HB4539 - 104th General Assembly
DCFS-MINIMUM AGE-PERPETRATOR
Statutes Amended In Order of Appearance
325 ILCS 5/3from Ch. 23, par. 2053
325 ILCS 5/7.3from Ch. 23, par. 2057.3
Synopsis As Introduced
Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. In the definition of "abused child", changes the list of persons who may be considered a perpetrator of abuse to include a child's parent, a parent's paramour, or any other person 14 years of age or older who is either responsible for the child's welfare, is an immediate family member, or resides in the same home as the child. Provides that, if the Department of Children and Family Services does not accept an abuse or neglect report for investigation on the sole basis that the alleged perpetrator is another person in the household under the age of 14, then the Department shall consider if there is reasonable cause to suspect that the alleged maltreatment is the result of blatant disregard on the part of an adult or agency who is an eligible perpetrator. Provides that, if so, the Department shall accept a report alleging abuse or neglect identifying the adult or agency as the alleged perpetrator. Permits the Department to also consider whether a child welfare service referral would be appropriate.
House Committee Amendment No. 1
Provides that if the Department of Children and Family Services does not accept a report for investigation on the sole basis that the alleged perpetrator is another person in the household or an immediate family member under the age of 14 (rather than the alleged perpetrator is another person in the household under the age of 14), then the Department shall consider if there is reasonable cause to suspect that the alleged maltreatment is the result of blatant disregard on the part of a person or agency (rather than on the part of an adult or agency) who is the eligible perpetrator.
House Floor Amendment No. 2
Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill and House Amendment No. 1.
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 1/22/2026 | House | Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Barbara Hernandez |
| 1/30/2026 | House | First Reading |
| 1/30/2026 | House | Referred to Rules Committee |
| 2/11/2026 | House | Assigned to Adoption & Child Welfare Committee |
| 2/20/2026 | House | House Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Barbara Hernandez |
| 2/20/2026 | House | House Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee |
| 3/18/2026 | House | House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Adoption & Child Welfare Committee |
| 3/18/2026 | House | House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted in Adoption & Child Welfare Committee; by Voice Vote |
| 3/18/2026 | House | Do Pass as Amended / Short Debate Adoption & Child Welfare Committee; 012-000-000 |
| 3/19/2026 | House | Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate |
| 3/24/2026 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 2 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Barbara Hernandez |
| 3/24/2026 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred to Rules Committee |
| 3/25/2026 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommends Be Adopted Rules Committee; 005-000-000 |
| 4/07/2026 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 2 Adopted |
| 4/07/2026 | House | Second Reading - Short Debate |
| 4/07/2026 | House | Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate |
| 4/08/2026 | House | Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed 102-002-001 |
| 4/10/2026 | Senate | Arrive in Senate |
| 4/10/2026 | Senate | Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading |
| 4/10/2026 | Senate | Chief Senate Sponsor Sen. Celina Villanueva |
| 4/10/2026 | Senate | First Reading |
| 4/10/2026 | Senate | Referred to Assignments |