HB 2624

Abstract

Creates the Court Record and Document Accessibility Act. Provides that all records and documents are presumed to be accessible by the court and the clerk of the court. Requires a clerk of the court to limit access to case information and documents that are not identified as public to the clerk of the court or limited supervisory staff through the use of access codes restricting access. Provides that access to court records and documents remotely over the Internet shall be as authorized by the Illinois Supreme Court Remote Access Policy. Provides definitions for case information and documents that are identified as public, impounded, confidential, sealed, and expunged. Requires the Supreme Court to establish a process for access to court files that are limited by statute or court rule, and to create a statewide standardized form to request access to documents in a court file that is restricted in any manner. Provides that the Act applies to all court records and documents related to any civil or criminal proceeding brought before any court in the State that are created and maintained by a State court. Makes conforming changes in the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963, the Privacy of Child Victims of Criminal Sexual Offenses Act, the Unified Code of Corrections, the Stalking No Contact Order Act, the Civil No Contact Order Act, the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Confidentiality Act, the Communicable Disease Report Act, the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986, and the Probate Act of 1975. House Floor Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill, and makes the following changes: In the Court Record and Document Accessibility Act, provides that the General Assembly encourages the Supreme Court to consider establishing a process for access to court files (rather than requiring the Supreme Court to establish a process for access to court files) that are limited by statute or court rule that includes standardized forms and provisions for requesting access to documents in court files that are restricted in any manner. Removes language requiring the Supreme Court to create a statewide standardized form to request access to documents in a court file that is restricted in any manner.