ADOPTION-SEARCH & REUNION

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Replaces the definition of "post-adoption reunion services" with a definition of "search and reunion services". Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to provide a notice that includes a description of the Department's search and reunion services and an explanation of how to access those services to all youth in care, within 30 days after their 18th birthday and within 30 days prior to closure of their pending case if the case is closing after the youth's 18th birthday. Amends the Adoption Act. Provides that former youth in care who have been surrendered or adopted who are (i) between the ages of 18 and 21 and who are seeking contact or an exchange of information with siblings, birth relatives, former foster parents, or former foster siblings or (ii) over the age of 21 who are seeking contact with former foster parents or former foster siblings are not required to complete an Illinois Adoption Registry Application prior to commencement of the search. Allows a former youth in care who was surrendered or adopted to petition the court for appointment of a confidential intermediary for the purposes of obtaining identifying information or arranging contact with (i) siblings or birth relatives if the former youth in care is between the ages of 18 and 21 or (ii) former foster parents or foster siblings if the former youth in care is over the age of 21. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Allows any former youth in care who was adopted or surrendered to petition the court for appointment of a confidential intermediary for the purposes of obtaining identifying information or arranging contact with former foster parents or foster siblings if the former youth in care is over the age of 18 (rather than 21). Adds an effective date of July 1, 2023.