SB2054 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 12053 KTG 22148 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB2054

Introduced 2/6/2025, by Sen. Sara Feigenholtz

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Child Welfare Disclosure to Parents and Caregivers Act. Provides that it is the policy of the State that parents receiving intact family services or reunification services from the Illinois child welfare system have specified rights, including, but not limited to, the right to: (1) be treated with dignity and respect and as a valued member of the child welfare team; (2) be consulted about relative placement options for their children prior to placement in a foster home; (3) be notified and considered as a placement resource, as the noncustodial parent, prior to protective custody; (4) receive timely visitation with their children; (5) be provided a copy of the Child Welfare Disclosure to Parents and Caregivers Act at the time of case opening for intact family services or reunification services; (6) participate in the development of the hair care plan for their child; and other enumerated rights. Effective immediately.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning children.

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

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Child Welfare Disclosure to Parents and Caregivers Act.

Section 5. Parental rights; intact family and reunification services. It is the policy of this State that parents receiving intact family services or reunification services from the Illinois child welfare system have the following rights:

(1) To be treated with dignity and respect and as a valued member of the child welfare team.

(2) To be provided a copy of this Act at the time of case opening for intact family services or reunification services.

(3) To be consulted about relative placement options for their children prior to placement in a foster home.

(4) To be notified and considered as a placement resource, as the noncustodial parent, prior to protective custody.

(5) To not have financial means considered as a basis for removal or reunification with their children.

(6) To be encouraged to participate in the development and amendment of their service plan.

(7) To request amendments to their service plans.

(8) To receive timely visitation with their children, in accordance with all rules and procedures of the Department of Children and Family Services, as well as pursuant to orders from the court.

(9) To have all cancelled or postponed parent/child visitations rescheduled in a timely manner.

(10) To have parent/child visits conducted in a comfortable family-like setting.

(11) To request a child and family team meeting.

(12) To be provided with their caseworker's supervisor's contact information.

(13) To have all calls, email, and texts responded to in a timely and professional manner.

(14) To have all meetings be scheduled at times and places that allow parents to participate.

(15) To be provided transportation assistance when necessary to attend meetings and parent/child visits.

(16) To receive direct communication from their assigned attorney.

(17) To have in-person meetings with their assigned attorney before every court hearing in a confidential setting, prior to a hearing.

(18) To be notified of and invited to attend all of their child's medical appointments and school meetings.

(19) To be permitted to communicate directly and reasonably with their child's substitute caregiver for purposes of helping caregivers to understand their child's needs and to promote shared parenting, when feasible.

(20) To participate in the development of the hair care plan for their child.

(21) To be free of retaliation when asserting a right within this Act.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.