HB 5129

Abstract

Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to convene a multi-disciplinary committee to review application of the Department's investigation procedures to investigations involving children with custody cases pending pursuant to the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Requires the Department to promulgate rules, by June 1, 2013, establishing criteria and standards for labeling a child abuse or neglect report as false in the state central register. Requires the Department's investigation team to include a licensed clinical social worker with experience in working with a child's specific disability when a report involves a child with a cognitive or physical disability. Provides that if the child named in the report was in the temporary custody or guardianship of the Department when the report was received, then the child named in the report shall be a party to another's request for expungement of the final findings. Contains provisions concerning a mandated reporter's request for a review of an unfounded report; appeals requested by parents, personal guardians, or legal custodians who are not also subjects of the report; appeals conducted by a neutral third party; appeals or reviews requested via U.S. Mail; and Department rules limiting the rights of a reporter to request an appeal. Effective immediately.