HB 831

Abstract

Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Provides that within 10 days after completing an investigation of alleged physical abuse, sexual abuse, or neglect, if the report is unfounded or indicated, the Child Protective Service Unit shall send a copy of its final finding report to the Director of Public Health and the Director of Healthcare and Family Services. Requires the Director of Public Health and the Director of Healthcare and Family Services to ensure that the report remains confidential. In a provision that grants the Department of Public Health and other investigative bodies access to records concerning child abuse and neglect reports, removes language that requires the Director of Children and Family Services to approve such access. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 325 ILCS 5/8.7 new Adds reference to: 325 ILCS 5/4.4c new 325 ILCS 5/7.4 from Ch. 23, par. 2057.4 325 ILCS 5/7.8 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Provides that whenever the Department of Children and Family Services receives, by means of its statewide toll-free telephone number established for the purpose of reporting suspected child abuse or neglect or by any other means or from any mandated reporter, a report of suspected abuse or neglect of a child and the child is alleged to have been abused or neglected while receiving care in a hospital, including a freestanding psychiatric hospital licensed by the Department of Public Health, the Department of Children and Family Services shall: (i) notify the Directors of Public Health and Healthcare and Family Services of the report; and (ii) send a copy of the final finding to the Directors of Public Health and Healthcare and Family Services. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall receive information from unfounded reports involving children alleged to have been abused or neglected while hospitalized, including while hospitalized in freestanding psychiatric hospitals licensed by the Department of Public Health, as necessary for the Department of Public Health to conduct its licensing investigation. In a provision that grants the Department of Public Health and other investigative bodies access to records concerning child abuse and neglect reports, removes language that requires the Director of Children and Family Services to approve such access.