HB 4460

Abstract

Amends the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, the Counties Code, and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that the State Employees Group Insurance Program (for Illinois State Police officers), a county (for members of the sheriff's office), and a municipality (for members of the police department or fire department) shall provide coverage for joint mental health therapy services for the officer or firefighter and a spouse or partner of the officer or firefighter who resides with officer or firefighter. Specifies that the coverage shall be provided without imposing a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or any other cost-sharing requirement, except that, for Illinois State Police officers and the spouse or partner of the officer under the State Employees Group Insurance Act of 1971, only if all resources available to those individuals through the State of Illinois' Employee Assistance Program and any first responder mental health program available are first exhausted. Directs the joint mental health therapy services to be provided by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches, a licensed clinical psychologist, a licensed clinical social worker, a licensed clinical professional counselor, a licensed marriage and family therapist, a licensed social worker, or a licensed professional counselor. Limits the concurrent exercise of home rule powers. Effective January 1, 2025. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Removes provisions requiring that the coverage shall be provided without imposing a deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or any other cost-sharing requirement. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Provides that the State Employees Group Insurance Program shall provide coverage for joint mental health therapy services for any Illinois State Police officer or police officer of an institution of higher education (rather than only Illinois State Police officers). Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Adds reference to: 70 ILCS 705/6.3 new Amends the Fire Protection District Act. Provides that, if a fire protection district is a self-insurer for purposes of providing health insurance coverage for officers and members of the fire department, the insurance coverage shall include joint mental health therapy services for any officer or member of the fire department and any spouse or partner of the officer or member who resides with the officer or member. Requires the joint mental health therapy services provided under the provisions to be performed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches, a licensed clinical psychologist, a licensed clinical social worker, a licensed clinical professional counselor, a licensed marriage and family therapist, a licensed social worker, or a licensed professional counselor.