HB 3473

Abstract

Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act and the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Expands the definition of "neglected child" under both Acts to include a child whose umbilical cord tissue contains any amount of a controlled substance as defined in a specified provision of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act or a metabolite thereof. Provides that nothing in the new provisions is intended to limit the type of medically reliable testing that can establish that a controlled substance or metabolite thereof is present in a newborn infant. Further amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 by providing that proof that a newborn infant's umbilical cord tissue contains any amount of a controlled substance as defined under the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, or a metabolite of a controlled substance, constitutes prima facie evidence of abuse or neglect. Amends the Adoption Act. Includes as a ground of unfitness under the definition of "unfit person" a finding that at birth the child's umbilical cord tissue contained any amount of a controlled substance as defined under the Illinois Controlled Substances Act or a metabolite thereof. Provides that nothing in the new provision is intended to limit the type of medically reliable testing that can establish that a controlled substance or metabolite thereof is present in a newborn infant. Effective immediately.