HB 839

Abstract

Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to establish a Free Masks for Seniors Program to acquire and distribute free disposable surgical face masks to Illinois residents 65 years of age or older regardless of income. Provides that under the program a one-month supply of disposable surgical face masks, amounting to no less than 25 masks, shall be delivered every month by postal service to the residential address of every eligible Illinois resident. Requires the Department to work with its network of services providers, including, but not limited to, adult day care providers, community day providers, developmental disability providers, family and community services providers, mental health providers, and rehabilitation services providers, to identify and register eligible individuals for the program. Requires the Department to also access data from the Social Security Administration, the U.S. Postal Service, the Illinois Secretary of State, and other governmental entities, as appropriate and to the extent allowed by law, to identify and register individuals eligible to participate in the program. Provides that any information obtained or collected shall be subject to federal and State privacy and confidentiality laws and regulations. Requires the Department to establish and implement the program no later than 30 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Effective immediately.