HB 5525

Abstract

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Creates the Commission on Children of Incarcerated Parents, within the Department of Human Services, which shall reflect the diversity of the State of Illinois, including geographic, racial, ethnic, and diversity of life experience. Provides that the Commission shall be responsible for implementing and coordinating the recommendations of the Task Force on Children of Incarcerated Parents. Provides for appointments to the Commission. Provides that once all its members have been appointed as provided in this Act, the Commission may exercise any power, perform any function, take any action, or do anything in furtherance of its purposes and goals. Provides that the Commission shall: (1) meet at least 4 times per year beginning within 30 days after the appointment of a quorum of its members; (2) identify resources, strategies, and legislative proposals to support the full administration and implementation of the Task Force on Children of Incarcerated Parents recommendations; (3) develop a strategic plan that outlines specific goals, information-gathering activities, benchmarks, and timelines towards achieving the purpose of the Commission to fully implement the recommendation of the Task Force on Children of Incarcerated Parents; and (4) deliver an annual report to the General Assembly and to the Governor to be posted on the Governor's and General Assembly's websites and provide to the public an annual report on its progress. Provides that a draft of the report shall be released for public comment and feedback and shall be solicited from relevant stakeholders, including individuals impacted by parental incarceration, law enforcement, and advocates from local governmental family services agencies and non-profit service providers. Provides that the General Assembly may appropriate funds to the Department of Human Services for the purpose of funding the work of the Commission or services provided under these provisions. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill. Eliminates the legislative members of the Commission. Replaces these members with: (1) one member from an organization that facilitates visitation between incarcerated parents and children; (2) one member who is a researcher or member of an academic profession and has studied issues related to the impact of incarceration on youth; (3) one member who represents an organization with expertise in gender-responsive practices and assessing the impact of incarceration on women; and (4) one male who has previously been incarcerated and has been directly impacted by policies relating to children of incarcerated parents. Makes grammatical corrections.