HB 1365

Abstract

Amends the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986 by creating the Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team Law. Authorizes the creation of Domestic Violence Fatality Review Teams to identify and review the circumstances that led to domestic violence related homicides and identify strategies to prevent future fatalities. Allows, for the limited purpose of domestic violence fatality reviews, the disclosure to Team members of any information deemed confidential, privileged, or prohibited from disclosure by any other Act. Provides that confidential information obtained by a Team shall remain confidential and may not be disclosed by the Team. Provides that the proceedings, records, opinions, and deliberations of a Team shall be privileged. Limits the liability for a Team member or a person providing information to a Team for civil damages arising out of an official act or an omission during the gathering or processing of information by a Team, except for acts or omissions that constitute willful or wanton misconduct or acts performed outside the scope of the authority of the Team. Provides that the Office of the Attorney General shall convene a statewide Domestic Violence Fatality Review Advisory Council to advise regarding the development and implementation of Domestic Violence Fatality Review Teams and study the feasibility of an electronic database of orders of protection issued in Illinois. Requires the Office of the Attorney General and the Advisory Council to issue a biennial statewide report on Domestic Violence Fatality Review Teams. Makes other changes. Amends the Freedom of Information Act. Exempts information gathered by a Domestic Violence Fatality Review Team from the requirements of the Act.