SPRINGFIELD – Municipal and county level first responders will soon no longer be charged a copay while utilizing mental health insurance coverage thanks to a new law led by State Senator Michael E. Hastings.

“Our first responders experience traumatic situations on a daily basis,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “The least we can do is remove barriers as they recover from stressful situations. By addressing mental health issues early on, we can prevent more serious and costly consequences down the line.”

Senate Bill 3538 will require any self-insured county or municipality that provides health insurance coverage to first responders to include mental health counseling coverage without imposing any cost-sharing requirements on patients.

Hastings believes that untreated mental health conditions can lead to increase absenteeism, reduced productivity and higher rates of turnover among first responders.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Michael E. Hastings’ measure to provide vehicle owners with a defense against the rise in theft of catalytic convertors was signed into law on Friday. 

“This law will provide drivers with another line of defense to make it difficult for those stealing catalytic converters to profit off the illegal sale of these parts,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “Our hope is this measure will discourage bad actors and end these crimes from occurring in our communities.”

Hastings’ measure, House Bill 4589, will require recyclable metal dealers to keep records of the vehicle identification number of the vehicle from which the catalytic converter was removed and any numbers, bar codes, stickers, or other unique markings of the catalytic convertor.

It will also require them to obtain and retain a copy of the certificate of title or uniform invoice showing the seller's ownership of the vehicle in transactions involving catalytic convertors.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois military families will soon have an easier time finding childcare, thanks to a new law sponsored by State Senator Michael E. Hastings.

“Our military personnel put their lives on the line to keep our great state safe – it is vital that they can assure their children are being well taken care of,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “By eliminating red tape and streamlining this bureaucratic process, we will improve access to military childcare and reducing waitlists.”

Hastings’ House Bill 5596 will create an exemption from licensure for daycare homes and group daycare homes serving children of military personnel if the daycare is located on a military base or federal property and is certified as a child development program by a brand of the U.S. Department of Defense or the U.S Coast Guard.

Previously in Illinois, the Defense Department-certified military family childcare providers were also required to licensed or registered by the state when caring for DoD children. By recognizing military family childcare certification instead of requiring state licensing, Hastings believes it will be easier for these already accredited facilities to support military personnel in their search for responsible and reliable childcare.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Michael E. Hastings has paved the way for Illinois families to have greater access to medically-prescribed infertility treatments.

“Without in vitro fertilization, I wouldn’t be the proud father I am today,” said Hastings (D-Frankfort). “I have felt the all-too-common stress and heartbreak of infertility. It’s past time to take bureaucracy out of health care.”

Found within Senate Bill 773, Hastings championed a plan to ensure insurance companies provide coverage for infertility treatments that are recommended by a physician without requiring them to complete treatments that were deemed ineffective by their doctor.