HB4534 - 104th General Assembly (2025-2026)

DCFS-ABUSED CHILD-GROOMING
Last Action
4/16/2026 - Senate: Referred to Assignments
Statutes Amended In Order of Appearance
325 ILCS 5/3  from Ch. 23, par. 2053
Synopsis As Introduced
Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. In the definition of "abused child", provides that an abused child means a child whose parent or immediate family member, or any person responsible for the child's welfare, or any individual residing in the same home as the child, or a paramour of the child's parent commits the act of grooming a child for the purpose of establishing or attempting to establish a romantic or sexual relationship (rather than commits the offense of grooming, as defined in the Criminal Code of 2012). Effective immediately.

House Floor Amendment No. 1
Adds reference to:
105 ILCS 5/22-85.5  
105 ILCS 5/22-94  
105 ILCS 5/27-215  
Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Expands the definition of "abused child" to include a child whose parent or immediate family member, or any person responsible for the child's welfare, or any individual residing in the same home as the child, or a paramour of the child's parent engages in a pattern of conduct or communications directed toward such child, meaning 2 or more instances of conduct or communication, that a reasonable person would understand as intended to groom, seduce, solicit, lure, or entice the child for the purpose of committing any sex offense or engaging in sexual misconduct against such child. Defines "sexual misconduct" to mean, but not be limited to, any verbal, nonverbal, written, or electronic communication or physical activity, by a person responsible for the child's welfare to establish a romantic or sexual relationship with the child. Provides that such conduct or communications may include, but is not limited to: (1) a sexual or romantic invitation; (2) dating or soliciting a date; (3) engaging in sexualized or romantic dialog; or (4) making sexually suggestive comments that are directed toward or with the child. Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning sexual misconduct in schools, provides that guidelines established for certain situations and all available methods for how to report staff-student boundary violations within a school and to external agencies must be posted on the website, if any, of each school district, charter school, or nonpublic school and must be included in any staff, student, and (instead of or) parent handbook provided by the school district, charter school, or nonpublic school (instead of nonpublic, nonsectarian elementary or secondary school). In provisions concerning an employment history review, requires a job applicant to provide the name, address, telephone number, and other relevant contact information of the applicant's current employer only if the applicant has direct contact with children or students at the applicant's current employer. Provides that for a licensed substitute teacher who is seeking employment in more than one school district, a school district's regional office of education or intermediate service center shall collect and, at the request of the substitute teacher, share specified information and records. Provides that a regional office of education's or intermediate service center's participation in the employment history review shall be limited to collecting such information and records and sharing the information and records with the school district, school districts, or other regional offices of education or intermediate service centers. Sets forth other provisions concerning a regional office of education's or intermediate service center's participation in the employment history review and how long the review remains valid. In provisions concerning comprehensive health education programs, provides that no student in pre-K through 8th grade shall be required to take or participate in any class or course providing instruction in recognizing and avoiding sexual abuse if the parent or guardian of the student submits written objection thereto; and refusal to take or participate in such class or course shall not negatively impact a student's academic standing. Requires each school to give not less than 5 days' written notice to the parents or guardians of such students before commencing the class or course.

House Floor Amendment No. 2
Adds reference to:
105 ILCS 5/22-85.5  
105 ILCS 5/22-94  
105 ILCS 5/27-215  
Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Expands the definition of "abused child" to include a child whose parent or immediate family member, or any person responsible for the child's welfare, or any individual residing in the same home as the child, or a paramour of the child's parent engages in a pattern of conduct or communications directed toward such child, meaning 2 or more instances of conduct or communication, that a reasonable person would understand as intended to groom, seduce, solicit, lure, or entice the child for the purpose of committing any sex offense or engaging in sexual misconduct against such child. Defines "sexual misconduct" to mean, but not be limited to, any verbal, nonverbal, written, or electronic communication or physical activity, by a person responsible for the child's welfare to establish a romantic or sexual relationship with the child. Provides that such conduct or communications may include, but is not limited to: (1) a sexual or romantic invitation; (2) dating or soliciting a date; (3) engaging in sexualized or romantic dialog; or (4) making sexually suggestive comments that are directed toward or with the child. Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning sexual misconduct in schools, provides that guidelines established for certain situations and all available methods for how to report staff-student boundary violations within a school and to external agencies must be posted on the website, if any, of each school district, charter school, or nonpublic school and must be included in any staff, student, and (instead of or) parent handbook provided by the school district, charter school, or nonpublic school (instead of nonpublic, nonsectarian elementary or secondary school). In provisions concerning an employment history review, requires a job applicant to provide the name, address, telephone number, and other relevant contact information of the applicant's current employer only if the applicant has direct contact with children or students at the applicant's current employer. Provides that for a licensed substitute teacher who is seeking employment in more than one school district, a school district's regional office of education or intermediate service center shall collect and, at the request of the substitute teacher, share specified information and records. Provides that a regional office of education's or intermediate service center's participation in the employment history review shall be limited to collecting such information and records and sharing the information and records with the school district, school districts, or other regional offices of education or intermediate service centers. Sets forth other provisions concerning a regional office of education's or intermediate service center's participation in the employment history review and how long the review remains valid. In provisions concerning comprehensive health education programs, provides that no student in pre-K through 8th grade shall be required to take or participate in any class or course providing instruction in recognizing and avoiding sexual abuse if the parent or guardian of the student submits written objection thereto; and refusal to take or participate in such class or course shall not negatively impact a student's academic standing. Requires each school to give not less than 5 days' written notice to the parents or guardians of such students before commencing the class or course.
Actions
DateChamberAction
1/22/2026HouseFiled with the Clerk by Rep. Michelle Mussman
1/30/2026HouseFirst Reading
1/30/2026HouseReferred to Rules Committee
2/17/2026HouseAssigned to Adoption & Child Welfare Committee
3/18/2026HouseDo Pass / Short Debate Adoption & Child Welfare Committee; 011-001-000
3/19/2026HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate
4/08/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Michelle Mussman
4/08/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
4/08/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Adoption & Child Welfare Committee
4/09/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be Adopted Adoption & Child Welfare Committee; 011-000-000
4/09/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Michelle Mussman
4/09/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred to Rules Committee
4/10/2026HouseSecond Reading - Short Debate
4/10/2026HouseHeld on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate
4/14/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Rules Refers to Adoption & Child Welfare Committee
4/14/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommends Be Adopted Adoption & Child Welfare Committee; 012-000-000
4/15/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted
4/15/2026HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Adopted
4/15/2026HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
4/15/2026HouseThird Reading - Short Debate - Passed 110-000-000
4/15/2026HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Fred Crespo
4/15/2026HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Jennifer Sanalitro
4/15/2026HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Stephanie A. Kifowit
4/16/2026SenateArrive in Senate
4/16/2026SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of First Reading
4/16/2026SenateChief Senate Sponsor Sen. Lakesia Collins
4/16/2026SenateFirst Reading
4/16/2026SenateReferred to Assignments