705 ILCS 405/2-27.1

(705 ILCS 405/2-27.1)

Sec. 2-27.1. Placement; secure child care facility.

(1) A minor under 18 years of age and who is subject under Article II of this Act to a secure child care facility may be admitted to a secure child care facility for inpatient treatment upon application to the facility director if, prior to admission, the facility director and the Director of the Department of Children and Family Services or the Director's designate find that: the minor has a mental illness or emotional disturbance, including but not limited to a behavior disorder, of such severity that placement in a secure child care facility is necessary because in the absence of such a placement, the minor is likely to endanger self or others or not meet the minor's basic needs and this placement is the least restrictive alternative. Prior to admission, a psychiatrist, clinical social worker, or clinical psychologist who has personally examined the minor shall state in writing that the minor meets the standards for admission. The statement must set forth in detail the reasons for that conclusion and shall indicate what alternatives to secure treatment have been explored. When the minor is placed in a child care facility which includes a secure child care facility in addition to a less restrictive setting, and the application for admission states that the minor will be permanently placed in the less restrictive setting of the child care facility as part of the minor's permanency plan after the need for secure treatment has ended, the psychiatrist, clinical social worker, or clinical psychologist shall state the reasons for the minor's need to be placed in secure treatment, the conditions under which the minor may be placed in the less restrictive setting of the facility, and the conditions under which the minor may need to be returned to secure treatment.

(2) The application for admission under this Section shall contain, in large bold-face type, a statement written in simple non-technical terms of the minor's right to object and the right to a hearing. A minor 12 years of age or older must be given a copy of the application and the statement should be explained to the minor in an understandable manner. A copy of the application shall also be given to the person who executed it, the designate of the Director of the Department of Children and Family Services, the minor's parent, the minor's attorney, and, if the minor is 12 years of age or older, 2 other persons whom the minor may designate, excluding persons whose whereabouts cannot reasonably be ascertained.

(3) Thirty days after admission, the facility director shall review the minor's record and assess the need for continuing placement in a secure child care facility. When the minor has been placed in a child care facility which includes a secure child care facility in addition to a less restrictive setting, and the application for admission states that the minor will be permanently placed in the less restrictive setting of the child care facility as part of the minor's permanency plan after the need for secure treatment has ended, the facility director shall review the stated reasons for the minor's need to be placed in secure treatment, the conditions under which the minor may be placed in the less restrictive setting of the facility, and the conditions under which the minor may need to be returned to secure treatment. The director of the facility shall consult with the designate of the Director of the Department of Children and Family Services and request authorization for continuing placement of the minor. Request and authorization should be noted in the minor's record. Every 60 days thereafter a review shall be conducted and new authorization shall be secured from the designate for as long as placement continues. Failure or refusal to authorize continued placement shall constitute a request for the minor's discharge.

(4) At any time during a minor's placement in a secure child care facility, an objection may be made to that placement by the minor, the minor's parents (except where parental rights have been terminated), the minor's guardian ad litem, or the minor's attorney. When an objection is made, the minor shall be discharged at the earliest appropriate time not to exceed 15 days, including Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays unless the objection is withdrawn in writing or unless, within that time, the Director or the Director's designate files with the Court a petition for review of the admission. The petition must be accompanied by a certificate signed by a psychiatrist, clinical social worker, or clinical psychologist. The certificate shall be based upon a personal examination and shall specify that the minor has a mental illness or an emotional disturbance of such severity that placement in a secure facility is necessary, that the minor can benefit from the placement, that a less restrictive alternative is not appropriate, and that the placement is in the minor's best interest.

(5) Upon receipt of a petition, the court shall set a hearing to be held within 5 days, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. The court shall direct that notice of the time and place of the hearing shall be served upon the minor, the minor's attorney and the minor's guardian ad litem, the Director of the Department of Children and Family Services or the Director's designate, the State's Attorney, and the attorney for the parents.

(6) The court shall order the minor discharged from the secure child care facility if it determines that the minor does not have a mental illness or emotional disturbance of such severity that placement in a secure facility is necessary, or if it determines that a less restrictive alternative is appropriate.

(7) If however, the court finds that the minor does have a mental illness or an emotional disturbance for which the minor is likely to benefit from treatment but that a less restrictive alternative is appropriate, the court shall order that the Department of Children and Family Services prepare a case plan for the minor which permits alternative treatment which is capable of providing adequate and humane treatment in the least restrictive setting that is appropriate to the minor's condition and serves the minor's best interests, and shall authorize the continued placement of the minor in the secure child care facility. At each permanency hearing conducted thereafter, the court shall determine whether the minor does not have a mental illness or emotional disturbance of such severity that placement in a secure facility is necessary or, if a less restrictive alternative is appropriate. If either of these 2 conditions are not met, the court shall order the minor discharged from the secure child care facility.

(8) Unwillingness or inability of the Department of Children and Family Services to find a placement for the minor shall not be grounds for the court's refusing to order discharge of the minor.

(Source: P.A. 103-22, eff. 8-8-23.)