Illinois 2023-2024 Regular Session

Illinois House Bill HB3261 Latest Draft

Bill / Introduced Version Filed 02/17/2023

                            103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 HB3261 Introduced , by Rep. Mary E. Flowers SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:  20 ILCS 1305/1-85 new 325 ILCS 5/7.4 from Ch. 23, par. 2057.4  325 ILCS 5/7.7 from Ch. 23, par. 2057.7  325 ILCS 5/7.10 from Ch. 23, par. 2057.10  325 ILCS 5/7.15 from Ch. 23, par. 2057.15   Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to implement a differential response program. Provides that under the program, upon receiving a report of suspected child abuse or neglect the Department shall determine whether to conduct a family assessment or an investigation as appropriate to prevent or provide a remedy for child abuse or neglect. Provides that any report that does not involve an allegation of physical or sexual abuse shall be eligible for referral to the differential response program, specifically child maltreatment reports that only allege inadequate supervision of a child or conditions that create an injurious environment to a child. Provides that no family shall be deemed ineligible for participation in the differential response program based upon a prior report of abuse or neglect involving any member of the family. Provides that under the program, the Department shall only conduct a formal child abuse or neglect investigation on reports involving substantial child abuse or neglect. Provides that the Department shall document the outcome of a family assessment, but shall not report the case to the central register. Requires the Department to offer families who participate in a family assessment in-home services provided under the Intact Family Services program and Norman Emergency Cash Assistance and Housing Locator Services, if applicable. Provides that a family has the option of declining the services offered; and that if the family declines the services, the case shall be closed unless the Department determines that sufficient cause exists to begin an investigation. Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to establish and administer a direct cash assistance program for youth 18 years of age and older but younger than 24 who are experiencing or are at risk of experiencing homelessness. Provides that under the program, eligible individuals shall receive a monthly direct cash amount of no less than $1,100 for up to 2 years.  LRB103 05254 KTG 50272 b   A BILL FOR 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 HB3261 Introduced , by Rep. Mary E. Flowers SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:  20 ILCS 1305/1-85 new 325 ILCS 5/7.4 from Ch. 23, par. 2057.4  325 ILCS 5/7.7 from Ch. 23, par. 2057.7  325 ILCS 5/7.10 from Ch. 23, par. 2057.10  325 ILCS 5/7.15 from Ch. 23, par. 2057.15 20 ILCS 1305/1-85 new  325 ILCS 5/7.4 from Ch. 23, par. 2057.4 325 ILCS 5/7.7 from Ch. 23, par. 2057.7 325 ILCS 5/7.10 from Ch. 23, par. 2057.10 325 ILCS 5/7.15 from Ch. 23, par. 2057.15 Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to implement a differential response program. Provides that under the program, upon receiving a report of suspected child abuse or neglect the Department shall determine whether to conduct a family assessment or an investigation as appropriate to prevent or provide a remedy for child abuse or neglect. Provides that any report that does not involve an allegation of physical or sexual abuse shall be eligible for referral to the differential response program, specifically child maltreatment reports that only allege inadequate supervision of a child or conditions that create an injurious environment to a child. Provides that no family shall be deemed ineligible for participation in the differential response program based upon a prior report of abuse or neglect involving any member of the family. Provides that under the program, the Department shall only conduct a formal child abuse or neglect investigation on reports involving substantial child abuse or neglect. Provides that the Department shall document the outcome of a family assessment, but shall not report the case to the central register. Requires the Department to offer families who participate in a family assessment in-home services provided under the Intact Family Services program and Norman Emergency Cash Assistance and Housing Locator Services, if applicable. Provides that a family has the option of declining the services offered; and that if the family declines the services, the case shall be closed unless the Department determines that sufficient cause exists to begin an investigation. Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to establish and administer a direct cash assistance program for youth 18 years of age and older but younger than 24 who are experiencing or are at risk of experiencing homelessness. Provides that under the program, eligible individuals shall receive a monthly direct cash amount of no less than $1,100 for up to 2 years.  LRB103 05254 KTG 50272 b     LRB103 05254 KTG 50272 b   A BILL FOR
103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 HB3261 Introduced , by Rep. Mary E. Flowers SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
20 ILCS 1305/1-85 new 325 ILCS 5/7.4 from Ch. 23, par. 2057.4  325 ILCS 5/7.7 from Ch. 23, par. 2057.7  325 ILCS 5/7.10 from Ch. 23, par. 2057.10  325 ILCS 5/7.15 from Ch. 23, par. 2057.15 20 ILCS 1305/1-85 new  325 ILCS 5/7.4 from Ch. 23, par. 2057.4 325 ILCS 5/7.7 from Ch. 23, par. 2057.7 325 ILCS 5/7.10 from Ch. 23, par. 2057.10 325 ILCS 5/7.15 from Ch. 23, par. 2057.15
20 ILCS 1305/1-85 new
325 ILCS 5/7.4 from Ch. 23, par. 2057.4
325 ILCS 5/7.7 from Ch. 23, par. 2057.7
325 ILCS 5/7.10 from Ch. 23, par. 2057.10
325 ILCS 5/7.15 from Ch. 23, par. 2057.15
Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to implement a differential response program. Provides that under the program, upon receiving a report of suspected child abuse or neglect the Department shall determine whether to conduct a family assessment or an investigation as appropriate to prevent or provide a remedy for child abuse or neglect. Provides that any report that does not involve an allegation of physical or sexual abuse shall be eligible for referral to the differential response program, specifically child maltreatment reports that only allege inadequate supervision of a child or conditions that create an injurious environment to a child. Provides that no family shall be deemed ineligible for participation in the differential response program based upon a prior report of abuse or neglect involving any member of the family. Provides that under the program, the Department shall only conduct a formal child abuse or neglect investigation on reports involving substantial child abuse or neglect. Provides that the Department shall document the outcome of a family assessment, but shall not report the case to the central register. Requires the Department to offer families who participate in a family assessment in-home services provided under the Intact Family Services program and Norman Emergency Cash Assistance and Housing Locator Services, if applicable. Provides that a family has the option of declining the services offered; and that if the family declines the services, the case shall be closed unless the Department determines that sufficient cause exists to begin an investigation. Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to establish and administer a direct cash assistance program for youth 18 years of age and older but younger than 24 who are experiencing or are at risk of experiencing homelessness. Provides that under the program, eligible individuals shall receive a monthly direct cash amount of no less than $1,100 for up to 2 years.
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A BILL FOR
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1  AN ACT concerning children.
2  Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3  represented in the General Assembly:
4  Section 5. The Department of Human Services Act is amended
5  by adding Section 1-85 as follows:
6  (20 ILCS 1305/1-85 new)
7  Sec. 1-85. Direct cash assistance program for homeless
8  youth. The Department of Human Services shall establish and
9  administer a direct cash assistance program for youth 18 years
10  of age and older but younger than 24 who are experiencing or
11  are at risk of experiencing homelessness. Under the program,
12  eligible individuals shall receive a monthly direct cash
13  amount of no less than $1,100 for up to 2 years. The direct
14  cash assistance provided under the program shall not be
15  considered income for purposes of determining eligibility or
16  the amount of assistance for any public aid benefit provided
17  under State or, subject to federal approval, federal law. The
18  Department shall adopt any rules necessary to implement the
19  program.
20  Section 10. The Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act
21  is amended by changing Sections 7.4, 7.7, 7.10, 7.15 as
22  follows:

 

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 HB3261 Introduced , by Rep. Mary E. Flowers SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
20 ILCS 1305/1-85 new 325 ILCS 5/7.4 from Ch. 23, par. 2057.4  325 ILCS 5/7.7 from Ch. 23, par. 2057.7  325 ILCS 5/7.10 from Ch. 23, par. 2057.10  325 ILCS 5/7.15 from Ch. 23, par. 2057.15 20 ILCS 1305/1-85 new  325 ILCS 5/7.4 from Ch. 23, par. 2057.4 325 ILCS 5/7.7 from Ch. 23, par. 2057.7 325 ILCS 5/7.10 from Ch. 23, par. 2057.10 325 ILCS 5/7.15 from Ch. 23, par. 2057.15
20 ILCS 1305/1-85 new
325 ILCS 5/7.4 from Ch. 23, par. 2057.4
325 ILCS 5/7.7 from Ch. 23, par. 2057.7
325 ILCS 5/7.10 from Ch. 23, par. 2057.10
325 ILCS 5/7.15 from Ch. 23, par. 2057.15
Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to implement a differential response program. Provides that under the program, upon receiving a report of suspected child abuse or neglect the Department shall determine whether to conduct a family assessment or an investigation as appropriate to prevent or provide a remedy for child abuse or neglect. Provides that any report that does not involve an allegation of physical or sexual abuse shall be eligible for referral to the differential response program, specifically child maltreatment reports that only allege inadequate supervision of a child or conditions that create an injurious environment to a child. Provides that no family shall be deemed ineligible for participation in the differential response program based upon a prior report of abuse or neglect involving any member of the family. Provides that under the program, the Department shall only conduct a formal child abuse or neglect investigation on reports involving substantial child abuse or neglect. Provides that the Department shall document the outcome of a family assessment, but shall not report the case to the central register. Requires the Department to offer families who participate in a family assessment in-home services provided under the Intact Family Services program and Norman Emergency Cash Assistance and Housing Locator Services, if applicable. Provides that a family has the option of declining the services offered; and that if the family declines the services, the case shall be closed unless the Department determines that sufficient cause exists to begin an investigation. Amends the Department of Human Services Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to establish and administer a direct cash assistance program for youth 18 years of age and older but younger than 24 who are experiencing or are at risk of experiencing homelessness. Provides that under the program, eligible individuals shall receive a monthly direct cash amount of no less than $1,100 for up to 2 years.
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A BILL FOR

 

 

20 ILCS 1305/1-85 new
325 ILCS 5/7.4 from Ch. 23, par. 2057.4
325 ILCS 5/7.7 from Ch. 23, par. 2057.7
325 ILCS 5/7.10 from Ch. 23, par. 2057.10
325 ILCS 5/7.15 from Ch. 23, par. 2057.15



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1  (325 ILCS 5/7.4) (from Ch. 23, par. 2057.4)
2  Sec. 7.4. (a) The Department shall be capable of receiving
3  reports of suspected child abuse or neglect 24 hours a day, 7
4  days a week. Whenever the Department receives a report
5  alleging that a child is a truant as defined in Section 26-2a
6  of the School Code, as now or hereafter amended, the
7  Department shall notify the superintendent of the school
8  district in which the child resides and the appropriate
9  superintendent of the educational service region. The
10  notification to the appropriate officials by the Department
11  shall not be considered an allegation of abuse or neglect
12  under this Act.
13  (a-5) The Department of Children and Family Services shall
14  may implement a "differential response program" in accordance
15  with criteria, standards, and procedures prescribed by rule.
16  Under the program, The program may provide that, upon
17  receiving a report of suspected child abuse or neglect, the
18  Department shall determine whether to conduct a family
19  assessment or an investigation as appropriate to prevent or
20  provide a remedy for child abuse or neglect. Notwithstanding
21  any other provision of this Act, any report that does not
22  involve an allegation of physical or sexual abuse shall be
23  eligible for referral to the differential response program,
24  specifically child maltreatment reports that only allege
25  inadequate supervision of a child or conditions that create an

 

 

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1  injurious environment to a child. No family shall be deemed
2  ineligible for participation in the differential response
3  program based upon a prior report of abuse or neglect
4  involving any member of the family.
5  For purposes of this subsection (a-5), "family assessment"
6  means a comprehensive assessment of child safety, risk of
7  subsequent child maltreatment, and family strengths and needs
8  that is applied to a child maltreatment report that does not
9  allege substantial child endangerment as defined in this
10  subsection. "Family assessment" does not include or result in
11  a determination as to whether child maltreatment occurred but
12  does determine the need for services to address the safety of
13  family members and the risk of subsequent maltreatment.
14  For purposes of this subsection (a-5), "investigation"
15  means fact-gathering related to the current safety of a child
16  and the risk of subsequent abuse or neglect that determines
17  whether a report of suspected child abuse or neglect should be
18  indicated or unfounded and whether child protective services
19  are needed.
20  For purposes of this subsection (a-5), "substantial child
21  endangerment" includes conduct by an adult involving or
22  resulting in sexual abuse, and conduct by a person responsible
23  for a child's welfare involving or resulting in abandonment,
24  child fatality, malicious punishment, or abuse or neglect that
25  causes serious physical injury.
26  Under the "differential response program" implemented

 

 

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1  under this subsection (a-5), the Department:
2  (1) Shall only conduct an investigation as provided in
3  subsection (b) on reports involving substantial child
4  abuse or neglect.
5  (2) Shall begin an immediate investigation as provided
6  in subsection (b) if, at any time when it is using a family
7  assessment response, it determines that there is reason to
8  believe that substantial child abuse or neglect or a
9  serious threat to the child's safety exists.
10  (3) Shall May conduct a family assessment for reports
11  that do not allege substantial child endangerment,
12  including child maltreatment reports that only allege
13  inadequate supervision of a child or conditions that
14  create an injurious environment to a child. In determining
15  that a family assessment is appropriate, the Department
16  may consider issues, including, but not limited to, child
17  safety, parental cooperation, and the need for an
18  immediate response.
19  (4) Shall promulgate criteria, standards, and
20  procedures that shall be applied in making its this
21  determination as to whether a family assessment or
22  investigation is appropriate, taking into consideration
23  the Child Endangerment Risk Assessment Protocol of the
24  Department.
25  (5) May conduct a family assessment on a report that
26  was initially screened and assigned for an investigation.

 

 

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1  In determining that a complete investigation is not
2  required, the Department must document the reason for
3  terminating the investigation and notify the local law
4  enforcement agency or the Illinois State Police if the local
5  law enforcement agency or Illinois State Police is conducting
6  a joint investigation.
7  Once it is determined that a "family assessment" will be
8  implemented, the case shall not be reported to the central
9  register of abuse and neglect reports. However, the Department
10  shall document the outcome of the assessment.
11  During a family assessment, the Department shall collect
12  any available and relevant information to determine child
13  safety, risk of subsequent abuse or neglect, and family
14  strengths.
15  Information collected includes, but is not limited to,
16  when relevant: information with regard to the person reporting
17  the alleged abuse or neglect, including the nature of the
18  reporter's relationship to the child and to the alleged
19  offender, and the basis of the reporter's knowledge for the
20  report; the child allegedly being abused or neglected; the
21  alleged offender; the child's caretaker; and other collateral
22  sources having relevant information related to the alleged
23  abuse or neglect. Information relevant to the assessment must
24  be asked for, and may include:
25  (A) The child's sex and age, prior reports of abuse or
26  neglect, information relating to developmental

 

 

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1  functioning, credibility of the child's statement, and
2  whether the information provided under this paragraph (A)
3  is consistent with other information collected during the
4  course of the assessment or investigation.
5  (B) The alleged offender's age, a record check for
6  prior reports of abuse or neglect, and criminal charges
7  and convictions. The alleged offender may submit
8  supporting documentation relevant to the assessment.
9  (C) Collateral source information regarding the
10  alleged abuse or neglect and care of the child. Collateral
11  information includes, when relevant: (i) a medical
12  examination of the child; (ii) prior medical records
13  relating to the alleged maltreatment or care of the child
14  maintained by any facility, clinic, or health care
15  professional, and an interview with the treating
16  professionals; and (iii) interviews with the child's
17  caretakers, including the child's parent, guardian, foster
18  parent, child care provider, teachers, counselors, family
19  members, relatives, and other persons who may have
20  knowledge regarding the alleged maltreatment and the care
21  of the child.
22  (D) Information on the existence of domestic abuse and
23  violence in the home of the child, and substance abuse.
24  Nothing in this subsection (a-5) precludes the Department
25  from collecting other relevant information necessary to
26  conduct the assessment or investigation. Nothing in this

 

 

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1  subsection (a-5) shall be construed to allow the name or
2  identity of a reporter to be disclosed in violation of the
3  protections afforded under Section 7.19 of this Act.
4  A family assessment conducted by the Department in
5  accordance with this subsection shall be completed within 45
6  days. Upon written justification by the Department, the
7  assessment may be extended, not to exceed a total of 60 days.
8  After conducting the family assessment, the Department
9  shall determine whether services are needed to address the
10  safety of the child and other family members and the risk of
11  subsequent abuse or neglect.
12  Upon completion of the family assessment, if the
13  Department concludes that no services shall be offered, then
14  the case shall be closed. If the Department concludes that
15  services shall be offered, the Department shall develop a
16  family preservation plan and offer or refer services to the
17  family. A family in need of services shall, at a minimum, be
18  offered in-home services provided under the Intact Family
19  Services program, including counseling, domestic violence
20  prevention, substance abuse treatment, mental health
21  treatment, parenting coaching or classes, and housing. The
22  Department must also provide Norman Emergency Cash Assistance
23  and Housing Locator Services to a family who has one or more
24  children who are in danger of coming into the Department's
25  care due to a lack of food, clothing, housing, or other basic
26  human needs. Under the Norman Services program, the family

 

 

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1  shall receive:
2  (i) direct emergency cash assistance to purchase items
3  needed to care for the children that the family cannot
4  afford to purchase;
5  (ii) housing locator services, if applicable; and
6  (iii) assistance with filing an application for
7  Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits
8  provided under Article IV of the Illinois Public Aid Code.
9  A family has the option of declining any services offered
10  as a result of the assessment. If the family declines the
11  services, the case shall be closed unless the Department
12  determines that sufficient cause exists to begin an
13  investigation as provided in subsection (b) or to request the
14  State's Attorney file a petition in accordance with Article II
15  of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 alleging the child is abused
16  or neglected. In no instance shall a case be investigated
17  solely because the family declines services.
18  At any time during a family assessment, if the Department
19  believes there is any reason to stop the assessment and
20  conduct an investigation based on the information discovered,
21  the Department shall do so.
22  The procedures available to the Department in conducting
23  investigations under this Act shall be followed as appropriate
24  during a family assessment.
25  The If the Department implements a differential response
26  program authorized under this subsection (a-5), the Department

 

 

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1  shall arrange for an independent evaluation of the program for
2  at least the first 3 years of implementation to determine
3  whether it is meeting the goals in accordance with Section 2 of
4  this Act.
5  The Department may adopt administrative rules necessary
6  for the execution of this Section, in accordance with Section
7  4 of the Children and Family Services Act.
8  The Department shall submit a report to the General
9  Assembly by January 15, 2018 on the implementation progress
10  and recommendations for additional needed legislative changes.
11  (b)(1) The following procedures shall be followed in the
12  investigation of all reports of suspected abuse or neglect of
13  a child, except as provided in subsection (c) of this Section.
14  (2) If, during a family assessment authorized by
15  subsection (a-5) or an investigation, it appears that the
16  immediate safety or well-being of a child is endangered, that
17  the family may flee or the child disappear, or that the facts
18  otherwise so warrant, the Child Protective Service Unit shall
19  commence an investigation immediately, regardless of the time
20  of day or night. All other investigations shall be commenced
21  within 24 hours of receipt of the report. Upon receipt of a
22  report, the Child Protective Service Unit shall conduct a
23  family assessment authorized by subsection (a-5) or begin an
24  initial investigation and make an initial determination
25  whether the report is a good faith indication of alleged child
26  abuse or neglect.

 

 

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1  (3) Based on an initial investigation, if the Unit
2  determines the report is a good faith indication of alleged
3  child abuse or neglect, then a formal investigation shall
4  commence and, pursuant to Section 7.12 of this Act, may or may
5  not result in an indicated report. The formal investigation
6  shall include: direct contact with the subject or subjects of
7  the report as soon as possible after the report is received; an
8  evaluation of the environment of the child named in the report
9  and any other children in the same environment; a
10  determination of the risk to such children if they continue to
11  remain in the existing environments, as well as a
12  determination of the nature, extent and cause of any condition
13  enumerated in such report; the name, age and condition of
14  other children in the environment; and an evaluation as to
15  whether there would be an immediate and urgent necessity to
16  remove the child from the environment if appropriate family
17  preservation services were provided. After seeing to the
18  safety of the child or children, the Department shall
19  forthwith notify the subjects of the report in writing, of the
20  existence of the report and their rights existing under this
21  Act in regard to amendment or expungement. To fulfill the
22  requirements of this Section, the Child Protective Service
23  Unit shall have the capability of providing or arranging for
24  comprehensive emergency services to children and families at
25  all times of the day or night.
26  (4) If (i) at the conclusion of the Unit's initial

 

 

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1  investigation of a report, the Unit determines the report to
2  be a good faith indication of alleged child abuse or neglect
3  that warrants a formal investigation by the Unit, the
4  Department, any law enforcement agency or any other
5  responsible agency and (ii) the person who is alleged to have
6  caused the abuse or neglect is employed or otherwise engaged
7  in an activity resulting in frequent contact with children and
8  the alleged abuse or neglect are in the course of such
9  employment or activity, then the Department shall, except in
10  investigations where the Director determines that such
11  notification would be detrimental to the Department's
12  investigation, inform the appropriate supervisor or
13  administrator of that employment or activity that the Unit has
14  commenced a formal investigation pursuant to this Act, which
15  may or may not result in an indicated report. The Department
16  shall also notify the person being investigated, unless the
17  Director determines that such notification would be
18  detrimental to the Department's investigation.
19  (c) In an investigation of a report of suspected abuse or
20  neglect of a child by a school employee at a school or on
21  school grounds, the Department shall make reasonable efforts
22  to follow the following procedures:
23  (1) Investigations involving teachers shall not, to
24  the extent possible, be conducted when the teacher is
25  scheduled to conduct classes. Investigations involving
26  other school employees shall be conducted so as to

 

 

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1  minimize disruption of the school day. The school employee
2  accused of child abuse or neglect may have his superior,
3  his association or union representative and his attorney
4  present at any interview or meeting at which the teacher
5  or administrator is present. The accused school employee
6  shall be informed by a representative of the Department,
7  at any interview or meeting, of the accused school
8  employee's due process rights and of the steps in the
9  investigation process. These due process rights shall also
10  include the right of the school employee to present
11  countervailing evidence regarding the accusations. In an
12  investigation in which the alleged perpetrator of abuse or
13  neglect is a school employee, including, but not limited
14  to, a school teacher or administrator, and the
15  recommendation is to determine the report to be indicated,
16  in addition to other procedures as set forth and defined
17  in Department rules and procedures, the employee's due
18  process rights shall also include: (i) the right to a copy
19  of the investigation summary; (ii) the right to review the
20  specific allegations which gave rise to the investigation;
21  and (iii) the right to an administrator's teleconference
22  which shall be convened to provide the school employee
23  with the opportunity to present documentary evidence or
24  other information that supports his or her position and to
25  provide information before a final finding is entered.
26  (2) If a report of neglect or abuse of a child by a

 

 

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1  teacher or administrator does not involve allegations of
2  sexual abuse or extreme physical abuse, the Child
3  Protective Service Unit shall make reasonable efforts to
4  conduct the initial investigation in coordination with the
5  employee's supervisor.
6  If the Unit determines that the report is a good faith
7  indication of potential child abuse or neglect, it shall
8  then commence a formal investigation under paragraph (3)
9  of subsection (b) of this Section.
10  (3) If a report of neglect or abuse of a child by a
11  teacher or administrator involves an allegation of sexual
12  abuse or extreme physical abuse, the Child Protective Unit
13  shall commence an investigation under paragraph (2) of
14  subsection (b) of this Section.
15  (c-5) In any instance in which a report is made or caused
16  to made by a school district employee involving the conduct of
17  a person employed by the school district, at the time the
18  report was made, as required under Section 4 of this Act, the
19  Child Protective Service Unit shall send a copy of its final
20  finding report to the general superintendent of that school
21  district.
22  (c-10) The Department may recommend that a school district
23  remove a school employee who is the subject of an
24  investigation from his or her employment position pending the
25  outcome of the investigation; however, all employment
26  decisions regarding school personnel shall be the sole

 

 

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1  responsibility of the school district or employer. The
2  Department may not require a school district to remove a
3  school employee from his or her employment position or limit
4  the school employee's duties pending the outcome of an
5  investigation.
6  (d) If the Department has contact with an employer, or
7  with a religious institution or religious official having
8  supervisory or hierarchical authority over a member of the
9  clergy accused of the abuse of a child, in the course of its
10  investigation, the Department shall notify the employer or the
11  religious institution or religious official, in writing, when
12  a report is unfounded so that any record of the investigation
13  can be expunged from the employee's or member of the clergy's
14  personnel or other records. The Department shall also notify
15  the employee or the member of the clergy, in writing, that
16  notification has been sent to the employer or to the
17  appropriate religious institution or religious official
18  informing the employer or religious institution or religious
19  official that the Department's investigation has resulted in
20  an unfounded report.
21  (d-1) Whenever a report alleges that a child was abused or
22  neglected while receiving care in a hospital, including a
23  freestanding psychiatric hospital licensed by the Department
24  of Public Health, the Department shall send a copy of its final
25  finding to the Director of Public Health and the Director of
26  Healthcare and Family Services.

 

 

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1  (e) Upon request by the Department, the Illinois State
2  Police and law enforcement agencies are authorized to provide
3  criminal history record information as defined in the Illinois
4  Uniform Conviction Information Act and information maintained
5  in the adjudicatory and dispositional record system as defined
6  in Section 2605-355 of the Illinois State Police Law to
7  properly designated employees of the Department of Children
8  and Family Services if the Department determines the
9  information is necessary to perform its duties under the
10  Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act, the Child Care Act
11  of 1969, and the Children and Family Services Act. The request
12  shall be in the form and manner required by the Illinois State
13  Police. Any information obtained by the Department of Children
14  and Family Services under this Section is confidential and may
15  not be transmitted outside the Department of Children and
16  Family Services other than to a court of competent
17  jurisdiction or unless otherwise authorized by law. Any
18  employee of the Department of Children and Family Services who
19  transmits confidential information in violation of this
20  Section or causes the information to be transmitted in
21  violation of this Section is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor
22  unless the transmittal of the information is authorized by
23  this Section or otherwise authorized by law.
24  (f) For purposes of this Section, "child abuse or neglect"
25  includes abuse or neglect of an adult resident as defined in
26  this Act.

 

 

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1  (Source: P.A. 101-43, eff. 1-1-20; 102-538, eff. 8-20-21.)
2  (325 ILCS 5/7.7) (from Ch. 23, par. 2057.7)
3  Sec. 7.7.  There shall be a central register of all cases of
4  suspected child abuse or neglect reported and maintained by
5  the Department under this Act, but not including any family
6  assessment cases in which the Department determines that no
7  formal investigation is needed as provided in subsection (a-5)
8  of Section 7.4. Through the recording of initial, preliminary,
9  and final reports, the central register shall be operated in
10  such a manner as to enable the Department to: (1) immediately
11  identify and locate prior reports of child abuse or neglect;
12  (2) continuously monitor the current status of all reports of
13  child abuse or neglect being provided services under this Act;
14  and (3) regularly evaluate the effectiveness of existing laws
15  and programs through the development and analysis of
16  statistical and other information.
17  The Department shall maintain in the central register a
18  listing of unfounded reports where the subject of the
19  unfounded report requests that the record not be expunged
20  because the subject alleges an intentional false report was
21  made. Such a request must be made by the subject in writing to
22  the Department, within 10 days of the investigation. By
23  January 1, 2014, the Department shall promulgate rules
24  establishing criteria and standards for labeling an unfounded
25  report as an intentional false report in the central register.

 

 

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1  The rules shall permit the reporter to submit a statement
2  regarding the report unless the reporter has been convicted of
3  knowingly transmitting a false report to the Department under
4  paragraph (7) of subsection (a) of Section 26-1 of the
5  Criminal Code of 2012.
6  The Department shall also maintain in the central register
7  a listing of unfounded reports where the report was classified
8  as a priority one or priority two report in accordance with the
9  Department's rules or the report was made by a person mandated
10  to report suspected abuse or neglect under this Act.
11  The Department shall maintain in the central register all
12  unfounded reports for a minimum of 5 years following the date
13  of the final finding.
14  If an individual is the subject of a subsequent
15  investigation that is pending, the Department shall maintain
16  all prior unfounded reports pertaining to that individual
17  until the pending investigation has been completed or for 5
18  years, whichever time period ends later.
19  For purposes of this Section "child abuse or neglect"
20  includes abuse or neglect of an adult resident as defined in
21  this Act.
22  (Source: P.A. 100-697, eff. 1-1-19.)
23  (325 ILCS 5/7.10) (from Ch. 23, par. 2057.10)
24  Sec. 7.10.  Upon the receipt of each oral report made under
25  this Act, the Child Protective Service Unit shall immediately

 

 

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1  transmit a copy thereof to the state central register of child
2  abuse and neglect. However, no oral report that only alleges
3  inadequate supervision of a child or conditions that create an
4  injurious environment to a child shall be reported to the
5  state central register, but shall instead be documented in an
6  alternative manner as prescribed by the Department by rule. A
7  preliminary report from a Child Protective Service Unit shall
8  be made at the time of the first of any 30-day extensions made
9  pursuant to Section 7.12 and shall describe the status of the
10  related investigation up to that time, including an evaluation
11  of the present family situation and danger to the child or
12  children, corrections or up-dating of the initial report, and
13  actions taken or contemplated.
14  For purposes of this Section "child" includes an adult
15  resident as defined in this Act.
16  (Source: P.A. 96-1446, eff. 8-20-10.)
17  (325 ILCS 5/7.15) (from Ch. 23, par. 2057.15)
18  Sec. 7.15.  The central register may contain such other
19  information which the Department determines to be in
20  furtherance of the purposes of this Act, but shall not contain
21  any information regarding a family assessment case in which
22  the Department determined that no formal investigation was
23  needed as provided in subsection (a-5) of Section 7.4.
24  Pursuant to the provisions of Sections 7.14 and 7.16, the
25  Department may amend or remove from the central register

 

 

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1  appropriate records upon good cause shown and upon notice to
2  the subjects of the report and the Child Protective Service
3  Unit.
4  (Source: P.A. 90-15, eff. 6-13-97.)

 

 

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