(410 ILCS 413/1) Sec. 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Epilepsy Disease Assistance Act. (Source: P.A. 94-73, eff. 6-23-05.)

(410 ILCS 413/5) Sec. 5. Policy declaration. The General Assembly finds that epilepsy is a devastating health condition that afflicts 2,300,000 United States citizens, over 125,000 of whom reside in Illinois. The General Assembly also finds that epilepsy afflicts its victims at all ages, but is particularly devastating to children and the elderly. It is the opinion of the General Assembly that epilepsy can cause serious financial, social, and emotional hardships on the victims and their families of such a major consequence that it is essential for the State to develop and implement policies, plans, and programs to alleviate these hardships.It is the intent of the General Assembly through implementation of this Act to establish a program for the conduct of epilepsy education, awareness, and treatment initiatives designed to address the service gaps and treatment needs of the people impacted by epilepsy. Additionally, it is the intent of the General Assembly, through a comprehensive, statewide system of community-based services (Epilepsy Treatment and Education Program), to provide for the identification, evaluation, diagnosis, referral, and treatment of victims of this disease. (Source: P.A. 94-73, eff. 6-23-05.)

(410 ILCS 413/10) Sec. 10. Duties of the Department. Subject to the availability of funds for these purposes, the Department of Public Health shall:(1) Assist in the development of programs for the

care and treatment of persons suffering from epilepsy.

(2) Institute and carry on a statewide educational

initiative among health care professionals, teachers, school administers, public health departments, and families, including the dissemination of information and the conducting of educational programs to assist in the early recognition and referral of persons for appropriate followup and treatment.

(3) Develop standards for determining eligibility for

care and treatment under this program. Among other standards so developed under this paragraph, candidates, to be eligible, must be referred and evaluated by a program properly staffed and affiliated with a national epilepsy program.

(4) Extend assistance to the programs listed in item

(2) in order to facilitate linkages for persons with epilepsy through the following:

(i) referral and evaluation for appropriate care

management and treatment; and

(ii) diagnosis and treatment by epileptologists

and the Epilepsy Foundation.

(Source: P.A. 94-73, eff. 6-23-05.)

(410 ILCS 413/15) Sec. 15. Epilepsy Advisory Committee. The Epilepsy Advisory Committee is created as a committee within the Department of Public Health. The Epilepsy Advisory Committee shall consist of the Director of Public Health, or his or her designee, who shall serve as a non-voting member and who shall be the co-chair of the Committee, and 13 voting members appointed by the Governor. The voting members shall include persons who are experienced in the delivery of diagnoses, treatment, and support services to victims of epilepsy and their families. The voting members shall include 3 board-certified neurologists licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches, at least one of whom shall be a Director of a comprehensive epilepsy center; one representative of an educational institution that is affiliated with a medical center in the State; one representative of a licensed hospital; one nurse; one social worker; one representative of an organization established under the Illinois Insurance Code for the purpose of providing health insurance; one representative of each Illinois Epilepsy Foundation affiliate; and 2 people with epilepsy or members of their families. Each voting member shall serve for a term of 2 years and until his or her successor is appointed and qualified. Members of the Committee shall not be compensated, but shall be reimbursed for expenses actually incurred in the performance of their duties from funds appropriated for that purpose. No more than 9 voting members may be of the same political party. Vacancies shall be filled in the same manner as original appointments.The Epilepsy Advisory Committee shall advise the Department of Public Health on their duties under this Act. (Source: P.A. 94-73, eff. 6-23-05.)

(410 ILCS 413/20) Sec. 20. Regional programs. The Epilepsy Committee shall recommend the establishment of regional epilepsy treatment and education programs designed to provide community services to people with epilepsy and their families. (Source: P.A. 94-73, eff. 6-23-05.)

(410 ILCS 413/25) Sec. 25. Epilepsy Treatment and Education Grants-in-Aid Fund. The Epilepsy Treatment and Education Grants-in-Aid Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury. Using appropriations from the Fund, the Department of Public Health shall provide grants-in-aid (i) to fund necessary educational activities and (ii) for the development and maintenance of services for victims of epilepsy and their families, as managed through an epilepsy program properly staffed and affiliated with a national epilepsy program. The Department shall adopt rules governing the distribution and specific purpose of these grants. (Source: P.A. 94-73, eff. 6-23-05.)

(410 ILCS 413/30) Sec. 30. (Amendatory provisions; text omitted). (Source: P.A. 94-73, eff. 6-23-05; text omitted.)

(410 ILCS 413/35) Sec. 35. (Amendatory provisions; text omitted). (Source: P.A. 94-73, eff. 6-23-05; text omitted.)

(410 ILCS 413/99) Sec. 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law. (Source: P.A. 94-73, eff. 6-23-05.)