Morrison’s bills to prioritize the health of children take effect Jan. 1

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) passed a number of bills prioritizing the health of children that take effect Jan. 1, 2020.

“From preparing schools to be able to properly handle children who have epilepsy, to ensuring people under 18 can receive EpiPens that could save their lives, these commonsense laws that will better the health and wellbeing of children,” Sen. Morrison said.

The laws below will take effect Jan. 1.

• Riding in a car with someone who is smoking can amplify the dangerous effects of tobacco use on children. However, under House Bill 2276, it will now be illegal to smoke with a minor in the vehicle.
• Too many families with children who have allergies cannot afford a lifesaving epinephrine injector. Certain private insurance policies will be required to cover medically necessary epinephrine injectors for people under 18 years of age starting Jan. 1, 2020.
• Children spend a large part of their day at school, so it is imperative for teachers and staff to understand what to do if their students have epilepsy. That led Sen. Morrison to pass House Bill 1475, which creates the Seizure Smart School Act.

Morrison applauds congress for nationwide Tobacco 21 legislation

• Tobacco 21

SPRINGFIELD – The sale of tobacco products to people under the age of 21 could soon be prohibited nationwide, less than a year after State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) passed the same law in Illinois.

“Illinois led by example by being one of the first 10 states to ban the sale of tobacco for young people under 21,” Senator Morrison said. “The state is a leader in protecting the health of teenagers and reducing both health-care complications and premature death.”

The law would make it illegal for people under 21 to purchase traditional tobacco products, vape products and e-cigarettes. Raising the legal age to buy tobacco would make it more difficult for high school students to access nicotine, according to the Food and Drug Administration.

“Most smokers start when they’re teenagers, so it is imperative to cut off the supply of the harmful and deadly substance as early as possible,” Senator Morrison said. “I am pleased the federal government is taking a step toward reducing access to tobacco to the country’s youngest population, and in turn working to bring smoking rates down and saving the nation millions in health care.”

The bipartisan legislation, co-sponsored by U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-Illinois), is part of the massive government funding bill expected to pass by the end of the week.

Morrison supports attorney general’s action against JUUL

• E-cigarettes
• Vaping
• publich health

SPRINGFIELD – During the past year, nearly 200 Illinoisans have become ill and five have died from lung injuries stemming from e-cigarettes. State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) has called on both lawmakers and constitutional officers to regulate, or possibly even ban, the use of these harmful products.

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Y. Raoul took action Thursday by filing a lawsuit in the Cook County Circuit Court against California-based JUUL Labs, Inc. The lawsuit accuses the vaping company of marketing its products to min

ors and deceptively advertising the products as “smoking cessation devices.” It calls on the courts to permanently ban the vaping powerhouse from engaging in unfair and deceptive practices.

Senator Morrison released the following statement:

“I have spent the past year working to ban vapes that are intentionally being marketed to children. I commend Attorney General Raoul for taking a step toward addressing the public health epidemic surrounding these harmful products. JUUL – and other similar companies – do not have FDA approval to market the vapes as smoking cessation products and should be held accountable for causing harm to minors through e-cigarettes and other addictive tobacco products.”

Morrison: People with disabilities are regular people whose challenges may be more apparent than others

• Disability Rights
• Developmental Disabilities

SPRINGFIELD — Tuesday is International Day of Persons with Disabilities, and State Senator Julie Morrison (D-Deerfield) would like to bring awareness to the values and rights this important group of people have.

The annual observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on Dec. 3 aims to promote the rights and well-being of people with disabilities, and to increase awareness of the situations this unique group faces in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life.

“People with disabilities are regular people whose challenges may be more apparent than others,” Senator Morrison said. “I will continue to strive toward statewide inclusion and fight to provide those with disabilities more well-deserved rights and freedoms.”

As chair of the Senate Human Services Committee, Senator Morrison passed three pieces of legislation aimed at increasing state employment of individuals with disabilities during the spring legislative session. All three measures were signed into law over the summer.

One measure requires the state to better facilitate the hiring of individuals with disabilities by requiring Central Management Services to send the Successful Disability Opportunities List to state agencies when they are hiring.

Another creates a disabled persons trainee program at all state agencies with more than 1,500 employees

And lastly, a new law requires the state to conduct an annual presentation to state agencies about what hiring programs are available to individuals with disabilities

“People with disabilities can often face barriers when looking for employment,” Senator Morrison said. “However, Illinois should lead by example to break down those barriers.”

During the past few months, Senator Morrison has also worked with groups to make supportive housing for people with developmental disabilities more accessible throughout the state and has discussed the problems with paying subminimum wage to people with disabilities during a committee hearing.