225 ILCS 109/ Sex Offender Evaluation and Treatment Provider Act.

(225 ILCS 109/1)

Sec. 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Sex Offender Evaluation and Treatment Provider Act.

(Source: P.A. 97-1098, eff. 7-1-13.)

(225 ILCS 109/5)

Sec. 5. Declaration of public policy. The practice of sex offender evaluation and treatment in Illinois is hereby declared to affect the public health, safety and welfare, and to be subject to regulations in the public interest. The purpose of this Act is to establish standards of qualifications for sex offender evaluators and sex offender treatment providers, thereby protecting the public from persons who are unauthorized or unqualified to represent themselves as licensed sex offender evaluators and sex offender treatment providers, and from unprofessional conduct by persons licensed to practice sex offender evaluation and treatment.

(Source: P.A. 97-1098, eff. 7-1-13.)

(225 ILCS 109/10)

Sec. 10. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Address of record" means the designated address recorded by the Department in the applicant's or licensee's application file or license file maintained by the Department's licensure maintenance unit.

"Associate sex offender provider" means a person licensed under this Act to conduct sex offender evaluations or provide sex offender treatment services under the supervision of a licensed sex offender evaluator or a licensed sex offender treatment provider.

"Board" means the Sex Offender Evaluation and Treatment Licensing and Disciplinary Board.

"Department" means the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

"Licensee" means a person who has obtained a license under this Act.

"Secretary" means the Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation.

"Sex offender evaluation" means a sex-offender specific evaluation that systematically uses a variety of standardized measurements, assessments and information gathered collaterally and through face-to-face interviews. Sex-offender specific evaluations assess risk to the community; identify and document treatment and developmental needs, including safe and appropriate placement settings; determine amenability to treatment; and are the foundation of treatment, supervision, and placement recommendations.

"Sex offender evaluator" means a person licensed under this Act to conduct sex offender evaluations.

"Sex offender treatment" means a comprehensive set of planned therapeutic interventions and experiences to reduce the risk of further sexual offending and abusive behaviors by the offender. Treatment may include adjunct therapies to address the unique needs of the individual, but must include offense specific services by a treatment provider who meets the qualifications in Section 30 of this Act. Treatment focuses on the situations, thoughts, feelings, and behavior that have preceded and followed past offending (abuse cycles) and promotes change in each area relevant to the risk of continued abusive, offending, or deviant sexual behaviors. Due to the heterogeneity of the persons who commit sex offenses, treatment is provided based on the individualized evaluation and assessment. Treatment is designed to stop sex offending and abusive behavior, while increasing the offender's ability to function as a healthy, pro-social member of the community. Progress in treatment is measured by change rather than the passage of time.

"Sex offender treatment provider" means a person licensed under this Act to provide sex offender treatment.

(Source: P.A. 97-1098, eff. 7-1-13.)

(225 ILCS 109/15)

Sec. 15. Duties of the Department. The Department shall exercise the powers and duties prescribed by the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois for administration of licensing acts and shall exercise other powers and duties necessary for effectuating the purpose of this Act. The Department shall adopt rules to implement, interpret, or make specific the provisions and purposes of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 97-1098, eff. 7-1-13.)

(225 ILCS 109/20)

Sec. 20. Sex Offender Evaluation and Treatment Provider Licensing and Disciplinary Board.

(a) There is established within the Department the Sex Offender Evaluation and Treatment Licensing and Disciplinary Board to be appointed by the Secretary. The Board shall be composed of 8 persons who shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Secretary. The Board shall elect a chairperson and a vice chairperson.

(b) In appointing members of the Board, the Secretary shall give due consideration to recommendations by members of the profession of sex offender evaluation and treatment.

(c) Three members of the Board shall be sex offender evaluation or treatment providers, or both, who have been in active practice for at least 5 years immediately preceding their appointment. The appointees shall be licensed under this Act.

(d) One member shall represent the Department of Corrections.

(e) One member shall represent the Department of Human Services.

(f) One member shall represent the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts representing the interests of probation services.

(g) One member shall represent the Sex Offender Management Board.

(h) One member shall be representative of the general public who has no direct affiliation or work experience with the practice of sex offender evaluation and treatment and who clearly represents consumer interests.

(i) Board members shall be appointed for a term of 4 years, except that any person chosen to fill a vacancy shall be appointed only for the unexpired term of the Board member whom he or she shall succeed. Upon the expiration of his or her term of office, a Board member shall continue to serve until a successor is appointed and qualified. No member shall be reappointed to the Board for a term that would cause continuous service on the Board to be longer than 8 years.

(j) The membership of the Board shall reasonably reflect representation from the various geographic areas of the State.

(k) A member of the Board shall be immune from suit in any action based upon any disciplinary proceedings or other activities performed in good faith as a member of the Board.

(l) The Secretary may remove a member of the Board for any cause that, in the opinion of the Secretary, reasonably justifies termination.

(m) The Secretary may consider the recommendations of the Board on questions of standards of professional conduct, discipline, and qualification of candidates or licensees under this Act.

(n) The members of the Board shall be reimbursed for all legitimate, necessary, and authorized expenses.

(o) A majority of the Board members currently appointed shall constitute a quorum. A vacancy in the membership of the Board shall not impair the right of a quorum to exercise all the rights and perform all the duties of the Board.

(Source: P.A. 97-1098, eff. 7-1-13; 98-756, eff. 7-16-14.)

(225 ILCS 109/25)

Sec. 25. Application.

(a) Applications for original licensure shall be made to the Department in writing on forms prescribed by the Department and shall be accompanied by the appropriate documentation and the required fee, which fee is nonrefundable. An application shall require information as, in the judgment of the Department, will enable the Department to pass on the qualifications of the applicant for licensing.

(b) A license shall not be denied to an applicant because of the applicant's race, religion, creed, national origin, political beliefs or activities, age, sex, sexual orientation, or physical disability that does not affect a person's ability to practice with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety.

(Source: P.A. 97-1098, eff. 7-1-13.)

(225 ILCS 109/30)

Sec. 30. Social Security Number on license application. In addition to any other information required to be contained in the application, every application for an original, renewal, reinstated, or restored license under this Act shall include the applicant's Social Security number.

(Source: P.A. 97-1098, eff. 7-1-13.)

(225 ILCS 109/35)

Sec. 35. Qualifications for licensure.

(a)(1) A person is qualified for licensure as a sex offender evaluator if that person:

(A) has applied in writing on forms prepared and furnished by the Department;

(B) has not engaged or is not engaged in any practice or conduct that would be grounds for disciplining a licensee under Section 75 of this Act; and

(C) satisfies the licensure and experience requirements of paragraph (2) of this subsection (a).

(2) A person who applies to the Department shall be issued a sex offender evaluator license by the Department if the person meets the qualifications set forth in paragraph (1) of this subsection (a) and provides evidence to the Department that the person:

(A) is a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches under the Medical Practice Act of 1987 or licensed under the laws of another state; an advanced practice registered nurse with psychiatric specialty licensed under the Nurse Practice Act or licensed under the laws of another state; a clinical psychologist licensed under the Clinical Psychologist Licensing Act or licensed under the laws of another state; a licensed clinical social worker licensed under the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act or licensed under the laws of another state; a licensed clinical professional counselor licensed under the Professional Counselor and Clinical Professional Counselor Licensing and Practice Act or licensed under the laws of another state; or a licensed marriage and family therapist licensed under the Marriage and Family Therapy Licensing Act or licensed under the laws of another state;

(B) has 400 hours of supervised experience in the treatment or evaluation of sex offenders in the last 4 years, at least 200 of which are face-to-face therapy or evaluation with sex offenders;

(C) has completed at least 10 sex offender evaluations under supervision in the past 4 years; and

(D) has at least 40 hours of documented training in the specialty of sex offender evaluation, treatment, or management.

Until January 1, 2015, the requirements of subparagraphs (B) and (D) of paragraph (2) of this subsection (a) are satisfied if the applicant has been listed on the Sex Offender Management Board's Approved Provider List for a minimum of 2 years before application for licensure. Until January 1, 2015, the requirements of subparagraph (C) of paragraph (2) of this subsection (a) are satisfied if the applicant has completed at least 10 sex offender evaluations within the 4 years before application for licensure.

(b)(1) A person is qualified for licensure as a sex offender treatment provider if that person:

(A) has applied in writing on forms prepared and furnished by the Department;

(B) has not engaged or is not engaged in any practice or conduct that would be grounds for disciplining a licensee under Section 75 of this Act; and

(C) satisfies the licensure and experience requirements of paragraph (2) of this subsection (b).

(2) A person who applies to the Department shall be issued a sex offender treatment provider license by the Department if the person meets the qualifications set forth in paragraph (1) of this subsection (b) and provides evidence to the Department that the person:

(A) is a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches under the Medical Practice Act of 1987 or licensed under the laws of another state; an advanced practice registered nurse with psychiatric specialty licensed under the Nurse Practice Act or licensed under the laws of another state; a clinical psychologist licensed under the Clinical Psychologist Licensing Act or licensed under the laws of another state; a licensed clinical social worker licensed under the Clinical Social Work and Social Work Practice Act or licensed under the laws of another state; a licensed clinical professional counselor licensed under the Professional Counselor and Clinical Professional Counselor Licensing and Practice Act or licensed under the laws of another state; or a licensed marriage and family therapist licensed under the Marriage and Family Therapy Licensing Act or licensed under the laws of another state;

(B) has 400 hours of supervised experience in the treatment of sex offenders in the last 4 years, at least 200 of which are face-to-face therapy with sex offenders; and

(C) has at least 40 hours documented training in the specialty of sex offender evaluation, treatment, or management.

Until January 1, 2015, the requirements of subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (2) of this subsection (b) are satisfied if the applicant has been listed on the Sex Offender Management Board's Approved Provider List for a minimum of 2 years before application.

(c)(1) A person is qualified for licensure as an associate sex offender provider if that person:

(A) has applied in writing on forms prepared and furnished by the Department;

(B) has not engaged or is not engaged in any practice or conduct that would be grounds for disciplining a licensee under Section 75 of this Act; and

(C) satisfies the education and experience requirements of paragraph (2) of this subsection (c).

(2) A person who applies to the Department shall be issued an associate sex offender provider license by the Department if the person meets the qualifications set forth in paragraph (1) of this subsection (c) and provides evidence to the Department that the person holds a master's degree or higher in social work, psychology, marriage and family therapy, counseling or closely related behavioral science degree, or psychiatry.

(Source: P.A. 100-201, eff. 8-18-17; 100-513, eff. 1-1-18.)

(225 ILCS 109/40)

Sec. 40. Application; exemptions.

(a) No person may act as a sex offender evaluator, sex offender treatment provider, or associate sex offender provider as defined in this Act for the provision of sex offender evaluations or sex offender treatment pursuant to the Sex Offender Management Board Act, the Sexually Dangerous Persons Act, or the Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act unless the person is licensed to do so by the Department. Any evaluation or treatment services provided by a licensed health care professional not licensed under this Act shall not be valid under the Sex Offender Management Board Act, the Sexually Dangerous Persons Act, or the Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act. No business shall provide, attempt to provide, or offer to provide sex offender evaluation services unless it is organized under the Professional Service Corporation Act, the Medical Corporation Act, or the Professional Limited Liability Company Act.

(b) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to require any licensed physician, advanced practice registered nurse, physician assistant, or other health care professional to be licensed under this Act for the provision of services for which the person is otherwise licensed. This Act does not prohibit a person licensed under any other Act in this State from engaging in the practice for which he or she is licensed. This Act only applies to the provision of sex offender evaluations or sex offender treatment provided for the purposes of complying with the Sex Offender Management Board Act, the Sexually Dangerous Persons Act, or the Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act.

(Source: P.A. 99-227, eff. 8-3-15; 100-513, eff. 1-1-18.)

(225 ILCS 109/45)

Sec. 45. License renewal; restoration.

(a) The expiration date and renewal period for a license issued under this Act shall be set by rule. The holder of a license under this Act may renew that license during the 90 day period immediately preceding the expiration date upon payment of the required renewal fees and demonstrating compliance with any continuing education requirements. The Department shall adopt rules establishing minimum requirements of continuing education and means for verification of the completion of the continuing education requirements. The Department may, by rule, specify circumstances under which the continuing education requirements may be waived.

(b) A licensee who has permitted his or her license to expire or who has had his or her license on inactive status may have his or her license restored by making application to the Department and filing proof acceptable to the Department, as defined by rule, of his or her fitness to have his or her license restored, including evidence certifying to active practice in another jurisdiction satisfactory to the Department and by paying the required restoration fee.

(c) A licensee whose license expired while he or she was (1) in Federal Service on active duty with the Armed Forces of the United States, or the State Militia called into service or training, or (2) in training or education under the supervision of the United States preliminary to induction into the military service, may have his or her license renewed or restored without paying any lapsed renewal fees if within 2 years after honorable termination of service, training or education, he or she furnishes the Department with satisfactory evidence to the effect that he or she has been so engaged and that his or her service, training or education has been terminated.

(Source: P.A. 97-1098, eff. 7-1-13.)

(225 ILCS 109/50)

Sec. 50. Inactive status.

(a) A licensee who notifies the Department in writing on forms prescribed by the Department may elect to place his or her license on an inactive status and shall, subject to rules of the Department, be excused from payment of renewal fees until he or she notifies the Department in writing of his or her intent to restore his or her license.

(b) A licensee requesting restoration from inactive status shall be required to pay the current renewal fee and shall be required to restore his or her license as provided in Section 45 of this Act.

(c) A licensee whose license is in an inactive status shall not practice in the State of Illinois.

(d) A licensee who provides sex offender evaluation or treatment services while his or her license is lapsed or on inactive status shall be considered to be practicing without a license which shall be grounds for discipline under this Act.

(Source: P.A. 97-1098, eff. 7-1-13.)

(225 ILCS 109/55)

Sec. 55. Fees. The fees for the administration and enforcement of this Act, including but not limited to original licensure, renewal, and restoration, shall be set by rule of the Department. The fees shall be nonrefundable.

(Source: P.A. 97-1098, eff. 7-1-13.)

(225 ILCS 109/60)

Sec. 60. Deposit of fees and fines. All of the fees and fines collected under this Act shall be deposited into the General Professions Dedicated Fund.

(Source: P.A. 97-1098, eff. 7-1-13.)

(225 ILCS 109/65)

Sec. 65. Payments; penalty for insufficient funds. A person who delivers a check or other payment to the Department that is returned to the Department unpaid by the financial institution upon which it is drawn shall pay to the Department, in addition to the amount already owed to the Department, a fine of $50. The fines imposed by this Section are in addition to any other discipline provided under this Act prohibiting unlicensed practice or practice on a nonrenewed license. The Department shall notify the person that payment of fees and fines shall be paid to the Department by certified check or money order within 30 calendar days after notification. If after the expiration of 30 days from the date of the notification the person has failed to submit the necessary remittance, the Department shall automatically terminate the license or deny the application without hearing. If after termination or denial the person seeks a license, he or she shall apply to the Department for restoration or issuance of the license and pay all fees and fines due to the Department. The Department may establish a fee for the processing of an application for restoration of a license to pay all expenses of processing the application. The Secretary may waive the fines due under this Section in individual cases where the Secretary finds that the fines would be unreasonable or unnecessarily burdensome.

(Source: P.A. 97-1098, eff. 7-1-13.)

(225 ILCS 109/70)

Sec. 70. Roster; address change.

(a) The Department shall maintain a roster of names and addresses of all persons who hold valid licenses and all persons whose licenses have been suspended or revoked within the previous year. This roster shall be available upon request and payment of the required fee.

(b) It is the duty of the applicant or licensee to inform the Department of any change of address, and that change must be made either through the Department's website or by contacting the Department's licensure maintenance unit.

(Source: P.A. 97-1098, eff. 7-1-13.)

(225 ILCS 109/75)

Sec. 75. Refusal, revocation, or suspension.

(a) The Department may refuse to issue or renew, or may revoke, suspend, place on probation, reprimand, or take other disciplinary or non-disciplinary action, as the Department considers appropriate, including the imposition of fines not to exceed $10,000 for each violation, with regard to any license or licensee for any one or more of the following:

(1) violations of this Act or of the rules adopted under this Act;

(2) discipline by the Department under other state law and rules which the licensee is subject to;

(3) conviction by plea of guilty or nolo contendere, finding of guilt, jury verdict, or entry of judgment or by sentencing for any crime, including, but not limited to, convictions, preceding sentences of supervision, conditional discharge, or first offender probation, under the laws of any jurisdiction of the United States: (i) that is a felony; or (ii) that is a misdemeanor, an essential element of which is dishonesty, or that is directly related to the practice of the profession;

(4) professional incompetence;

(5) advertising in a false, deceptive, or misleading manner;

(6) aiding, abetting, assisting, procuring, advising, employing, or contracting with any unlicensed person to provide sex offender evaluation or treatment services contrary to any rules or provisions of this Act;

(7) engaging in immoral conduct in the commission of any act, such as sexual abuse, sexual misconduct, or sexual exploitation, related to the licensee's practice;

(8) engaging in dishonorable, unethical, or unprofessional conduct of a character likely to deceive, defraud, or harm the public;

(9) practicing or offering to practice beyond the scope permitted by law or accepting and performing professional responsibilities which the licensee knows or has reason to know that he or she is not competent to perform;

(10) knowingly delegating professional responsibilities to a person unqualified by training, experience, or licensure to perform;

(11) failing to provide information in response to a written request made by the Department within 60 days;

(12) having a habitual or excessive use of or addiction to alcohol, narcotics, stimulants, or any other chemical agent or drug which results in the inability to practice with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety;

(13) having a pattern of practice or other behavior that demonstrates incapacity or incompetence to practice under this Act;

(14) discipline by another state, District of Columbia, territory, or foreign nation, if at least one of the grounds for the discipline is the same or substantially equivalent to those set forth in this Section;

(15) a finding by the Department that the licensee, after having his or her license placed on probationary status, has violated the terms of probation;

(16) willfully making or filing false records or reports in his or her practice, including, but not limited to, false records filed with State agencies or departments;

(17) making a material misstatement in furnishing information to the Department or otherwise making misleading, deceptive, untrue, or fraudulent representations in violation of this Act or otherwise in the practice of the profession;

(18) fraud or misrepresentation in applying for or procuring a license under this Act or in connection with applying for renewal of a license under this Act;

(19) inability to practice the profession with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety as a result of physical illness, including, but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process, loss of motor skill, or a mental illness or disability;

(20) charging for professional services not rendered, including filing false statements for the collection of fees for which services are not rendered; or

(21) practicing under a false or, except as provided by law, an assumed name.

All fines shall be paid within 60 days of the effective date of the order imposing the fine.

(b) The Department may refuse to issue or may suspend the license of any person who fails to file a tax return, to pay the tax, penalty, or interest shown in a filed tax return, or to pay any final assessment of tax, penalty, or interest, as required by any tax Act administered by the Illinois Department of Revenue, until such time as the requirements of the tax Act are satisfied in accordance with subsection (g) of Section 2105-15 of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(c) (Blank).

(d) In cases where the Department of Healthcare and Family Services has previously determined that a licensee or a potential licensee is more than 30 days delinquent in the payment of child support and has subsequently certified the delinquency to the Department, the Department may refuse to issue or renew or may revoke or suspend that person's license or may take other disciplinary action against that person based solely upon the certification of delinquency made by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services in accordance with item (5) of subsection (a) of Section 2105-15 of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois.

(e) The determination by a circuit court that a licensee is subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission, as provided in the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code, operates as an automatic suspension. The suspension will end only upon a finding by a court that the patient is no longer subject to involuntary admission or judicial admission and the issuance of a court order so finding and discharging the patient.

(f) In enforcing this Act, the Department or Board, upon a showing of a possible violation, may compel an individual licensed to practice under this Act, or who has applied for licensure under this Act, to submit to a mental or physical examination, or both, as required by and at the expense of the Department. The Department or Board may order the examining physician to present testimony concerning the mental or physical examination of the licensee or applicant. No information shall be excluded by reason of any common law or statutory privilege relating to communications between the licensee or applicant and the examining physician. The examining physician shall be specifically designated by the Board or Department. The individual to be examined may have, at his or her own expense, another physician of his or her choice present during all aspects of this examination. The examination shall be performed by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all its branches. Failure of an individual to submit to a mental or physical examination, when directed, shall result in an automatic suspension without hearing.

A person holding a license under this Act or who has applied for a license under this Act who, because of a physical or mental illness or disability, including, but not limited to, deterioration through the aging process or loss of motor skill, is unable to practice the profession with reasonable judgment, skill, or safety, may be required by the Department to submit to care, counseling, or treatment by physicians approved or designated by the Department as a condition, term, or restriction for continued, reinstated, or renewed licensure to practice. Submission to care, counseling, or treatment as required by the Department shall not be considered discipline of a license. If the licensee refuses to enter into a care, counseling, or treatment agreement or fails to abide by the terms of the agreement, the Department may file a complaint to revoke, suspend, or otherwise discipline the license of the individual. The Secretary may order the license suspended immediately, pending a hearing by the Department. Fines shall not be assessed in disciplinary actions involving physical or mental illness or impairment.

In instances in which the Secretary immediately suspends a person's license under this Section, a hearing on that person's license must be convened by the Department within 15 days after the suspension and completed without appreciable delay. The Department and Board shall have the authority to review the subject individual's record of treatment and counseling regarding the impairment to the extent permitted by applicable federal statutes and regulations safeguarding the confidentiality of medical records.

An individual licensed under this Act and subject to action under this Section shall be afforded an opportunity to demonstrate to the Department or Board that he or she can resume practice in compliance with acceptable and prevailing standards under the provisions of his or her license.

(Source: P.A. 100-872, eff. 8-14-18; 101-81, eff. 7-12-19.)

(225 ILCS 109/80)

Sec. 80. Continuing education. The Department shall adopt rules for continuing education for persons licensed under this Act that require a completion of 20 hours of approved sex offender specific continuing education per license renewal period. The Department shall establish by rule a means for the verification of completion of the continuing education required by this Section. This verification may be accomplished through audits of records maintained by the licensee, by requiring the filing of continuing education certificates with the Department, or by other means established by the Department.

(Source: P.A. 97-1098, eff. 7-1-13.)

(225 ILCS 109/85)

Sec. 85. Violations; injunctions; cease and desist order.

(a) If a person violates a provision of this Act, the Secretary may, in the name of the People of the State of Illinois, through the Attorney General, petition for an order enjoining the violation or for an order enforcing compliance with this Act. Upon the filing of a verified petition in court, the court may issue a temporary restraining order, without notice or bond, and may preliminarily and permanently enjoin the violation. If it is established that the person has violated or is violating the injunction, the court may punish the offender for contempt of court. Proceedings under this Section are in addition to, and not in lieu of, all other remedies and penalties provided by this Act.

(b) If a person engages in sex offender evaluation or treatment or holds himself or herself out as licensee without having a valid license under this Act, then any licensee, any interested party or any person injured thereby may, in addition to the Secretary, petition for relief as provided in subsection (a) of this Section.

(c) Whenever in the opinion of the Department a person has violated any provision of this Act, the Department may issue a rule to show cause why an order to cease and desist should not be entered against him or her. The rule shall clearly set forth the grounds relied upon by the Department and shall provide a period of 7 days from the date of the rule to file an answer to the satisfaction of the Department. Failure to answer to the satisfaction of the Department shall cause an order to cease and desist to be issued immediately.

(Source: P.A. 97-1098, eff. 7-1-13.)

(225 ILCS 109/90)

Sec. 90. Unlicensed practice; violation; civil penalty.

(a) A person who holds himself or herself out to practice as a licensee without being licensed under this Act shall, in addition to any other penalty provided by law, pay a civil penalty to the Department in an amount not to exceed $10,000 for each offense, as determined by the Department. The civil penalty shall be assessed by the Department after a hearing is held in accordance with the provisions of this Act regarding a hearing for the discipline of a licensee.

(b) The Department may investigate any and all unlicensed activity.

(c) The civil penalty shall be paid within 60 days after the effective date of the order imposing the civil penalty. The order shall constitute a judgment and may be filed and execution had thereon in the same manner as any judgment from any court of record.

(Source: P.A. 97-1098, eff. 7-1-13.)

(225 ILCS 109/95)

Sec. 95. Investigation; notice and hearing. The Department may investigate the actions or qualifications of any person or persons holding or claiming to hold a license. Before suspending, revoking, placing on probationary status, or taking any other disciplinary action as the Department may deem proper with regard to any license, at least 30 days before the date set for the hearing, the Department shall (i) notify the accused in writing of any charges made and the time and place for a hearing on the charges before the Board, (ii) direct him or her to file a written answer to the charges with the Board under oath within 20 days after the service on him or her of the notice, and (iii) inform him or her that if he or she fails to file an answer, default will be taken against him or her and his or her license may be suspended, revoked, placed on probationary status, or other disciplinary action taken with regard to the license, including limiting the scope, nature, or extent of his or her practice, as the Department may deem proper. In case the person, after receiving notice, fails to file an answer, his or her license may, in the discretion of the Department, be suspended, revoked, placed on probationary status, or the Department may take whatever disciplinary action is deemed proper, including limiting the scope, nature, or extent of the person's practice or the imposition of a fine, without a hearing, if the act or acts charged constitute sufficient grounds for that action under this Act. Written notice may be served by personal delivery or by registered or certified mail to the applicant or licensee at his or her last address of record with the Department. In case the person fails to file an answer after receiving notice, his or her license may, in the discretion of the Department, be suspended, revoked, or placed on probationary status, or the Department may take whatever disciplinary action is deemed proper, including limiting the scope, nature, or extent of the person's practice or the imposition of a fine, without a hearing, if the act or acts charged constitute sufficient grounds for that action under this Act. The written answer shall be served by personal delivery, certified delivery, or certified or registered mail to the Department. At the time and place fixed in the notice, the Department shall proceed to hear the charges and the parties or their counsel shall be accorded ample opportunity to present statements, testimony, evidence, and argument as may be pertinent to the charges or to the defense thereto. The Department may continue the hearing from time to time. At the discretion of the Secretary after having first received the recommendation of the Board, the accused person's license may be suspended or revoked, if the evidence constitutes sufficient grounds for that action under this Act.

(Source: P.A. 97-1098, eff. 7-1-13.)

(225 ILCS 109/100)

Sec. 100. Record of proceeding. The Department, at its expense, shall preserve a record of all proceedings at the formal hearing of any case. The notice of hearing, complaint and all other documents in the nature of pleadings and written motions filed in the proceedings, the transcript of testimony, the report of the Board and orders of the Department shall be in the record of the proceedings. The Department shall furnish a transcript of the record to any person interested in the hearing upon payment of the fee required under Section 2105-115 of the Department of Professional Regulation Law.

(Source: P.A. 97-1098, eff. 7-1-13.)

(225 ILCS 109/105)

Sec. 105. Subpoenas; oaths; attendance of witnesses. The Department has the power to subpoena and to bring before it any person and to take testimony either orally or by deposition, or both, with the same fees and mileage and in the same manner as prescribed in civil cases in the courts of this State.

The Secretary, the designated hearing officer, and every member of the Board has power to administer oaths to witnesses at any hearing that the Department is authorized to conduct and any other oaths authorized in any Act administered by the Department. A circuit court may, upon application of the Department or its designee, or of the applicant or licensee against whom proceedings under this Act are pending, enter an order requiring the attendance of witnesses and their testimony, and the production of documents, papers, files, books and records in connection with any hearing or investigation. The court may compel obedience to its order by proceedings for contempt.

(Source: P.A. 97-1098, eff. 7-1-13.)

(225 ILCS 109/110)

Sec. 110. Recommendations for disciplinary action. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Board shall present to the Secretary a written report of its findings and recommendations. The report shall contain a finding whether or not the accused person violated this Act or failed to comply with the conditions required in this Act. The Board shall specify the nature of the violation or failure to comply, and shall make its recommendations to the Secretary.

The report of findings and recommendations of the Board shall be the basis for the Department's order for refusal or for the granting of a license, or for any disciplinary action, unless the Secretary shall determine that the Board's report is contrary to the manifest weight of the evidence, in which case the Secretary may issue an order in contravention of the Board's report. The finding is not admissible in evidence against the person in a criminal prosecution brought for the violation of this Act, but the hearing and finding are not a bar to a criminal prosecution brought for the violation of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 97-1098, eff. 7-1-13.)

(225 ILCS 109/115)

Sec. 115. Rehearing. In a hearing involving disciplinary action against a licensee, a copy of the Board's report shall be served upon the respondent by the Department, either personally or as provided in this Act for the service of the notice of hearing. Within 20 calendar days after service, the respondent may present to the Department a motion in writing for a rehearing that shall specify the particular grounds for rehearing. If no motion for rehearing is filed, then upon the expiration of the time specified for filing a motion, or if a motion for rehearing is denied, then upon denial, the Secretary may enter an order in accordance with recommendations of the Board, except as provided in this Act. If the respondent orders from the reporting service, and pays for, a transcript of the record within the time for filing a motion for rehearing, the 20 calendar day period within which a motion may be filed shall commence upon the delivery of the transcript to the respondent.

(Source: P.A. 97-1098, eff. 7-1-13.)

(225 ILCS 109/120)

Sec. 120. Hearing by other hearing officer. Whenever the Secretary is not satisfied that substantial justice has been done in the revocation, suspension or refusal to issue or renew a license, the Secretary may order a rehearing by the same or other hearing officer.

(Source: P.A. 97-1098, eff. 7-1-13.)

(225 ILCS 109/125)

Sec. 125. Appointment of a hearing officer. The Secretary has the authority to appoint any attorney duly licensed to practice law in the State of Illinois to serve as the hearing officer in any action for refusal to issue or renew a license, or to discipline a licensee. The hearing officer has full authority to conduct the hearing. The hearing officer shall report his or her findings and recommendations to the Board and the Secretary. The Board has 60 calendar days from receipt of the report to review the report of the hearing officer and present its findings of fact, conclusions of law and recommendations to the Secretary. If the Board fails to present its report within the 60 calendar day period, the respondent may request in writing a direct appeal to the Secretary, in which case the Secretary shall, within 7 calendar days after receipt of the request, issue an order directing the Board to issue its findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations to the Secretary within 30 calendar days after that order. If the Board fails to issue its findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations within that time frame to the Secretary after the entry of the order, the Secretary shall, within 30 calendar days thereafter, issue an order based upon the report of the hearing officer and the record of the proceedings or issue an order remanding the matter back to the hearing officer for additional proceedings in accordance with the order. If (i) a direct appeal is requested, (ii) the Board fails to issue its findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendations within the 30 day mandate from the Secretary or the Secretary fails to order the Board to do so, and (iii) the Secretary fails to issue an order within 30 calendar days thereafter, then the hearing officer's report is deemed accepted and a final decision of the Secretary. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, if the Secretary, upon review, determines that substantial justice has not been done in the revocation, suspension, or refusal to issue or renew a license or other disciplinary action taken as the result of the entry of the hearing officer's report, the Secretary may order a rehearing by the same or other hearing officer. If the Secretary disagrees with the recommendation of the Board or the hearing officer, the Secretary may issue an order in contravention of the recommendation.

(Source: P.A. 97-1098, eff. 7-1-13.)

(225 ILCS 109/130)

Sec. 130. Order; certified copy. An order or a certified copy of the order, over the seal of the Department and purporting to be signed by the Secretary, shall be prima facie proof:

(a) that the signature is the genuine signature of the Secretary;

(b) that the Secretary is duly appointed and qualified; and

(c) that the Board and its members are qualified to act.

(Source: P.A. 97-1098, eff. 7-1-13.)

(225 ILCS 109/135)

Sec. 135. Restoration. At any time after the suspension or revocation of a license, the Department may restore the license to the accused person, upon the written recommendation of the Board, unless after an investigation and a hearing the Board determines that restoration is not in the public interest.

(Source: P.A. 97-1098, eff. 7-1-13.)

(225 ILCS 109/140)

Sec. 140. License surrender. Upon the revocation or suspension of a license, the licensee shall immediately surrender the license to the Department. If the licensee fails to do so, the Department has the right to seize the license.

(Source: P.A. 97-1098, eff. 7-1-13.)

(225 ILCS 109/145)

Sec. 145. Summary suspension. The Secretary may summarily suspend the license of a licensee without a hearing, simultaneously with the institution of proceedings for a hearing provided for in this Act, if the Secretary finds that evidence in his or her possession indicates that a licensee's continuation in practice would constitute an imminent danger to the public. In the event that the Secretary summarily suspends the license of a licensee without a hearing, a hearing by the Board must be held within 30 calendar days after the suspension has occurred.

(Source: P.A. 97-1098, eff. 7-1-13.)

(225 ILCS 109/150)

Sec. 150. Judicial review. All final administrative decisions of the Department are subject to judicial review under the Administrative Review Law and its rules. The term "administrative decision" is defined as in Section 3-101 of the Code of Civil Procedure.

Proceedings for judicial review shall be commenced in the circuit court of the county in which the party applying for review resides; but if the party is not a resident of this State, the venue shall be in Sangamon County.

(Source: P.A. 97-1098, eff. 7-1-13.)

(225 ILCS 109/155)

Sec. 155. Certification of records. The Department shall not be required to certify any record to the court or file any answer in court or otherwise appear in any court in a judicial review proceeding, unless there is filed in the court, with the complaint, a receipt from the Department acknowledging payment of the costs of furnishing and certifying the record. Failure on the part of the plaintiff to file the receipt in court shall be grounds for dismissal of the action.

(Source: P.A. 97-1098, eff. 7-1-13.)

(225 ILCS 109/160)

Sec. 160. Violations; penalties. A person who is found to have violated any provision of this Act is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor for the first offense, and a Class 4 felony for a second and subsequent offense.

(Source: P.A. 97-1098, eff. 7-1-13.)

(225 ILCS 109/165)

Sec. 165. Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. The Illinois Administrative Procedure Act is expressly adopted and incorporated in this Act as if all of the provisions of that Act were included in this Act, except that the provision of paragraph (d) of Section 10-65 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, which provides that at hearings the license holder has the right to show compliance with all lawful requirements for retention, continuation or renewal of the certificate, is specifically excluded. For the purpose of this Act, the notice required under Section 10-25 of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act is deemed sufficient when mailed to the last known address of a party.

(Source: P.A. 97-1098, eff. 7-1-13.)

(225 ILCS 109/170)

Sec. 170. Home rule. The regulation and licensing of sex offender evaluators and treatment providers are exclusive powers and functions of the State. A home rule unit may not regulate or license sex offender evaluators and treatment providers. This Section is a denial and limitation of home rule powers and functions under subsection (h) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution.

(Source: P.A. 97-1098, eff. 7-1-13.)

(225 ILCS 109/172)

Sec. 172. Confidentiality. All information collected by the Department in the course of an examination or investigation of a licensee or applicant, including, but not limited to, any complaint against a licensee filed with the Department and information collected to investigate the complaint, shall be maintained for the confidential use of the Department and shall not be disclosed. The Department may not disclose the information except to law enforcement officials, other regulatory agencies that have an appropriate regulatory interest as determined by the Secretary, or to a party presenting a lawful subpoena to the Department. Information and documents disclosed to a federal, State, county, or local law enforcement agency shall not be disclosed by the agency for any purpose to any other agency or person. A formal complaint filed against a licensee by the Department or any order issued by the Department against a licensee or applicant shall be a public record, except as otherwise prohibited by law.

(Source: P.A. 97-1098, eff. 7-1-13.)

(225 ILCS 109/174)

Sec. 174. Multiple licensure. When a licensee under this Act, who is also a licensee under another statute enforced by the Department, is subject to any disciplinary action including but not limited to the probation, suspension or revocation of any license issued by the Department, the disciplinary action is automatically applied to all licenses held by the licensee by operation of law.

(Source: P.A. 97-1098, eff. 7-1-13.)

(225 ILCS 109/175)

Sec. 175. (Amendatory provisions; text omitted).

(Source: P.A. 97-1098, eff. 1-1-13; text omitted.)

(225 ILCS 109/180)

Sec. 180. (Amendatory provisions; text omitted).

(Source: P.A. 97-1098, eff. 1-1-13; text omitted.)

(225 ILCS 109/185)

Sec. 185. (Amendatory provisions; text omitted).

(Source: P.A. 97-1098, eff. 1-1-14; text omitted.)

(225 ILCS 109/190)

Sec. 190. (Amendatory provisions; text omitted).

(Source: P.A. 97-1098, eff. 1-1-14; text omitted.)

(225 ILCS 109/195)

Sec. 195. (Amendatory provisions; text omitted).

(Source: P.A. 97-1098, eff. 1-1-13; text omitted.)

(225 ILCS 109/999)

Sec. 999. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1, 2013, except that this Section, Section 175, Section 180, and the amendatory changes to Sections 2 and 3 of the Sex Offender Registration Act take effect on January 1, 2013, the other amendatory changes to Section 3-5 of the Sex Offender Registration Act, the amendatory changes to the Sexually Dangerous Persons Act, and the amendatory changes to the Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act take effect July 1, 2014.

(Source: P.A. 97-1098, eff. 1-1-13; 98-612, eff. 12-27-13.)