Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for HB3588

Creates the Synthetic Drug Identification Pilot Program Act. Provides that at least once every 90 days, and in consultation with the Division of Forensic Services of the Department of State Police, the Department of Human Services shall submit a report to the Governor, Attorney General, and General Assembly outlining whether the Division of Forensic Services of the Department of State Police has identified any new chemical formulas that are used to make synthetic cannabinoids or cathinones (synthetic drugs) that are not currently illegal under State law. Provides that if the Department of Human Services' report to the Governor, Attorney General, and General Assembly confirms the Department of Human Services has identified new chemical formulas that are used to make synthetic drugs, the Department Human Services shall as soon as practicable propose an emergency rule to add any new chemical formulas to the current list of chemical formulas that are listed in the Illinois Controlled Substances Act as Schedule I controlled substances, and adopt the proposed rule as quickly as allowed for under the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Provides that if the Department of Human Services adopts the emergency rule, the new rule shall be recognized as law under the Illinois Controlled Substances Act. Provides that the Department of State Police, by rule, shall create a pilot program that uses technologies and protocols to instantly identify synthetic cannabinoids and cathinones (synthetic drugs), as well as other designer drugs. Provides that the pilot program shall focus on using technology capable of presumptive identification of illicit drugs in the field. Repeals the Act on July 30, 2018. Amends the Illinois Controlled Substances Act to make conforming changes. Effective immediately.

Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Department of State Police Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Provides that the Department of State Police shall create a pilot program that uses technologies and protocols to instantly identify synthetic cannabinoids and cathinones (synthetic drugs), as well as other designer drugs. Provides that the pilot program shall focus on using technology capable of presumptive identification of illicit drugs in the field. Provides that a minimum of 3 separate districts in the State shall be equipped to operate the pilot program. Provides that the Department of State Police may choose to have one or more of the pilot sites located within a municipal or county police department. Provides that before July 30, 2016, the Department of State Police shall submit a report to the General Assembly outlining the findings of the pilot program, and make any recommendation on whether the technologies and protocols selected for the pilot program can be used to help prevent the growth of synthetic drugs and other illicit drugs throughout the State. Provides that the evaluation shall include, but is not limited to, the following: (1) review of technical capabilities and accuracy rates of technologies and protocols selected for the pilot program; (2) the impact on State and local crime laboratory backlogs if the technologies and protocols selected could eliminate the need to send synthetic drugs, or other illicit drugs to the crime laboratory for presumptive testing, including the potential cost savings to State and local government; and (3) the status of court acceptance of the technologies and protocols selected for the pilot program for the presumptive identification of synthetic drugs and other illicit drugs. Effective immediately.

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