including, but not limited to, convictions, preceding sentences of supervision, conditional discharge, or first offender probation, under the laws of any jurisdiction of the United States that is (i) a felony or (ii) a misdemeanor, an essential element of which is dishonesty, or that is directly related to the practice of electrology.

(4) Fraud or misrepresentation in applying for or procuring a license under this Act, or in connection with applying for renewal of a license under this Act.

(5) Aiding or assisting another person in violating any provision of this Act or its rules.

(6) Failing to provide information within 60 days in response to a written request made by the Department.

(7) Engaging in dishonorable, unethical, or unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public.

(8) Habitual or excessive use or abuse of drugs defined in law as controlled substances, alcohol, or any other substance that results in an electrologist's inability to practice with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety.

(9) Discipline by another governmental agency, unit of government, U.S. jurisdiction, or foreign nation if at least one of the grounds for discipline is the same as or substantially equivalent to any of those set forth in this Act.

(10) Directly or indirectly giving to or receiving from any person, firm, corporation, partnership, or association any fee, commission, rebate, or other form of compensation for any professional services not actually or personally rendered. Nothing in this paragraph (10) affects any bona fide independent contractor or employment arrangements among health care professionals, health facilities, health care providers, or other entities, except as otherwise prohibited by law. Any employment arrangements with health care providers may include provisions for compensation, health insurance, pension, or other employment benefits for the provision of services within the scope of the licensee's practice under this Act. Nothing in this paragraph (10) shall be construed to require an employment arrangement to receive professional fees for services rendered.

(11) A finding by the Department that the licensee, after having his or her license placed on probationary status, has violated the terms of probation.

(12) Abandonment of a patient.

(13) Willfully making or filing false records or reports in the licensee's practice, including, but not limited to, false records filed with State agencies or departments.

(14) Mental or physical illness or disability, including, but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process or loss of motor skill that results in the inability to practice the profession with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety.

(15) Negligence in his or her practice under this Act.

(16) Use of fraud, deception, or any unlawful means in applying for and securing a license as an electrologist.

(17) Immoral conduct in the commission of any act, such as sexual abuse, sexual misconduct, or sexual exploitation, related to the licensee's practice.

(18) Failure to comply with standards of sterilization and sanitation as defined in the rules of the Department.

(19) Charging for professional services not rendered, including filing false statements for the collection of fees for which services are not rendered.

(20) Allowing one's license under this Act to be used by an unlicensed person in violation of this Act.

(b) The Department may refuse to issue or renew or may suspend without hearing the license of any person who fails to file a return, to pay the tax, penalty or interest shown in a filed return, or to pay any final assessment of the tax, penalty, or interest as required by any tax Act administered by the Illinois Department of Revenue until the requirements of the tax Act are satisfied in accordance with subsection (g) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(c) The determination by a circuit court that a licensee is subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission as provided in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code operates as an automatic suspension. The suspension will end only upon a finding by a court that the patient is no longer subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission, the issuance of an order so finding and discharging the patient, and the filing of a petition for restoration demonstrating fitness to practice.

(d) In enforcing this Section, the Department, upon a showing of a possible violation, may compel any individual who is licensed to practice under this Act or any individual who has applied for licensure to submit to a mental or physical examination and evaluation, or both, that may include a substance abuse or sexual offender evaluation, at the expense of the Department. The Department shall specifically designate the examining physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches or, if applicable, the multidisciplinary team involved in providing the mental or physical examination and evaluation, or both. The multidisciplinary team shall be led by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches and may consist of one or more or a combination of physicians licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches, licensed chiropractic physicians, licensed clinical psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, licensed clinical professional counselors, and other professional and administrative staff. Any examining physician or member of the multidisciplinary team may require any person ordered to submit to an examination and evaluation pursuant to this Section to submit to any additional supplemental testing deemed necessary to complete any examination or evaluation process, including, but not limited to, blood testing, urinalysis, psychological testing, or neuropsychological testing.

The Department may order the examining physician or any member of the multidisciplinary team to provide to the Department any and all records, including business records, that relate to the examination and evaluation, including any supplemental testing performed. The Department may order the examining physician or any member of the multidisciplinary team to present testimony concerning this examination and evaluation of the licensee, permit holder, or applicant, including testimony concerning any supplemental testing or documents relating to the examination and evaluation. No information, report, record, or other documents in any way related to the examination and evaluation shall be excluded by reason of any common law or statutory privilege relating to communication between the licensee or applicant and the examining physician or any member of the multidisciplinary team. No authorization is necessary from the licensee or applicant ordered to undergo an evaluation and examination for the examining physician or any member of the multidisciplinary team to provide information, reports, records, or other documents or to provide any testimony regarding the examination and evaluation. The individual to be examined may have, at his or her own expense, another physician of his or her choice present during all aspects of the examination.

Failure of any individual to submit to mental or physical examination and evaluation, or both, when directed, shall result in an automatic suspension without hearing, until such time as the individual submits to the examination. If the Department finds a licensee unable to practice because of the reasons set forth in this Section, the Department shall require the licensee to submit to care, counseling, or treatment by physicians approved or designated by the Department as a condition for continued, reinstated, or renewed licensure to practice.

When the Secretary immediately suspends a license under this Section, a hearing upon the person's license must be convened by the Department within 15 days after the suspension and completed without appreciable delay. The Department shall have the authority to review the licensee's record of treatment and counseling regarding the impairment to the extent permitted by applicable federal statutes and regulations safeguarding the confidentiality of medical records.

Individuals licensed under this Act affected under this Section shall be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate to the Department that they can resume practice in compliance with acceptable and prevailing standards under the provisions of their license.

(e) (Blank). The Department shall deny a license or renewal authorized by this Act to a person who has defaulted on an educational loan or scholarship provided or guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission or any governmental agency of this State in accordance with item (5) of subsection (a) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(f) In cases where the Department of Healthcare and Family Services has previously determined a licensee or a potential licensee is more than 30 days delinquent in the payment of child support and has subsequently certified the delinquency to the Department, the Department may refuse to issue or renew or may revoke or suspend that person's license or may take other disciplinary action against that person based solely upon the certification of delinquency made by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services in accordance with item (5) of subsection (a) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(g) All fines or costs imposed under this Section shall be paid within 60 days after the effective date of the order imposing the fine or costs or in accordance with the terms set forth in the order imposing the fine.

(Source: P.A. 98-363, eff. 8-16-13.)

Section 135. The Illinois Certified Shorthand Reporters Act of 1984 is amended by changing Section 23 as follows:

(225 ILCS 415/23) (from Ch. 111, par. 6223)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2024)

Sec. 23. Grounds for disciplinary action.

(a) The Department may refuse to issue or renew, or may revoke, suspend, place on probation, reprimand or take other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action as the Department may deem appropriate, including imposing fines not to exceed $10,000 for each violation and the assessment of costs as provided for in Section 23.3 of this Act, with regard to any license for any one or combination of the following:

(1) Material misstatement in furnishing information to the Department;

(2) Violations of this Act, or of the rules promulgated thereunder;

(3) Conviction by plea of guilty or nolo contendere, finding of guilt, jury verdict, or entry of judgment or by sentencing of any crime, including, but not limited to, convictions, preceding sentences of supervision, conditional discharge, or first offender probation under the laws of any jurisdiction of the United States: (i) that is a felony or (ii) that is a misdemeanor, an essential element of which is dishonesty, or that is directly related to the practice of the profession;

(4) Fraud or any misrepresentation in applying for or procuring a license under this Act or in connection with applying for renewal of a license under this Act;

(5) Professional incompetence;

(6) Aiding or assisting another person, firm, partnership or corporation in violating any provision of this Act or rules;

(7) Failing, within 60 days, to provide information in response to a written request made by the Department;

(8) Engaging in dishonorable, unethical or unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud or harm the public;

(9) Habitual or excessive use or abuse of drugs defined in law as controlled substances, alcohol, or any other substances that results in the inability to practice with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety;

(10) Discipline by another state, unit of government, government agency, the District of Columbia, a territory, or foreign nation, if at least one of the grounds for the discipline is the same or substantially equivalent to those set forth herein;

(11) Charging for professional services not rendered, including filing false statements for the collection of fees for which services were not rendered, or giving, directly or indirectly, any gift or anything of value to attorneys or their staff or any other persons or entities associated with any litigation, that exceeds $100 total per year; for the purposes of this Section, pro bono services, as defined by State law, are permissible in any amount;

(12) A finding by the Board that the certificate holder, after having his certificate placed on probationary status, has violated the terms of probation;

(13) Willfully making or filing false records or reports in the practice of shorthand reporting, including but not limited to false records filed with State agencies or departments;

(14) Physical illness, including but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process, or loss of motor skill which results in the inability to practice under this Act with reasonable judgment, skill or safety;

(15) Solicitation of professional services other than by permitted advertising;

(16) Willful failure to take full and accurate stenographic notes of any proceeding;

(17) Willful alteration of any stenographic notes taken at any proceeding;

(18) Willful failure to accurately transcribe verbatim any stenographic notes taken at any proceeding;

(19) Willful alteration of a transcript of stenographic notes taken at any proceeding;

(20) Affixing one's signature to any transcript of his stenographic notes or certifying to its correctness unless the transcript has been prepared by him or under his immediate supervision;

(21) Willful failure to systematically retain stenographic notes or transcripts on paper or any electronic media for 10 years from the date that the notes or transcripts were taken;

(22) Failure to deliver transcripts in a timely manner or in accordance with contractual agreements;

(23) Establishing contingent fees as a basis of compensation;

(24) Mental illness or disability that results in the inability to practice under this Act with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety;

(25) Practicing under a false or assumed name, except as provided by law;

(26) Cheating on or attempting to subvert the licensing examination administered under this Act;

(27) Allowing one's license under this Act to be used by an unlicensed person in violation of this Act.

All fines imposed under this Section shall be paid within 60 days after the effective date of the order imposing the fine or in accordance with the terms set forth in the order imposing the fine.

(b) The determination by a circuit court that a certificate holder is subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission as provided in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code, operates as an automatic suspension. Such suspension will end only upon a finding by a court that the patient is no longer subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission, an order by the court so finding and discharging the patient. In any case where a license is suspended under this Section, the licensee may file a petition for restoration and shall include evidence acceptable to the Department that the licensee can resume practice in compliance with acceptable and prevailing standards of the profession.

(c) In cases where the Department of Healthcare and Family Services has previously determined a licensee or a potential licensee is more than 30 days delinquent in the payment of child support and has subsequently certified the delinquency to the Department, the Department may refuse to issue or renew or may revoke or suspend that person's license or may take other disciplinary action against that person based solely upon the certification of delinquency made by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services in accordance with item (5) of subsection (a) of Section 2105-15 of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(d) In enforcing this Section, the Department, upon a showing of a possible violation, may compel any individual who is certified under this Act or any individual who has applied for certification under this Act to submit to a mental or physical examination and evaluation, or both, which may include a substance abuse or sexual offender evaluation, at the expense of the Department. The Department shall specifically designate the examining physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches or, if applicable, the multidisciplinary team involved in providing the mental or physical examination and evaluation, or both. The multidisciplinary team shall be led by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches and may consist of one or more or a combination of physicians licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches, licensed chiropractic physicians, licensed clinical psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, licensed clinical professional counselors, and other professional and administrative staff. Any examining physician or member of the multidisciplinary team may require any person ordered to submit to an examination and evaluation pursuant to this Section to submit to any additional supplemental testing deemed necessary to complete any examination or evaluation process, including, but not limited to, blood testing, urinalysis, psychological testing, or neuropsychological testing.

The Department may order the examining physician or any member of the multidisciplinary team to provide to the Department any and all records, including business records, that relate to the examination and evaluation, including any supplemental testing performed. The Department may order the examining physician or any member of the multidisciplinary team to present testimony concerning this examination and evaluation of the certified shorthand reporter or applicant, including testimony concerning any supplemental testing or documents relating to the examination and evaluation. No information, report, record, or other documents in any way related to the examination and evaluation shall be excluded by reason of any common law or statutory privilege relating to communication between the licensee or applicant and the examining physician or any member of the multidisciplinary team. No authorization is necessary from the certified shorthand reporter or applicant ordered to undergo an evaluation and examination for the examining physician or any member of the multidisciplinary team to provide information, reports, records, or other documents or to provide any testimony regarding the examination and evaluation. The individual to be examined may have, at his or her own expense, another physician of his or her choice present during all aspects of the examination.

Failure of any individual to submit to mental or physical examination and evaluation, or both, when directed, shall result in an automatic suspension, without hearing, until such time as the individual submits to the examination. If the Department finds a certified shorthand reporter unable to practice because of the reasons set forth in this Section, the Department shall require the certified shorthand reporter to submit to care, counseling, or treatment by physicians approved or designated by the Department, as a condition for continued, reinstated, or renewed certification.

When the Secretary immediately suspends a certificate under this Section, a hearing upon the person's certificate must be convened by the Department within 15 days after the suspension and completed without appreciable delay. The Department shall have the authority to review the certified shorthand reporter's record of treatment and counseling regarding the impairment, to the extent permitted by applicable federal statutes and regulations safeguarding the confidentiality of medical records.

Individuals certified under this Act, affected under this Section, shall be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate to the Department that they can resume practice in compliance with acceptable and prevailing standards under the provisions of their certification.

(e) (Blank). The Department shall deny a license or renewal authorized by this Act to a person who has defaulted on an educational loan or scholarship provided or guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission or any governmental agency of this State in accordance with item (5) of subsection (a) of Section 2105-15 of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(f) The Department may refuse to issue or may suspend without hearing, as provided for in the Code of Civil Procedure, the license of any person who fails to file a return, to pay the tax, penalty, or interest shown in a filed return, or to pay any final assessment of tax, penalty, or interest as required by any tax Act administered by the Illinois Department of Revenue, until such time as the requirements of any such tax Act are satisfied in accordance with subsection (g) of Section 2105-15 of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(Source: P.A. 98-445, eff. 12-31-13; 98-756, eff. 7-16-14.)

Section 140. The Collection Agency Act is amended by changing Section 9 as follows:

(225 ILCS 425/9) (from Ch. 111, par. 2012)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2026)

Sec. 9. Disciplinary actions.

(a) The Department may refuse to issue or renew, or may revoke, suspend, place on probation, reprimand or take other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action as the Department may deem proper, including fines not to exceed $10,000 per violation, for any one or any combination of the following causes:

(1) Material misstatement in furnishing information to the Department.

(2) Violations of this Act or of the rules promulgated hereunder.

(3) Conviction by plea of guilty or nolo contendere, finding of guilt, jury verdict, or entry of judgment or by sentencing of any crime, including, but not limited to, convictions, preceding sentences of supervision, conditional discharge, or first offender probation of the collection agency or any of the officers or owners of more than 10% interest of the agency of any crime under the laws of any U.S. jurisdiction that (i) is a felony, (ii) is a misdemeanor, an essential element of which is dishonesty, or (iii) is directly related to the practice of a collection agency.

(4) Fraud or misrepresentation in applying for, or procuring, a license under this Act or in connection with applying for renewal of a license under this Act.

(5) Aiding or assisting another person in violating any provision of this Act or rules adopted under this Act.

(6) Failing, within 60 days, to provide information in response to a written request made by the Department.

(7) Habitual or excessive use or addiction to alcohol, narcotics, stimulants or any other chemical agent or drug which results in the inability to practice with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety by any of the officers or owners of 10% or more interest of a collection agency.

(8) Discipline by another state, the District of Columbia, a territory of the United States, or a foreign nation, if at least one of the grounds for the discipline is the same or substantially equivalent to those set forth in this Act.

(9) A finding by the Department that the licensee, after having his license placed on probationary status, has violated the terms of probation.

(10) Willfully making or filing false records or reports in his or her practice, including, but not limited to, false records filed with State agencies or departments.

(11) Practicing or attempting to practice under a false or, except as provided by law, an assumed name.

(12) A finding by the Federal Trade Commission that a licensee violated the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act or its rules.

(13) Failure to file a return, or to pay the tax, penalty or interest shown in a filed return, or to pay any final assessment of tax, penalty or interest, as required by any tax Act administered by the Illinois Department of Revenue until such time as the requirements of any such tax Act are satisfied.

(14) Using or threatening to use force or violence to cause physical harm to a debtor, his or her family or his or her property.

(15) Threatening to instigate an arrest or criminal prosecution where no basis for a criminal complaint lawfully exists.

(16) Threatening the seizure, attachment or sale of a debtor's property where such action can only be taken pursuant to court order without disclosing that prior court proceedings are required.

(17) Disclosing or threatening to disclose information adversely affecting a debtor's reputation for credit worthiness with knowledge the information is false.

(18) Initiating or threatening to initiate communication with a debtor's employer unless there has been a default of the payment of the obligation for at least 30 days and at least 5 days prior written notice, to the last known address of the debtor, of the intention to communicate with the employer has been given to the employee, except as expressly permitted by law or court order.

(19) Communicating with the debtor or any member of the debtor's family at such a time of day or night and with such frequency as to constitute harassment of the debtor or any member of the debtor's family. For purposes of this Section the following conduct shall constitute harassment:

(A) Communicating with the debtor or any member of his or her family in connection with the collection of any debt without the prior consent of the debtor given directly to the debt collector, or the express permission of a court of competent jurisdiction, at any unusual time or place or a time or place known or which should be known to be inconvenient to the debtor. In the absence of knowledge of circumstances to the contrary, a debt collector shall assume that the convenient time for communicating with a consumer is after 8 o'clock a.m. and before 9 o'clock p.m. local time at the debtor's location.

(B) The threat of publication or publication of a list of consumers who allegedly refuse to pay debts, except to a consumer reporting agency.

(C) The threat of advertisement or advertisement for sale of any debt to coerce payment of the debt.

(D) Causing a telephone to ring or engaging any person in telephone conversation repeatedly or continuously with intent to annoy, abuse, or harass any person at the called number.

(20) Using profane, obscene or abusive language in communicating with a debtor, his or her family or others.

(21) Disclosing or threatening to disclose information relating to a debtor's debt to any other person except where such other person has a legitimate business need for the information or except where such disclosure is permitted by law.

(22) Disclosing or threatening to disclose information concerning the existence of a debt which the collection agency knows to be disputed by the debtor without disclosing the fact that the debtor disputes the debt.

(23) Engaging in any conduct that is intended to cause and did cause mental or physical illness to the debtor or his or her family.

(24) Attempting or threatening to enforce a right or remedy with knowledge or reason to know that the right or remedy does not exist.

(25) Failing to disclose to the debtor or his or her family the corporate, partnership or proprietary name, or other trade or business name, under which the collection agency is engaging in debt collections and which he or she is legally authorized to use.

(26) Using any form of communication which simulates legal or judicial process or which gives the appearance of being authorized, issued or approved by a governmental agency or official or by an attorney at law when it is not.

(27) Using any badge, uniform, or other indicia of any governmental agency or official except as authorized by law.

(28) Conducting business under any name or in any manner which suggests or implies that the collection agency is a branch of or is affiliated in any way with a governmental agency or court if such collection agency is not.

(29) Failing to disclose, at the time of making any demand for payment, the name of the person to whom the debt is owed and at the request of the debtor, the address where payment is to be made and the address of the person to whom the debt is owed.

(30) Misrepresenting the amount of the debt alleged to be owed.

(31) Representing that an existing debt may be increased by the addition of attorney's fees, investigation fees or any other fees or charges when such fees or charges may not legally be added to the existing debt.

(32) Representing that the collection agency is an attorney at law or an agent for an attorney if he or she is not.

(33) Collecting or attempting to collect any interest or other charge or fee in excess of the actual debt unless such interest or other charge or fee is expressly authorized by the agreement creating the debt unless expressly authorized by law or unless in a commercial transaction such interest or other charge or fee is expressly authorized in a subsequent agreement. If a contingency or hourly fee arrangement (i) is established under an agreement between a collection agency and a creditor to collect a debt and (ii) is paid by a debtor pursuant to a contract between the debtor and the creditor, then that fee arrangement does not violate this Section unless the fee is unreasonable. The Department shall determine what constitutes a reasonable collection fee.

(34) Communicating or threatening to communicate with a debtor when the collection agency is informed in writing by an attorney that the attorney represents the debtor concerning the debt. If the attorney fails to respond within a reasonable period of time, the collector may communicate with the debtor. The collector may communicate with the debtor when the attorney gives his or her consent.

(35) Engaging in dishonorable, unethical, or unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public.

(b) The Department shall deny any license or renewal authorized by this Act to any person who has defaulted on an educational loan guaranteed by the Illinois State Scholarship Commission; however, the Department may issue a license or renewal if the person in default has established a satisfactory repayment record as determined by the Illinois State Scholarship Commission. No collection agency while collecting or attempting to collect a debt shall engage in any of the Acts specified in this Section, each of which shall be unlawful practice.

(Source: P.A. 99-227, eff. 8-3-15.)

Section 145. The Community Association Manager Licensing and Disciplinary Act is amended by changing Section 85 as follows:

(225 ILCS 427/85)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2020)

Sec. 85. Grounds for discipline; refusal, revocation, or suspension.

(a) The Department may refuse to issue or renew a license, or may place on probation, reprimand, suspend, or revoke any license, or take any other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action as the Department may deem proper and impose a fine not to exceed $10,000 for each violation upon any licensee or applicant under this Act or any person or entity who holds himself, herself, or itself out as an applicant or licensee for any one or combination of the following causes:

(1) Material misstatement in furnishing information to the Department.

(2) Violations of this Act or its rules.

(3) Conviction of or entry of a plea of guilty or plea of nolo contendere to a felony or a misdemeanor under the laws of the United States, any state, or any other jurisdiction or entry of an administrative sanction by a government agency in this State or any other jurisdiction. Action taken under this paragraph (3) for a misdemeanor or an administrative sanction is limited to a misdemeanor or administrative sanction that has as an essential element dishonesty or fraud, that involves larceny, embezzlement, or obtaining money, property, or credit by false pretenses or by means of a confidence game, or that is directly related to the practice of the profession.

(4) Making any misrepresentation for the purpose of obtaining a license or violating any provision of this Act or its rules.

(5) Professional incompetence.

(6) Gross negligence.

(7) Aiding or assisting another person in violating any provision of this Act or its rules.

(8) Failing, within 30 days, to provide information in response to a request made by the Department.

(9) Engaging in dishonorable, unethical, or unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud or harm the public as defined by the rules of the Department, or violating the rules of professional conduct adopted by the Department.

(10) Habitual or excessive use or addiction to alcohol, narcotics, stimulants, or any other chemical agent or drug that results in the inability to practice with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety.

(11) Having been disciplined by another state, the District of Columbia, a territory, a foreign nation, or a governmental agency authorized to impose discipline if at least one of the grounds for the discipline is the same or substantially equivalent of one of the grounds for which a licensee may be disciplined under this Act. A certified copy of the record of the action by the other state or jurisdiction shall be prima facie evidence thereof.

(12) Directly or indirectly giving to or receiving from any person, firm, corporation, partnership or association any fee, commission, rebate, or other form of compensation for any professional services not actually or personally rendered.

(13) A finding by the Department that the licensee, after having his, her, or its license placed on probationary status, has violated the terms of probation.

(14) Willfully making or filing false records or reports relating to a licensee's practice, including but not limited to false records filed with any State or federal agencies or departments.

(15) Being named as a perpetrator in an indicated report by the Department of Children and Family Services under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act and upon proof by clear and convincing evidence that the licensee has caused a child to be an abused child or neglected child as defined in the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.

(16) Physical illness or mental illness or impairment, including, but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process or loss of motor skill that results in the inability to practice the profession with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety.

(17) Solicitation of professional services by using false or misleading advertising.

(18) A finding that licensure has been applied for or obtained by fraudulent means.

(19) Practicing or attempting to practice under a name other than the full name as shown on the license or any other legally authorized name.

(20) Gross overcharging for professional services including, but not limited to, (i) collection of fees or moneys for services that are not rendered; and (ii) charging for services that are not in accordance with the contract between the licensee and the community association.

(21) Improper commingling of personal and client funds in violation of this Act or any rules promulgated thereto.

(22) Failing to account for or remit any moneys or documents coming into the licensee's possession that belong to another person or entity.

(23) Giving differential treatment to a person that is to that person's detriment because of race, color, creed, sex, religion, or national origin.

(24) Performing and charging for services without reasonable authorization to do so from the person or entity for whom service is being provided.

(25) Failing to make available to the Department, upon request, any books, records, or forms required by this Act.

(26) Purporting to be a supervising community association manager of a firm without active participation in the firm.

(27) Failing to make available to the Department at the time of the request any indicia of licensure or registration issued under this Act.

(28) Failing to maintain and deposit funds belonging to a community association in accordance with subsection (b) of Section 55 of this Act.

(29) Violating the terms of a disciplinary order issued by the Department.

(b) (Blank). In accordance with subdivision (a)(5) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois (20 ILCS 2105/2105-15), the Department shall deny a license or renewal authorized by this Act to a person who has defaulted on an educational loan or scholarship provided or guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission or any governmental agency of this State.

(c) The determination by a circuit court that a licensee is subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission, as provided in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code, operates as an automatic suspension. The suspension will terminate only upon a finding by a court that the patient is no longer subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission and the issuance of an order so finding and discharging the patient, and upon the recommendation of the Board to the Secretary that the licensee be allowed to resume his or her practice as a licensed community association manager.

(d) In accordance with subsection (g) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois (20 ILCS 2105/2105-15), the Department may refuse to issue or renew or may suspend the license of any person who fails to file a return, to pay the tax, penalty, or interest shown in a filed return, or to pay any final assessment of tax, penalty, or interest, as required by any tax Act administered by the Department of Revenue, until such time as the requirements of that tax Act are satisfied.

(e) In accordance with subdivision (a)(5) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois (20 ILCS 2105/2105-15) and in cases where the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly Department of Public Aid) has previously determined that a licensee or a potential licensee is more than 30 days delinquent in the payment of child support and has subsequently certified the delinquency to the Department may refuse to issue or renew or may revoke or suspend that person's license or may take other disciplinary action against that person based solely upon the certification of delinquency made by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services.

(f) In enforcing this Section, the Department or Board upon a showing of a possible violation may compel a licensee or an individual licensed to practice under this Act, or who has applied for licensure under this Act, to submit to a mental or physical examination, or both, as required by and at the expense of the Department. The Department or Board may order the examining physician to present testimony concerning the mental or physical examination of the licensee or applicant. No information shall be excluded by reason of any common law or statutory privilege relating to communications between the licensee or applicant and the examining physician. The examining physicians shall be specifically designated by the Board or Department. The individual to be examined may have, at his or her own expense, another physician of his or her choice present during all aspects of this examination. Failure of an individual to submit to a mental or physical examination, when directed, shall be grounds for suspension of his or her license or denial of his or her application or renewal until the individual submits to the examination if the Department finds, after notice and hearing, that the refusal to submit to the examination was without reasonable cause.

If the Department or Board finds an individual unable to practice because of the reasons set forth in this Section, the Department or Board may require that individual to submit to care, counseling, or treatment by physicians approved or designated by the Department or Board, as a condition, term, or restriction for continued, reinstated, or renewed licensure to practice; or, in lieu of care, counseling, or treatment, the Department may file, or the Board may recommend to the Department to file, a complaint to immediately suspend, revoke, deny, or otherwise discipline the license of the individual. An individual whose license was granted, continued, reinstated, renewed, disciplined or supervised subject to such terms, conditions, or restrictions, and who fails to comply with such terms, conditions, or restrictions, shall be referred to the Secretary for a determination as to whether the individual shall have his or her license suspended immediately, pending a hearing by the Department.

In instances in which the Secretary immediately suspends a person's license under this Section, a hearing on that person's license must be convened by the Department within 30 days after the suspension and completed without appreciable delay. The Department and Board shall have the authority to review the subject individual's record of treatment and counseling regarding the impairment to the extent permitted by applicable federal statutes and regulations safeguarding the confidentiality of medical records.

An individual licensed under this Act and affected under this Section shall be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate to the Department or Board that he or she can resume practice in compliance with acceptable and prevailing standards under the provisions of his or her license.

(Source: P.A. 97-333, eff. 8-12-11; 98-365, eff. 1-1-14; 98-756, eff. 7-16-14.)

Section 150. The Detection of Deception Examiners Act is amended by changing Section 14 as follows:

(225 ILCS 430/14) (from Ch. 111, par. 2415)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2022)

Sec. 14. (a) The Department may refuse to issue or renew or may revoke, suspend, place on probation, reprimand, or take other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action as the Department may deem appropriate, including imposing fines not to exceed $10,000 for each violation, with regard to any license for any one or a combination of the following:

(1) Material misstatement in furnishing information to the Department.

(2) Violations of this Act, or of the rules adopted under this Act.

(3) Conviction by plea of guilty or nolo contendere, finding of guilt, jury verdict, or entry of judgment or by sentencing of any crime, including, but not limited to, convictions, preceding sentences of supervision, conditional discharge, or first offender probation, under the laws of any jurisdiction of the United States: (i) that is a felony or (ii) that is a misdemeanor, an essential element of which is dishonesty, or that is directly related to the practice of the profession.

(4) Making any misrepresentation for the purpose of obtaining licensure or violating any provision of this Act or the rules adopted under this Act pertaining to advertising.

(5) Professional incompetence.

(6) Allowing one's license under this Act to be used by an unlicensed person in violation of this Act.

(7) Aiding or assisting another person in violating this Act or any rule adopted under this Act.

(8) Where the license holder has been adjudged mentally ill, mentally deficient or subject to involuntary admission as provided in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code.

(9) Failing, within 60 days, to provide information in response to a written request made by the Department.

(10) Engaging in dishonorable, unethical, or unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public.

(11) Inability to practice with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety as a result of habitual or excessive use or addiction to alcohol, narcotics, stimulants, or any other chemical agent or drug.

(12) Discipline by another state, District of Columbia, territory, or foreign nation, if at least one of the grounds for the discipline is the same or substantially equivalent to those set forth in this Section.

(13) A finding by the Department that the licensee, after having his or her license placed on probationary status, has violated the terms of probation.

(14) Willfully making or filing false records or reports in his or her practice, including, but not limited to, false records filed with State agencies or departments.

(15) Inability to practice the profession with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety as a result of a physical illness, including, but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process or loss of motor skill, or a mental illness or disability.

(16) Charging for professional services not rendered, including filing false statements for the collection of fees for which services are not rendered.

(17) Practicing under a false or, except as provided by law, an assumed name.

(18) Fraud or misrepresentation in applying for, or procuring, a license under this Act or in connection with applying for renewal of a license under this Act.

(19) Cheating on or attempting to subvert the licensing examination administered under this Act.

All fines imposed under this Section shall be paid within 60 days after the effective date of the order imposing the fine.

(b) The Department may refuse to issue or may suspend without hearing, as provided for in the Code of Civil Procedure, the license of any person who fails to file a return, or pay the tax, penalty, or interest shown in a filed return, or pay any final assessment of the tax, penalty, or interest as required by any tax Act administered by the Illinois Department of Revenue, until such time as the requirements of any such tax Act are satisfied in accordance with subsection (g) of Section 2105-15 of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(c) (Blank). The Department shall deny a license or renewal authorized by this Act to a person who has defaulted on an educational loan or scholarship provided or guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission or any governmental agency of this State in accordance with item (5) of subsection (a) of Section 2105-15 of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(d) In cases where the Department of Healthcare and Family Services has previously determined a licensee or a potential licensee is more than 30 days delinquent in the payment of child support and has subsequently certified the delinquency to the Department, the Department may refuse to issue or renew or may revoke or suspend that person's license or may take other disciplinary action against that person based solely upon the certification of delinquency made by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services in accordance with item (5) of subsection (a) of Section 2105-15 of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(e) The determination by a circuit court that a licensee is subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission, as provided in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code, operates as an automatic suspension. The suspension will end only upon a finding by a court that the patient is no longer subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission and the issuance of an order so finding and discharging the patient.

(f) In enforcing this Act, the Department, upon a showing of a possible violation, may compel an individual licensed to practice under this Act, or who has applied for licensure under this Act, to submit to a mental or physical examination, or both, as required by and at the expense of the Department. The Department may order the examining physician to present testimony concerning the mental or physical examination of the licensee or applicant. No information shall be excluded by reason of any common law or statutory privilege relating to communications between the licensee or applicant and the examining physician. The examining physicians shall be specifically designated by the Department. The individual to be examined may have, at his or her own expense, another physician of his or her choice present during all aspects of this examination. The examination shall be performed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches. Failure of an individual to submit to a mental or physical examination, when directed, shall result in an automatic suspension without hearing.

A person holding a license under this Act or who has applied for a license under this Act who, because of a physical or mental illness or disability, including, but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process or loss of motor skill, is unable to practice the profession with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety, may be required by the Department to submit to care, counseling, or treatment by physicians approved or designated by the Department as a condition, term, or restriction for continued, reinstated, or renewed licensure to practice. Submission to care, counseling, or treatment as required by the Department shall not be considered discipline of a license. If the licensee refuses to enter into a care, counseling, or treatment agreement or fails to abide by the terms of the agreement, the Department may file a complaint to revoke, suspend, or otherwise discipline the license of the individual. The Secretary may order the license suspended immediately, pending a hearing by the Department. Fines shall not be assessed in disciplinary actions involving physical or mental illness or impairment.

In instances in which the Secretary immediately suspends a person's license under this Section, a hearing on that person's license must be convened by the Department within 15 days after the suspension and completed without appreciable delay. The Department shall have the authority to review the subject individual's record of treatment and counseling regarding the impairment to the extent permitted by applicable federal statutes and regulations safeguarding the confidentiality of medical records.

An individual licensed under this Act and affected under this Section shall be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate to the Department that he or she can resume practice in compliance with acceptable and prevailing standards under the provisions of his or her license.

(Source: P.A. 97-168, eff. 7-22-11; 98-463, eff. 8-16-13; 98-756, eff. 7-16-14.)

Section 155. The Home Inspector License Act is amended by changing Section 15-10 as follows:

(225 ILCS 441/15-10)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2022)

Sec. 15-10. Grounds for disciplinary action.

(a) The Department may refuse to issue or renew, or may revoke, suspend, place on probation, reprimand, or take other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action as the Department may deem appropriate, including imposing fines not to exceed $25,000 for each violation, with regard to any license for any one or combination of the following:

(1) Fraud or misrepresentation in applying for, or procuring a license under this Act or in connection with applying for renewal of a license under this Act.

(2) Failing to meet the minimum qualifications for licensure as a home inspector established by this Act.

(3) Paying money, other than for the fees provided for by this Act, or anything of value to an employee of the Department to procure licensure under this Act.

(4) Conviction by plea of guilty or nolo contendere, finding of guilt, jury verdict, or entry of judgment or by sentencing of any crime, including, but not limited to, convictions, preceding sentences of supervision, conditional discharge, or first offender probation, under the laws of any jurisdiction of the United States: (i) that is a felony; (ii) that is a misdemeanor, an essential element of which is dishonesty, or that is directly related to the practice of the profession; or (iii) that is a crime that subjects the licensee to compliance with the requirements of the Sex Offender Registration Act.

(5) Committing an act or omission involving dishonesty, fraud, or misrepresentation with the intent to substantially benefit the licensee or another person or with the intent to substantially injure another person.

(6) Violating a provision or standard for the development or communication of home inspections as provided in Section 10-5 of this Act or as defined in the rules.

(7) Failing or refusing to exercise reasonable diligence in the development, reporting, or communication of a home inspection report, as defined by this Act or the rules.

(8) Violating a provision of this Act or the rules.

(9) Having been disciplined by another state, the District of Columbia, a territory, a foreign nation, a governmental agency, or any other entity authorized to impose discipline if at least one of the grounds for that discipline is the same as or substantially equivalent to one of the grounds for which a licensee may be disciplined under this Act.

(10) Engaging in dishonorable, unethical, or unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public.

(11) Accepting an inspection assignment when the employment itself is contingent upon the home inspector reporting a predetermined analysis or opinion, or when the fee to be paid is contingent upon the analysis, opinion, or conclusion reached or upon the consequences resulting from the home inspection assignment.

(12) Developing home inspection opinions or conclusions based on the race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, family status, physical or mental disability, or unfavorable military discharge, as defined under the Illinois Human Rights Act, of the prospective or present owners or occupants of the area or property under home inspection.

(13) Being adjudicated liable in a civil proceeding on grounds of fraud, misrepresentation, or deceit. In a disciplinary proceeding based upon a finding of civil liability, the home inspector shall be afforded an opportunity to present mitigating and extenuating circumstances, but may not collaterally attack the civil adjudication.

(14) Being adjudicated liable in a civil proceeding for violation of a State or federal fair housing law.

(15) Engaging in misleading or untruthful advertising or using a trade name or insignia of membership in a home inspection organization of which the licensee is not a member.

(16) Failing, within 30 days, to provide information in response to a written request made by the Department.

(17) Failing to include within the home inspection report the home inspector's license number and the date of expiration of the license. All home inspectors providing significant contribution to the development and reporting of a home inspection must be disclosed in the home inspection report. It is a violation of this Act for a home inspector to sign a home inspection report knowing that a person providing a significant contribution to the report has not been disclosed in the home inspection report.

(18) Advising a client as to whether the client should or should not engage in a transaction regarding the residential real property that is the subject of the home inspection.

(19) Performing a home inspection in a manner that damages or alters the residential real property that is the subject of the home inspection without the consent of the owner.

(20) Performing a home inspection when the home inspector is providing or may also provide other services in connection with the residential real property or transaction, or has an interest in the residential real property, without providing prior written notice of the potential or actual conflict and obtaining the prior consent of the client as provided by rule.

(21) Aiding or assisting another person in violating any provision of this Act or rules adopted under this Act.

(22) Inability to practice with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety as a result of habitual or excessive use or addiction to alcohol, narcotics, stimulants, or any other chemical agent or drug.

(23) A finding by the Department that the licensee, after having his or her license placed on probationary status, has violated the terms of probation.

(24) Willfully making or filing false records or reports in his or her practice, including, but not limited to, false records filed with State agencies or departments.

(25) Charging for professional services not rendered, including filing false statements for the collection of fees for which services are not rendered.

(26) Practicing under a false or, except as provided by law, an assumed name.

(27) Cheating on or attempting to subvert the licensing examination administered under this Act.

(b) The Department may suspend, revoke, or refuse to issue or renew an education provider's license, may reprimand, place on probation, or otherwise discipline an education provider licensee, and may suspend or revoke the course approval of any course offered by an education provider, for any of the following:

(1) Procuring or attempting to procure licensure by knowingly making a false statement, submitting false information, making any form of fraud or misrepresentation, or refusing to provide complete information in response to a question in an application for licensure.

(2) Failing to comply with the covenants certified to on the application for licensure as an education provider.

(3) Committing an act or omission involving dishonesty, fraud, or misrepresentation or allowing any such act or omission by any employee or contractor under the control of the education provider.

(4) Engaging in misleading or untruthful advertising.

(5) Failing to retain competent instructors in accordance with rules adopted under this Act.

(6) Failing to meet the topic or time requirements for course approval as the provider of a pre-license curriculum course or a continuing education course.

(7) Failing to administer an approved course using the course materials, syllabus, and examinations submitted as the basis of the course approval.

(8) Failing to provide an appropriate classroom environment for presentation of courses, with consideration for student comfort, acoustics, lighting, seating, workspace, and visual aid material.

(9) Failing to maintain student records in compliance with the rules adopted under this Act.

(10) Failing to provide a certificate, transcript, or other student record to the Department or to a student as may be required by rule.

(11) Failing to fully cooperate with a Department investigation by knowingly making a false statement, submitting false or misleading information, or refusing to provide complete information in response to written interrogatories or a written request for documentation within 30 days of the request.

(c) In appropriate cases, the Department may resolve a complaint against a licensee through the issuance of a Consent to Administrative Supervision order. A licensee subject to a Consent to Administrative Supervision order shall be considered by the Department as an active licensee in good standing. This order shall not be reported as or considered by the Department to be a discipline of the licensee. The records regarding an investigation and a Consent to Administrative Supervision order shall be considered confidential and shall not be released by the Department except as mandated by law. The complainant shall be notified that his or her complaint has been resolved by a Consent to Administrative Supervision order.

(d) The Department may refuse to issue or may suspend without hearing, as provided for in the Code of Civil Procedure, the license of any person who fails to file a tax return, to pay the tax, penalty, or interest shown in a filed tax return, or to pay any final assessment of tax, penalty, or interest, as required by any tax Act administered by the Illinois Department of Revenue, until such time as the requirements of the tax Act are satisfied in accordance with subsection (g) of Section 2105-15 of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(e) (Blank). The Department shall deny a license or renewal authorized by this Act to a person who has defaulted on an educational loan or scholarship provided or guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission or any governmental agency of this State in accordance with item (5) of subsection (a) of Section 2105-15 of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(f) In cases where the Department of Healthcare and Family Services has previously determined that a licensee or a potential licensee is more than 30 days delinquent in the payment of child support and has subsequently certified the delinquency to the Department, the Department may refuse to issue or renew or may revoke or suspend that person's license or may take other disciplinary action against that person based solely upon the certification of delinquency made by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services in accordance with item (5) of subsection (a) of Section 2105-15 of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(g) The determination by a circuit court that a licensee is subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission, as provided in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code, operates as an automatic suspension. The suspension will end only upon a finding by a court that the patient is no longer subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission and the issuance of a court order so finding and discharging the patient.

(h) In enforcing this Act, the Department, upon a showing of a possible violation, may compel an individual licensed to practice under this Act, or who has applied for licensure under this Act, to submit to a mental or physical examination, or both, as required by and at the expense of the Department. The Department may order the examining physician to present testimony concerning the mental or physical examination of the licensee or applicant. No information shall be excluded by reason of any common law or statutory privilege relating to communications between the licensee or applicant and the examining physician. The examining physician shall be specifically designated by the Department. The individual to be examined may have, at his or her own expense, another physician of his or her choice present during all aspects of this examination. The examination shall be performed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches. Failure of an individual to submit to a mental or physical examination, when directed, shall result in an automatic suspension without hearing.

A person holding a license under this Act or who has applied for a license under this Act, who, because of a physical or mental illness or disability, including, but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process or loss of motor skill, is unable to practice the profession with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety, may be required by the Department to submit to care, counseling, or treatment by physicians approved or designated by the Department as a condition, term, or restriction for continued, reinstated, or renewed licensure to practice. Submission to care, counseling, or treatment as required by the Department shall not be considered discipline of a license. If the licensee refuses to enter into a care, counseling, or treatment agreement or fails to abide by the terms of the agreement, the Department may file a complaint to revoke, suspend, or otherwise discipline the license of the individual. The Secretary may order the license suspended immediately, pending a hearing by the Department. Fines shall not be assessed in disciplinary actions involving physical or mental illness or impairment.

In instances in which the Secretary immediately suspends a person's license under this Section, a hearing on that person's license must be convened by the Department within 15 days after the suspension and completed without appreciable delay. The Department shall have the authority to review the subject individual's record of treatment and counseling regarding the impairment to the extent permitted by applicable federal statutes and regulations safeguarding the confidentiality of medical records.

An individual licensed under this Act and affected under this Section shall be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate to the Department that he or she can resume practice in compliance with acceptable and prevailing standards under the provisions of his or her license.

(Source: P.A. 97-226, eff. 7-28-11; 97-877, eff. 8-2-12; 98-756, eff. 7-16-14.)

(225 ILCS 447/40-35 rep.)

Section 160. The Private Detective, Private Alarm, Private Security, Fingerprint Vendor, and Locksmith Act of 2004 is amended by repealing Section 40-35.

Section 165. The Illinois Public Accounting Act is amended by changing Section 20.01 as follows:

(225 ILCS 450/20.01) (from Ch. 111, par. 5521.01)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2024)

Sec. 20.01. Grounds for discipline; license or registration.

(a) The Department may refuse to issue or renew, or may revoke, suspend, or reprimand any registration or registrant, any license or licensee, place a licensee or registrant on probation for a period of time subject to any conditions the Department may specify including requiring the licensee or registrant to attend continuing education courses or to work under the supervision of another licensee or registrant, impose a fine not to exceed $10,000 for each violation, restrict the authorized scope of practice, require a licensee or registrant to undergo a peer review program, assess costs as provided for under Section 20.4, or take other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action for any one or more of the following:

(1) Violation of any provision of this Act or rule adopted by the Department under this Act or violation of professional standards.

(2) Dishonesty, fraud, or deceit in obtaining, reinstating, or restoring a license or registration.

(3) Cancellation, revocation, suspension, denial of licensure or registration, or refusal to renew a license or privileges under Section 5.2 for disciplinary reasons in any other U.S. jurisdiction, unit of government, or government agency for any cause.

(4) Failure, on the part of a licensee under Section 13 or registrant under Section 16, to maintain compliance with the requirements for issuance or renewal of a license or registration or to report changes to the Department.

(5) Revocation or suspension of the right to practice by or before any state or federal regulatory authority or by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

(6) Dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or gross negligence in the performance of services as a licensee or registrant or individual granted privileges under Section 5.2.

(7) Conviction by plea of guilty or nolo contendere, finding of guilt, jury verdict, or entry of judgment or sentencing, including, but not limited to, convictions, preceding sentences of supervision, conditional discharge, or first offender probation, under the laws of any jurisdiction of the United States that is (i) a felony or (ii) a misdemeanor, an essential element of which is dishonesty, or that is directly related to the practice of public accounting.

(8) Performance of any fraudulent act while holding a license or privilege issued under this Act or prior law.

(9) Practicing on a revoked, suspended, or inactive license or registration.

(10) Making or filing a report or record that the registrant or licensee knows to be false, willfully failing to file a report or record required by State or federal law, willfully impeding or obstructing the filing or inducing another person to impede or obstruct only those that are signed in the capacity of a licensed CPA or a registered CPA.

(11) Aiding or assisting another person in violating any provision of this Act or rules promulgated hereunder.

(12) Engaging in dishonorable, unethical, or unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public.

(13) Habitual or excessive use or abuse of drugs, alcohol, narcotics, stimulants, or any other substance that results in the inability to practice with reasonable skill, judgment, or safety.

(14) Directly or indirectly giving to or receiving from any person, firm, corporation, partnership, or association any fee, commission, rebate, or other form of compensation for any professional service not actually rendered.

(15) Physical illness, including, but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process or loss of motor skill that results in the licensee or registrant's inability to practice under this Act with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety.

(16) Solicitation of professional services by using false or misleading advertising.

(17) Any conduct reflecting adversely upon the licensee's fitness to perform services while a licensee or individual granted privileges under Section 5.2.

(18) Practicing or attempting to practice under a name other than the full name as shown on the license or registration or any other legally authorized name.

(19) A finding by the Department that a licensee or registrant has not complied with a provision of any lawful order issued by the Department.

(20) Making a false statement to the Department regarding compliance with continuing professional education or peer review requirements.

(21) Failing to make a substantive response to a request for information by the Department within 30 days of the request.

(b) (Blank).

(b-5) All fines or costs imposed under this Section shall be paid within 60 days after the effective date of the order imposing the fine or costs or in accordance with the terms set forth in the order imposing the fine or cost.

(c) In cases where the Department of Healthcare and Family Services has previously determined a licensee or a potential licensee is more than 30 days delinquent in the payment of child support and has subsequently certified the delinquency to the Department, the Department may refuse to issue or renew or may revoke or suspend that person's license or may take other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action against that person based solely upon the certification of delinquency made by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services in accordance with item (5) of subsection (a) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(d) The Department may refuse to issue or may suspend without hearing, as provided for in the Code of Civil Procedure, the license or registration of any person who fails to file a return, to pay a tax, penalty, or interest shown in a filed return, or to pay any final assessment of tax, penalty, or interest, as required by any tax Act administered by the Illinois Department of Revenue, until such time as the requirements of any such tax Act are satisfied in accordance with subsection (g) of Section 2105-15 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(e) (Blank). The Department shall deny any application for a license, registration, or renewal, without hearing, to any person who has defaulted on an educational loan guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission; however, the Department may issue a license, registration, or renewal if the person in default has established a satisfactory repayment record as determined by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

(f) The determination by a court that a licensee or registrant is subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission as provided in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code will result in the automatic suspension of his or her license or registration. The licensee or registrant shall be responsible for notifying the Department of the determination by the court that the licensee or registrant is subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission as provided in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code. The suspension shall end only upon a finding by a court that the patient is no longer subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission, the issuance of an order so finding and discharging the patient, and the filing of a petition for restoration demonstrating fitness to practice.

(g) In enforcing this Section, the Department, upon a showing of a possible violation, may compel, any licensee or registrant or any individual who has applied for licensure under this Act, to submit to a mental or physical examination and evaluation, or both, which may include a substance abuse or sexual offender evaluation, at the expense of the Department. The Department shall specifically designate the examining physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches or, if applicable, the multidisciplinary team involved in providing the mental or physical examination and evaluation, or both. The multidisciplinary team shall be led by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches and may consist of one or more or a combination of physicians licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches, licensed chiropractic physicians, licensed clinical psychologists, licensed clinical social workers, licensed clinical professional counselors, and other professional and administrative staff. Any examining physician or member of the multidisciplinary team may require any person ordered to submit to an examination and evaluation under this Section to submit to any additional supplemental testing deemed necessary to complete any examination or evaluation process, including, but not limited to, blood testing, urinalysis, psychological testing, or neuropsychological testing. The Department may order the examining physician or any member of the multidisciplinary team to provide to the Department any and all records, including business records, that relate to the examination and evaluation, including any supplemental testing performed. The Department may order the examining physician or any member of the multidisciplinary team to present testimony concerning this examination and evaluation of the licensee, registrant, or applicant, including testimony concerning any supplemental testing or documents relating to the examination and evaluation. No information, report, record, or other documents in any way related to the examination and evaluation shall be excluded by reason of any common law or statutory privilege relating to communication between the licensee, registrant, or applicant and the examining physician or any member of the multidisciplinary team. No authorization is necessary from the individual ordered to undergo an evaluation and examination for the examining physician or any member of the multidisciplinary team to provide information, reports, records, or other documents or to provide any testimony regarding the examination and evaluation.

The individual to be examined may have, at his or her own expense, another physician of his or her choice present during all aspects of the examination. Failure of any individual to submit to mental or physical examination and evaluation, or both, when directed, shall result in an automatic suspension, without hearing, until such time as the individual submits to the examination. If the Department finds a licensee, registrant, or applicant unable to practice because of the reasons set forth in this Section, the Department shall require such licensee, registrant, or applicant to submit to care, counseling, or treatment by physicians approved or designated by the Department, as a condition for continued, reinstated, or renewed licensure to practice.

When the Secretary immediately suspends a license or registration under this Section, a hearing upon such person's license or registration must be convened by the Department within 15 days after such suspension and completed without appreciable delay. The Department shall have the authority to review the subject's record of treatment and counseling regarding the impairment, to the extent permitted by applicable federal statutes and regulations safeguarding the confidentiality of medical records.

Individuals licensed or registered under this Act, affected under this Section, shall be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate to the Department that they can resume practice in compliance with acceptable and prevailing standards under the provisions of their license or registration.

(Source: P.A. 98-254, eff. 8-9-13.)

Section 170. The Real Estate License Act of 2000 is amended by changing Section 20-20 as follows:

(225 ILCS 454/20-20)

(Section scheduled to be repealed on January 1, 2020)

Sec. 20-20. Grounds for discipline.

(a) The Department may refuse to issue or renew a license, may place on probation, suspend, or revoke any license, reprimand, or take any other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action as the Department may deem proper and impose a fine not to exceed $25,000 upon any licensee or applicant under this Act or any person who holds himself or herself out as an applicant or licensee or against a licensee in handling his or her own property, whether held by deed, option, or otherwise, for any one or any combination of the following causes:

(1) Fraud or misrepresentation in applying for, or procuring, a license under this Act or in connection with applying for renewal of a license under this Act.

(2) The conviction of or plea of guilty or plea of nolo contendere to a felony or misdemeanor in this State or any other jurisdiction; or the entry of an administrative sanction by a government agency in this State or any other jurisdiction. Action taken under this paragraph (2) for a misdemeanor or an administrative sanction is limited to a misdemeanor or administrative sanction that has as an essential element dishonesty or fraud or involves larceny, embezzlement, or obtaining money, property, or credit by false pretenses or by means of a confidence game.

(3) Inability to practice the profession with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety as a result of a physical illness, including, but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process or loss of motor skill, or a mental illness or disability.

(4) Practice under this Act as a licensee in a retail sales establishment from an office, desk, or space that is not separated from the main retail business by a separate and distinct area within the establishment.

(5) Having been disciplined by another state, the District of Columbia, a territory, a foreign nation, or a governmental agency authorized to impose discipline if at least one of the grounds for that discipline is the same as or the equivalent of one of the grounds for which a licensee may be disciplined under this Act. A certified copy of the record of the action by the other state or jurisdiction shall be prima facie evidence thereof.

(6) Engaging in the practice of real estate brokerage without a license or after the licensee's license or temporary permit was expired or while the license was inoperative.

(7) Cheating on or attempting to subvert the Real Estate License Exam or continuing education exam.

(8) Aiding or abetting an applicant to subvert or cheat on the Real Estate License Exam or continuing education exam administered pursuant to this Act.

(9) Advertising that is inaccurate, misleading, or contrary to the provisions of the Act.

(10) Making any substantial misrepresentation or untruthful advertising.

(11) Making any false promises of a character likely to influence, persuade, or induce.

(12) Pursuing a continued and flagrant course of misrepresentation or the making of false promises through licensees, employees, agents, advertising, or otherwise.

(13) Any misleading or untruthful advertising, or using any trade name or insignia of membership in any real estate organization of which the licensee is not a member.

(14) Acting for more than one party in a transaction without providing written notice to all parties for whom the licensee acts.

(15) Representing or attempting to represent a broker other than the sponsoring broker.

(16) Failure to account for or to remit any moneys or documents coming into his or her possession that belong to others.

(17) Failure to maintain and deposit in a special account, separate and apart from personal and other business accounts, all escrow moneys belonging to others entrusted to a licensee while acting as a broker, escrow agent, or temporary custodian of the funds of others or failure to maintain all escrow moneys on deposit in the account until the transactions are consummated or terminated, except to the extent that the moneys, or any part thereof, shall be:

(A) disbursed prior to the consummation or termination (i) in accordance with the written direction of the principals to the transaction or their duly authorized agents, (ii) in accordance with directions providing for the release, payment, or distribution of escrow moneys contained in any written contract signed by the principals to the transaction or their duly authorized agents, or (iii) pursuant to an order of a court of competent jurisdiction; or

(B) deemed abandoned and transferred to the Office of the State Treasurer to be handled as unclaimed property pursuant to the Revised Uniform Unclaimed Property Act. Escrow moneys may be deemed abandoned under this subparagraph (B) only: (i) in the absence of disbursement under subparagraph (A); (ii) in the absence of notice of the filing of any claim in a court of competent jurisdiction; and (iii) if 6 months have elapsed after the receipt of a written demand for the escrow moneys from one of the principals to the transaction or the principal's duly authorized agent.

The account shall be noninterest bearing, unless the character of the deposit is such that payment of interest thereon is otherwise required by law or unless the principals to the transaction specifically require, in writing, that the deposit be placed in an interest bearing account.

(18) Failure to make available to the Department all escrow records and related documents maintained in connection with the practice of real estate within 24 hours of a request for those documents by Department personnel.

(19) Failing to furnish copies upon request of documents relating to a real estate transaction to a party who has executed that document.

(20) Failure of a sponsoring broker to timely provide information, sponsor cards, or termination of licenses to the Department.

(21) Engaging in dishonorable, unethical, or unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public.

(22) Commingling the money or property of others with his or her own money or property.

(23) Employing any person on a purely temporary or single deal basis as a means of evading the law regarding payment of commission to nonlicensees on some contemplated transactions.

(24) Permitting the use of his or her license as a broker to enable a leasing agent or unlicensed person to operate a real estate business without actual participation therein and control thereof by the broker.

(25) Any other conduct, whether of the same or a different character from that specified in this Section, that constitutes dishonest dealing.

(26) Displaying a "for rent" or "for sale" sign on any property without the written consent of an owner or his or her duly authorized agent or advertising by any means that any property is for sale or for rent without the written consent of the owner or his or her authorized agent.

(27) Failing to provide information requested by the Department, or otherwise respond to that request, within 30 days of the request.

(28) Advertising by means of a blind advertisement, except as otherwise permitted in Section 10-30 of this Act.

(29) Offering guaranteed sales plans, as defined in clause (A) of this subdivision (29), except to the extent hereinafter set forth:

(A) A "guaranteed sales plan" is any real estate purchase or sales plan whereby a licensee enters into a conditional or unconditional written contract with a seller, prior to entering into a brokerage agreement with the seller, by the terms of which a licensee agrees to purchase a property of the seller within a specified period of time at a specific price in the event the property is not sold in accordance with the terms of a brokerage agreement to be entered into between the sponsoring broker and the seller.

(B) A licensee offering a guaranteed sales plan shall provide the details and conditions of the plan in writing to the party to whom the plan is offered.

(C) A licensee offering a guaranteed sales plan shall provide to the party to whom the plan is offered evidence of sufficient financial resources to satisfy the commitment to purchase undertaken by the broker in the plan.

(D) Any licensee offering a guaranteed sales plan shall undertake to market the property of the seller subject to the plan in the same manner in which the broker would market any other property, unless the agreement with the seller provides otherwise.

(E) The licensee cannot purchase seller's property until the brokerage agreement has ended according to its terms or is otherwise terminated.

(F) Any licensee who fails to perform on a guaranteed sales plan in strict accordance with its terms shall be subject to all the penalties provided in this Act for violations thereof and, in addition, shall be subject to a civil fine payable to the party injured by the default in an amount of up to $25,000.

(30) Influencing or attempting to influence, by any words or acts, a prospective seller, purchaser, occupant, landlord, or tenant of real estate, in connection with viewing, buying, or leasing real estate, so as to promote or tend to promote the continuance or maintenance of racially and religiously segregated housing or so as to retard, obstruct, or discourage racially integrated housing on or in any street, block, neighborhood, or community.

(31) Engaging in any act that constitutes a violation of any provision of Article 3 of the Illinois Human Rights Act, whether or not a complaint has been filed with or adjudicated by the Human Rights Commission.

(32) Inducing any party to a contract of sale or lease or brokerage agreement to break the contract of sale or lease or brokerage agreement for the purpose of substituting, in lieu thereof, a new contract for sale or lease or brokerage agreement with a third party.

(33) Negotiating a sale, exchange, or lease of real estate directly with any person if the licensee knows that the person has an exclusive brokerage agreement with another broker, unless specifically authorized by that broker.

(34) When a licensee is also an attorney, acting as the attorney for either the buyer or the seller in the same transaction in which the licensee is acting or has acted as a managing broker or broker.

(35) Advertising or offering merchandise or services as free if any conditions or obligations necessary for receiving the merchandise or services are not disclosed in the same advertisement or offer. These conditions or obligations include without limitation the requirement that the recipient attend a promotional activity or visit a real estate site. As used in this subdivision (35), "free" includes terms such as "award", "prize", "no charge", "free of charge", "without charge", and similar words or phrases that reasonably lead a person to believe that he or she may receive or has been selected to receive something of value, without any conditions or obligations on the part of the recipient.

(36) (Blank).

(37) Violating the terms of a disciplinary order issued by the Department.

(38) Paying or failing to disclose compensation in violation of Article 10 of this Act.

(39) Requiring a party to a transaction who is not a client of the licensee to allow the licensee to retain a portion of the escrow moneys for payment of the licensee's commission or expenses as a condition for release of the escrow moneys to that party.

(40) Disregarding or violating any provision of this Act or the published rules promulgated by the Department to enforce this Act or aiding or abetting any individual, partnership, registered limited liability partnership, limited liability company, or corporation in disregarding any provision of this Act or the published rules promulgated by the Department to enforce this Act.

(41) Failing to provide the minimum services required by Section 15-75 of this Act when acting under an exclusive brokerage agreement.

(42) Habitual or excessive use or addiction to alcohol, narcotics, stimulants, or any other chemical agent or drug that results in a managing broker, broker, or leasing agent's inability to practice with reasonable skill or safety.

(43) Enabling, aiding, or abetting an auctioneer, as defined in the Auction License Act, to conduct a real estate auction in a manner that is in violation of this Act.

(44) Permitting any leasing agent or temporary leasing agent permit holder to engage in activities that require a broker's or managing broker's license.

(b) The Department may refuse to issue or renew or may suspend the license of any person who fails to file a return, pay the tax, penalty or interest shown in a filed return, or pay any final assessment of tax, penalty, or interest, as required by any tax Act administered by the Department of Revenue, until such time as the requirements of that tax Act are satisfied in accordance with subsection (g) of Section 2105-15 of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(c) (Blank). The Department shall deny a license or renewal authorized by this Act to a person who has defaulted on an educational loan or scholarship provided or guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission or any governmental agency of this State in accordance with item (5) of subsection (a) of Section 2105-15 of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(d) In cases where the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly Department of Public Aid) has previously determined that a licensee or a potential licensee is more than 30 days delinquent in the payment of child support and has subsequently certified the delinquency to the Department may refuse to issue or renew or may revoke or suspend that person's license or may take other disciplinary action against that person based solely upon the certification of delinquency made by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services in accordance with item (5) of subsection (a) of Section 2105-15 of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(e) In enforcing this Section, the Department or Board upon a showing of a possible violation may compel an individual licensed to practice under this Act, or who has applied for licensure under this Act, to submit to a mental or physical examination, or both, as required by and at the expense of the Department. The Department or Board may order the examining physician to present testimony concerning the mental or physical examination of the licensee or applicant. No information shall be excluded by reason of any common law or statutory privilege relating to communications between the licensee or applicant and the examining physician. The examining physicians shall be specifically designated by the Board or Department. The individual to be examined may have, at his or her own expense, another physician of his or her choice present during all aspects of this examination. Failure of an individual to submit to a mental or physical examination, when directed, shall be grounds for suspension of his or her license until the individual submits to the examination if the Department finds, after notice and hearing, that the refusal to submit to the examination was without reasonable cause.

If the Department or Board finds an individual unable to practice because of the reasons set forth in this Section, the Department or Board may require that individual to submit to care, counseling, or treatment by physicians approved or designated by the Department or Board, as a condition, term, or restriction for continued, reinstated, or renewed licensure to practice; or, in lieu of care, counseling, or treatment, the Department may file, or the Board may recommend to the Department to file, a complaint to immediately suspend, revoke, or otherwise discipline the license of the individual. An individual whose license was granted, continued, reinstated, renewed, disciplined or supervised subject to such terms, conditions, or restrictions, and who fails to comply with such terms, conditions, or restrictions, shall be referred to the Secretary for a determination as to whether the individual shall have his or her license suspended immediately, pending a hearing by the Department.

In instances in which the Secretary immediately suspends a person's license under this Section, a hearing on that person's license must be convened by the Department within 30 days after the suspension and completed without appreciable delay. The Department and Board shall have the authority to review the subject individual's record of treatment and counseling regarding the impairment to the extent permitted by applicable federal statutes and regulations safeguarding the confidentiality of medical records.

An individual licensed under this Act and affected under this Section shall be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate to the Department or Board that he or she can resume practice in compliance with acceptable and prevailing standards under the provisions of his or her license.

(Source: P.A. 99-227, eff. 8-3-15; 100-22, eff. 1-1-18; 100-188, eff. 1-1-18; 100-534, eff. 9-22-17; revised 10-2-17.)

(225 ILCS 458/15-45 rep.)

Section 175. The Real Estate Appraiser Licensing Act of 2002 is amended by repealing Section 15-45.

Section 180. The Radon Industry Licensing Act is amended by changing Section 45 as follows:

(420 ILCS 44/45)

Sec. 45. Grounds for disciplinary action. The Agency may refuse to issue or to renew, or may revoke, suspend, or take other disciplinary action as the Agency may deem proper, including fines not to exceed $1,000 for each violation, with regard to any license for any one or combination of the following causes:

(a) Violation of this Act or its rules.

(b) Conviction of a crime under the laws of any United States jurisdiction that is a felony or of any crime that directly relates to the practice of detecting or reducing the presence of radon or radon progeny. Consideration of such conviction of an applicant shall be in accordance with Section 46.

(c) Making a misrepresentation for the purpose of obtaining a license.

(d) Professional incompetence or gross negligence in the practice of detecting or reducing the presence of radon or radon progeny.

(e) Gross malpractice, prima facie evidence of which may be a conviction or judgment of malpractice in a court of competent jurisdiction.

(f) Aiding or assisting another person in violating a provision of this Act or its rules.

(g) Failing, within 60 days, to provide information in response to a written request made by the Agency that has been sent by mail to the licensee's last known address.

(h) Engaging in dishonorable, unethical, or unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public.

(i) Habitual or excessive use or addiction to alcohol, narcotics, stimulants, or any other chemical agent or drug that results in the inability to practice with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety.

(j) Discipline by another United States jurisdiction or foreign nation, if at least one of the grounds for the discipline is the same or substantially equivalent to those set forth in this Section.

(k) Directly or indirectly giving to or receiving from a person any fee, commission, rebate, or other form of compensation for a professional service not actually or personally rendered.

(l) A finding by the Agency that the licensee has violated the terms of a license.

(m) Conviction by a court of competent jurisdiction, either within or outside of this State, of a violation of a law governing the practice of detecting or reducing the presence of radon or radon progeny if the Agency determines after investigation that the person has not been sufficiently rehabilitated to warrant the public trust.

(n) A finding by the Agency that a license has been applied for or obtained by fraudulent means.

(o) Practicing or attempting to practice under a name other than the full name as shown on the license or any other authorized name.

(p) Gross and willful overcharging for professional services, including filing false statements for collection of fees or moneys for which services are not rendered.

(q) Failure to file a return or to pay the tax, penalty, or interest shown in a filed return, or to pay any final assessment of tax, penalty, or interest, as required by a tax Act administered by the Department of Revenue, until such time as the requirements of any such tax Act are satisfied.

(r) (Blank). Failure to repay educational loans guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, as provided in Section 80 of the Nuclear Safety Law of 2004. However, the Agency may issue an original or renewal license if the person in default has established a satisfactory repayment record as determined by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

(s) Failure to meet child support orders, as provided in Section 10-65 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act.

(t) Failure to pay a fee or civil penalty properly assessed by the Agency.

(Source: P.A. 100-286, eff. 1-1-18.)

Section 185. The Attorney Act is amended by changing Section 1 as follows:

(705 ILCS 205/1) (from Ch. 13, par. 1)

Sec. 1. No person shall be permitted to practice as an attorney or counselor at law within this State without having previously obtained a license for that purpose from the Supreme Court of this State.

No person shall receive any compensation directly or indirectly for any legal services other than a regularly licensed attorney, nor may an unlicensed person advertise or hold himself or herself out to provide legal services.

A license, as provided for herein, constitutes the person receiving the same an attorney and counselor at law, according to the law and customs thereof, for and during his good behavior in the practice and authorizes him to demand and receive fees for any services which he may render as an attorney and counselor at law in this State. No person shall be granted a license or renewal authorized by this Act who has defaulted on an educational loan guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission; however, a license or renewal may be issued to the aforementioned persons who have established a satisfactory repayment record as determined by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. No person shall be granted a license or renewal authorized by this Act who is more than 30 days delinquent in complying with a child support order; a license or renewal may be issued, however, if the person has established a satisfactory repayment record as determined (i) by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (formerly Illinois Department of Public Aid) for cases being enforced under Article X of the Illinois Public Aid Code or (ii) in all other cases by order of court or by written agreement between the custodial parent and non-custodial parent. No person shall be refused a license under this Act on account of sex.

Any person practicing, charging or receiving fees for legal services or advertising or holding himself or herself out to provide legal services within this State, either directly or indirectly, without being licensed to practice as herein required, is guilty of contempt of court and shall be punished accordingly, upon complaint being filed in any Circuit Court of this State. The remedies available include, but are not limited to: (i) appropriate equitable relief; (ii) a civil penalty not to exceed $5,000, which shall be paid to the Illinois Equal Justice Foundation; and (iii) actual damages. Such proceedings shall be conducted in the Courts of the respective counties where the alleged contempt has been committed in the same manner as in cases of indirect contempt and with the right of review by the parties thereto.

The provisions of this Act shall be in addition to other remedies permitted by law and shall not be construed to deprive courts of this State of their inherent right to punish for contempt or to restrain the unauthorized practice of law.

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to conflict with, amend, or modify Section 5 of the Corporation Practice of Law Prohibition Act or prohibit representation of a party by a person who is not an attorney in a proceeding before either panel of the Illinois Labor Relations Board under the Illinois Public Labor Relations Act, as now or hereafter amended, the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board under the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Act, as now or hereafter amended, the State Civil Service Commission, the local Civil Service Commissions, or the University Civil Service Merit Board, to the extent allowed pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by those Boards and Commissions or the giving of information, training, or advocacy or assistance in any meetings or administrative proceedings held pursuant to the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, or the federal Social Security Act, to the extent allowed by those laws or the federal regulations or State statutes implementing those laws.

(Source: P.A. 94-659, eff. 1-1-06; 95-331, eff. 8-21-07; 95-410, eff. 8-24-07.)

Section 190. The Illinois Securities Law of 1953 is amended by changing Section 8 as follows:

(815 ILCS 5/8) (from Ch. 121 1/2, par. 137.8)

Sec. 8. Registration of dealers, limited Canadian dealers, Internet portals, salespersons, investment advisers, and investment adviser representatives.

A. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection A, every dealer, limited Canadian dealer, salesperson, investment adviser, and investment adviser representative shall be registered as such with the Secretary of State. No dealer or salesperson need be registered as such when offering or selling securities in transactions exempted by subsection A, B, C, D, E, G, H, I, J, K, M, O, P, Q, R or S of Section 4 of this Act, provided that such dealer or salesperson is not regularly engaged in the business of offering or selling securities in reliance upon the exemption set forth in subsection G or M of Section 4 of this Act. No dealer, issuer or controlling person shall employ a salesperson unless such salesperson is registered as such with the Secretary of State or is employed for the purpose of offering or selling securities solely in transactions exempted by subsection A, B, C, D, E, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, O, P, Q, R or S of Section 4 of this Act; provided that such salesperson need not be registered when effecting transactions in this State limited to those transactions described in Section 15(h)(2) of the Federal 1934 Act or engaging in the offer or sale of securities in respect of which he or she has beneficial ownership and is a controlling person. The Secretary of State may, by rule, regulation or order and subject to such terms, conditions, and fees as may be prescribed in such rule, regulation or order, exempt from the registration requirements of this Section 8 any investment adviser, if the Secretary of State shall find that such registration is not necessary in the public interest by reason of the small number of clients or otherwise limited character of operation of such investment adviser.

B. An application for registration as a dealer or limited Canadian dealer, executed, verified, or authenticated by or on behalf of the applicant, shall be filed with the Secretary of State, in such form as the Secretary of State may by rule, regulation or order prescribe, setting forth or accompanied by:

(1) The name and address of the applicant, the location of its principal business office and all branch offices, if any, and the date of its organization;

(2) A statement of any other Federal or state licenses or registrations which have been granted the applicant and whether any such licenses or registrations have ever been refused, cancelled, suspended, revoked or withdrawn;

(3) The assets and all liabilities, including contingent liabilities of the applicant, as of a date not more than 60 days prior to the filing of the application;

(4) (a) A brief description of any civil or criminal proceeding of which fraud is an essential element pending against the applicant and whether the applicant has ever been convicted of a felony, or of any misdemeanor of which fraud is an essential element;

(b) A list setting forth the name, residence and business address and a 10 year occupational statement of each principal of the applicant and a statement describing briefly any civil or criminal proceedings of which fraud is an essential element pending against any such principal and the facts concerning any conviction of any such principal of a felony, or of any misdemeanor of which fraud is an essential element;

(5) If the applicant is a corporation: a list of its officers and directors setting forth the residence and business address of each; a 10-year occupational statement of each such officer or director; and a statement describing briefly any civil or criminal proceedings of which fraud is an essential element pending against each such officer or director and the facts concerning any conviction of any officer or director of a felony, or of any misdemeanor of which fraud is an essential element;

(6) If the applicant is a sole proprietorship, a partnership, limited liability company, an unincorporated association or any similar form of business organization: the name, residence and business address of the proprietor or of each partner, member, officer, director, trustee or manager; the limitations, if any, of the liability of each such individual; a 10-year occupational statement of each such individual; a statement describing briefly any civil or criminal proceedings of which fraud is an essential element pending against each such individual and the facts concerning any conviction of any such individual of a felony, or of any misdemeanor of which fraud is an essential element;

(7) Such additional information as the Secretary of State may by rule or regulation prescribe as necessary to determine the applicant's financial responsibility, business repute and qualification to act as a dealer.

(8) (a) No applicant shall be registered or re-registered as a dealer or limited Canadian dealer under this Section unless and until each principal of the dealer has passed an examination conducted by the Secretary of State or a self-regulatory organization of securities dealers or similar person, which examination has been designated by the Secretary of State by rule, regulation or order to be satisfactory for purposes of determining whether the applicant has sufficient knowledge of the securities business and laws relating thereto to act as a registered dealer. Any dealer who was registered on September 30, 1963, and has continued to be so registered; and any principal of any registered dealer, who was acting in such capacity on and continuously since September 30, 1963; and any individual who has previously passed a securities dealer examination administered by the Secretary of State or any examination designated by the Secretary of State to be satisfactory for purposes of determining whether the applicant has sufficient knowledge of the securities business and laws relating thereto to act as a registered dealer by rule, regulation or order, shall not be required to pass an examination in order to continue to act in such capacity. The Secretary of State may by order waive the examination requirement for any principal of an applicant for registration under this subsection B who has had such experience or education relating to the securities business as may be determined by the Secretary of State to be the equivalent of such examination. Any request for such a waiver shall be filed with the Secretary of State in such form as may be prescribed by rule or regulation.

(b) Unless an applicant is a member of the body corporate known as the Securities Investor Protection Corporation established pursuant to the Act of Congress of the United States known as the Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970, as amended, a member of an association of dealers registered as a national securities association pursuant to Section 15A of the Federal 1934 Act, or a member of a self-regulatory organization or stock exchange in Canada which the Secretary of State has designated by rule or order, an applicant shall not be registered or re-registered unless and until there is filed with the Secretary of State evidence that such applicant has in effect insurance or other equivalent protection for each client's cash or securities held by such applicant, and an undertaking that such applicant will continually maintain such insurance or other protection during the period of registration or re-registration. Such insurance or other protection shall be in a form and amount reasonably prescribed by the Secretary of State by rule or regulation.

(9) The application for the registration of a dealer or limited Canadian dealer shall be accompanied by a filing fee and a fee for each branch office in this State, in each case in the amount established pursuant to Section 11a of this Act, which fees shall not be returnable in any event.

(10) The Secretary of State shall notify the dealer or limited Canadian dealer by written notice (which may be by electronic or facsimile transmission) of the effectiveness of the registration as a dealer in this State.

(11) Any change which renders no longer accurate any information contained in any application for registration or re-registration of a dealer or limited Canadian dealer shall be reported to the Secretary of State within 10 business days after the occurrence of such change; but in respect to assets and liabilities only materially adverse changes need be reported.

C. Any registered dealer, limited Canadian dealer, issuer, or controlling person desiring to register a salesperson shall file an application with the Secretary of State, in such form as the Secretary of State may by rule or regulation prescribe, which the salesperson is required by this Section to provide to the dealer, issuer, or controlling person, executed, verified, or authenticated by the salesperson setting forth or accompanied by:

(1) the name, residence and business address of the salesperson;

(2) whether any federal or State license or registration as dealer, limited Canadian dealer, or salesperson has ever been refused the salesperson or cancelled, suspended, revoked, withdrawn, barred, limited, or otherwise adversely affected in a similar manner or whether the salesperson has ever been censured or expelled;

(3) the nature of employment with, and names and addresses of, employers of the salesperson for the 10 years immediately preceding the date of application;

(4) a brief description of any civil or criminal proceedings of which fraud is an essential element pending against the salesperson, and whether the salesperson has ever been convicted of a felony, or of any misdemeanor of which fraud is an essential element;

(5) such additional information as the Secretary of State may by rule, regulation or order prescribe as necessary to determine the salesperson's business repute and qualification to act as a salesperson; and

(6) no individual shall be registered or re-registered as a salesperson under this Section unless and until such individual has passed an examination conducted by the Secretary of State or a self-regulatory organization of securities dealers or similar person, which examination has been designated by the Secretary of State by rule, regulation or order to be satisfactory for purposes of determining whether the applicant has sufficient knowledge of the securities business and laws relating thereto to act as a registered salesperson.

Any salesperson who was registered prior to September 30, 1963, and has continued to be so registered, and any individual who has passed a securities salesperson examination administered by the Secretary of State or an examination designated by the Secretary of State by rule, regulation or order to be satisfactory for purposes of determining whether the applicant has sufficient knowledge of the securities business and laws relating thereto to act as a registered salesperson, shall not be required to pass an examination in order to continue to act as a salesperson. The Secretary of State may by order waive the examination requirement for any applicant for registration under this subsection C who has had such experience or education relating to the securities business as may be determined by the Secretary of State to be the equivalent of such examination. Any request for such a waiver shall be filed with the Secretary of State in such form as may be prescribed by rule, regulation or order.

(7) The application for registration of a salesperson shall be accompanied by a filing fee and a Securities Audit and Enforcement Fund fee, each in the amount established pursuant to Section 11a of this Act, which shall not be returnable in any event.

(8) Any change which renders no longer accurate any information contained in any application for registration or re-registration as a salesperson shall be reported to the Secretary of State within 10 business days after the occurrence of such change. If the activities are terminated which rendered an individual a salesperson for the dealer, issuer or controlling person, the dealer, issuer or controlling person, as the case may be, shall notify the Secretary of State, in writing, within 30 days of the salesperson's cessation of activities, using the appropriate termination notice form.

(9) A registered salesperson may transfer his or her registration under this Section 8 for the unexpired term thereof from one registered dealer or limited Canadian dealer to another by the giving of notice of the transfer by the new registered dealer or limited Canadian dealer to the Secretary of State in such form and subject to such conditions as the Secretary of State shall by rule or regulation prescribe. The new registered dealer or limited Canadian dealer shall promptly file an application for registration of such salesperson as provided in this subsection C, accompanied by the filing fee prescribed by paragraph (7) of this subsection C.

C-5. Except with respect to federal covered investment advisers whose only clients are investment companies as defined in the Federal 1940 Act, other investment advisers, federal covered investment advisers, or any similar person which the Secretary of State may prescribe by rule or order, a federal covered investment adviser shall file with the Secretary of State, prior to acting as a federal covered investment adviser in this State, such documents as have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as the Secretary of State by rule or order may prescribe. The notification of a federal covered investment adviser shall be accompanied by a notification filing fee established pursuant to Section 11a of this Act, which shall not be returnable in any event. Every person acting as a federal covered investment adviser in this State shall file a notification filing and pay an annual notification filing fee established pursuant to Section 11a of this Act, which is not returnable in any event. The failure to file any such notification shall constitute a violation of subsection D of Section 12 of this Act, subject to the penalties enumerated in Section 14 of this Act. Until October 10, 1999 or other date as may be legally permissible, a federal covered investment adviser who fails to file the notification or refuses to pay the fees as required by this subsection shall register as an investment adviser with the Secretary of State under Section 8 of this Act. The civil remedies provided for in subsection A of Section 13 of this Act and the civil remedies of rescission and appointment of receiver, conservator, ancillary receiver, or ancillary conservator provided for in subsection F of Section 13 of this Act shall not be available against any person by reason of the failure to file any such notification or to pay the notification fee or on account of the contents of any such notification.

D. An application for registration as an investment adviser, executed, verified, or authenticated by or on behalf of the applicant, shall be filed with the Secretary of State, in such form as the Secretary of State may by rule or regulation prescribe, setting forth or accompanied by:

(1) The name and form of organization under which the investment adviser engages or intends to engage in business; the state or country and date of its organization; the location of the adviser's principal business office and branch offices, if any; the names and addresses of the adviser's principal, partners, officers, directors, and persons performing similar functions or, if the investment adviser is an individual, of the individual; and the number of the adviser's employees who perform investment advisory functions;

(2) The education, the business affiliations for the past 10 years, and the present business affiliations of the investment adviser and of the adviser's principal, partners, officers, directors, and persons performing similar functions and of any person controlling the investment adviser;

(3) The nature of the business of the investment adviser, including the manner of giving advice and rendering analyses or reports;

(4) The nature and scope of the authority of the investment adviser with respect to clients' funds and accounts;

(5) The basis or bases upon which the investment adviser is compensated;

(6) Whether the investment adviser or any principal, partner, officer, director, person performing similar functions or person controlling the investment adviser (i) within 10 years of the filing of the application has been convicted of a felony, or of any misdemeanor of which fraud is an essential element, or (ii) is permanently or temporarily enjoined by order or judgment from acting as an investment adviser, underwriter, dealer, principal or salesperson, or from engaging in or continuing any conduct or practice in connection with any such activity or in connection with the purchase or sale of any security, and in each case the facts relating to the conviction, order or judgment;

(7) (a) A statement as to whether the investment adviser is engaged or is to engage primarily in the business of rendering investment supervisory services; and

(b) A statement that the investment adviser will furnish his, her, or its clients with such information as the Secretary of State deems necessary in the form prescribed by the Secretary of State by rule or regulation;

(8) Such additional information as the Secretary of State may, by rule, regulation or order prescribe as necessary to determine the applicant's financial responsibility, business repute and qualification to act as an investment adviser.

(9) No applicant shall be registered or re-registered as an investment adviser under this Section unless and until each principal of the applicant who is actively engaged in the conduct and management of the applicant's advisory business in this State has passed an examination or completed an educational program conducted by the Secretary of State or an association of investment advisers or similar person, which examination or educational program has been designated by the Secretary of State by rule, regulation or order to be satisfactory for purposes of determining whether the applicant has sufficient knowledge of the securities business and laws relating thereto to conduct the business of a registered investment adviser.

Any person who was a registered investment adviser prior to September 30, 1963, and has continued to be so registered, and any individual who has passed an investment adviser examination administered by the Secretary of State, or passed an examination or completed an educational program designated by the Secretary of State by rule, regulation or order to be satisfactory for purposes of determining whether the applicant has sufficient knowledge of the securities business and laws relating thereto to conduct the business of a registered investment adviser, shall not be required to pass an examination or complete an educational program in order to continue to act as an investment adviser. The Secretary of State may by order waive the examination or educational program requirement for any applicant for registration under this subsection D if the principal of the applicant who is actively engaged in the conduct and management of the applicant's advisory business in this State has had such experience or education relating to the securities business as may be determined by the Secretary of State to be the equivalent of the examination or educational program. Any request for a waiver shall be filed with the Secretary of State in such form as may be prescribed by rule or regulation.

(10) No applicant shall be registered or re-registered as an investment adviser under this Section 8 unless the application for registration or re-registration is accompanied by an application for registration or re-registration for each person acting as an investment adviser representative on behalf of the adviser and a Securities Audit and Enforcement Fund fee that shall not be returnable in any event is paid with respect to each investment adviser representative.

(11) The application for registration of an investment adviser shall be accompanied by a filing fee and a fee for each branch office in this State, in each case in the amount established pursuant to Section 11a of this Act, which fees shall not be returnable in any event.

(12) The Secretary of State shall notify the investment adviser by written notice (which may be by electronic or facsimile transmission) of the effectiveness of the registration as an investment adviser in this State.

(13) Any change which renders no longer accurate any information contained in any application for registration or re-registration of an investment adviser shall be reported to the Secretary of State within 10 business days after the occurrence of the change. In respect to assets and liabilities of an investment adviser that retains custody of clients' cash or securities or accepts pre-payment of fees in excess of $500 per client and 6 or more months in advance only materially adverse changes need be reported by written notice (which may be by electronic or facsimile transmission) no later than the close of business on the second business day following the discovery thereof.

(14) Each application for registration as an investment adviser shall become effective automatically on the 45th day following the filing of the application, required documents or information, and payment of the required fee unless (i) the Secretary of State has registered the investment adviser prior to that date or (ii) an action with respect to the applicant is pending under Section 11 of this Act.

D-5. A registered investment adviser or federal covered investment adviser desiring to register an investment adviser representative shall file an application with the Secretary of State, in the form as the Secretary of State may by rule or order prescribe, which the investment adviser representative is required by this Section to provide to the investment adviser, executed, verified, or authenticated by the investment adviser representative and setting forth or accompanied by:

(1) The name, residence, and business address of the investment adviser representative;

(2) A statement whether any federal or state license or registration as a dealer, salesperson, investment adviser, or investment adviser representative has ever been refused, canceled, suspended, revoked or withdrawn;

(3) The nature of employment with, and names and addresses of, employers of the investment adviser representative for the 10 years immediately preceding the date of application;

(4) A brief description of any civil or criminal proceedings, of which fraud is an essential element, pending against the investment adviser representative and whether the investment adviser representative has ever been convicted of a felony or of any misdemeanor of which fraud is an essential element;

(5) Such additional information as the Secretary of State may by rule or order prescribe as necessary to determine the investment adviser representative's business repute or qualification to act as an investment adviser representative;

(6) Documentation that the individual has passed an examination conducted by the Secretary of State, an organization of investment advisers, or similar person, which examination has been designated by the Secretary of State by rule or order to be satisfactory for purposes of determining whether the applicant has sufficient knowledge of the investment advisory or securities business and laws relating to that business to act as a registered investment adviser representative; and

(7) A Securities Audit and Enforcement Fund fee established under Section 11a of this Act, which shall not be returnable in any event.

The Secretary of State may by order waive the examination requirement for an applicant for registration under this subsection D-5 who has had the experience or education relating to the investment advisory or securities business as may be determined by the Secretary of State to be the equivalent of the examination. A request for a waiver shall be filed with the Secretary of State in the form as may be prescribed by rule or order.

A change that renders no longer accurate any information contained in any application for registration or re-registration as an investment adviser representative must be reported to the Secretary of State within 10 business days after the occurrence of the change. If the activities that rendered an individual an investment adviser representative for the investment adviser are terminated, the investment adviser shall notify the Secretary of State in writing (which may be by electronic or facsimile transmission), within 30 days of the investment adviser representative's termination, using the appropriate termination notice form as the Secretary of State may prescribe by rule or order.

A registered investment adviser representative may transfer his or her registration under this Section 8 for the unexpired term of the registration from one registered investment adviser to another by the giving of notice of the transfer by the new investment adviser to the Secretary of State in the form and subject to the conditions as the Secretary of State shall prescribe. The new registered investment adviser shall promptly file an application for registration of the investment adviser representative as provided in this subsection, accompanied by the Securities Audit and Enforcement Fund fee prescribed by paragraph (7) of this subsection D-5.

E. (1) Subject to the provisions of subsection F of Section 11 of this Act, the registration of a dealer, limited Canadian dealer, salesperson, investment adviser, or investment adviser representative may be denied, suspended or revoked if the Secretary of State finds that the dealer, limited Canadian dealer, Internet portal, salesperson, investment adviser, or investment adviser representative or any principal officer, director, partner, member, trustee, manager or any person who performs a similar function of the dealer, limited Canadian dealer, Internet portal, or investment adviser:

(a) has been convicted of any felony during the 10 year period preceding the date of filing of any application for registration or at any time thereafter, or of any misdemeanor of which fraud is an essential element;

(b) has engaged in any unethical practice in connection with any security, or in any fraudulent business practice;

(c) has failed to account for any money or property, or has failed to deliver any security, to any person entitled thereto when due or within a reasonable time thereafter;

(d) in the case of a dealer, limited Canadian dealer, or investment adviser, is insolvent;

(e) in the case of a dealer, limited Canadian dealer, salesperson, or registered principal of a dealer or limited Canadian dealer (i) has failed reasonably to supervise the securities activities of any of its salespersons or other employees and the failure has permitted or facilitated a violation of Section 12 of this Act or (ii) is offering or selling or has offered or sold securities in this State through a salesperson other than a registered salesperson, or, in the case of a salesperson, is selling or has sold securities in this State for a dealer, limited Canadian dealer, issuer or controlling person with knowledge that the dealer, limited Canadian dealer, issuer or controlling person has not complied with the provisions of this Act or (iii) has failed reasonably to supervise the implementation of compliance measures following notice by the Secretary of State of noncompliance with the Act or with the regulations promulgated thereunder or both or (iv) has failed to maintain and enforce written procedures to supervise the types of business in which it engages and to supervise the activities of its salespersons that are reasonably designed to achieve compliance with applicable securities laws and regulations;

(f) in the case of an investment adviser, has failed reasonably to supervise the advisory activities of any of its investment adviser representatives or employees and the failure has permitted or facilitated a violation of Section 12 of this Act;

(g) has violated any of the provisions of this Act;

(h) has made any material misrepresentation to the Secretary of State in connection with any information deemed necessary by the Secretary of State to determine a dealer's, limited Canadian dealer's, or investment adviser's financial responsibility or a dealer's, limited Canadian dealer's, investment adviser's, salesperson's, or investment adviser representative's business repute or qualifications, or has refused to furnish any such information requested by the Secretary of State;

(i) has had a license or registration under any Federal or State law regulating securities, commodity futures contracts, or stock futures contracts refused, cancelled, suspended, withdrawn, revoked, or otherwise adversely affected in a similar manner;

(j) has had membership in or association with any self-regulatory organization registered under the Federal 1934 Act or the Federal 1974 Act suspended, revoked, refused, expelled, cancelled, barred, limited in any capacity, or otherwise adversely affected in a similar manner arising from any fraudulent or deceptive act or a practice in violation of any rule, regulation or standard duly promulgated by the self-regulatory organization;

(k) has had any order entered against it after notice and opportunity for hearing by a securities agency of any state, any foreign government or agency thereof, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the Federal Commodities Futures Trading Commission arising from any fraudulent or deceptive act or a practice in violation of any statute, rule or regulation administered or promulgated by the agency or commission;

(l) in the case of a dealer or limited Canadian dealer, fails to maintain a minimum net capital in an amount which the Secretary of State may by rule or regulation require;

(m) has conducted a continuing course of dealing of such nature as to demonstrate an inability to properly conduct the business of the dealer, limited Canadian dealer, salesperson, investment adviser, or investment adviser representative;

(n) has had, after notice and opportunity for hearing, any injunction or order entered against it or license or registration refused, cancelled, suspended, revoked, withdrawn, limited, or otherwise adversely affected in a similar manner by any state or federal body, agency or commission regulating banking, insurance, finance or small loan companies, real estate or mortgage brokers or companies, if the action resulted from any act found by the body, agency or commission to be a fraudulent or deceptive act or practice in violation of any statute, rule or regulation administered or promulgated by the body, agency or commission;

(o) has failed to file a return, or to pay the tax, penalty or interest shown in a filed return, or to pay any final assessment of tax, penalty or interest, as required by any tax Act administered by the Illinois Department of Revenue, until such time as the requirements of that tax Act are satisfied;

(p) (blank); in the case of a natural person who is a dealer, limited Canadian dealer, salesperson, investment adviser, or investment adviser representative, has defaulted on an educational loan guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, until the natural person has established a satisfactory repayment record as determined by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission;

(q) has failed to maintain the books and records required under this Act or rules or regulations promulgated under this Act or under any requirements established by the Securities and Exchange Commission or a self-regulatory organization;

(r) has refused to allow or otherwise impeded designees of the Secretary of State from conducting an audit, examination, inspection, or investigation provided for under Section 8 or 11 of this Act;

(s) has failed to maintain any minimum net capital or bond requirement set forth in this Act or any rule or regulation promulgated under this Act;

(t) has refused the Secretary of State or his or her designee access to any office or location within an office to conduct an investigation, audit, examination, or inspection;

(u) has advised or caused a public pension fund or retirement system established under the Illinois Pension Code to make an investment or engage in a transaction not authorized by that Code;

(v) if a corporation, limited liability company, or limited liability partnership has been suspended, canceled, revoked, or has failed to register as a foreign corporation, limited liability company, or limited liability partnership with the Secretary of State;

(w) is permanently or temporarily enjoined by any court of competent jurisdiction, including any state, federal, or foreign government, from engaging in or continuing any conduct or practice involving any aspect of the securities or commodities business or in any other business where the conduct or practice enjoined involved investments, franchises, insurance, banking, or finance;

(2) If the Secretary of State finds that any registrant or applicant for registration is no longer in existence or has ceased to do business as a dealer, limited Canadian dealer, Internet portal, salesperson, investment adviser, or investment adviser representative, or is subject to an adjudication as a person under legal disability or to the control of a guardian, or cannot be located after reasonable search, or has failed after written notice to pay to the Secretary of State any additional fee prescribed by this Section or specified by rule or regulation, or if a natural person, has defaulted on an educational loan guaranteed by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, the Secretary of State may by order cancel the registration or application.

(3) Withdrawal of an application for registration or withdrawal from registration as a dealer, limited Canadian dealer, salesperson, investment adviser, or investment adviser representative becomes effective 30 days after receipt of an application to withdraw or within such shorter period of time as the Secretary of State may determine, unless any proceeding is pending under Section 11 of this Act when the application is filed or a proceeding is instituted within 30 days after the application is filed. If a proceeding is pending or instituted, withdrawal becomes effective at such time and upon such conditions as the Secretary of State by order determines. If no proceeding is pending or instituted and withdrawal automatically becomes effective, the Secretary of State may nevertheless institute a revocation or suspension proceeding within 2 years after withdrawal became effective and enter a revocation or suspension order as of the last date on which registration was effective.

F. The Secretary of State shall make available upon request the date that each dealer, investment adviser, salesperson, or investment adviser representative was granted registration, together with the name and address of the dealer, limited Canadian dealer, or issuer on whose behalf the salesperson is registered, and all orders of the Secretary of State denying or abandoning an application, or suspending or revoking registration, or censuring the persons. The Secretary of State may designate by rule, regulation or order the statements, information or reports submitted to or filed with him or her pursuant to this Section 8 which the Secretary of State determines are of a sensitive nature and therefore should be exempt from public disclosure. Any such statement, information or report shall be deemed confidential and shall not be disclosed to the public except upon the consent of the person filing or submitting the statement, information or report or by order of court or in court proceedings.

G. The registration or re-registration of a dealer or limited Canadian dealer and of all salespersons registered upon application of the dealer or limited Canadian dealer shall expire on the next succeeding anniversary date of the registration or re-registration of the dealer; and the registration or re-registration of an investment adviser and of all investment adviser representatives registered upon application of the investment adviser shall expire on the next succeeding anniversary date of the registration of the investment adviser; provided, that the Secretary of State may by rule or regulation prescribe an alternate date which any dealer registered under the Federal 1934 Act or a member of any self-regulatory association approved pursuant thereto, a member of a self-regulatory organization or stock exchange in Canada, or any investment adviser may elect as the expiration date of its dealer or limited Canadian dealer and salesperson registrations, or the expiration date of its investment adviser registration, as the case may be. A registration of a salesperson registered upon application of an issuer or controlling person shall expire on the next succeeding anniversary date of the registration, or upon termination or expiration of the registration of the securities, if any, designated in the application for his or her registration or the alternative date as the Secretary may prescribe by rule or regulation. Subject to paragraph (9) of subsection C of this Section 8, a salesperson's registration also shall terminate upon cessation of his or her employment, or termination of his or her appointment or authorization, in each case by the person who applied for the salesperson's registration, provided that the Secretary of State may by rule or regulation prescribe an alternate date for the expiration of the registration.

H. Applications for re-registration of dealers, limited Canadian dealers, Internet portals, salespersons, investment advisers, and investment adviser representatives shall be filed with the Secretary of State prior to the expiration of the then current registration and shall contain such information as may be required by the Secretary of State upon initial application with such omission therefrom or addition thereto as the Secretary of State may authorize or prescribe. Each application for re-registration of a dealer, limited Canadian dealer, Internet portal, or investment adviser shall be accompanied by a filing fee, each application for re-registration as a salesperson shall be accompanied by a filing fee and a Securities Audit and Enforcement Fund fee established pursuant to Section 11a of this Act, and each application for re-registration as an investment adviser representative shall be accompanied by a Securities Audit and Enforcement Fund fee established under Section 11a of this Act, which shall not be returnable in any event. Notwithstanding the foregoing, applications for re-registration of dealers, limited Canadian dealers, Internet portals, and investment advisers may be filed within 30 days following the expiration of the registration provided that the applicant pays the annual registration fee together with an additional amount equal to the annual registration fee and files any other information or documents that the Secretary of State may prescribe by rule or regulation or order. Any application filed within 30 days following the expiration of the registration shall be automatically effective as of the time of the earlier expiration provided that the proper fee has been paid to the Secretary of State.

Each registered dealer, limited Canadian dealer, Internet portal, or investment adviser shall continue to be registered if the registrant changes his, her, or its form of organization provided that the dealer or investment adviser files an amendment to his, her, or its application not later than 30 days following the occurrence of the change and pays the Secretary of State a fee in the amount established under Section 11a of this Act.

I. (1) Every registered dealer, limited Canadian dealer, Internet portal, and investment adviser shall make and keep for such periods, such accounts, correspondence, memoranda, papers, books and records as the Secretary of State may by rule or regulation prescribe. All records so required shall be preserved for 3 years unless the Secretary of State by rule, regulation or order prescribes otherwise for particular types of records.

(2) Every registered dealer, limited Canadian dealer, Internet portal, and investment adviser shall file such financial reports as the Secretary of State may by rule or regulation prescribe.

(3) All the books and records referred to in paragraph (1) of this subsection I are subject at any time or from time to time to such reasonable periodic, special or other audits, examinations, or inspections by representatives of the Secretary of State, within or without this State, as the Secretary of State deems necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of investors.

(4) At the time of an audit, examination, or inspection, the Secretary of State, by his or her designees, may conduct an interview of any person employed or appointed by or affiliated with a registered dealer, limited Canadian dealer, Internet portal, or investment advisor, provided that the dealer, limited Canadian dealer, Internet portal, or investment advisor shall be given reasonable notice of the time and place for the interview. At the option of the dealer, limited Canadian dealer, Internet portal, or investment advisor, a representative of the dealer or investment advisor with supervisory responsibility over the individual being interviewed may be present at the interview.

J. The Secretary of State may require by rule or regulation the payment of an additional fee for the filing of information or documents required to be filed by this Section which have not been filed in a timely manner. The Secretary of State may also require by rule or regulation the payment of an examination fee for administering any examination which it may conduct pursuant to subsection B, C, D, or D-5 of this Section 8.

K. The Secretary of State may declare any application for registration or limited registration under this Section 8 abandoned by order if the applicant fails to pay any fee or file any information or document required under this Section 8 or by rule or regulation for more than 30 days after the required payment or filing date. The applicant may petition the Secretary of State for a hearing within 15 days after the applicant's receipt of the order of abandonment, provided that the petition sets forth the grounds upon which the applicant seeks a hearing.

L. Any document being filed pursuant to this Section 8 shall be deemed filed, and any fee being paid pursuant to this Section 8 shall be deemed paid, upon the date of actual receipt thereof by the Secretary of State or his or her designee.

M. The Secretary of State shall provide to the Illinois Student Assistance Commission annually or at mutually agreed periodic intervals the names and social security numbers of natural persons registered under subsections B, C, D, and D-5 of this Section. The Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall determine if any student loan defaulter is registered as a dealer, limited Canadian dealer, Internet portal salesperson, or investment adviser under this Act and report its determination to the Secretary of State or his or her designee.

(Source: P.A. 99-182, eff. 1-1-16.)

Section 999. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.