HB 6650 (Public Act 11-51) Summary

• Judicial Branch Reorganization: Establishes Public Defender Services Commission as successor to Commission on Child Protection, consolidating child protection legal services with public defender services effective July 1, 2011.

• State Agency Consolidations: Merges Department of Public Works and Department of Information Technology into Department of Administrative Services; creates new Department of Construction Services; merges Department of Public Safety and Emergency Management into Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.

• Criminal Justice Changes: Implements risk reduction credit system allowing inmates up to 5 days per month sentence reduction for good conduct and program participation; modifies DUI penalties and ignition interlock device requirements for first-time and repeat offenders.

• Child Protection Services: Transfers legal representation of children and parents in child protection and family relations matters from Commission on Child Protection to Public Defender Services Commission; establishes new standards for legal services and guardian ad litem appointments.

• School Construction and Other Provisions: Transfers school building construction grant administration from Department of Education to Department of Construction Services; establishes weigh station staffing requirements; creates various regulatory changes for gaming, liquor permits, and foreclosure mediation programs.