HB2907 EngrossedLRB104 12052 KTG 22147 b

1    AN ACT concerning children.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Child 
5Welfare Disclosure to Parents Act.
 
6    Section 5. Parental rights. It is the policy of this State 
7that a parent involved with the Illinois child welfare system 
8has the following rights:
9        (1) To be treated with dignity and respect and as a 
10    valued member of the child welfare team.
11        (2) To be provided a copy of this Act at the time of 
12    case opening or the parent's first contact with the 
13    Department of Children and Family Services. 
14        (3) To be consulted about relative placement options 
15    for the child if placement becomes necessary. 
16        (4) As it relates to a non-custodial parent, to be 
17    assessed and considered for custody of the child prior to 
18    the Department of Children and Family Services taking 
19    protective custody. 
20        (5) To not have financial means considered as a basis 
21    for removal or reunification with the child. 
22        (6) To be encouraged to participate in the development 
23    and amendment of the parent's service plan.
 
 
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1        (7) To request amendments to the parent's service 
2    plan.
3        (8) Subject to and in accordance with State law, all 
4    rules and procedures of the Department of Children and 
5    Family Services, and all applicable court orders:
6            (A) To receive timely visits with the child.
7            (B) To have all canceled or postponed parent-child 
8        visits rescheduled in a timely manner.
9            (C) To have parent-child visits conducted in a 
10        comfortable family-like setting.
11            (D) To be notified of and invited to attend all of 
12        the child's medical appointments and school meetings.
13            (E) To be permitted to communicate with the 
14        child's substitute caregiver for purposes of helping 
15        the caregiver understand the child's needs and to 
16        promote shared parenting, when feasible.
17        (9) To request a child and family team meeting.
18        (10) To be provided with the caseworker's supervisor's 
19    contact information. 
20        (11) To have all child welfare business-related calls, 
21    emails, and texts responded to in a timely and 
22    professional manner. 
23        (12) To have all meetings scheduled at times and 
24    places that allow the parent to participate.
25        (13) To be provided transportation assistance when 
26    necessary to attend meetings and parent-child visits.
 
 
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1        (14) To be consulted in the development of the hair 
2    care plan for the child, if not contrary to the child's 
3    wishes.
4        (15) To be free of retaliation when asserting a right 
5    within this Act.
 
6    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon 
7becoming law.