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HB 2434

BEREAVED MOTHERS ACT

104th Regular Session Introduced by Kam Buckner and 3 co-sponsors

The bill provides up to 12 weeks paid disability leave (extendable to 1 year) plus a separate 10-day death-related leave for bereaved mothers, with job protections.

Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 2434

HB 2434 — "Compassionate Support for Bereaved Mothers Act" (aka "Heal Your Heart Act")

Note: The bill packet provided contains material from multiple jurisdictions. The summary below focuses on the Compassionate Support for Bereaved Mothers Act as presented in the Illinois HB2434 (introduced by Rep. Kam Buckner).

Purpose

To provide time-limited, coordinated mental‑health, employment leave, housing relocation, and financial support to mothers whose children were, more likely than not, knowingly killed by another person — with the stated goal of helping bereaved mothers access care and safety during mourning.

Key definitions

  • Bereaved mother: a mother whose child was, more likely than not, knowingly killed by an unknown or other person. “Child” may include a dependent adult under Illinois law.
  • Employee: an eligible employee as defined under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
  • Mental health support: counseling and psychiatric services (individual, group, medication management, etc.).
  • Housing Choice Voucher: Section 8 vouchers as administered by HUD.

Major provisions

  1. Mental health services

    • Entitles eligible bereaved mothers to free mental health counseling and psychiatric services for up to 1 year following the death.
    • The Department of Human Services (DHS) must coordinate provision and adopt implementing rules.

  2. Paid leave and disability benefits

    • Minimum 12 weeks of paid disability leave at full salary for employed bereaved mothers.
    • Leave may be extended up to a total of one year if medical necessity is determined and approved by the Department of Labor (DOL) in coordination with DHS and mental health providers.
    • An additional 10 days of paid leave is available immediately following the death (separate from the disability leave), which may be taken consecutively or intermittently within the first year.
    • Employers may request reasonable documentation (examples listed, and may include cause of death).
    • Protections against termination, demotion, or retaliation for taking leave.
    • Leave under this Act is mutually exclusive with the Child Extended Bereavement Leave Act; the bereaved mother may choose which statute to use.
    • DOL must adopt rules to implement these provisions.

  3. Housing and relocation support

    • As permitted by federal law, bereaved mothers living in subsidized, scattered‑site, or public housing may be eligible to relocate if they feel threatened or unsafe; may be eligible for a Housing Choice Voucher for relocation.
    • Temporary housing and relocation costs payable from a newly created Bereaved Mothers Fund (state special fund).
    • DHS must consult with HUD and adopt rules for administration.

  4. Funding and administration

    • Creates the Bereaved Mothers Fund in the state treasury (to cover costs under the Act); fund sources: federal grants, private donations, and other sources.
    • DHS and DOL must jointly submit an annual report (first due by Dec 31, 2026) to the Governor and General Assembly on implementation, usage, and effectiveness.

  5. Term and repeal

    • Effective date (per bill): January 1, 2026.
    • Automatic repeal 5 years after becoming law.

Who is affected

  • Primary beneficiaries: bereaved mothers who meet the definition and whose child was a resident and whose death occurred within the state.
  • Employers: required to provide paid leave, maintain job protections, and accept documentation; subject to DOL rules.
  • State agencies: DHS and DOL have rulemaking, coordination, reporting, and program administration responsibilities.
  • Housing authorities and HUD: potential involvement for relocations and voucher issuance.
  • State finances: establishment of a special fund with funding sources to be identified; fiscal impact depends on uptake and available grants/donations.

Procedural and implementation notes

  • The Act conditions housing relocation and voucher provision “as permitted by federal law,” so HUD and federal program rules limit the scope and timing of housing actions.
  • Extension of paid disability leave beyond 12 weeks requires a medical-necessity determination and interagency approval.
  • The measure includes rulemaking and reporting deadlines to monitor implementation.
  • The law has a built‑in sunset (5 years), creating a finite evaluation period.

Potential fiscal impacts and program details will depend on rulemaking by DHS and DOL and on funding availability to the Bereaved Mothers Fund.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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