Amends the Children and Family Services Act. In provisions requiring the Department of Children and Family Services to establish rules concerning transition planning for youth aging out of care, requires the Department to consult with the Statewide Youth Advisory Board to determine the effectiveness of existing programs, to identify new programming that supports youth transitions to independence, and to advise on how information about transitional services is communicated to youth in a clear, timely, and age-appropriate manner. Requires the Department to develop, by July 1, 2027, procedures setting forth a process by which: (i) a youth or a youth's representative can request an accounting or explanation of financial decisions made by the Department or child welfare contributing agency for any monies held on behalf of the youth; and (ii) the Department or child welfare contributing agency acknowledges receipt of the request, provides a written response within a defined period, and outlines steps for review or correction when an error or dispute regarding the accounting is identified. Requires the Department to ensure that each youth in care, if applicable, receives age-appropriate financial guidance designed to build financial literacy and informed decision-making regarding the youth's Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income benefits, veterans benefits, or Railroad Retirement benefits. Contains provisions on the development of tailored youth-driven transition plans; notification to youth on the location of necessary documents and any financial accounts open in their name; the development of a curriculum guided program for youth transitioning out of care; written and verbal notice on a youth's scheduled Successful Transition to Adulthood Review (STAR) hearings; requirements on residential treatment centers, group homes, transitional living programs, and the Department to ensure a youth's attendance at a scheduled STAR hearing; and other matters. Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. In provisions concerning STAR hearings, requires the Department to allow a minor the opportunity to express to the court the minor's goals, preferences, and concerns regarding the minor's transition to independence. Requires the court to review and ensure the Department is in compliance with its statutory obligation to support the minor's meaningful engagement in STAR hearings.
Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. In the definition of "abused child", provides that an abused child means a child whose parent or immediate family member, or any person responsible for the child's welfare, or any individual residing in the same home as the child, or a paramour of the child's parent commits the act of grooming a child for the purpose of establishing or attempting to establish a romantic or sexual relationship (rather than commits the offense of grooming, as defined in the Criminal Code of 2012). Effective immediately.
Amends the Adoption Act. Provides that the surviving adult children, adult grandchildren, or surviving spouse of a deceased adopted or surrendered person born in Illinois before January 1, 1946, may petition the court for the appointment of a confidential intermediary for purposes of obtaining all records of the court relating to the adoption that constitute the adoption file. Provides that if such a petition is filed, the court may appoint a confidential intermediary under the Act and release the adoption file.
Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Safeguards to Ensure Continuity and Uphold Rights and Equity (SECURE) Act. Sets forth several legislative findings, including that (i) Illinois retains a non-delegable duty to safeguard the safety, health, dignity, and well-being of all youth in the care or custody of the Department of Children and Family Services, and (ii) the Department must respect and meaningfully consider a youth's expressed preferences in placement options while conducting transparent, individualized risk assessments. Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Adds provisions concerning case plans for youth in care and the specific tasks and responsibilities a caregiver must complete to ensure each youth is provided with safe, proper, and supportive care based on the youth's needs and best interests, including, but not limited to, the youth's protected characteristics as defined under the Illinois Human Rights Act. Contains provisions concerning requirements for interstate placements of youth age 8 or older, including, but not limited to: protecting a youth's access to lawful health care and civil immunities for Department employees who protect a youth's access to lawful health care; individualized assessments on the suitability and risks of the proposed interstate placement; ongoing Illinois-based case worker contact and monitoring; and a prohibition on consent to conversion therapy. Contains provisions on youth requested in-state or out-of-state placement and other related matters; annual Department reports on out-of-state placements; performance audits; private right of action; and other matters. Amends the Child Care Act of 1969 by adding provisions on supportive care for youth in care; youth-directed placement rights; licensure and contractual compliance. Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Adds provisions on the appointment of an attorney for a youth in care with special needs; required Department attestations on caregiver conduct when a youth is placed in an out-of-state residential treatment center; assessments and monitoring for minors in out-of-state placements; and other matters. Effective July 1, 2027.
Acknowledges the accomplishments and implementation progress of the Kinship in Demand (KIND) Act. Urges the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to aggressively continue implementation of the KIND Act to deliver permanency to more children and to keep families together even when reunification is not possible. Urges DCFS to execute needed revisions to Rule 415 one year after all statutory provisions went into effect. Urges DCFS to actively pursue the recently announced federal funding opportunities by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children & Families to support kinship navigator services and to bolster the implementation of the KIND Act. Urges DCFS to provide continual, updated training opportunities and resource materials for staff. Urges the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts to provide effective statewide judicial education on the KIND Act. Supports the judiciary's efforts to diligently implement the components of the KIND Act.
