SPRINGFIELD – Insurance coverage for infertility treatment for all women, regardless of marital status, will be accessible under a measure sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview), which was signed into law Tuesday.

“Every woman in Illinois deserves insurance coverage for infertility treatment,” Senator Fine said. “If a woman is experiencing fertility issues, she should be covered by insurance regardless of her age, medical history, partner status or sexual orientation.”

Current coverage requirements only protect infertility treatments for women under 35 who are unable to become pregnant after one year of trying, women over 35 who are unable to become pregnant after six months, and women who are not medically able to conceive.

Senator Fine’s measure would expand coverage to include single women and women unable to conceive with a partner.

"I'm proud that Illinois has redefined what infertility means to insurance companies, sending a message to families across Illinois that they're supported in their journey to start or grow their family,” State Representative Margaret Croke (D-Chicago), who sponsored the bill in the House, said. “Because of this legislation, LGBTQ couples, single women, and others won't have to face an added cost to welcome a child into their home, and I'm thrilled to see it signed into law today."

House Bill 3709 was signed into law Tuesday and will take effect January 1, 2022.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois families will be able to access mental health and substance use disorder treatment without traveling long distances or waiting unreasonable amounts of time under a measure sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview), which was signed into law Friday.

“Oftentimes individuals can’t afford to wait days or weeks for mental health or substance use disorder treatment,” Senator Fine said. “It’s imperative that Illinoisans have easy access to timely and reliable mental health care.”

Senator Fine’s measure requires insurers to provide timely and proximate access to treatment for mental, emotional, nervous or substance use disorders and conditions. Insurers will also have to make an exception to out-of-network copay requirements if there are not any in-network providers available nearby or timely enough.

Individuals seeking outpatient mental health treatment will not have to travel longer than 30 minutes or 30 miles for care in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will Counties under Senator Fine’s plan. The limit increases to 60 minutes or 60 miles in other Illinois counties. Additionally, Illinoisans will not have to wait more than 10 business days between requesting an initial appointment and being seen by a provider.

“Mental health care will now be as accessible for Illinois families as other medical care,” Senator Fine said. “This law has the potential to save countless lives across our state.”

Senate Bill 471 was signed into law Friday and will take effect Jan. 1, 2022.

CHICAGO – Insurance coverage for telehealth treatment will be permanently expanded under a new law sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview).

“Everyone should be able to seek treatment from the comfort of their home without having to worry about whether their insurance will cover the visit,” Senator Fine said. “Expanding insurance coverage for telehealth will expand accessibility to treatment for Illinois families.”

Under previous law, insurance companies could, but were not required to provide coverage for telehealth services. This law will ensure coverage for clinically appropriate and medically necessary telehealth services at the same rate as in-person services.

“People who may not feel comfortable leaving their homes or may not have reliable transportation options will have more options when it comes to seeking healthcare,” Senator Fine said. “With this law, telehealth will continue to be a useful tool for both providers and patients alike.”

House Bill 3308 was signed into law Thursday and is effective immediately.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois minors will have an easier time seeking work permits in Illinois under a new law sponsored by State Senator Laura Fine (D-Glenview).

“The COVID-19 pandemic has encouraged us to meet people where they are, and this law gives young adults the flexibility to seek work permits remotely,” Senator Fine said. “Minors across Illinois will be able to utilize a streamlined process to access work permits.”

Children under 16, along with their parents or legal guardian, will now be able to meet with school issuing officers remotely to obtain a Child Labor Certificate. This option was previously made available as an emergency rule during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Making remote meetings a permanent option for families and school issuing officers for the purpose of getting a work permit makes sense,” said Illinois Department of Labor Director Michael Kleinik. “It goes beyond the lessons learned and rules put in place during the peak of the pandemic.”

Public Act 102-0032 was signed into law June 25 and took effect immediately.