HB3265 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 26889 KTG 53253 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB3265

Introduced 2/17/2023, by Rep. Jay Hoffman

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

20 ILCS 505/46 new

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Department of Children and Family Services shall establish and administer a 5-year Equine Therapy Pilot Program to provide grants to organizations that provide equine therapy to foster children who have been abused or neglected and have been diagnosed with a developmental disability or a mental health condition. Provides that organizations eligible to participate in the pilot program must be certified by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International. Provides that the Department may adopt any rules necessary to implement the pilot program, including, but not limited to, rules on additional eligibility and application requirements for organizations seeking to participate in the pilot program and any additional eligibility requirements for foster children interested in equine therapy.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning State government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Children and Family Services Act is amended by adding Section 46 as follows:

(20 ILCS 505/46 new)

Sec. 46. Equine Therapy Pilot Program. Subject to appropriation, beginning July 1, 2024 through July 1, 2029, the Department shall establish and administer a 5-year Equine Therapy Pilot Program to provide grants to organizations that provide equine therapy to foster children who have been abused or neglected and have been diagnosed with a developmental disability or a mental health condition. Organizations eligible to participate in the pilot program must be certified by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International. The Department may adopt any rules necessary to implement the pilot program, including, but not limited to, rules on additional eligibility and application requirements for organizations seeking to participate in the pilot program and any additional eligibility requirements for foster children interested in equine therapy.