HB4879 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 18901 KTG 32346 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB4879

Introduced , by Rep. Jed Davis

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

20 ILCS 505/5c-1 new

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to maintain a public, searchable online portal that lists every individual employed by the Department or a purchase of service agency (POS) who holds a Child Welfare Employee License (CWEL) and performs investigations, casework, or supervisory functions. Requires the portal to contain certain employee information, including, but not limited to, each child welfare employee's full name, official job title, CWEL license number and date of issuance, employment and child welfare employee license status, an indication of whether the individual is authorized to conduct child welfare investigations, and any disciplinary actions taken under the Child and Protective Investigator and Child Welfare Specialist Certification Act of 1987. Prohibits the Department and POS agencies from assigning investigative or casework duties to any child welfare employee who is not listed on the portal, has a suspended or expired CWEL, or has been disciplined or disqualified. Provides that nothing in the amendatory Act shall be construed to alter, expand, or limit existing licensure, certification, training, experience, or assignment requirements under State law. Effective January 1, 2027.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning State government.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Children and Family Services Act is amended by adding Section 5c-1 as follows:

(20 ILCS 505/5c-1 new)

Sec. 5c-1. Child welfare employee transparency portal.

(a) Findings. The General Assembly finds the following:

(1) Families have the right to know who is entering their home and making decisions regarding child safety.

(2) The Department of Children and Family Services and purchase of service (POS) agencies that contract with the Department employ individuals whose licensure and qualifications are not easily verified.

(3) A public, searchable database increases accountability, prevents misuse of titles, and helps ensure only properly certified child welfare workers investigate cases.

(4) The purpose of this Section is to require full transparency of child welfare employee identity, credentials, Child Welfare Employee License (CWEL) status, and disciplinary actions.

(b) Definitions. As used in this Section:

"Authorized to conduct child welfare investigations" means an individual who holds an active Child Welfare Employee License and meets the applicable requirements and qualifications for certification under subsection (d) of Section 21 of this Act and under the Child Protective Investigator and Child Welfare Specialist Certification Act of 1987, and who is assigned by the Department to perform child welfare investigations.

"Certification and qualification" means the education, training, experience, and competency requirements applicable to child welfare functions in accordance with the Child Protective Investigator and Child Welfare Specialist Certification Act of 1987, as determined by existing law and rule.

"Licensure" means an active Child Welfare Employee License issued in accordance with Section 5c of this Act.

(c) Public transparency portal.

(1) The Department shall maintain a public, searchable online portal that lists every individual who:

(A) holds a Child Welfare Employee License (CWEL);

(B) performs investigations, casework, or supervisory functions; and

(C) is employed by the Department or a POS agency that contracts with the Department.

(2) The portal shall include the following information on each child welfare employee listed:

(A) full legal name;

(B) official job title;

(C) employer agency;

(D) child welfare employee license number and date of issuance;

(E) child welfare employee license status (active, inactive, suspended, or revoked);

(F) certification and qualification status (met or not met) in accordance with requirements under subsection (d) of Section 21 of this Act and the Child Protective Investigator and Child Welfare Specialist Certification Act of 1987;

(G) an indication of whether the individual is authorized to conduct child welfare investigations, based on licensure and certification status;

(H) employment status (active or suspended);

(I) any disciplinary actions taken under the Child Protective Investigator and Child Welfare Specialist Certification Act of 1987; and

(J) the last date upon which the child welfare employee submitted to a criminal history background check.

(3) The portal shall be updated within 48 hours of any change in a child welfare employee's licensing, disciplinary, or employment status.

(d) Prohibited assignments. The Department and POS agencies that contract with the Department may not assign investigative or casework duties to any child welfare employee who:

(1) is not listed on the portal;

(2) has a suspended or expired CWEL; or

(3) has been disciplined or disqualified under subsection (e) or under the Child Protective Investigator and Child Welfare Specialist Certification Act of 1987.

(e) Penalties. POS agencies that contract with the Department that knowingly assign investigation or casework duties to unlicensed or unlisted individuals shall be subject to mandatory corrective action.

(f) Nothing in this Section shall be construed to alter, expand, or limit existing licensure, certification, training, experience, or assignment requirements under State law.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect January 1, 2027.