HR0165 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0165 LRB102 16952 SSS 22369 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, On August 9, 2019, House Bill 1551 of the 101st General Assembly was signed into law as Public Act 101-237; it requires the Department of Children and Family Services to protect a child who is returned to the custody of a parent or guardian by: ensuring that the child is up to date on well-child visits; completing a home safety checklist; and promptly commencing aftercare services; and

WHEREAS, Public Act 101-237 also requires the Department to take specified actions to protect children when a mandated reporter makes a report of abuse or neglect under specified circumstances and requires the Auditor General to audit the Department's performance; and

WHEREAS, After being in the care of her foster mother Iisha Dean, two-year-old Ta'Naja Barnes was returned to the custody of her mother; Ta'Naja later died as a result of severe neglect by her mother and the mother's boyfriend, who were both convicted of murder; and

WHEREAS, Through the efforts of Iisha Dean and many others, the State now has a law designed to better protect a child who, after being in a loving foster home or staying with a loving family member, is returned to a parent who has had difficulties caring for the child; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that House Bill 1551 of the 101st General Assembly, Public Act 101-237, is hereby named Ta'Naja's Law; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Iisha Dean in recognition of her efforts to protect the children of our State.