SB3258 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB100 20556 SLF 35960 b

100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2017 and 2018
SB3258

Introduced 2/15/2018, by Sen. Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

705 ILCS 405/5-410
705 ILCS 405/5-415
705 ILCS 405/5-420 new
730 ILCS 110/15	from Ch. 38, par. 204-7

Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that on and after July 1, 2020, a detention screening instrument shall be used for referrals to all authorized juvenile detention facilities in this State prior to a judicial hearing. Provides a minor alleged to be a delinquent minor taken into temporary custody must be brought before a judicial officer within 48 hours (rather than 40 hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and court designated holidays). Provides that if an appearance is required of any minor taken and held in a place of custody or confinement operated by the State or any of its political subdivisions, including counties and municipalities, the chief judge of the circuit may permit by rule for the minor's personal appearance to be made by means of two-way audio-visual communication, including closed circuit television and computerized video conference, in the following proceedings: the initial appearance before a judge; a detention or shelter care hearing; or any status hearing. Amends the Probation and Probation Officers Act. Provides that the Division of Probation Services of the Supreme Court shall adopt a statewide juvenile detention screening instrument that has been verified through evidence-based and data-based practices that is to be used by all authorized juvenile detention facilities. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning courts.

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

Section 5. The Juvenile Court Act of 1987 is amended by changing Sections 5-410 and 5-415 and by adding Section 5-420 as follows:

(705 ILCS 405/5-410)

Sec. 5-410. Non-secure custody or detention.

(1) Any minor arrested or taken into custody pursuant to this Act who requires care away from his or her home but who does not require physical restriction shall be given temporary care in a foster family home or other shelter facility designated by the court.

(2) (a) Any minor 10 years of age or older arrested pursuant to this Act where there is probable cause to believe that the minor is a delinquent minor and that (i) secured custody is a matter of immediate and urgent necessity for the protection of the minor or of the person or property of another, (ii) the minor is likely to flee the jurisdiction of the court, or (iii) the minor was taken into custody under a warrant, may be kept or detained in an authorized detention facility. A minor under 13 years of age shall not be admitted, kept, or detained in a detention facility unless a local youth service provider, including a provider through the Comprehensive Community Based Youth Services network, has been contacted and has not been able to accept the minor. No minor under 12 years of age shall be detained in a county jail or a municipal lockup for more than 6 hours.

(b) The written authorization of the probation officer or detention officer (or other public officer designated by the court in a county having 3,000,000 or more inhabitants) constitutes authority for the superintendent of any juvenile detention home to detain and keep a minor for up to 48 40 hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and court-designated holidays. These records shall be available to the same persons and pursuant to the same conditions as are law enforcement records as provided in Section 5-905.

(b-4) The consultation required by subsection (b-5) shall not be applicable if the probation officer or detention officer (or other public officer designated by the court in a county having 3,000,000 or more inhabitants) utilizes a scorable detention screening instrument, which has been developed with input by the State's Attorney, to determine whether a minor should be detained, however, subsection (b-5) shall still be applicable where no such screening instrument is used or where the probation officer, detention officer (or other public officer designated by the court in a county having 3,000,000 or more inhabitants) deviates from the screening instrument.

On and after July 1, 2020, a detention screening instrument shall be used for referrals to all authorized juvenile detention facilities in this State prior to a judicial hearing. The detention screening instrument shall be developed and validated by the Probation Division of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts, as provided in Section 15 of the Probation and Probation Officers Act, and subject to approval by the Chief Judge of each Circuit.

(b-5) Subject to the provisions of subsection (b-4), if a probation officer or detention officer (or other public officer designated by the court in a county having 3,000,000 or more inhabitants) does not intend to detain a minor for an offense which constitutes one of the following offenses he or she shall consult with the State's Attorney's Office prior to the release of the minor: first degree murder, second degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, criminal sexual assault, aggravated criminal sexual assault, aggravated battery with a firearm as described in Section 12-4.2 or subdivision (e)(1), (e)(2), (e)(3), or (e)(4) of Section 12-3.05, aggravated or heinous battery involving permanent disability or disfigurement or great bodily harm, robbery, aggravated robbery, armed robbery, vehicular hijacking, aggravated vehicular hijacking, vehicular invasion, arson, aggravated arson, kidnapping, aggravated kidnapping, home invasion, burglary, or residential burglary.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (a), (d), or (e), no minor shall be detained in a county jail or municipal lockup for more than 12 hours, unless the offense is a crime of violence in which case the minor may be detained up to 24 hours. For the purpose of this paragraph, "crime of violence" has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 1-10 of the Alcoholism and Other Drug Abuse and Dependency Act.

(i) The period of detention is deemed to have begun once the minor has been placed in a locked room or cell or handcuffed to a stationary object in a building housing a county jail or municipal lockup. Time spent transporting a minor is not considered to be time in detention or secure custody.

(ii) Any minor so confined shall be under periodic supervision and shall not be permitted to come into or remain in contact with adults in custody in the building.

(iii) Upon placement in secure custody in a jail or lockup, the minor shall be informed of the purpose of the detention, the time it is expected to last and the fact that it cannot exceed the time specified under this Act.

(iv) A log shall be kept which shows the offense which is the basis for the detention, the reasons and circumstances for the decision to detain and the length of time the minor was in detention.

(v) Violation of the time limit on detention in a county jail or municipal lockup shall not, in and of itself, render inadmissible evidence obtained as a result of the violation of this time limit. Minors under 18 years of age shall be kept separate from confined adults and may not at any time be kept in the same cell, room or yard with adults confined pursuant to criminal law. Persons 18 years of age and older who have a petition of delinquency filed against them may be confined in an adult detention facility. In making a determination whether to confine a person 18 years of age or older who has a petition of delinquency filed against the person, these factors, among other matters, shall be considered:

(A) The age of the person;

(B) Any previous delinquent or criminal history of the person;

(C) Any previous abuse or neglect history of the person; and

(D) Any mental health or educational history of the person, or both.

(d) (i) If a minor 12 years of age or older is confined in a county jail in a county with a population below 3,000,000 inhabitants, then the minor's confinement shall be implemented in such a manner that there will be no contact by sight, sound or otherwise between the minor and adult prisoners. Minors 12 years of age or older must be kept separate from confined adults and may not at any time be kept in the same cell, room, or yard with confined adults. This paragraph (d)(i) shall only apply to confinement pending an adjudicatory hearing and shall not exceed 48 40 hours, excluding Saturdays, Sundays and court designated holidays. To accept or hold minors during this time period, county jails shall comply with all monitoring standards adopted by the Department of Corrections and training standards approved by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board.

(ii) To accept or hold minors, 12 years of age or older, after the time period prescribed in paragraph (d)(i) of this subsection (2) of this Section but not exceeding 7 days including Saturdays, Sundays and holidays pending an adjudicatory hearing, county jails shall comply with all temporary detention standards adopted by the Department of Corrections and training standards approved by the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board.

(iii) To accept or hold minors 12 years of age or older, after the time period prescribed in paragraphs (d)(i) and (d)(ii) of this subsection (2) of this Section, county jails shall comply with all county juvenile detention standards adopted by the Department of Juvenile Justice.

(e) When a minor who is at least 15 years of age is prosecuted under the criminal laws of this State, the court may enter an order directing that the juvenile be confined in the county jail. However, any juvenile confined in the county jail under this provision shall be separated from adults who are confined in the county jail in such a manner that there will be no contact by sight, sound or otherwise between the juvenile and adult prisoners.

(f) For purposes of appearing in a physical lineup, the minor may be taken to a county jail or municipal lockup under the direct and constant supervision of a juvenile police officer. During such time as is necessary to conduct a lineup, and while supervised by a juvenile police officer, the sight and sound separation provisions shall not apply.

(g) For purposes of processing a minor, the minor may be taken to a County Jail or municipal lockup under the direct and constant supervision of a law enforcement officer or correctional officer. During such time as is necessary to process the minor, and while supervised by a law enforcement officer or correctional officer, the sight and sound separation provisions shall not apply.

(3) If the probation officer or State's Attorney (or such other public officer designated by the court in a county having 3,000,000 or more inhabitants) determines that the minor may be a delinquent minor as described in subsection (3) of Section 5-105, and should be retained in custody but does not require physical restriction, the minor may be placed in non-secure custody for up to 40 hours pending a detention hearing.

(4) Any minor taken into temporary custody, not requiring secure detention, may, however, be detained in the home of his or her parent or guardian subject to such conditions as the court may impose.

(5) The changes made to this Section by Public Act 98-61 apply to a minor who has been arrested or taken into custody on or after January 1, 2014 (the effective date of Public Act 98-61).

(Source: P.A. 98-61, eff. 1-1-14; 98-685, eff. 1-1-15; 98-756, eff. 7-16-14; 99-254, eff. 1-1-16.)

(705 ILCS 405/5-415)

Sec. 5-415. Setting of detention or shelter care hearing; release.

(1) Unless sooner released, a minor alleged to be a delinquent minor taken into temporary custody must be brought before a judicial officer within 48 40 hours for a detention or shelter care hearing to determine whether he or she shall be further held in custody. If a minor alleged to be a delinquent minor taken into custody is hospitalized or is receiving treatment for a physical or mental condition, and is unable to be brought before a judicial officer for a detention or shelter care hearing, the 48 40 hour period will not commence until the minor is released from the hospital or place of treatment. If the minor gives false information to law enforcement officials regarding the minor's identity or age, the 48 40 hour period will not commence until the court rules that the minor is subject to this Act and not subject to prosecution under the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012. Any other delay attributable to a minor alleged to be a delinquent minor who is taken into temporary custody shall act to toll the 48 40 hour time period. The 48 40 hour time period shall be tolled to allow counsel for the minor to prepare for the detention or shelter care hearing, upon a motion filed by such counsel and granted by the court. In all cases, the 48 40 hour time period includes any Saturday, Sunday, or court-designated holiday within the period is exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays and court-designated holidays.

(2) If the State's Attorney or probation officer (or other public officer designated by the court in a county having more than 3,000,000 inhabitants) determines that the minor should be retained in custody, he or she shall cause a petition to be filed as provided in Section 5-520 of this Article, and the clerk of the court shall set the matter for hearing on the detention or shelter care hearing calendar. Immediately upon the filing of a petition in the case of a minor retained in custody, the court shall cause counsel to be appointed to represent the minor. When a parent, legal guardian, custodian, or responsible relative is present and so requests, the detention or shelter care hearing shall be held immediately if the court is in session and the State is ready to proceed, otherwise at the earliest feasible time. In no event shall a detention or shelter care hearing be held until the minor has had adequate opportunity to consult with counsel. The probation officer or such other public officer designated by the court in a county having more than 3,000,000 inhabitants shall notify the minor's parent, legal guardian, custodian, or responsible relative of the time and place of the hearing. The notice may be given orally.

(3) The minor must be released from custody at the expiration of the 48 40 hour period specified by this Section if not brought before a judicial officer within that period.

(4) After the initial 48 40 hour period has lapsed, the court may review the minor's custodial status at any time prior to the trial or sentencing hearing. If during this time period new or additional information becomes available concerning the minor's conduct, the court may conduct a hearing to determine whether the minor should be placed in a detention or shelter care facility. If the court finds that there is probable cause that the minor is a delinquent minor and that it is a matter of immediate and urgent necessity for the protection of the minor or of the person or property of another, or that he or she is likely to flee the jurisdiction of the court, the court may order that the minor be placed in detention or shelter care.

(Source: P.A. 97-1150, eff. 1-25-13.)

(705 ILCS 405/5-420 new)

Sec. 5-420. Minor's appearance by closed circuit television and video conference.

(a) If an appearance, under this Act, is required of any minor taken and held in a place of custody or confinement operated by the State or any of its political subdivisions, including counties and municipalities, the chief judge of the circuit may permit by rule for the minor's personal appearance to be made by means of two-way audio-visual communication, including closed circuit television and computerized video conference, in the following proceedings:

(1) the initial appearance before a judge;

(2) a detention or shelter care hearing; or

(3) any status hearing.

(b) The two-way audio-visual communication facilities must provide two-way audio-visual communication between the court and the place of custody or confinement, and must include a secure line over which the minor in custody and his or her counsel may communicate.

(c) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to prohibit other court appearances through the use of two-way audio-visual communication, upon waiver of any right the minor in custody or confinement may have to be present physically.

(d) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to establish a right of any minor held in custody or confinement to appear in court through two-way audio-visual communication or to require that any governmental entity, or place of custody or confinement, provide two-way audio-visual communication.

Section 10. The Probation and Probation Officers Act is amended by changing Section 15 as follows:

(730 ILCS 110/15) (from Ch. 38, par. 204-7)

Sec. 15. (1) The Supreme Court of Illinois may establish a Division of Probation Services whose purpose shall be the development, establishment, promulgation, and enforcement of uniform standards for probation services in this State, and to otherwise carry out the intent of this Act. The Division may:

(a) establish qualifications for chief probation officers and other probation and court services personnel as to hiring, promotion, and training.

(b) make available, on a timely basis, lists of those applicants whose qualifications meet the regulations referred to herein, including on said lists all candidates found qualified.

(c) establish a means of verifying the conditions for reimbursement under this Act and develop criteria for approved costs for reimbursement.

(d) develop standards and approve employee compensation schedules for probation and court services departments.

(e) employ sufficient personnel in the Division to carry out the functions of the Division.

(f) establish a system of training and establish standards for personnel orientation and training.

(g) develop standards for a system of record keeping for cases and programs, gather statistics, establish a system of uniform forms, and develop research for planning of Probation Services.

(h) develop standards to assure adequate support personnel, office space, equipment and supplies, travel expenses, and other essential items necessary for Probation and Court Services Departments to carry out their duties.

(i) review and approve annual plans submitted by Probation and Court Services Departments.

(j) monitor and evaluate all programs operated by Probation and Court Services Departments, and may include in the program evaluation criteria such factors as the percentage of Probation sentences for felons convicted of Probationable offenses.

(k) seek the cooperation of local and State government and private agencies to improve the quality of probation and court services.

(l) where appropriate, establish programs and corresponding standards designed to generally improve the quality of probation and court services and reduce the rate of adult or juvenile offenders committed to the Department of Corrections.

(m) establish such other standards and regulations and do all acts necessary to carry out the intent and purposes of this Act.

The Division shall adopt a statewide juvenile detention screening instrument that has been verified through evidence-based and data-based practices that is to be used by all authorized juvenile detention facilities. The scoring for this screening tool may include, but is not limited to, the following determinations or factors:

(i) the likelihood that the juvenile will appear in court;

(ii) the severity of the charge against the juvenile;

(iii) whether the current incident involved violence or a weapon, or the threat of or use of a weapon;

(iv) the number of prior interactions the juvenile has with the juvenile justice system;

(v) whether prior incidents of the juvenile involved violence or a weapon, or the threat of or use of a weapon;

(vi) whether there is a safe environment to return the juvenile to; and

(vii) whether the family members of the juvenile would feel safe if the juvenile returns to his or her home environment.

This screening tool and its use shall be race and gender neutral and shall include protections from all forms of bias. The Division may recommend and adopt updates to the screening tool and its usage on a regular basis.

The Division shall develop standards to implement the Domestic Violence Surveillance Program established under Section 5-8A-7 of the Unified Code of Corrections, including (i) procurement of equipment and other services necessary to implement the program and (ii) development of uniform standards for the delivery of the program through county probation departments, and develop standards for collecting data to evaluate the impact and costs of the Domestic Violence Surveillance Program.

The Division shall establish a model list of structured intermediate sanctions that may be imposed by a probation agency for violations of terms and conditions of a sentence of probation, conditional discharge, or supervision.

The Division shall establish training standards for continuing education of probation officers and supervisors and broaden access to available training programs.

The State of Illinois shall provide for the costs of personnel, travel, equipment, telecommunications, postage, commodities, printing, space, contractual services and other related costs necessary to carry out the intent of this Act.

(2)(a) The chief judge of each circuit shall provide full-time probation services for all counties within the circuit, in a manner consistent with the annual probation plan, the standards, policies, and regulations established by the Supreme Court. A probation district of two or more counties within a circuit may be created for the purposes of providing full-time probation services. Every county or group of counties within a circuit shall maintain a probation department which shall be under the authority of the Chief Judge of the circuit or some other judge designated by the Chief Judge. The Chief Judge, through the Probation and Court Services Department shall submit annual plans to the Division for probation and related services.

(b) The Chief Judge of each circuit shall appoint the Chief Probation Officer and all other probation officers for his or her circuit from lists of qualified applicants supplied by the Supreme Court. Candidates for chief managing officer and other probation officer positions must apply with both the Chief Judge of the circuit and the Supreme Court.

(3) A Probation and Court Service Department shall apply to the Supreme Court for funds for basic services, and may apply for funds for new and expanded programs or Individualized Services and Programs. Costs shall be reimbursed monthly based on a plan and budget approved by the Supreme Court. No Department may be reimbursed for costs which exceed or are not provided for in the approved annual plan and budget. After the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1985, each county must provide basic services in accordance with the annual plan and standards created by the division. No department may receive funds for new or expanded programs or individualized services and programs unless they are in compliance with standards as enumerated in paragraph (h) of subsection (1) of this Section, the annual plan, and standards for basic services.

(4) The Division shall reimburse the county or counties for probation services as follows:

(a) 100% of the salary of all chief managing officers designated as such by the Chief Judge and the division.

(b) 100% of the salary for all probation officer and supervisor positions approved for reimbursement by the division after April 1, 1984, to meet workload standards and to implement intensive sanction and probation supervision programs and other basic services as defined in this Act.

(c) 100% of the salary for all secure detention personnel and non-secure group home personnel approved for reimbursement after December 1, 1990. For all such positions approved for reimbursement before December 1, 1990, the counties shall be reimbursed $1,250 per month beginning July 1, 1995, and an additional $250 per month beginning each July 1st thereafter until the positions receive 100% salary reimbursement. Allocation of such positions will be based on comparative need considering capacity, staff/resident ratio, physical plant and program.

(d) $1,000 per month for salaries for the remaining probation officer positions engaged in basic services and new or expanded services. All such positions shall be approved by the division in accordance with this Act and division standards.

(e) 100% of the travel expenses in accordance with Division standards for all Probation positions approved under paragraph (b) of subsection 4 of this Section.

(f) If the amount of funds reimbursed to the county under paragraphs (a) through (e) of subsection 4 of this Section on an annual basis is less than the amount the county had received during the 12 month period immediately prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1985, then the Division shall reimburse the amount of the difference to the county. The effect of paragraph (b) of subsection 7 of this Section shall be considered in implementing this supplemental reimbursement provision.

(5) The Division shall provide funds beginning on April 1, 1987 for the counties to provide Individualized Services and Programs as provided in Section 16 of this Act.

(6) A Probation and Court Services Department in order to be eligible for the reimbursement must submit to the Supreme Court an application containing such information and in such a form and by such dates as the Supreme Court may require. Departments to be eligible for funding must satisfy the following conditions:

(a) The Department shall have on file with the Supreme Court an annual Probation plan for continuing, improved, and new Probation and Court Services Programs approved by the Supreme Court or its designee. This plan shall indicate the manner in which Probation and Court Services will be delivered and improved, consistent with the minimum standards and regulations for Probation and Court Services, as established by the Supreme Court. In counties with more than one Probation and Court Services Department eligible to receive funds, all Departments within that county must submit plans which are approved by the Supreme Court.

(b) The annual probation plan shall seek to generally improve the quality of probation services and to reduce the commitment of adult offenders to the Department of Corrections and to reduce the commitment of juvenile offenders to the Department of Juvenile Justice and shall require, when appropriate, coordination with the Department of Corrections, the Department of Juvenile Justice, and the Department of Children and Family Services in the development and use of community resources, information systems, case review and permanency planning systems to avoid the duplication of services.

(c) The Department shall be in compliance with standards developed by the Supreme Court for basic, new and expanded services, training, personnel hiring and promotion.

(d) The Department shall in its annual plan indicate the manner in which it will support the rights of crime victims and in which manner it will implement Article I, Section 8.1 of the Illinois Constitution and in what manner it will coordinate crime victims' support services with other criminal justice agencies within its jurisdiction, including but not limited to, the State's Attorney, the Sheriff and any municipal police department.

(7) No statement shall be verified by the Supreme Court or its designee or vouchered by the Comptroller unless each of the following conditions have been met:

(a) The probation officer is a full-time employee appointed by the Chief Judge to provide probation services.

(b) The probation officer, in order to be eligible for State reimbursement, is receiving a salary of at least $17,000 per year.

(c) The probation officer is appointed or was reappointed in accordance with minimum qualifications or criteria established by the Supreme Court; however, all probation officers appointed prior to January 1, 1978, shall be exempted from the minimum requirements established by the Supreme Court. Payments shall be made to counties employing these exempted probation officers as long as they are employed in the position held on the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1985. Promotions shall be governed by minimum qualifications established by the Supreme Court.

(d) The Department has an established compensation schedule approved by the Supreme Court. The compensation schedule shall include salary ranges with necessary increments to compensate each employee. The increments shall, within the salary ranges, be based on such factors as bona fide occupational qualifications, performance, and length of service. Each position in the Department shall be placed on the compensation schedule according to job duties and responsibilities of such position. The policy and procedures of the compensation schedule shall be made available to each employee.

(8) In order to obtain full reimbursement of all approved costs, each Department must continue to employ at least the same number of probation officers and probation managers as were authorized for employment for the fiscal year which includes January 1, 1985. This number shall be designated as the base amount of the Department. No positions approved by the Division under paragraph (b) of subsection 4 will be included in the base amount. In the event that the Department employs fewer Probation officers and Probation managers than the base amount for a period of 90 days, funding received by the Department under subsection 4 of this Section may be reduced on a monthly basis by the amount of the current salaries of any positions below the base amount.

(9) Before the 15th day of each month, the treasurer of any county which has a Probation and Court Services Department, or the treasurer of the most populous county, in the case of a Probation or Court Services Department funded by more than one county, shall submit an itemized statement of all approved costs incurred in the delivery of Basic Probation and Court Services under this Act to the Supreme Court. The treasurer may also submit an itemized statement of all approved costs incurred in the delivery of new and expanded Probation and Court Services as well as Individualized Services and Programs. The Supreme Court or its designee shall verify compliance with this Section and shall examine and audit the monthly statement and, upon finding them to be correct, shall forward them to the Comptroller for payment to the county treasurer. In the case of payment to a treasurer of a county which is the most populous of counties sharing the salary and expenses of a Probation and Court Services Department, the treasurer shall divide the money between the counties in a manner that reflects each county's share of the cost incurred by the Department.

(10) The county treasurer must certify that funds received under this Section shall be used solely to maintain and improve Probation and Court Services. The county or circuit shall remain in compliance with all standards, policies and regulations established by the Supreme Court. If at any time the Supreme Court determines that a county or circuit is not in compliance, the Supreme Court shall immediately notify the Chief Judge, county board chairman and the Director of Court Services Chief Probation Officer. If after 90 days of written notice the noncompliance still exists, the Supreme Court shall be required to reduce the amount of monthly reimbursement by 10%. An additional 10% reduction of monthly reimbursement shall occur for each consecutive month of noncompliance. Except as provided in subsection 5 of Section 15, funding to counties shall commence on April 1, 1986. Funds received under this Act shall be used to provide for Probation Department expenses including those required under Section 13 of this Act. The Mandatory Arbitration Fund may be used to provide for Probation Department expenses, including those required under Section 13 of this Act.

(11) The respective counties shall be responsible for capital and space costs, fringe benefits, clerical costs, equipment, telecommunications, postage, commodities and printing.

(12) For purposes of this Act only, probation officers shall be considered peace officers. In the exercise of their official duties, probation officers, sheriffs, and police officers may, anywhere within the State, arrest any probationer who is in violation of any of the conditions of his or her probation, conditional discharge, or supervision, and it shall be the duty of the officer making the arrest to take the probationer before the Court having jurisdiction over the probationer for further order.

(Source: P.A. 100-91, eff. 8-11-17.)

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