SB2820 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB096 18473 ASK 35190 b

96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2009 and 2010
SB2820

Introduced 1/28/2010, by Sen. Pamela J. Althoff

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

225 ILCS 10/3.2 new
225 ILCS 10/4	from Ch. 23, par. 2214
225 ILCS 10/5	from Ch. 23, par. 2215
225 ILCS 10/6	from Ch. 23, par. 2216
225 ILCS 10/7	from Ch. 23, par. 2217
225 ILCS 10/8	from Ch. 23, par. 2218
225 ILCS 10/8.1	from Ch. 23, par. 2218.1

Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. Provides that Illinois Department of Children and Family Services shall charge a fee for issuing or renewing a license on every child care facility, other than a foster home. Provides that the Department may fine any child care facility, other than a foster home, for a violation of the Act. Provides that all fees and fines collected by the Department under the Act shall be deposited into the DCFS Children's Services Fund and must be used to enhance services by the Department pursuant to the Act. Provides that the Department shall prescribe and publish a schedule for the fees and fines under the Act. Adds as one of the grounds for discipline the failure to pay a renewal fee or fine owed to the Department under the Act. Makes other changes.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning regulation.

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

Section 5. The Child Care Act of 1969 is amended by changing Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 8.1 and by adding Section 3.2 as follows:

(225 ILCS 10/3.2 new)

Sec. 3.2. Licensing fees; fines; DCFS Children's Services Fund.

(a) The Department shall charge a fee for issuing or renewing a license on every child care facility, other than a foster home. These fees shall be paid to the Department upon the child care facility's application for licensure or renewal. The Department shall adopt rules pursuant to the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act pertaining to rate setting for licensing fees.

(b) The Department may assess a fine on any child care facility, other than a foster home, for a violation of this Act. The Department shall adopt rules pursuant to the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act pertaining to and setting the fines established under this Act. No fine shall exceed $500 per violation.

(c) All fees and fines collected by the Department under this Act shall be deposited into the DCFS Children's Services Fund and must be used to enhance services by the Department pursuant to this Act.

(225 ILCS 10/4) (from Ch. 23, par. 2214)

Sec. 4. License requirement; application; notice.

(a) Any person, group of persons, or corporation who or which receives children or arranges for care or placement of one or more children unrelated to the operator must apply for a license to operate one of the types of facilities defined in Sections 2.05 through 2.19 and in Section 2.22 of this Act. Any relative who receives a child or children for placement by the Department on a full-time basis may apply for a license to operate a foster family home as defined in Section 2.17 of this Act.

(a-5) Any agency, person, group of persons, association, organization, corporation, institution, center, or group providing adoption services must be licensed by the Department as a child welfare agency as defined in Section 2.08 of this Act. "Providing adoption services" as used in this Act, includes facilitating or engaging in adoption services.

(b) Application for a license to operate a child care facility must be made to the Department in the manner and on forms prescribed by it. An application to operate a foster family home shall include, at a minimum: a completed written form; written authorization by the applicant and all adult members of the applicant's household to conduct a criminal background investigation; medical evidence in the form of a medical report, on forms prescribed by the Department, that the applicant and all members of the household are free from communicable diseases or physical and mental conditions that affect their ability to provide care for the child or children; the names and addresses of at least 3 persons not related to the applicant who can attest to the applicant's moral character; and fingerprints submitted by the applicant and all adult members of the applicant's household.

(b-5) Application for a license to operate a child care facility, other than a foster home, shall include an application fee. The Department shall adopt rules and policies pursuant to the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act to set a fee schedule.

(c) The Department shall notify the public when a child care institution, maternity center, or group home licensed by the Department undergoes a change in (i) the range of care or services offered at the facility, (ii) the age or type of children served, or (iii) the area within the facility used by children. The Department shall notify the public of the change in a newspaper of general circulation in the county or municipality in which the applicant's facility is or is proposed to be located.

(d) If, upon examination of the facility and investigation of persons responsible for care of children, the Department is satisfied that the facility and responsible persons reasonably meet standards prescribed for the type of facility for which application is made, and has paid the applicable application fee, then the Department it shall issue a license in proper form, designating on that license the type of child care facility and, except for a child welfare agency, the number of children to be served at any one time.

(e) The Department shall not issue or renew the license of any child welfare agency providing adoption services, unless the agency (i) is officially recognized by the United States Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or any successor provision of federal tax law) and (ii) is in compliance with all of the standards necessary to maintain its status as an organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or any successor provision of federal tax law). The Department shall grant a grace period of 24 months from the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly for existing child welfare agencies providing adoption services to obtain 501(c)(3) status. The Department shall permit an existing child welfare agency that converts from its current structure in order to be recognized as a 501(c)(3) organization as required by this Section to either retain its current license or transfer its current license to a newly formed entity, if the creation of a new entity is required in order to comply with this Section, provided that the child welfare agency demonstrates that it continues to meet all other licensing requirements and that the principal officers and directors and programs of the converted child welfare agency or newly organized child welfare agency are substantially the same as the original. The Department shall have the sole discretion to grant a one year extension to any agency unable to obtain 501(c)(3) status within the timeframe specified in this subsection (e), provided that such agency has filed an application for 501(c)(3) status with the Internal Revenue Service within the 2-year timeframe specified in this subsection (e).

(Source: P.A. 94-586, eff. 8-15-05.)

(225 ILCS 10/5) (from Ch. 23, par. 2215)

Sec. 5. (a) In respect to child care institutions, maternity centers, child welfare agencies, day care centers, day care agencies, and group homes, the Department, upon receiving application filed in proper order, shall examine the facilities and persons responsible for care of children therein.

(b) In respect to foster family and day care homes, applications may be filed on behalf of such homes by a licensed child welfare agency, by a State agency authorized to place children in foster care or by out-of-State agencies approved by the Department to place children in this State. In respect to day care homes, applications may be filed on behalf of such homes by a licensed day care agency or licensed child welfare agency. In applying for license in behalf of a home in which children are placed by and remain under supervision of the applicant agency, such agency shall certify that the home and persons responsible for care of unrelated children therein, or the home and relatives responsible for the care of related children therein, were found to be in reasonable compliance with standards prescribed by the Department for the type of care indicated.

(c) The Department shall not allow any person to examine facilities under a provision of this Act who has not passed an examination demonstrating that such person is familiar with this Act and with the appropriate standards and regulations of the Department.

(d) With the exception of day care centers, day care homes, and group day care homes, licenses shall be issued in such form and manner as prescribed by the Department and are valid for 4 years from the date issued, unless revoked by the Department or voluntarily surrendered by the licensee. Licenses issued for day care centers, day care homes, and group day care homes shall be valid for 3 years from the date issued, unless revoked by the Department or voluntarily surrendered by the licensee. When a licensee has made timely and sufficient application for the renewal of a license or a new license, including payment of the required fee, with reference to any activity of a continuing nature, the existing license shall continue in full force and effect for up to 30 days until the final agency decision on the application has been made. The Department may further extend the period in which such decision must be made in individual cases for up to 30 days, but such extensions shall be only upon good cause shown. If for any reason the renewal process is not completed within 6 months of the submission of the renewal application, then the license expires and under no circumstances shall an additional extension be granted by the Department.

(e) The Department may issue one 6-month permit to a newly established facility for child care to allow that facility reasonable time to become eligible for a full license. If the facility for child care is a foster family home, or day care home the Department may issue one 2-month permit only.

(f) The Department may issue an emergency permit to a child care facility taking in children as a result of the temporary closure for more than 2 weeks of a licensed child care facility due to a natural disaster. An emergency permit under this subsection shall be issued to a facility only if the persons providing child care services at the facility were employees of the temporarily closed day care center at the time it was closed. No investigation of an employee of a child care facility receiving an emergency permit under this subsection shall be required if that employee has previously been investigated at another child care facility. No emergency permit issued under this subsection shall be valid for more than 90 days after the date of issuance.

(g) During the hours of operation of any licensed child care facility, authorized representatives of the Department may without notice visit the facility for the purpose of determining its continuing compliance with this Act or regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

(h) Day care centers, day care homes, and group day care homes shall be monitored at least annually by a licensing representative from the Department or the agency that recommended licensure.

(Source: P.A. 89-21, eff. 7-1-95; 89-263, eff. 8-10-95; 89-626, eff. 8-9-96.)

(225 ILCS 10/6) (from Ch. 23, par. 2216)

Sec. 6. (a) A licensed facility operating as a "child care institution", "maternity center", "child welfare agency", "day care agency" or "day care center" must apply for renewal of its license held, the application to be made to the Department on forms prescribed by it. The Department shall charge a fee for the renewal of a license as required in Section 3.2 of this Act.

(b) The Department, a duly licensed child welfare agency or a suitable agency or person designated by the Department as its agent to do so, must re-examine every child care facility for renewal of license, including in that process the examination of the premises and records of the facility as the Department considers necessary to determine that minimum standards for licensing continue to be met, and random surveys of parents or legal guardians who are consumers of such facilities' services to assess the quality of care at such facilities. In the case of foster family homes, or day care homes under the supervision of or otherwise required to be licensed by the Department, or under supervision of a licensed child welfare agency or day care agency, the examination shall be made by the Department, or agency supervising such homes. If the Department is satisfied that the facility continues to maintain minimum standards which it prescribes and publishes, it shall renew the license to operate the facility.

(c) If a child care facility's license is revoked, or if the Department refuses to renew a facility's license, the facility may not reapply for a license before the expiration of 12 months following the Department's action; provided, however, that the denial of a reapplication for a license pursuant to this subsection must be supported by evidence that the prior revocation renders the applicant unqualified or incapable of satisfying the standards and rules promulgated by the Department pursuant to this Act or maintaining a facility which adheres to such standards and rules.

(Source: P.A. 86-554.)

(225 ILCS 10/7) (from Ch. 23, par. 2217)

Sec. 7. (a) The Department must prescribe and publish minimum standards for licensing that apply to the various types of facilities for child care defined in this Act and that are equally applicable to like institutions under the control of the Department and to foster family homes used by and under the direct supervision of the Department. The Department shall seek the advice and assistance of persons representative of the various types of child care facilities in establishing such standards. The standards prescribed and published under this Act take effect as provided in the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act, and are restricted to regulations pertaining to the following matters and to any rules and regulations required or permitted by any other Section of this Act:

(1) The operation and conduct of the facility and responsibility it assumes for child care;

(2) The character, suitability and qualifications of the applicant and other persons directly responsible for the care and welfare of children served. All child day care center licensees and employees who are required to report child abuse or neglect under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act shall be required to attend training on recognizing child abuse and neglect, as prescribed by Department rules;

(3) The general financial ability and competence of the applicant to provide necessary care for children and to maintain prescribed standards;

(4) The number of individuals or staff required to insure adequate supervision and care of the children received. The standards shall provide that each child care institution, maternity center, day care center, group home, day care home, and group day care home shall have on its premises during its hours of operation at least one staff member certified in first aid, in the Heimlich maneuver and in cardiopulmonary resuscitation by the American Red Cross or other organization approved by rule of the Department. Child welfare agencies shall not be subject to such a staffing requirement. The Department may offer, or arrange for the offering, on a periodic basis in each community in this State in cooperation with the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association or other appropriate organization, voluntary programs to train operators of foster family homes and day care homes in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation;

(5) The appropriateness, safety, cleanliness and general adequacy of the premises, including maintenance of adequate fire prevention and health standards conforming to State laws and municipal codes to provide for the physical comfort, care and well-being of children received;

(6) Provisions for food, clothing, educational opportunities, program, equipment and individual supplies to assure the healthy physical, mental and spiritual development of children served;

(7) Provisions to safeguard the legal rights of children served;

(8) Maintenance of records pertaining to the admission, progress, health and discharge of children, including, for day care centers and day care homes, records indicating each child has been immunized as required by State regulations. The Department shall require proof that children enrolled in a facility have been immunized against Haemophilus Influenzae B (HIB);

(9) Filing of reports with the Department;

(10) Discipline of children;

(11) Protection and fostering of the particular religious faith of the children served;

(12) Provisions prohibiting firearms on day care center premises except in the possession of peace officers;

(13) Provisions prohibiting handguns on day care home premises except in the possession of peace officers or other adults who must possess a handgun as a condition of employment and who reside on the premises of a day care home;

(14) Provisions requiring that any firearm permitted on day care home premises, except handguns in the possession of peace officers, shall be kept in a disassembled state, without ammunition, in locked storage, inaccessible to children and that ammunition permitted on day care home premises shall be kept in locked storage separate from that of disassembled firearms, inaccessible to children;

(15) Provisions requiring notification of parents or guardians enrolling children at a day care home of the presence in the day care home of any firearms and ammunition and of the arrangements for the separate, locked storage of such firearms and ammunition.

(a-5) The Department must prescribe and publish schedules for licensure application and licensing renewal fees that apply to the various types of child care facilities, other than foster homes. The fee and fine schedules prescribed and published under this Act take effect as provided in the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act.

(a-10) The Department must prescribe and publish schedules of fines that apply to the various child care facilities, other than foster homes, for violations of this Act. The fine schedules prescribed and published under this Act take effect as provided in the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act.

(b) If, in a facility for general child care, there are children diagnosed as mentally ill, mentally retarded or physically handicapped, who are determined to be in need of special mental treatment or of nursing care, or both mental treatment and nursing care, the Department shall seek the advice and recommendation of the Department of Human Services, the Department of Public Health, or both Departments regarding the residential treatment and nursing care provided by the institution.

(c) The Department shall investigate any person applying to be licensed as a foster parent to determine whether there is any evidence of current drug or alcohol abuse in the prospective foster family. The Department shall not license a person as a foster parent if drug or alcohol abuse has been identified in the foster family or if a reasonable suspicion of such abuse exists, except that the Department may grant a foster parent license to an applicant identified with an alcohol or drug problem if the applicant has successfully participated in an alcohol or drug treatment program, self-help group, or other suitable activities.

(d) The Department, in applying standards prescribed and published, as herein provided, shall offer consultation through employed staff or other qualified persons to assist applicants and licensees in meeting and maintaining minimum requirements for a license and to help them otherwise to achieve programs of excellence related to the care of children served. Such consultation shall include providing information concerning education and training in early childhood development to providers of day care home services. The Department may provide or arrange for such education and training for those providers who request such assistance.

(e) The Department shall distribute copies of licensing standards to all licensees and applicants for a license. Each licensee or holder of a permit shall distribute copies of the appropriate licensing standards and any other information required by the Department to child care facilities under its supervision. Each licensee or holder of a permit shall maintain appropriate documentation of the distribution of the standards. Such documentation shall be part of the records of the facility and subject to inspection by authorized representatives of the Department.

(f) The Department shall prepare summaries of day care licensing standards. Each licensee or holder of a permit for a day care facility shall distribute a copy of the appropriate summary and any other information required by the Department, to the legal guardian of each child cared for in that facility at the time when the child is enrolled or initially placed in the facility. The licensee or holder of a permit for a day care facility shall secure appropriate documentation of the distribution of the summary and brochure. Such documentation shall be a part of the records of the facility and subject to inspection by an authorized representative of the Department.

(g) The Department shall distribute to each licensee and holder of a permit copies of the licensing or permit standards applicable to such person's facility. Each licensee or holder of a permit shall make available by posting at all times in a common or otherwise accessible area a complete and current set of licensing standards in order that all employees of the facility may have unrestricted access to such standards. All employees of the facility shall have reviewed the standards and any subsequent changes. Each licensee or holder of a permit shall maintain appropriate documentation of the current review of licensing standards by all employees. Such records shall be part of the records of the facility and subject to inspection by authorized representatives of the Department.

(h) Any standards involving physical examinations, immunization, or medical treatment shall include appropriate exemptions for children whose parents object thereto on the grounds that they conflict with the tenets and practices of a recognized church or religious organization, of which the parent is an adherent or member, and for children who should not be subjected to immunization for clinical reasons.

(i) The Department, in cooperation with the Department of Public Health, shall work to increase immunization awareness and participation among parents of children enrolled in day care centers and day care homes by publishing on the Department's website information about the benefits of annual immunization against influenza for children 6 months of age to 5 years of age. The Department shall work with day care centers and day care homes licensed under this Act to ensure that the information is annually distributed to parents in August or September.

(Source: P.A. 96-391, eff. 8-13-09.)

(225 ILCS 10/8) (from Ch. 23, par. 2218)

Sec. 8. The Department may revoke or refuse to renew the license of any child care facility or child welfare agency or refuse to issue full license to the holder of a permit should the licensee or holder of a permit:

(1) fail to maintain standards prescribed and published by the Department;

(2) violate any of the provisions of the license issued;

(2.3) fail to pay a license renewal fee;

(2.5) fail to pay a fine owed to the Department;

(3) furnish or make any misleading or any false statement or report to the Department;

(4) refuse to submit to the Department any reports or refuse to make available to the Department any records required by the Department in making investigation of the facility for licensing purposes;

(5) fail or refuse to submit to an investigation by the Department;

(6) fail or refuse to admit authorized representatives of the Department at any reasonable time for the purpose of investigation;

(7) fail to provide, maintain, equip and keep in safe and sanitary condition premises established or used for child care as required under standards prescribed by the Department, or as otherwise required by any law, regulation or ordinance applicable to the location of such facility;

(8) refuse to display its license or permit;

(9) be the subject of an indicated report under Section 3 of the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act or fail to discharge or sever affiliation with the child care facility of an employee or volunteer at the facility with direct contact with children who is the subject of an indicated report under Section 3 of that Act;

(10) fail to comply with the provisions of Section 7.1;

(11) fail to exercise reasonable care in the hiring, training and supervision of facility personnel;

(12) fail to report suspected abuse or neglect of children within the facility, as required by the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act;

(12.5) fail to comply with subsection (c-5) of Section 7.4;

(13) fail to comply with Section 5.1 or 5.2 of this Act; or

(14) be identified in an investigation by the Department as an addict or alcoholic, as defined in the Alcoholism and Other Drug Abuse and Dependency Act, or be a person whom the Department knows has abused alcohol or drugs, and has not successfully participated in treatment, self-help groups or other suitable activities, and the Department determines that because of such abuse the licensee, holder of the permit, or any other person directly responsible for the care and welfare of the children served, does not comply with standards relating to character, suitability or other qualifications established under Section 7 of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 94-586, eff. 8-15-05; 94-1010, eff. 10-1-06.)

(225 ILCS 10/8.1) (from Ch. 23, par. 2218.1)

Sec. 8.1. The Department shall revoke or refuse to renew the license of any child care facility or refuse to issue a full license to the holder of a permit should the licensee or holder of a permit:

(1) fail to correct any condition which jeopardizes the health, safety, morals, or welfare of children served by the facility;

(2) fail to correct any condition or occurrence relating to the operation or maintenance of the facility comprising a violation under Section 8 of this Act; or

(3) fail to maintain financial resources adequate for the satisfactory care of children served in regard to upkeep of premises, and provisions for personal care, medical services, clothing, education and other essentials in the proper care, rearing and training of children; .

(4) fail to pay a license renewal fee; or

(5) fail to pay a fine owed to the Department.

(Source: P.A. 83-1362.)