104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026 HB1721 Introduced , by Rep. Amy Elik SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: 20 ILCS 505/5 Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that beginning on and after January 1, 2026, a foster family home that includes a pregnant or parenting youth in care and any child of the parenting youth shall be eligible to receive additional foster care payments from the Department of Children and Family Services to cover all reasonable costs incurred by the foster family in caring for the pregnant or parenting youth and any child of the parenting youth. Provides that the parenting youth must be the full-time custodial parent of the child for whom the foster family is requesting additional payment. Permits the Department to prescribe by rule which costs and expenses qualify as "reasonable costs" eligible for payment. Grants the Department rulemaking authority. Effective January 1, 2026. LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b A BILL FOR 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026 HB1721 Introduced , by Rep. Amy Elik SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: 20 ILCS 505/5 20 ILCS 505/5 Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that beginning on and after January 1, 2026, a foster family home that includes a pregnant or parenting youth in care and any child of the parenting youth shall be eligible to receive additional foster care payments from the Department of Children and Family Services to cover all reasonable costs incurred by the foster family in caring for the pregnant or parenting youth and any child of the parenting youth. Provides that the parenting youth must be the full-time custodial parent of the child for whom the foster family is requesting additional payment. Permits the Department to prescribe by rule which costs and expenses qualify as "reasonable costs" eligible for payment. Grants the Department rulemaking authority. Effective January 1, 2026. LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b A BILL FOR 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026 HB1721 Introduced , by Rep. Amy Elik SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: 20 ILCS 505/5 20 ILCS 505/5 20 ILCS 505/5 Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that beginning on and after January 1, 2026, a foster family home that includes a pregnant or parenting youth in care and any child of the parenting youth shall be eligible to receive additional foster care payments from the Department of Children and Family Services to cover all reasonable costs incurred by the foster family in caring for the pregnant or parenting youth and any child of the parenting youth. Provides that the parenting youth must be the full-time custodial parent of the child for whom the foster family is requesting additional payment. Permits the Department to prescribe by rule which costs and expenses qualify as "reasonable costs" eligible for payment. Grants the Department rulemaking authority. Effective January 1, 2026. LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b A BILL FOR HB1721LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b 1 AN ACT concerning State government. 2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 3 represented in the General Assembly: 4 Section 5. The Children and Family Services Act is amended 5 by changing Section 5 as follows: 6 (20 ILCS 505/5) 7 Sec. 5. Direct child welfare services; Department of 8 Children and Family Services. To provide direct child welfare 9 services when not available through other public or private 10 child care or program facilities. 11 (a) For purposes of this Section: 12 (1) "Children" means persons found within the State 13 who are under the age of 18 years. The term also includes 14 persons under age 21 who: 15 (A) were committed to the Department pursuant to 16 the Juvenile Court Act or the Juvenile Court Act of 17 1987 and who continue under the jurisdiction of the 18 court; or 19 (B) were accepted for care, service and training 20 by the Department prior to the age of 18 and whose best 21 interest in the discretion of the Department would be 22 served by continuing that care, service and training 23 because of severe emotional disturbances, physical 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2025 and 2026 HB1721 Introduced , by Rep. Amy Elik SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED: 20 ILCS 505/5 20 ILCS 505/5 20 ILCS 505/5 Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that beginning on and after January 1, 2026, a foster family home that includes a pregnant or parenting youth in care and any child of the parenting youth shall be eligible to receive additional foster care payments from the Department of Children and Family Services to cover all reasonable costs incurred by the foster family in caring for the pregnant or parenting youth and any child of the parenting youth. Provides that the parenting youth must be the full-time custodial parent of the child for whom the foster family is requesting additional payment. Permits the Department to prescribe by rule which costs and expenses qualify as "reasonable costs" eligible for payment. Grants the Department rulemaking authority. Effective January 1, 2026. LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b A BILL FOR 20 ILCS 505/5 LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721- 2 -LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 2 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 2 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b 1 disability, social adjustment or any combination 2 thereof, or because of the need to complete an 3 educational or vocational training program. 4 (2) "Homeless youth" means persons found within the 5 State who are under the age of 19, are not in a safe and 6 stable living situation and cannot be reunited with their 7 families. 8 (3) "Child welfare services" means public social 9 services which are directed toward the accomplishment of 10 the following purposes: 11 (A) protecting and promoting the health, safety 12 and welfare of children, including homeless, 13 dependent, or neglected children; 14 (B) remedying, or assisting in the solution of 15 problems which may result in, the neglect, abuse, 16 exploitation, or delinquency of children; 17 (C) preventing the unnecessary separation of 18 children from their families by identifying family 19 problems, assisting families in resolving their 20 problems, and preventing the breakup of the family 21 where the prevention of child removal is desirable and 22 possible when the child can be cared for at home 23 without endangering the child's health and safety; 24 (D) restoring to their families children who have 25 been removed, by the provision of services to the 26 child and the families when the child can be cared for HB1721 - 2 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721- 3 -LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 3 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 3 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b 1 at home without endangering the child's health and 2 safety; 3 (E) placing children in suitable permanent family 4 arrangements, through guardianship or adoption, in 5 cases where restoration to the birth family is not 6 safe, possible, or appropriate; 7 (F) at the time of placement, conducting 8 concurrent planning, as described in subsection (l-1) 9 of this Section, so that permanency may occur at the 10 earliest opportunity. Consideration should be given so 11 that if reunification fails or is delayed, the 12 placement made is the best available placement to 13 provide permanency for the child; 14 (G) (blank); 15 (H) (blank); and 16 (I) placing and maintaining children in facilities 17 that provide separate living quarters for children 18 under the age of 18 and for children 18 years of age 19 and older, unless a child 18 years of age is in the 20 last year of high school education or vocational 21 training, in an approved individual or group treatment 22 program, in a licensed shelter facility, or secure 23 child care facility. The Department is not required to 24 place or maintain children: 25 (i) who are in a foster home, or 26 (ii) who are persons with a developmental HB1721 - 3 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721- 4 -LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 4 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 4 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b 1 disability, as defined in the Mental Health and 2 Developmental Disabilities Code, or 3 (iii) who are female children who are 4 pregnant, pregnant and parenting, or parenting, or 5 (iv) who are siblings, in facilities that 6 provide separate living quarters for children 18 7 years of age and older and for children under 18 8 years of age. 9 (b) (Blank). 10 (b-5) The Department shall adopt rules to establish a 11 process for all licensed residential providers in Illinois to 12 submit data as required by the Department if they contract or 13 receive reimbursement for children's mental health, substance 14 use, and developmental disability services from the Department 15 of Human Services, the Department of Juvenile Justice, or the 16 Department of Healthcare and Family Services. The requested 17 data must include, but is not limited to, capacity, staffing, 18 and occupancy data for the purpose of establishing State need 19 and placement availability. 20 All information collected, shared, or stored pursuant to 21 this subsection shall be handled in accordance with all State 22 and federal privacy laws and accompanying regulations and 23 rules, including without limitation the federal Health 24 Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (Public 25 Law 104-191) and the Mental Health and Developmental 26 Disabilities Confidentiality Act. HB1721 - 4 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721- 5 -LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 5 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 5 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b 1 (c) The Department shall establish and maintain 2 tax-supported child welfare services and extend and seek to 3 improve voluntary services throughout the State, to the end 4 that services and care shall be available on an equal basis 5 throughout the State to children requiring such services. 6 (d) The Director may authorize advance disbursements for 7 any new program initiative to any agency contracting with the 8 Department. As a prerequisite for an advance disbursement, the 9 contractor must post a surety bond in the amount of the advance 10 disbursement and have a purchase of service contract approved 11 by the Department. The Department may pay up to 2 months 12 operational expenses in advance. The amount of the advance 13 disbursement shall be prorated over the life of the contract 14 or the remaining months of the fiscal year, whichever is less, 15 and the installment amount shall then be deducted from future 16 bills. Advance disbursement authorizations for new initiatives 17 shall not be made to any agency after that agency has operated 18 during 2 consecutive fiscal years. The requirements of this 19 Section concerning advance disbursements shall not apply with 20 respect to the following: payments to local public agencies 21 for child day care services as authorized by Section 5a of this 22 Act; and youth service programs receiving grant funds under 23 Section 17a-4. 24 (e) (Blank). 25 (f) (Blank). 26 (g) The Department shall establish rules and regulations HB1721 - 5 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721- 6 -LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 6 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 6 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b 1 concerning its operation of programs designed to meet the 2 goals of child safety and protection, family preservation, 3 family reunification, and adoption, including, but not limited 4 to: 5 (1) adoption; 6 (2) foster care; 7 (3) family counseling; 8 (4) protective services; 9 (5) (blank); 10 (6) homemaker service; 11 (7) return of runaway children; 12 (8) (blank); 13 (9) placement under Section 5-7 of the Juvenile Court 14 Act or Section 2-27, 3-28, 4-25, or 5-740 of the Juvenile 15 Court Act of 1987 in accordance with the federal Adoption 16 Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980; and 17 (10) interstate services. 18 Rules and regulations established by the Department shall 19 include provisions for training Department staff and the staff 20 of Department grantees, through contracts with other agencies 21 or resources, in screening techniques to identify substance 22 use disorders, as defined in the Substance Use Disorder Act, 23 approved by the Department of Human Services, as a successor 24 to the Department of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, for the 25 purpose of identifying children and adults who should be 26 referred for an assessment at an organization appropriately HB1721 - 6 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721- 7 -LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 7 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 7 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b 1 licensed by the Department of Human Services for substance use 2 disorder treatment. 3 (h) If the Department finds that there is no appropriate 4 program or facility within or available to the Department for 5 a youth in care and that no licensed private facility has an 6 adequate and appropriate program or none agrees to accept the 7 youth in care, the Department shall create an appropriate 8 individualized, program-oriented plan for such youth in care. 9 The plan may be developed within the Department or through 10 purchase of services by the Department to the extent that it is 11 within its statutory authority to do. 12 (i) Service programs shall be available throughout the 13 State and shall include but not be limited to the following 14 services: 15 (1) case management; 16 (2) homemakers; 17 (3) counseling; 18 (4) parent education; 19 (5) day care; and 20 (6) emergency assistance and advocacy. 21 In addition, the following services may be made available 22 to assess and meet the needs of children and families: 23 (1) comprehensive family-based services; 24 (2) assessments; 25 (3) respite care; and 26 (4) in-home health services. HB1721 - 7 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721- 8 -LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 8 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 8 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b 1 The Department shall provide transportation for any of the 2 services it makes available to children or families or for 3 which it refers children or families. 4 (j) The Department may provide categories of financial 5 assistance and education assistance grants, and shall 6 establish rules and regulations concerning the assistance and 7 grants, to persons who adopt children with physical or mental 8 disabilities, children who are older, or other hard-to-place 9 children who (i) immediately prior to their adoption were 10 youth in care or (ii) were determined eligible for financial 11 assistance with respect to a prior adoption and who become 12 available for adoption because the prior adoption has been 13 dissolved and the parental rights of the adoptive parents have 14 been terminated or because the child's adoptive parents have 15 died. The Department may continue to provide financial 16 assistance and education assistance grants for a child who was 17 determined eligible for financial assistance under this 18 subsection (j) in the interim period beginning when the 19 child's adoptive parents died and ending with the finalization 20 of the new adoption of the child by another adoptive parent or 21 parents. The Department may also provide categories of 22 financial assistance and education assistance grants, and 23 shall establish rules and regulations for the assistance and 24 grants, to persons appointed guardian of the person under 25 Section 5-7 of the Juvenile Court Act or Section 2-27, 3-28, 26 4-25, or 5-740 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 for children HB1721 - 8 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721- 9 -LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 9 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 9 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b 1 who were youth in care for 12 months immediately prior to the 2 appointment of the guardian. 3 The amount of assistance may vary, depending upon the 4 needs of the child and the adoptive parents, as set forth in 5 the annual assistance agreement. Special purpose grants are 6 allowed where the child requires special service but such 7 costs may not exceed the amounts which similar services would 8 cost the Department if it were to provide or secure them as 9 guardian of the child. 10 Any financial assistance provided under this subsection is 11 inalienable by assignment, sale, execution, attachment, 12 garnishment, or any other remedy for recovery or collection of 13 a judgment or debt. 14 (j-5) The Department shall not deny or delay the placement 15 of a child for adoption if an approved family is available 16 either outside of the Department region handling the case, or 17 outside of the State of Illinois. 18 (k) The Department shall accept for care and training any 19 child who has been adjudicated neglected or abused, or 20 dependent committed to it pursuant to the Juvenile Court Act 21 or the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. 22 (l) The Department shall offer family preservation 23 services, as defined in Section 8.2 of the Abused and 24 Neglected Child Reporting Act, to help families, including 25 adoptive and extended families. Family preservation services 26 shall be offered (i) to prevent the placement of children in HB1721 - 9 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721- 10 -LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 10 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 10 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b 1 substitute care when the children can be cared for at home or 2 in the custody of the person responsible for the children's 3 welfare, (ii) to reunite children with their families, or 4 (iii) to maintain an adoptive placement. Family preservation 5 services shall only be offered when doing so will not endanger 6 the children's health or safety. With respect to children who 7 are in substitute care pursuant to the Juvenile Court Act of 8 1987, family preservation services shall not be offered if a 9 goal other than those of subdivisions (A), (B), or (B-1) of 10 subsection (2) of Section 2-28 of that Act has been set, except 11 that reunification services may be offered as provided in 12 paragraph (F) of subsection (2) of Section 2-28 of that Act. 13 Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to create a 14 private right of action or claim on the part of any individual 15 or child welfare agency, except that when a child is the 16 subject of an action under Article II of the Juvenile Court Act 17 of 1987 and the child's service plan calls for services to 18 facilitate achievement of the permanency goal, the court 19 hearing the action under Article II of the Juvenile Court Act 20 of 1987 may order the Department to provide the services set 21 out in the plan, if those services are not provided with 22 reasonable promptness and if those services are available. 23 The Department shall notify the child and the child's 24 family of the Department's responsibility to offer and provide 25 family preservation services as identified in the service 26 plan. The child and the child's family shall be eligible for HB1721 - 10 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721- 11 -LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 11 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 11 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b 1 services as soon as the report is determined to be 2 "indicated". The Department may offer services to any child or 3 family with respect to whom a report of suspected child abuse 4 or neglect has been filed, prior to concluding its 5 investigation under Section 7.12 of the Abused and Neglected 6 Child Reporting Act. However, the child's or family's 7 willingness to accept services shall not be considered in the 8 investigation. The Department may also provide services to any 9 child or family who is the subject of any report of suspected 10 child abuse or neglect or may refer such child or family to 11 services available from other agencies in the community, even 12 if the report is determined to be unfounded, if the conditions 13 in the child's or family's home are reasonably likely to 14 subject the child or family to future reports of suspected 15 child abuse or neglect. Acceptance of such services shall be 16 voluntary. The Department may also provide services to any 17 child or family after completion of a family assessment, as an 18 alternative to an investigation, as provided under the 19 "differential response program" provided for in subsection 20 (a-5) of Section 7.4 of the Abused and Neglected Child 21 Reporting Act. 22 The Department may, at its discretion except for those 23 children also adjudicated neglected or dependent, accept for 24 care and training any child who has been adjudicated addicted, 25 as a truant minor in need of supervision or as a minor 26 requiring authoritative intervention, under the Juvenile Court HB1721 - 11 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721- 12 -LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 12 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 12 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b 1 Act or the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, but no such child shall 2 be committed to the Department by any court without the 3 approval of the Department. On and after January 1, 2015 (the 4 effective date of Public Act 98-803) and before January 1, 5 2017, a minor charged with a criminal offense under the 6 Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012 or 7 adjudicated delinquent shall not be placed in the custody of 8 or committed to the Department by any court, except (i) a minor 9 less than 16 years of age committed to the Department under 10 Section 5-710 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, (ii) a minor 11 for whom an independent basis of abuse, neglect, or dependency 12 exists, which must be defined by departmental rule, or (iii) a 13 minor for whom the court has granted a supplemental petition 14 to reinstate wardship pursuant to subsection (2) of Section 15 2-33 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. On and after January 1, 16 2017, a minor charged with a criminal offense under the 17 Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012 or 18 adjudicated delinquent shall not be placed in the custody of 19 or committed to the Department by any court, except (i) a minor 20 less than 15 years of age committed to the Department under 21 Section 5-710 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, (ii) a minor 22 for whom an independent basis of abuse, neglect, or dependency 23 exists, which must be defined by departmental rule, or (iii) a 24 minor for whom the court has granted a supplemental petition 25 to reinstate wardship pursuant to subsection (2) of Section 26 2-33 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. An independent basis HB1721 - 12 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721- 13 -LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 13 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 13 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b 1 exists when the allegations or adjudication of abuse, neglect, 2 or dependency do not arise from the same facts, incident, or 3 circumstances which give rise to a charge or adjudication of 4 delinquency. The Department shall assign a caseworker to 5 attend any hearing involving a youth in the care and custody of 6 the Department who is placed on aftercare release, including 7 hearings involving sanctions for violation of aftercare 8 release conditions and aftercare release revocation hearings. 9 As soon as is possible after August 7, 2009 (the effective 10 date of Public Act 96-134), the Department shall develop and 11 implement a special program of family preservation services to 12 support intact, foster, and adoptive families who are 13 experiencing extreme hardships due to the difficulty and 14 stress of caring for a child who has been diagnosed with a 15 pervasive developmental disorder if the Department determines 16 that those services are necessary to ensure the health and 17 safety of the child. The Department may offer services to any 18 family whether or not a report has been filed under the Abused 19 and Neglected Child Reporting Act. The Department may refer 20 the child or family to services available from other agencies 21 in the community if the conditions in the child's or family's 22 home are reasonably likely to subject the child or family to 23 future reports of suspected child abuse or neglect. Acceptance 24 of these services shall be voluntary. The Department shall 25 develop and implement a public information campaign to alert 26 health and social service providers and the general public HB1721 - 13 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721- 14 -LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 14 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 14 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b 1 about these special family preservation services. The nature 2 and scope of the services offered and the number of families 3 served under the special program implemented under this 4 paragraph shall be determined by the level of funding that the 5 Department annually allocates for this purpose. The term 6 "pervasive developmental disorder" under this paragraph means 7 a neurological condition, including, but not limited to, 8 Asperger's Syndrome and autism, as defined in the most recent 9 edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental 10 Disorders of the American Psychiatric Association. 11 (l-1) The General Assembly recognizes that the best 12 interests of the child require that the child be placed in the 13 most permanent living arrangement as soon as is practically 14 possible. To achieve this goal, the General Assembly directs 15 the Department of Children and Family Services to conduct 16 concurrent planning so that permanency may occur at the 17 earliest opportunity. Permanent living arrangements may 18 include prevention of placement of a child outside the home of 19 the family when the child can be cared for at home without 20 endangering the child's health or safety; reunification with 21 the family, when safe and appropriate, if temporary placement 22 is necessary; or movement of the child toward the most 23 permanent living arrangement and permanent legal status. 24 When determining reasonable efforts to be made with 25 respect to a child, as described in this subsection, and in 26 making such reasonable efforts, the child's health and safety HB1721 - 14 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721- 15 -LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 15 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 15 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b 1 shall be the paramount concern. 2 When a child is placed in foster care, the Department 3 shall ensure and document that reasonable efforts were made to 4 prevent or eliminate the need to remove the child from the 5 child's home. The Department must make reasonable efforts to 6 reunify the family when temporary placement of the child 7 occurs unless otherwise required, pursuant to the Juvenile 8 Court Act of 1987. At any time after the dispositional hearing 9 where the Department believes that further reunification 10 services would be ineffective, it may request a finding from 11 the court that reasonable efforts are no longer appropriate. 12 The Department is not required to provide further 13 reunification services after such a finding. 14 A decision to place a child in substitute care shall be 15 made with considerations of the child's health, safety, and 16 best interests. At the time of placement, consideration should 17 also be given so that if reunification fails or is delayed, the 18 placement made is the best available placement to provide 19 permanency for the child. 20 The Department shall adopt rules addressing concurrent 21 planning for reunification and permanency. The Department 22 shall consider the following factors when determining 23 appropriateness of concurrent planning: 24 (1) the likelihood of prompt reunification; 25 (2) the past history of the family; 26 (3) the barriers to reunification being addressed by HB1721 - 15 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721- 16 -LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 16 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 16 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b 1 the family; 2 (4) the level of cooperation of the family; 3 (5) the foster parents' willingness to work with the 4 family to reunite; 5 (6) the willingness and ability of the foster family 6 to provide an adoptive home or long-term placement; 7 (7) the age of the child; 8 (8) placement of siblings. 9 (m) The Department may assume temporary custody of any 10 child if: 11 (1) it has received a written consent to such 12 temporary custody signed by the parents of the child or by 13 the parent having custody of the child if the parents are 14 not living together or by the guardian or custodian of the 15 child if the child is not in the custody of either parent, 16 or 17 (2) the child is found in the State and neither a 18 parent, guardian nor custodian of the child can be 19 located. 20 If the child is found in the child's residence without a 21 parent, guardian, custodian, or responsible caretaker, the 22 Department may, instead of removing the child and assuming 23 temporary custody, place an authorized representative of the 24 Department in that residence until such time as a parent, 25 guardian, or custodian enters the home and expresses a 26 willingness and apparent ability to ensure the child's health HB1721 - 16 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721- 17 -LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 17 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 17 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b 1 and safety and resume permanent charge of the child, or until a 2 relative enters the home and is willing and able to ensure the 3 child's health and safety and assume charge of the child until 4 a parent, guardian, or custodian enters the home and expresses 5 such willingness and ability to ensure the child's safety and 6 resume permanent charge. After a caretaker has remained in the 7 home for a period not to exceed 12 hours, the Department must 8 follow those procedures outlined in Section 2-9, 3-11, 4-8, or 9 5-415 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. 10 The Department shall have the authority, responsibilities 11 and duties that a legal custodian of the child would have 12 pursuant to subsection (9) of Section 1-3 of the Juvenile 13 Court Act of 1987. Whenever a child is taken into temporary 14 custody pursuant to an investigation under the Abused and 15 Neglected Child Reporting Act, or pursuant to a referral and 16 acceptance under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 of a minor in 17 limited custody, the Department, during the period of 18 temporary custody and before the child is brought before a 19 judicial officer as required by Section 2-9, 3-11, 4-8, or 20 5-415 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, shall have the 21 authority, responsibilities and duties that a legal custodian 22 of the child would have under subsection (9) of Section 1-3 of 23 the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. 24 The Department shall ensure that any child taken into 25 custody is scheduled for an appointment for a medical 26 examination. HB1721 - 17 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721- 18 -LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 18 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 18 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b 1 A parent, guardian, or custodian of a child in the 2 temporary custody of the Department who would have custody of 3 the child if the child were not in the temporary custody of the 4 Department may deliver to the Department a signed request that 5 the Department surrender the temporary custody of the child. 6 The Department may retain temporary custody of the child for 7 10 days after the receipt of the request, during which period 8 the Department may cause to be filed a petition pursuant to the 9 Juvenile Court Act of 1987. If a petition is so filed, the 10 Department shall retain temporary custody of the child until 11 the court orders otherwise. If a petition is not filed within 12 the 10-day period, the child shall be surrendered to the 13 custody of the requesting parent, guardian, or custodian not 14 later than the expiration of the 10-day period, at which time 15 the authority and duties of the Department with respect to the 16 temporary custody of the child shall terminate. 17 (m-1) The Department may place children under 18 years of 18 age in a secure child care facility licensed by the Department 19 that cares for children who are in need of secure living 20 arrangements for their health, safety, and well-being after a 21 determination is made by the facility director and the 22 Director or the Director's designate prior to admission to the 23 facility subject to Section 2-27.1 of the Juvenile Court Act 24 of 1987. This subsection (m-1) does not apply to a child who is 25 subject to placement in a correctional facility operated 26 pursuant to Section 3-15-2 of the Unified Code of Corrections, HB1721 - 18 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721- 19 -LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 19 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 19 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b 1 unless the child is a youth in care who was placed in the care 2 of the Department before being subject to placement in a 3 correctional facility and a court of competent jurisdiction 4 has ordered placement of the child in a secure care facility. 5 (n) The Department may place children under 18 years of 6 age in licensed child care facilities when in the opinion of 7 the Department, appropriate services aimed at family 8 preservation have been unsuccessful and cannot ensure the 9 child's health and safety or are unavailable and such 10 placement would be for their best interest. Payment for board, 11 clothing, care, training and supervision of any child placed 12 in a licensed child care facility may be made by the 13 Department, by the parents or guardians of the estates of 14 those children, or by both the Department and the parents or 15 guardians, except that no payments shall be made by the 16 Department for any child placed in a licensed child care 17 facility for board, clothing, care, training, and supervision 18 of such a child that exceed the average per capita cost of 19 maintaining and of caring for a child in institutions for 20 dependent or neglected children operated by the Department. 21 However, such restriction on payments does not apply in cases 22 where children require specialized care and treatment for 23 problems of severe emotional disturbance, physical disability, 24 social adjustment, or any combination thereof and suitable 25 facilities for the placement of such children are not 26 available at payment rates within the limitations set forth in HB1721 - 19 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721- 20 -LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 20 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 20 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b 1 this Section. All reimbursements for services delivered shall 2 be absolutely inalienable by assignment, sale, attachment, or 3 garnishment or otherwise. 4 (n-1) The Department shall provide or authorize child 5 welfare services, aimed at assisting minors to achieve 6 sustainable self-sufficiency as independent adults, for any 7 minor eligible for the reinstatement of wardship pursuant to 8 subsection (2) of Section 2-33 of the Juvenile Court Act of 9 1987, whether or not such reinstatement is sought or allowed, 10 provided that the minor consents to such services and has not 11 yet attained the age of 21. The Department shall have 12 responsibility for the development and delivery of services 13 under this Section. An eligible youth may access services 14 under this Section through the Department of Children and 15 Family Services or by referral from the Department of Human 16 Services. Youth participating in services under this Section 17 shall cooperate with the assigned case manager in developing 18 an agreement identifying the services to be provided and how 19 the youth will increase skills to achieve self-sufficiency. A 20 homeless shelter is not considered appropriate housing for any 21 youth receiving child welfare services under this Section. The 22 Department shall continue child welfare services under this 23 Section to any eligible minor until the minor becomes 21 years 24 of age, no longer consents to participate, or achieves 25 self-sufficiency as identified in the minor's service plan. 26 The Department of Children and Family Services shall create HB1721 - 20 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721- 21 -LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 21 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 21 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b 1 clear, readable notice of the rights of former foster youth to 2 child welfare services under this Section and how such 3 services may be obtained. The Department of Children and 4 Family Services and the Department of Human Services shall 5 disseminate this information statewide. The Department shall 6 adopt regulations describing services intended to assist 7 minors in achieving sustainable self-sufficiency as 8 independent adults. 9 (o) The Department shall establish an administrative 10 review and appeal process for children and families who 11 request or receive child welfare services from the Department. 12 Youth in care who are placed by private child welfare 13 agencies, and foster families with whom those youth are 14 placed, shall be afforded the same procedural and appeal 15 rights as children and families in the case of placement by the 16 Department, including the right to an initial review of a 17 private agency decision by that agency. The Department shall 18 ensure that any private child welfare agency, which accepts 19 youth in care for placement, affords those rights to children 20 and foster families. The Department shall accept for 21 administrative review and an appeal hearing a complaint made 22 by (i) a child or foster family concerning a decision 23 following an initial review by a private child welfare agency 24 or (ii) a prospective adoptive parent who alleges a violation 25 of subsection (j-5) of this Section. An appeal of a decision 26 concerning a change in the placement of a child shall be HB1721 - 21 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721- 22 -LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 22 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 22 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b 1 conducted in an expedited manner. A court determination that a 2 current foster home placement is necessary and appropriate 3 under Section 2-28 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 does not 4 constitute a judicial determination on the merits of an 5 administrative appeal, filed by a former foster parent, 6 involving a change of placement decision. 7 (p) (Blank). 8 (q) The Department may receive and use, in their entirety, 9 for the benefit of children any gift, donation, or bequest of 10 money or other property which is received on behalf of such 11 children, or any financial benefits to which such children are 12 or may become entitled while under the jurisdiction or care of 13 the Department, except that the benefits described in Section 14 5.46 must be used and conserved consistent with the provisions 15 under Section 5.46. 16 The Department shall set up and administer no-cost, 17 interest-bearing accounts in appropriate financial 18 institutions for children for whom the Department is legally 19 responsible and who have been determined eligible for 20 Veterans' Benefits, Social Security benefits, assistance 21 allotments from the armed forces, court ordered payments, 22 parental voluntary payments, Supplemental Security Income, 23 Railroad Retirement payments, Black Lung benefits, or other 24 miscellaneous payments. Interest earned by each account shall 25 be credited to the account, unless disbursed in accordance 26 with this subsection. HB1721 - 22 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721- 23 -LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 23 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 23 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b 1 In disbursing funds from children's accounts, the 2 Department shall: 3 (1) Establish standards in accordance with State and 4 federal laws for disbursing money from children's 5 accounts. In all circumstances, the Department's 6 Guardianship Administrator or the Guardianship 7 Administrator's designee must approve disbursements from 8 children's accounts. The Department shall be responsible 9 for keeping complete records of all disbursements for each 10 account for any purpose. 11 (2) Calculate on a monthly basis the amounts paid from 12 State funds for the child's board and care, medical care 13 not covered under Medicaid, and social services; and 14 utilize funds from the child's account, as covered by 15 regulation, to reimburse those costs. Monthly, 16 disbursements from all children's accounts, up to 1/12 of 17 $13,000,000, shall be deposited by the Department into the 18 General Revenue Fund and the balance over 1/12 of 19 $13,000,000 into the DCFS Children's Services Fund. 20 (3) Maintain any balance remaining after reimbursing 21 for the child's costs of care, as specified in item (2). 22 The balance shall accumulate in accordance with relevant 23 State and federal laws and shall be disbursed to the child 24 or the child's guardian or to the issuing agency. 25 (r) The Department shall promulgate regulations 26 encouraging all adoption agencies to voluntarily forward to HB1721 - 23 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721- 24 -LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 24 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 24 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b 1 the Department or its agent names and addresses of all persons 2 who have applied for and have been approved for adoption of a 3 hard-to-place child or child with a disability and the names 4 of such children who have not been placed for adoption. A list 5 of such names and addresses shall be maintained by the 6 Department or its agent, and coded lists which maintain the 7 confidentiality of the person seeking to adopt the child and 8 of the child shall be made available, without charge, to every 9 adoption agency in the State to assist the agencies in placing 10 such children for adoption. The Department may delegate to an 11 agent its duty to maintain and make available such lists. The 12 Department shall ensure that such agent maintains the 13 confidentiality of the person seeking to adopt the child and 14 of the child. 15 (s) The Department of Children and Family Services may 16 establish and implement a program to reimburse Department and 17 private child welfare agency foster parents licensed by the 18 Department of Children and Family Services for damages 19 sustained by the foster parents as a result of the malicious or 20 negligent acts of foster children, as well as providing third 21 party coverage for such foster parents with regard to actions 22 of foster children to other individuals. Such coverage will be 23 secondary to the foster parent liability insurance policy, if 24 applicable. The program shall be funded through appropriations 25 from the General Revenue Fund, specifically designated for 26 such purposes. HB1721 - 24 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721- 25 -LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 25 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 25 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b 1 (t) The Department shall perform home studies and 2 investigations and shall exercise supervision over visitation 3 as ordered by a court pursuant to the Illinois Marriage and 4 Dissolution of Marriage Act or the Adoption Act only if: 5 (1) an order entered by an Illinois court specifically 6 directs the Department to perform such services; and 7 (2) the court has ordered one or both of the parties to 8 the proceeding to reimburse the Department for its 9 reasonable costs for providing such services in accordance 10 with Department rules, or has determined that neither 11 party is financially able to pay. 12 The Department shall provide written notification to the 13 court of the specific arrangements for supervised visitation 14 and projected monthly costs within 60 days of the court order. 15 The Department shall send to the court information related to 16 the costs incurred except in cases where the court has 17 determined the parties are financially unable to pay. The 18 court may order additional periodic reports as appropriate. 19 (u) In addition to other information that must be 20 provided, whenever the Department places a child with a 21 prospective adoptive parent or parents, in a licensed foster 22 home, group home, or child care institution, or in a relative 23 home, the Department shall provide to the prospective adoptive 24 parent or parents or other caretaker: 25 (1) available detailed information concerning the 26 child's educational and health history, copies of HB1721 - 25 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721- 26 -LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 26 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 26 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b 1 immunization records (including insurance and medical card 2 information), a history of the child's previous 3 placements, if any, and reasons for placement changes 4 excluding any information that identifies or reveals the 5 location of any previous caretaker; 6 (2) a copy of the child's portion of the client 7 service plan, including any visitation arrangement, and 8 all amendments or revisions to it as related to the child; 9 and 10 (3) information containing details of the child's 11 individualized educational plan when the child is 12 receiving special education services. 13 The caretaker shall be informed of any known social or 14 behavioral information (including, but not limited to, 15 criminal background, fire setting, perpetuation of sexual 16 abuse, destructive behavior, and substance abuse) necessary to 17 care for and safeguard the children to be placed or currently 18 in the home. The Department may prepare a written summary of 19 the information required by this paragraph, which may be 20 provided to the foster or prospective adoptive parent in 21 advance of a placement. The foster or prospective adoptive 22 parent may review the supporting documents in the child's file 23 in the presence of casework staff. In the case of an emergency 24 placement, casework staff shall at least provide known 25 information verbally, if necessary, and must subsequently 26 provide the information in writing as required by this HB1721 - 26 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721- 27 -LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 27 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 27 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b 1 subsection. 2 The information described in this subsection shall be 3 provided in writing. In the case of emergency placements when 4 time does not allow prior review, preparation, and collection 5 of written information, the Department shall provide such 6 information as it becomes available. Within 10 business days 7 after placement, the Department shall obtain from the 8 prospective adoptive parent or parents or other caretaker a 9 signed verification of receipt of the information provided. 10 Within 10 business days after placement, the Department shall 11 provide to the child's guardian ad litem a copy of the 12 information provided to the prospective adoptive parent or 13 parents or other caretaker. The information provided to the 14 prospective adoptive parent or parents or other caretaker 15 shall be reviewed and approved regarding accuracy at the 16 supervisory level. 17 (u-5) Effective July 1, 1995, only foster care placements 18 licensed as foster family homes pursuant to the Child Care Act 19 of 1969 shall be eligible to receive foster care payments from 20 the Department. Relative caregivers who, as of July 1, 1995, 21 were approved pursuant to approved relative placement rules 22 previously promulgated by the Department at 89 Ill. Adm. Code 23 335 and had submitted an application for licensure as a foster 24 family home may continue to receive foster care payments only 25 until the Department determines that they may be licensed as a 26 foster family home or that their application for licensure is HB1721 - 27 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721- 28 -LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 28 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 28 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b 1 denied or until September 30, 1995, whichever occurs first. 2 (u-6) Beginning on and after January 1, 2026, a foster 3 family home that includes a pregnant or parenting youth in 4 care and any child of the parenting youth shall be eligible to 5 receive additional foster care payments from the Department to 6 cover all reasonable costs incurred by the foster family in 7 caring for the pregnant or parenting youth and any child of the 8 parenting youth. A parenting youth must be the full-time 9 custodial parent of the child for whom the foster family is 10 requesting additional payment under this subsection. The 11 Department may prescribe by rule which costs and expenses 12 qualify as "reasonable costs" eligible for payment under this 13 subsection. The Department may adopt any other rules necessary 14 to implement the provisions of this subsection. 15 (v) The Department shall access criminal history record 16 information as defined in the Illinois Uniform Conviction 17 Information Act and information maintained in the adjudicatory 18 and dispositional record system as defined in Section 2605-355 19 of the Illinois State Police Law if the Department determines 20 the information is necessary to perform its duties under the 21 Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act, the Child Care Act 22 of 1969, and the Children and Family Services Act. The 23 Department shall provide for interactive computerized 24 communication and processing equipment that permits direct 25 on-line communication with the Illinois State Police's central 26 criminal history data repository. The Department shall comply HB1721 - 28 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721- 29 -LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 29 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 29 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b 1 with all certification requirements and provide certified 2 operators who have been trained by personnel from the Illinois 3 State Police. In addition, one Office of the Inspector General 4 investigator shall have training in the use of the criminal 5 history information access system and have access to the 6 terminal. The Department of Children and Family Services and 7 its employees shall abide by rules and regulations established 8 by the Illinois State Police relating to the access and 9 dissemination of this information. 10 (v-1) Prior to final approval for placement of a child, 11 the Department shall conduct a criminal records background 12 check of the prospective foster or adoptive parent, including 13 fingerprint-based checks of national crime information 14 databases. Final approval for placement shall not be granted 15 if the record check reveals a felony conviction for child 16 abuse or neglect, for spousal abuse, for a crime against 17 children, or for a crime involving violence, including rape, 18 sexual assault, or homicide, but not including other physical 19 assault or battery, or if there is a felony conviction for 20 physical assault, battery, or a drug-related offense committed 21 within the past 5 years. 22 (v-2) Prior to final approval for placement of a child, 23 the Department shall check its child abuse and neglect 24 registry for information concerning prospective foster and 25 adoptive parents, and any adult living in the home. If any 26 prospective foster or adoptive parent or other adult living in HB1721 - 29 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721- 30 -LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 30 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 30 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b 1 the home has resided in another state in the preceding 5 years, 2 the Department shall request a check of that other state's 3 child abuse and neglect registry. 4 (w) Within 120 days of August 20, 1995 (the effective date 5 of Public Act 89-392), the Department shall prepare and submit 6 to the Governor and the General Assembly, a written plan for 7 the development of in-state licensed secure child care 8 facilities that care for children who are in need of secure 9 living arrangements for their health, safety, and well-being. 10 For purposes of this subsection, secure care facility shall 11 mean a facility that is designed and operated to ensure that 12 all entrances and exits from the facility, a building or a 13 distinct part of the building, are under the exclusive control 14 of the staff of the facility, whether or not the child has the 15 freedom of movement within the perimeter of the facility, 16 building, or distinct part of the building. The plan shall 17 include descriptions of the types of facilities that are 18 needed in Illinois; the cost of developing these secure care 19 facilities; the estimated number of placements; the potential 20 cost savings resulting from the movement of children currently 21 out-of-state who are projected to be returned to Illinois; the 22 necessary geographic distribution of these facilities in 23 Illinois; and a proposed timetable for development of such 24 facilities. 25 (x) The Department shall conduct annual credit history 26 checks to determine the financial history of children placed HB1721 - 30 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721- 31 -LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 31 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 31 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b 1 under its guardianship pursuant to the Juvenile Court Act of 2 1987. The Department shall conduct such credit checks starting 3 when a youth in care turns 12 years old and each year 4 thereafter for the duration of the guardianship as terminated 5 pursuant to the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. The Department 6 shall determine if financial exploitation of the child's 7 personal information has occurred. If financial exploitation 8 appears to have taken place or is presently ongoing, the 9 Department shall notify the proper law enforcement agency, the 10 proper State's Attorney, or the Attorney General. 11 (y) Beginning on July 22, 2010 (the effective date of 12 Public Act 96-1189), a child with a disability who receives 13 residential and educational services from the Department shall 14 be eligible to receive transition services in accordance with 15 Article 14 of the School Code from the age of 14.5 through age 16 21, inclusive, notwithstanding the child's residential 17 services arrangement. For purposes of this subsection, "child 18 with a disability" means a child with a disability as defined 19 by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education 20 Improvement Act of 2004. 21 (z) The Department shall access criminal history record 22 information as defined as "background information" in this 23 subsection and criminal history record information as defined 24 in the Illinois Uniform Conviction Information Act for each 25 Department employee or Department applicant. Each Department 26 employee or Department applicant shall submit the employee's HB1721 - 31 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721- 32 -LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 32 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 32 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b 1 or applicant's fingerprints to the Illinois State Police in 2 the form and manner prescribed by the Illinois State Police. 3 These fingerprints shall be checked against the fingerprint 4 records now and hereafter filed in the Illinois State Police 5 and the Federal Bureau of Investigation criminal history 6 records databases. The Illinois State Police shall charge a 7 fee for conducting the criminal history record check, which 8 shall be deposited into the State Police Services Fund and 9 shall not exceed the actual cost of the record check. The 10 Illinois State Police shall furnish, pursuant to positive 11 identification, all Illinois conviction information to the 12 Department of Children and Family Services. 13 For purposes of this subsection: 14 "Background information" means all of the following: 15 (i) Upon the request of the Department of Children and 16 Family Services, conviction information obtained from the 17 Illinois State Police as a result of a fingerprint-based 18 criminal history records check of the Illinois criminal 19 history records database and the Federal Bureau of 20 Investigation criminal history records database concerning 21 a Department employee or Department applicant. 22 (ii) Information obtained by the Department of 23 Children and Family Services after performing a check of 24 the Illinois State Police's Sex Offender Database, as 25 authorized by Section 120 of the Sex Offender Community 26 Notification Law, concerning a Department employee or HB1721 - 32 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721- 33 -LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 33 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b HB1721 - 33 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b 1 Department applicant. 2 (iii) Information obtained by the Department of 3 Children and Family Services after performing a check of 4 the Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System (CANTS) 5 operated and maintained by the Department. 6 "Department employee" means a full-time or temporary 7 employee coded or certified within the State of Illinois 8 Personnel System. 9 "Department applicant" means an individual who has 10 conditional Department full-time or part-time work, a 11 contractor, an individual used to replace or supplement staff, 12 an academic intern, a volunteer in Department offices or on 13 Department contracts, a work-study student, an individual or 14 entity licensed by the Department, or an unlicensed service 15 provider who works as a condition of a contract or an agreement 16 and whose work may bring the unlicensed service provider into 17 contact with Department clients or client records. 18 (Source: P.A. 102-538, eff. 8-20-21; 102-558, eff. 8-20-21; 19 102-1014, eff. 5-27-22; 103-22, eff. 8-8-23; 103-50, eff. 20 1-1-24; 103-546, eff. 8-11-23; 103-605, eff. 7-1-24.) HB1721 - 33 - LRB104 03120 KTG 13141 b