HB 4304

Abstract

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Creates the Foster Care Investigative Reports Commission as an executive agency of State government to investigate all adverse reports submitted by foster parents to the Department of Children and Family Services (Department) concerning the children placed in their care. Provides that the Commission shall consist of 9 members appointed by the Governor. Contains provisions concerning the term limits of Commission members, compensation, Commission meetings, and other matters. Provides that subject to appropriation, the Commission shall hire a Director and staff to process and investigate all adverse reports referred by the Department to the Commission in order to determine whether the information and allegations set forth in each report are true or false. Requires the Commission to review the findings and recommendations of the Director for each investigated adverse report. Provides that if, after its review, the Commission determines that an adverse report is false or inaccurate, the Commission shall issue a final written report of its determination to be filed with the foster child's official records. Permits the Director, the Director's staff, and the Commission to inspect and copy any materials held by the Department that are relevant to the investigation of an adverse report. Contains provisions concerning the confidentiality of Department records, Commission reporting requirements, and Commission rules. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 505/5.26 new 225 ILCS 10/2.22a 225 ILCS 10/4 from Ch. 23, par. 2214 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following additions: Further amends the Children and Family Services Act. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to ensure that an exit interview is conducted with every child age 5 and over who leaves a foster home, unless clinically contraindicated. Provides that the interview shall be conducted by a caseworker, mental health provider, or clinician from the Department's Division of Clinical Practice. Requires the interview to be conducted within 5 days of the child's removal from the home. Requires the interviewer to comply with the provisions of the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act if the child discloses abuse or neglect. Requires the interviewer to immediately inform the licensing agency if the child discloses any information that would constitute a potential licensing violation. Contains provisions on (i) documentation of the interview; (ii) determinations on whether the interview is clinically contraindicated; (iii) information and subject areas that are required to be addressed during the interview; (iv) the development of interview procedures and an interview form by the Department no later than January 1, 2023; and (v) quarterly postings on the Department's website that summarize the exit interviews. Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. Expands the definition of "quality of care concerns applicant" to include a foster care license applicant or any person living in the applicant's household who has requested a youth in care's removal from the home on 5 or more occasions. In provisions concerning applications for a foster family home license, requires the Department to review information regarding all child exit interviews regarding the home. House Floor Amendment No. 2 Deletes reference to: 20 ILCS 505/17a-16 new Removes provisions creating the Foster Care Investigative Reports Commission.