HB 5097

Abstract

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that every youth in care must have a Haircare Plan included in their case plan unless the youth explicitly indicates to the youth's caseworker that a Haircare Plan is not needed due to the youth's ability to maintain haircare without assistance. Provides that a caseworker or placement plan specialist must develop the Haircare Plan in consultation with the youth and parents. Provides that at a minimum, the Haircare Plan must address: (1) necessary haircare steps to be taken to preserve the youth's desired connection to their race, culture, gender, religion, and identity; (2) the desires of the youth as it pertains to the youth's hair; (3) the guidance and desires of the youth's parents, unless the parents cannot be contacted; and (4) steps to be taken specific to the youth's hair during emergency situations, including, but not limited to, lice infestations and scalp rashes and infections. Provides that by June 1, 2025, the Department of Children and Family Services must develop training for caregivers on how to provide culturally competent haircare. Provides that each time a youth is placed with a caregiver, the caregiver must sign a declaration stating that the caregiver has reviewed the training materials and will follow the Haircare Plan for the youth. Requires each Department office location to provide a list of affordable, accessible, and culturally competent haircare providers and resources in each of the Department's geographic regions. Requires the Department to adopt rules, by June 1, 2025, to facilitate the implementation of Haircare Plans. Senate Floor Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 20 ILCS 520/1-15 20 ILCS 520/1-20 20 ILCS 521/5 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that every case plan shall include a Haircare Plan for each youth in care that is developed in consultation with the youth based upon the youth's developmental abilities, as well as with the youth's parents or caregivers or appropriate child care facility staff if not contrary to the youth's wishes, and that outlines any training or resources required by the caregiver or appropriate child care facility staff to meet the haircare needs of the youth. Requires a youth's Haircare Plan to at a minimum address (1) necessary haircare steps to be taken to preserve the youth's desired connection to the youth's race, culture, gender, religion, and identity; (2) necessary steps to be taken specific to the youth's haircare needs during emergency and health situations; and (3) the desires of the youth as they pertain to the youth's haircare. Provides that a youth's Haircare Plan must be reviewed at the same time as the case plan review required under the Act as well as during monthly visits to ensure compliance with the Haircare Plan and identify any needed changes. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to develop, by June 1, 2025, training and resources to make available for caregivers and appropriate child care facility staff to provide culturally competent haircare to youth in care. Requires the Department to adopt rules to implement the amendatory Act by June 1, 2025. Amends the Foster Parent Law. Expands the list of rights for foster parents to include the right to timely training necessary to meet the haircare needs of the children placed in their care. Expands the list of foster parent responsibilities to include the responsibility to provide haircare that preserves the child's desired connection to the child's race, culture, gender, religion, and identity. Amends the Foster Children's Bill of Rights Act. Expands the list of rights of every child placed in foster care to include haircare that preserves the child's desired connection to the child's race, culture, gender, religion, and identity and to have a corresponding haircare plan established in accordance with the Children and Family Services Act. Requires the Department to provide, in a timely and consistent manner, training for all caregivers and child welfare personnel on how to meet the haircare needs of children.