102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
SB0599

 

Introduced 2/24/2021, by Sen. Chapin Rose

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
New Act

    Creates the Technology First Act. Creates the Technology First Council within the Department of Human Services to advise the Governor and the General Assembly regarding the use of supportive technology, instead of direct support staffing, as a solution for an individual who needs developmental disability services. Provides that the Council shall consist of the Secretary of Human Services and other members appointed by the Secretary, including one member who is a representative of the Illinois Council on Developmental Disabilities; one member who is a representative of the Illinois Assistive Technology Program; one member who is the parent or guardian of a child with a developmental disability and who has significant experience with the use of supportive technology; and 2 members representing service providers who have significant experience using supportive technology to provide services to individuals with developmental disabilities. Provides that members shall serve without compensation. Requires the Council to make recommendations to develop State policy to encourage the use of supportive technology; identify and address areas in which sufficient support is not currently available or where additional options may be needed to assist individuals with developmental disabilities to gain access to supportive technology; develop educational materials for providers, families, and others about how supportive technology can have a positive impact on the independence, skills, and abilities of individuals with developmental disabilities; and other duties. Requires the Council to submit a report to the Governor and the General Assembly with its recommendations for the use of supportive technology for services to individuals with developmental disabilities.


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FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

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1    AN ACT concerning human services.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
5Technology First Act.
 
6    Section 5. Findings. The General Assembly finds:
7        (1) Many individuals with developmental disabilities
8    encounter obstacles in their lives that can be overcome
9    with technology.
10        (2) Innovative supportive technology positively
11    impacts the lives of individuals with developmental
12    disabilities at home and in our communities.
13        (3) With continuing technological advancements,
14    individuals with developmental disabilities increasingly
15    have more opportunities to access innovative supportive
16    technology that lowers barriers that people with
17    disabilities encounter in their daily lives and that
18    promotes their independence, confidence, and abilities.
19        (4) Supportive technology in the workplace can enable
20    individuals with developmental disabilities to perform job
21    tasks in order to seek or maintain employment to achieve
22    independence.
23        (5) The demand for direct support staff who assist

 

 

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1    individuals with developmental disabilities is projected
2    to increase and technology can assist those who do the
3    important work of caring for individuals with
4    disabilities.
5        (6) While human relationships are an essential part of
6    all our lives, supportive technology can connect
7    individuals with developmental disabilities with
8    additional assistance to supplement and enhance the care
9    that they receive.
10        (7) Illinois aims to ensure supportive technology
11    solutions are considered when determining the appropriate
12    services and supports to be provided for individuals with
13    developmental disabilities.
14        (8) Illinois commits to a statewide initiative,
15    Technology First, led by the Department of Human Services,
16    to coordinate efforts to expand access to supportive
17    technology designed to improve the lives of individuals
18    with developmental disabilities.
19        (9) Through its Technology First initiative, Illinois
20    is committed to the goal that individuals with
21    developmental disabilities be afforded the opportunity to
22    improve their lives through supportive technology.
 
23    Section 10. Definitions. As used in this Act:
24    "Council" means the Technology First Council.
25    "Department" means the Department of Human Services.

 

 

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1    "Secretary" means the Secretary of Human Services.
2    "Supportive technology" includes any product, device, or
3equipment that may be used to maintain, increase, or improve
4the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.
 
5    Section 15. Technology First Council.
6    (a) The Technology First Council is created within the
7Department of Human Services to advise the Governor and the
8General Assembly regarding the use of supportive technology,
9instead of direct support staffing, as a solution for an
10individual who needs developmental disability services. The
11Council shall consist of the Secretary of Human Services or
12the Secretary's designee and the following members, who shall
13be appointed by the Secretary:
14        (1) one member who is a representative of the Illinois
15    Council on Developmental Disabilities;
16        (2) one member who is a representative of the Illinois
17    Assistive Technology Program;
18        (3) one member who is a representative of an
19    intellectual or developmental disability advocacy
20    organization;
21        (4) one member who is familiar with supportive
22    technology research and who represents an Illinois
23    institution of higher education;
24        (5) two members representing service providers who
25    have significant experience using supportive technology to

 

 

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1    provide services to individuals with developmental
2    disabilities;
3        (6) one member who is the parent or guardian of a child
4    with a developmental disability and who has significant
5    experience with the use of supportive technology;
6        (7) one member who is an individual with a
7    developmental disability and has significant experience
8    with the use of supportive technology; and
9        (8) other members as the Secretary deems appropriate.
10    (b) Council members shall serve without compensation but
11may be reimbursed for their travel expenses. The Department
12shall provide administrative and other support to the Council.
13The Secretary or the Secretary's designee shall serve as the
14chair of the Council.
15    (c) All State agencies shall comply with requests issued
16by the Council, subject to the supervision of their agency
17heads.
18    (d) Supportive technology that is intended to address an
19individual's assessed needs shall be prioritized when
20considering services and support needs.
21    (e) In the 6 months following the effective date of this
22Act, the Council shall:
23        (1) make recommendations to develop State policy to
24    encourage the use of supportive technology;
25        (2) identify and address areas in which sufficient
26    support is not currently available or where additional

 

 

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1    options may be needed to assist individuals with
2    developmental disabilities to gain access to supportive
3    technology;
4        (3) identify best practices, effective partnerships,
5    and opportunities for shared services among providers,
6    State agencies, and units of local government to increase
7    supportive technology opportunities for individuals with
8    developmental disabilities;
9        (4) recommend ways to integrate supportive technology
10    into existing programs to move with children as they grow
11    into adulthood, with a focus on transition-age youth;
12        (5) develop educational materials for providers,
13    families, and others about how supportive technology can
14    have a positive impact on the independence, skills, and
15    abilities of individuals with developmental disabilities;
16        (6) recommend system-level benchmarks for monitoring
17    use of supportive technology and person-centered outcomes
18    that demonstrate increased quality of life for individuals
19    with developmental disabilities; and
20        (7) submit to the Governor and the General Assembly a
21    report setting forth recommendations for the use of
22    supportive technology for services to individuals with
23    developmental disabilities.