HB 5859

Abstract

Amends the Open Meetings Act. Provides that a public body may hold a closed meeting to consider specified actions to respond to an actual, a threatened, or a reasonably potential danger to the safety of employees, students, staff, the public, or public property. Amends the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code to require a physician, clinical psychologist, or qualified examiner to determine whether to file an action under the Firearms Restraining Order Act under specified circumstances, and amends the Firearm Owners Identification Card Act to make a corresponding change. Amends the Firearms Restraining Order Act. Provides that a petitioner may request a one-year (rather than 6-month) firearms restraining order, and makes conforming changes throughout the Act. Provides that the Illinois State Police may disseminate educational brochures containing information regarding firearms restraining orders created by the Attorney General's office and other materials concerning firearms restraining orders created by the Department of Public Health to any law enforcement agency in the State, who may in turn disseminate the brochure to persons as the law enforcement agency determines. Subject to appropriation, establishes the Office of Firearms Restraining Order Coordination within the Department of Human Services. Provides that a lawful owner of a firearm may not knowingly, recklessly, or negligently allow the subject of a firearms restraining order to access the firearms of the lawful owner, and that the court may award a person aggrieved by such a violation actual and punitive damages, as well as attorney's fees and other costs. Amends the Illinois Vehicle Code. Provides that the driver's license shall be suspended and the motor vehicle registration shall not be renewed until a person fully complies with an order to surrender firearms. Amends various other Acts to make conforming and other changes. Effective immediately.