GOVERNMENT - EXECUTIVE BRANCH

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EXECUTIVE BRANCH (20 ILCS 522/) Child Welfare Disclosure to Parents Act.

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Illinois Compiled Statutes (ILCS)

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    (20 ILCS 522/1)
    Sec. 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Child Welfare Disclosure to Parents Act.
(Source: P.A. 104-254, eff. 8-15-25.)

    (20 ILCS 522/5)
    Sec. 5. Parental rights. It is the policy of this State that a parent involved with the Illinois child welfare system has the following rights:
        (1) To be treated with dignity and respect and as a
    
valued member of the child welfare team.
        (2) To be provided a copy of this Act at the time of
    
case opening or the parent's first contact with the Department of Children and Family Services.
        (3) To be consulted about relative placement options
    
for the child if placement becomes necessary.
        (4) As it relates to a non-custodial parent, to be
    
assessed and considered for custody of the child prior to the Department of Children and Family Services taking protective custody.
        (5) To not have financial means considered as a basis
    
for removal or reunification with the child.
        (6) To be encouraged to participate in the
    
development and amendment of the parent's service plan.
        (7) To request amendments to the parent's service
    
plan.
        (8) Subject to and in accordance with State law, all
    
rules and procedures of the Department of Children and Family Services, and all applicable court orders:
            (A) To receive timely visits with the child.
            (B) To have all canceled or postponed
        
parent-child visits rescheduled in a timely manner.
            (C) To have parent-child visits conducted in a
        
comfortable family-like setting.
            (D) To be notified of and invited to attend all
        
of the child's medical appointments and school meetings.
            (E) To be permitted to communicate with the
        
child's substitute caregiver for purposes of helping the caregiver understand the child's needs and to promote shared parenting, when feasible.
        (9) To request a child and family team meeting.
        (10) To be provided with the caseworker's
    
supervisor's contact information.
        (11) To have all child welfare business-related
    
calls, emails, and texts responded to in a timely and professional manner.
        (12) To have all meetings scheduled at times and
    
places that allow the parent to participate.
        (13) To be provided transportation assistance when
    
necessary to attend meetings and parent-child visits.
        (14) To be consulted in the development of the hair
    
care plan for the child, if not contrary to the child's wishes.
        (15) To be free of retaliation when asserting a right
    
within this Act.
(Source: P.A. 104-254, eff. 8-15-25.)

    (20 ILCS 522/99)
    Sec. 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.
(Source: P.A. 104-254, eff. 8-15-25.)