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| Public Act 100-0680 | ||||
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AN ACT concerning State government.
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Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
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represented in the General Assembly:
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Section 5. The Children and Family Services Act is amended | ||||
by adding Section 35.10 as follows: | ||||
(20 ILCS 505/35.10 new) | ||||
Sec. 35.10. Documents necessary for adult living. | ||||
The Department shall assist a youth in care in identifying | ||||
and obtaining documents necessary to function as an independent | ||||
adult prior to the closure of the youth's case to terminate | ||||
wardship as provided in Section 2-31 of the Juvenile Court Act | ||||
of 1987. These necessary documents shall include, but not be | ||||
limited to, any of the following: | ||||
(1) State identification card or driver's license. | ||||
(2) Social Security card. | ||||
(3) Medical records, including, but not limited to, | ||||
health passport, dental records, immunization records, | ||||
name and contact information for all current medical, | ||||
dental, and mental health providers, and a signed | ||||
certification that the Department provided the youth with | ||||
education on executing a healthcare power of attorney. | ||||
(4) Medicaid card or other health eligibility | ||||
documentation. | ||||
(5) Certified copy of birth certificate. | ||
(6) Any applicable religious documents. | ||
(7) Voter registration card. | ||
(8) Immigration, citizenship, or naturalization | ||
documentation, if applicable. | ||
(9) Death certificates of parents, if applicable. | ||
(10) Life book or compilation of personal history and | ||
photographs. | ||
(11) List of known relatives with relationships, | ||
addresses, telephone numbers, and other contact | ||
information, with the permission of the involved relative. | ||
(12) Resume. | ||
(13) Educational records, including list of schools | ||
attended, and transcript, high school diploma, or high | ||
school equivalency certificate. | ||
(14) List of placements while in care. | ||
(15) List of community resources with referral | ||
information, including the Midwest Adoption Center for | ||
search and reunion services for former youth in care, | ||
whether or not they were adopted, and the Illinois Chapter | ||
of Foster Care Alumni of America. | ||
If a court determines that a youth in care no longer requires | ||
wardship of the court and orders the wardship terminated and | ||
all proceedings under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 respecting | ||
the youth in care finally closed and discharged, the Department | ||
shall ensure that the youth in care receives a copy of the | ||
court's order. | ||
Section 10. The Juvenile Court Act of 1987 is amended by | ||
changing Section 2-31 as follows:
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(705 ILCS 405/2-31) (from Ch. 37, par. 802-31)
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Sec. 2-31. Duration of wardship and discharge of | ||
proceedings.
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(1) All proceedings under this Act in respect of any minor | ||
for whom a
petition was filed after the effective date of this | ||
amendatory Act of 1991
automatically terminate upon his | ||
attaining the age of 19 years, except that
a court may continue | ||
the wardship of a minor until age 21 for good cause
when there | ||
is satisfactory evidence presented to the court and the court
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makes written factual findings that the health, safety, and | ||
best
interest of the minor and the public require the | ||
continuation of the wardship. A court shall find that it is in | ||
the minor's best interest to continue wardship if the | ||
Department of Children and Family Services has not made | ||
reasonable efforts to ensure that the minor has documents | ||
necessary for adult living as provided in Section 35.10 of the | ||
Children and Family Services Act.
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(2) Whenever the court determines, and makes written | ||
factual findings, that
health, safety, and the best interests | ||
of the minor and
the public no longer require the wardship of | ||
the court, the court shall
order the wardship terminated and | ||
all proceedings under this Act respecting
that minor finally | ||
closed and discharged. The court may at the same time
continue | ||
or terminate any custodianship or guardianship theretofore | ||
ordered
but the termination must be made in compliance with | ||
Section 2-28. When terminating wardship under this Section, if | ||
the minor is over 18, or if wardship is terminated in | ||
conjunction with an order partially or completely emancipating | ||
the minor in accordance with the Emancipation of Minors Act, | ||
the court shall also make specific findings of fact as to the | ||
minor's wishes regarding case closure and the manner in which | ||
the minor will maintain independence. The minor's lack of | ||
cooperation with services provided by the Department of | ||
Children and Family Services shall not by itself be considered | ||
sufficient evidence that the minor is prepared to live | ||
independently and that it is in the best interest of the minor | ||
to terminate wardship. It shall not be in the minor's best | ||
interest to terminate wardship of a minor over the age of 18 | ||
who is in the guardianship of the Department of Children and | ||
Family Services if the Department has not made reasonable | ||
efforts to ensure that the minor has documents necessary for | ||
adult living as provided in Section 35.10 of the Children and | ||
Family Services Act.
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(3) The wardship of the minor and any custodianship or | ||
guardianship
respecting the minor for whom a petition was filed | ||
after the effective
date of this amendatory Act of 1991 | ||
automatically terminates when he
attains the age of 19 years | ||
except as set forth in subsection (1) of this
Section. The | ||
clerk of the court shall at that time record all proceedings
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under this Act as finally closed and discharged for that | ||
reason.
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(Source: P.A. 96-581, eff. 1-1-10.)
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