Policy and Legislation

The following are recently passed laws that are of interest to those representing abused and neglected children in Illinois.   

Continuing Foster Care & Reinstatement of Parental Rights

Public Act 96-0600, Effective August 21, 2009

Amends the Children and Family Services Act, the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act, and the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Makes changes concerning (i) services to facilitate the achievement of permanency goals for children subject to certain juvenile court actions and (ii) the conditions under which continuing foster care may be selected by the court as a child's permanency goal. Imposes conditions on any rulemaking authority.

Further amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 relating to abused, neglected, and dependent minors. Provides that when parental rights have been terminated for a minimum of 3 years and the child who is the subject of the permanency hearing is 13 years old or older and is not currently placed in a placement likely to achieve permanency, the Department of Children and Family Services shall make reasonable efforts to locate parents whose rights have been terminated, except when the court determines that those efforts would be futile or inconsistent with the child's best interests. Provides that the Department shall assess the appropriateness of the parent whose rights have been terminated, and shall, as appropriate, foster and support connections between the parent whose rights have been terminated and the youth. The Department shall document its determinations and efforts to foster connections in the child's case plan. Establishes procedures for the Department of Children and Family Services to file a motion to reinstate parental rights. Repeals those procedures in 4 years.

Synopsis as provided by Illinois General Assembly

To read the entire Act click here

Foster Youth Successful Transition to Adulthood Act.

Public Act 096-0581, Effective on January 1, 2010

Creates the Foster Youth Successful Transition to Adulthood Act. Establish a program of transitional discharge from foster care for teenage foster children, enabling former foster youths under the age of 21 who encounter significant hardship upon emancipation to reengage with the Department of Children and Family Services and the Juvenile Court, in order to secure essential supports and services available to foster youth seeking to learn to live independently as adults.

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that an abused, neglected, or dependent minor for whom the court has granted a supplemental petition to reinstate wardship may be placed in the custody of or committed to the Department of Children and Family Services. Provides that the Department of Children and Family Services shall provide or authorize child welfare services, aimed at assisting minors to achieve sustainable self-sufficiency as independent adults, to any minor eligible for the reinstatement of wardship, whether or not such reinstatement is sought or allowed, provided that the minor consents to such services and has not yet attained the age of 21.

Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that an abused, neglected, or dependent minor between the ages of 18 and 21 may be placed with the Department of Children and Family Services if (1) the court has granted a supplemental petition to reinstate wardship of the minor, or (2) the Court has adjudicated the minor a ward of the court, permitted the minor to return home under an order of protection, and subsequently made a finding that it is in the minor's best interest to vacate the order of protection and commit the minor to the Department of Children and Family Services for care and service.

Synopsis as provided by Illinois General Assembly

To read the entire Act click here

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New Policy & Legislation Recently passed laws of interest to those representing disabled adults and abused & neglected children in Illinois. Read more Adult Juvenile