Bill Text: IL SB0601 | 2021-2022 | 102nd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: 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.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-04-16 - Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments [SB0601 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2021-SB0601-Introduced.html

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102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2021 and 2022 SB0601 Introduced 2/24/2021, by Sen. Dale Fowler 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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AN ACT concerning human services.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
Technology First Act.
Section 5. Findings. The General Assembly finds:
(1) Many individuals with developmental disabilities
encounter obstacles in their lives that can be overcome
with technology.
(2) Innovative supportive technology positively
impacts the lives of individuals with developmental
disabilities at home and in our communities.
(3) With continuing technological advancements,
individuals with developmental disabilities increasingly
have more opportunities to access innovative supportive
technology that lowers barriers that people with
disabilities encounter in their daily lives and that
promotes their independence, confidence, and abilities.
(4) Supportive technology in the workplace can enable
individuals with developmental disabilities to perform job
tasks in order to seek or maintain employment to achieve
independence.
(5) The demand for direct support staff who assist

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

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"Secretary" means the Secretary of Human Services.
"Supportive technology" includes any product, device, or
equipment that may be used to maintain, increase, or improve
the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.
Section 15. Technology First Council.
(a) The Technology First Council is created 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. The
Council shall consist of the Secretary of Human Services or
the Secretary's designee and the following members, who shall
be appointed by the Secretary:
(1) one member who is a representative of the Illinois
Council on Developmental Disabilities;
(2) one member who is a representative of the Illinois
Assistive Technology Program;
(3) one member who is a representative of an
intellectual or developmental disability advocacy
organization;
(4) one member who is familiar with supportive
technology research and who represents an Illinois
institution of higher education;
(5) two members representing service providers who
have significant experience using supportive technology to

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

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options may be needed to assist individuals with
developmental disabilities to gain access to supportive
technology;
(3) identify best practices, effective partnerships,
and opportunities for shared services among providers,
State agencies, and units of local government to increase
supportive technology opportunities for individuals with
developmental disabilities;
(4) recommend ways to integrate supportive technology
into existing programs to move with children as they grow
into adulthood, with a focus on transition-age youth;
(5) 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;
(6) recommend system-level benchmarks for monitoring
use of supportive technology and person-centered outcomes
that demonstrate increased quality of life for individuals
with developmental disabilities; and
(7) submit to the Governor and the General Assembly a
report setting forth recommendations for the use of
supportive technology for services to individuals with
developmental disabilities.