103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
SB2345

 

Introduced 2/10/2023, by Sen. Sara Feigenholtz

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
705 ILCS 405/2-28  from Ch. 37, par. 802-28

    Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 concerning abused, neglected, and dependent minors. Provides that, within 30 (Instead of 35) days after placing a child in its care in a qualified residential treatment program, as defined by the federal Social Security Act, the Department of Children and Family Services shall prepare a written report for filing with the court and send copies of the report to all parties (rather "shall file a written report with the court and send copies of the report to all parties"). Provides that, within 20 days of the filing of the report, or as soon thereafter as the court's schedule allows but not more than 60 days from the date of placement, the court shall hold a hearing to consider the Department's report and determine whether placement of the child in a qualified residential treatment program provides the most effective and appropriate level of care for the child in the least restrictive environment and if the placement is consistent with the short-term and long-term goals for the child, as specified in the permanency plan for the child.


LRB103 24985 RLC 51319 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

SB2345LRB103 24985 RLC 51319 b

1    AN ACT concerning courts.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Juvenile Court Act of 1987 is amended by
5changing Section 2-28 as follows:
 
6    (705 ILCS 405/2-28)  (from Ch. 37, par. 802-28)
7    Sec. 2-28. Court review.
8    (1) The court may require any legal custodian or guardian
9of the person appointed under this Act to report periodically
10to the court or may cite him into court and require him or his
11agency, to make a full and accurate report of his or its doings
12in behalf of the minor. The custodian or guardian, within 10
13days after such citation, or earlier if the court determines
14it to be necessary to protect the health, safety, or welfare of
15the minor, shall make the report, either in writing verified
16by affidavit or orally under oath in open court, or otherwise
17as the court directs. Upon the hearing of the report the court
18may remove the custodian or guardian and appoint another in
19his stead or restore the minor to the custody of his parents or
20former guardian or custodian. However, custody of the minor
21shall not be restored to any parent, guardian, or legal
22custodian in any case in which the minor is found to be
23neglected or abused under Section 2-3 or dependent under

 

 

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1Section 2-4 of this Act, unless the minor can be cared for at
2home without endangering the minor's health or safety and it
3is in the best interests of the minor, and if such neglect,
4abuse, or dependency is found by the court under paragraph (1)
5of Section 2-21 of this Act to have come about due to the acts
6or omissions or both of such parent, guardian, or legal
7custodian, until such time as an investigation is made as
8provided in paragraph (5) and a hearing is held on the issue of
9the fitness of such parent, guardian, or legal custodian to
10care for the minor and the court enters an order that such
11parent, guardian, or legal custodian is fit to care for the
12minor.
13    (1.5) The public agency that is the custodian or guardian
14of the minor shall file a written report with the court no
15later than 15 days after a minor in the agency's care remains:
16        (1) in a shelter placement beyond 30 days;
17        (2) in a psychiatric hospital past the time when the
18    minor is clinically ready for discharge or beyond medical
19    necessity for the minor's health; or
20        (3) in a detention center or Department of Juvenile
21    Justice facility solely because the public agency cannot
22    find an appropriate placement for the minor.
23    The report shall explain the steps the agency is taking to
24ensure the minor is placed appropriately, how the minor's
25needs are being met in the minor's shelter placement, and if a
26future placement has been identified by the Department, why

 

 

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1the anticipated placement is appropriate for the needs of the
2minor and the anticipated placement date.
3    (1.6) Within 30 35 days after placing a child in its care
4in a qualified residential treatment program, as defined by
5the federal Social Security Act, the Department of Children
6and Family Services shall prepare file a written report for
7filing with the court and send copies of the report to all
8parties. Within 20 days of the filing of the report, or as soon
9thereafter as the court's schedule allows but not more than 60
10days from the date of placement, the court shall hold a hearing
11to consider the Department's report and determine whether
12placement of the child in a qualified residential treatment
13program provides the most effective and appropriate level of
14care for the child in the least restrictive environment and if
15the placement is consistent with the short-term and long-term
16goals for the child, as specified in the permanency plan for
17the child. The court shall approve or disapprove the
18placement. If applicable, the requirements of Sections 2-27.1
19and 2-27.2 must also be met. The Department's written report
20and the court's written determination shall be included in and
21made part of the case plan for the child. If the child remains
22placed in a qualified residential treatment program, the
23Department shall submit evidence at each status and permanency
24hearing:
25        (1) demonstrating that on-going assessment of the
26    strengths and needs of the child continues to support the

 

 

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1    determination that the child's needs cannot be met through
2    placement in a foster family home, that the placement
3    provides the most effective and appropriate level of care
4    for the child in the least restrictive, appropriate
5    environment, and that the placement is consistent with the
6    short-term and long-term permanency goal for the child, as
7    specified in the permanency plan for the child;
8        (2) documenting the specific treatment or service
9    needs that should be met for the child in the placement and
10    the length of time the child is expected to need the
11    treatment or services; and
12        (3) the efforts made by the agency to prepare the
13    child to return home or to be placed with a fit and willing
14    relative, a legal guardian, or an adoptive parent, or in a
15    foster family home.
16    (2) The first permanency hearing shall be conducted by the
17judge. Subsequent permanency hearings may be heard by a judge
18or by hearing officers appointed or approved by the court in
19the manner set forth in Section 2-28.1 of this Act. The initial
20hearing shall be held (a) within 12 months from the date
21temporary custody was taken, regardless of whether an
22adjudication or dispositional hearing has been completed
23within that time frame, (b) if the parental rights of both
24parents have been terminated in accordance with the procedure
25described in subsection (5) of Section 2-21, within 30 days of
26the order for termination of parental rights and appointment

 

 

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1of a guardian with power to consent to adoption, or (c) in
2accordance with subsection (2) of Section 2-13.1. Subsequent
3permanency hearings shall be held every 6 months or more
4frequently if necessary in the court's determination following
5the initial permanency hearing, in accordance with the
6standards set forth in this Section, until the court
7determines that the plan and goal have been achieved. Once the
8plan and goal have been achieved, if the minor remains in
9substitute care, the case shall be reviewed at least every 6
10months thereafter, subject to the provisions of this Section,
11unless the minor is placed in the guardianship of a suitable
12relative or other person and the court determines that further
13monitoring by the court does not further the health, safety,
14or best interest of the child and that this is a stable
15permanent placement. The permanency hearings must occur within
16the time frames set forth in this subsection and may not be
17delayed in anticipation of a report from any source or due to
18the agency's failure to timely file its written report (this
19written report means the one required under the next paragraph
20and does not mean the service plan also referred to in that
21paragraph).
22    The public agency that is the custodian or guardian of the
23minor, or another agency responsible for the minor's care,
24shall ensure that all parties to the permanency hearings are
25provided a copy of the most recent service plan prepared
26within the prior 6 months at least 14 days in advance of the

 

 

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1hearing. If not contained in the agency's service plan, the
2agency shall also include a report setting forth (i) any
3special physical, psychological, educational, medical,
4emotional, or other needs of the minor or his or her family
5that are relevant to a permanency or placement determination
6and (ii) for any minor age 16 or over, a written description of
7the programs and services that will enable the minor to
8prepare for independent living. If not contained in the
9agency's service plan, the agency's report shall specify if a
10minor is placed in a licensed child care facility under a
11corrective plan by the Department due to concerns impacting
12the minor's safety and well-being. The report shall explain
13the steps the Department is taking to ensure the safety and
14well-being of the minor and that the minor's needs are met in
15the facility. The agency's written report must detail what
16progress or lack of progress the parent has made in correcting
17the conditions requiring the child to be in care; whether the
18child can be returned home without jeopardizing the child's
19health, safety, and welfare, and if not, what permanency goal
20is recommended to be in the best interests of the child, and
21why the other permanency goals are not appropriate. The
22caseworker must appear and testify at the permanency hearing.
23If a permanency hearing has not previously been scheduled by
24the court, the moving party shall move for the setting of a
25permanency hearing and the entry of an order within the time
26frames set forth in this subsection.

 

 

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1    At the permanency hearing, the court shall determine the
2future status of the child. The court shall set one of the
3following permanency goals:
4        (A) The minor will be returned home by a specific date
5    within 5 months.
6        (B) The minor will be in short-term care with a
7    continued goal to return home within a period not to
8    exceed one year, where the progress of the parent or
9    parents is substantial giving particular consideration to
10    the age and individual needs of the minor.
11        (B-1) The minor will be in short-term care with a
12    continued goal to return home pending a status hearing.
13    When the court finds that a parent has not made reasonable
14    efforts or reasonable progress to date, the court shall
15    identify what actions the parent and the Department must
16    take in order to justify a finding of reasonable efforts
17    or reasonable progress and shall set a status hearing to
18    be held not earlier than 9 months from the date of
19    adjudication nor later than 11 months from the date of
20    adjudication during which the parent's progress will again
21    be reviewed.
22        (C) The minor will be in substitute care pending court
23    determination on termination of parental rights.
24        (D) Adoption, provided that parental rights have been
25    terminated or relinquished.
26        (E) The guardianship of the minor will be transferred

 

 

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1    to an individual or couple on a permanent basis provided
2    that goals (A) through (D) have been deemed inappropriate
3    and not in the child's best interests. The court shall
4    confirm that the Department has discussed adoption, if
5    appropriate, and guardianship with the caregiver prior to
6    changing a goal to guardianship.
7        (F) The minor over age 15 will be in substitute care
8    pending independence. In selecting this permanency goal,
9    the Department of Children and Family Services may provide
10    services to enable reunification and to strengthen the
11    minor's connections with family, fictive kin, and other
12    responsible adults, provided the services are in the
13    minor's best interest. The services shall be documented in
14    the service plan.
15        (G) The minor will be in substitute care because he or
16    she cannot be provided for in a home environment due to
17    developmental disabilities or mental illness or because he
18    or she is a danger to self or others, provided that goals
19    (A) through (D) have been deemed inappropriate and not in
20    the child's best interests.
21    In selecting any permanency goal, the court shall indicate
22in writing the reasons the goal was selected and why the
23preceding goals were deemed inappropriate and not in the
24child's best interest. Where the court has selected a
25permanency goal other than (A), (B), or (B-1), the Department
26of Children and Family Services shall not provide further

 

 

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1reunification services, except as provided in paragraph (F) of
2this subsection (2), but shall provide services consistent
3with the goal selected.
4        (H) Notwithstanding any other provision in this
5    Section, the court may select the goal of continuing
6    foster care as a permanency goal if:
7            (1) The Department of Children and Family Services
8        has custody and guardianship of the minor;
9            (2) The court has deemed all other permanency
10        goals inappropriate based on the child's best
11        interest;
12            (3) The court has found compelling reasons, based
13        on written documentation reviewed by the court, to
14        place the minor in continuing foster care. Compelling
15        reasons include:
16                (a) the child does not wish to be adopted or to
17            be placed in the guardianship of his or her
18            relative or foster care placement;
19                (b) the child exhibits an extreme level of
20            need such that the removal of the child from his or
21            her placement would be detrimental to the child;
22            or
23                (c) the child who is the subject of the
24            permanency hearing has existing close and strong
25            bonds with a sibling, and achievement of another
26            permanency goal would substantially interfere with

 

 

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1            the subject child's sibling relationship, taking
2            into consideration the nature and extent of the
3            relationship, and whether ongoing contact is in
4            the subject child's best interest, including
5            long-term emotional interest, as compared with the
6            legal and emotional benefit of permanence;
7            (4) The child has lived with the relative or
8        foster parent for at least one year; and
9            (5) The relative or foster parent currently caring
10        for the child is willing and capable of providing the
11        child with a stable and permanent environment.
12    The court shall set a permanency goal that is in the best
13interest of the child. In determining that goal, the court
14shall consult with the minor in an age-appropriate manner
15regarding the proposed permanency or transition plan for the
16minor. The court's determination shall include the following
17factors:
18        (1) Age of the child.
19        (2) Options available for permanence, including both
20    out-of-state and in-state placement options.
21        (3) Current placement of the child and the intent of
22    the family regarding adoption.
23        (4) Emotional, physical, and mental status or
24    condition of the child.
25        (5) Types of services previously offered and whether
26    or not the services were successful and, if not

 

 

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1    successful, the reasons the services failed.
2        (6) Availability of services currently needed and
3    whether the services exist.
4        (7) Status of siblings of the minor.
5    The court shall consider (i) the permanency goal contained
6in the service plan, (ii) the appropriateness of the services
7contained in the plan and whether those services have been
8provided, (iii) whether reasonable efforts have been made by
9all the parties to the service plan to achieve the goal, and
10(iv) whether the plan and goal have been achieved. All
11evidence relevant to determining these questions, including
12oral and written reports, may be admitted and may be relied on
13to the extent of their probative value.
14    The court shall make findings as to whether, in violation
15of Section 8.2 of the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting
16Act, any portion of the service plan compels a child or parent
17to engage in any activity or refrain from any activity that is
18not reasonably related to remedying a condition or conditions
19that gave rise or which could give rise to any finding of child
20abuse or neglect. The services contained in the service plan
21shall include services reasonably related to remedy the
22conditions that gave rise to removal of the child from the home
23of his or her parents, guardian, or legal custodian or that the
24court has found must be remedied prior to returning the child
25home. Any tasks the court requires of the parents, guardian,
26or legal custodian or child prior to returning the child home,

 

 

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1must be reasonably related to remedying a condition or
2conditions that gave rise to or which could give rise to any
3finding of child abuse or neglect.
4    If the permanency goal is to return home, the court shall
5make findings that identify any problems that are causing
6continued placement of the children away from the home and
7identify what outcomes would be considered a resolution to
8these problems. The court shall explain to the parents that
9these findings are based on the information that the court has
10at that time and may be revised, should additional evidence be
11presented to the court.
12    The court shall review the Sibling Contact Support Plan
13developed or modified under subsection (f) of Section 7.4 of
14the Children and Family Services Act, if applicable. If the
15Department has not convened a meeting to develop or modify a
16Sibling Contact Support Plan, or if the court finds that the
17existing Plan is not in the child's best interest, the court
18may enter an order requiring the Department to develop,
19modify, or implement a Sibling Contact Support Plan, or order
20mediation.
21    If the goal has been achieved, the court shall enter
22orders that are necessary to conform the minor's legal custody
23and status to those findings.
24    If, after receiving evidence, the court determines that
25the services contained in the plan are not reasonably
26calculated to facilitate achievement of the permanency goal,

 

 

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1the court shall put in writing the factual basis supporting
2the determination and enter specific findings based on the
3evidence. The court also shall enter an order for the
4Department to develop and implement a new service plan or to
5implement changes to the current service plan consistent with
6the court's findings. The new service plan shall be filed with
7the court and served on all parties within 45 days of the date
8of the order. The court shall continue the matter until the new
9service plan is filed. Except as authorized by subsection
10(2.5) of this Section and as otherwise specifically authorized
11by law, the court is not empowered under this Section to order
12specific placements, specific services, or specific service
13providers to be included in the service plan.
14    A guardian or custodian appointed by the court pursuant to
15this Act shall file updated case plans with the court every 6
16months.
17    Rights of wards of the court under this Act are
18enforceable against any public agency by complaints for relief
19by mandamus filed in any proceedings brought under this Act.
20    (2.5) If, after reviewing the evidence, including evidence
21from the Department, the court determines that the minor's
22current or planned placement is not necessary or appropriate
23to facilitate achievement of the permanency goal, the court
24shall put in writing the factual basis supporting its
25determination and enter specific findings based on the
26evidence. If the court finds that the minor's current or

 

 

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1planned placement is not necessary or appropriate, the court
2may enter an order directing the Department to implement a
3recommendation by the minor's treating clinician or a
4clinician contracted by the Department to evaluate the minor
5or a recommendation made by the Department. If the Department
6places a minor in a placement under an order entered under this
7subsection (2.5), the Department has the authority to remove
8the minor from that placement when a change in circumstances
9necessitates the removal to protect the minor's health,
10safety, and best interest. If the Department determines
11removal is necessary, the Department shall notify the parties
12of the planned placement change in writing no later than 10
13days prior to the implementation of its determination unless
14remaining in the placement poses an imminent risk of harm to
15the minor, in which case the Department shall notify the
16parties of the placement change in writing immediately
17following the implementation of its decision. The Department
18shall notify others of the decision to change the minor's
19placement as required by Department rule.
20    (3) Following the permanency hearing, the court shall
21enter a written order that includes the determinations
22required under subsection (2) of this Section and sets forth
23the following:
24        (a) The future status of the minor, including the
25    permanency goal, and any order necessary to conform the
26    minor's legal custody and status to such determination; or

 

 

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1        (b) If the permanency goal of the minor cannot be
2    achieved immediately, the specific reasons for continuing
3    the minor in the care of the Department of Children and
4    Family Services or other agency for short-term short term
5    placement, and the following determinations:
6            (i) (Blank).
7            (ii) Whether the services required by the court
8        and by any service plan prepared within the prior 6
9        months have been provided and (A) if so, whether the
10        services were reasonably calculated to facilitate the
11        achievement of the permanency goal or (B) if not
12        provided, why the services were not provided.
13            (iii) Whether the minor's current or planned
14        placement is necessary, and appropriate to the plan
15        and goal, recognizing the right of minors to the least
16        restrictive (most family-like) setting available and
17        in close proximity to the parents' home consistent
18        with the health, safety, best interest, and special
19        needs of the minor and, if the minor is placed
20        out-of-state, whether the out-of-state placement
21        continues to be appropriate and consistent with the
22        health, safety, and best interest of the minor.
23            (iv) (Blank).
24            (v) (Blank).
25    (4) The minor or any person interested in the minor may
26apply to the court for a change in custody of the minor and the

 

 

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1appointment of a new custodian or guardian of the person or for
2the restoration of the minor to the custody of his parents or
3former guardian or custodian.
4    When return home is not selected as the permanency goal:
5        (a) The Department, the minor, or the current foster
6    parent or relative caregiver seeking private guardianship
7    may file a motion for private guardianship of the minor.
8    Appointment of a guardian under this Section requires
9    approval of the court.
10        (b) The State's Attorney may file a motion to
11    terminate parental rights of any parent who has failed to
12    make reasonable efforts to correct the conditions which
13    led to the removal of the child or reasonable progress
14    toward the return of the child, as defined in subdivision
15    (D)(m) of Section 1 of the Adoption Act or for whom any
16    other unfitness ground for terminating parental rights as
17    defined in subdivision (D) of Section 1 of the Adoption
18    Act exists.
19        When parental rights have been terminated for a
20    minimum of 3 years and the child who is the subject of the
21    permanency hearing is 13 years old or older and is not
22    currently placed in a placement likely to achieve
23    permanency, the Department of Children and Family Services
24    shall make reasonable efforts to locate parents whose
25    rights have been terminated, except when the Court
26    determines that those efforts would be futile or

 

 

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1    inconsistent with the subject child's best interests. The
2    Department of Children and Family Services shall assess
3    the appropriateness of the parent whose rights have been
4    terminated, and shall, as appropriate, foster and support
5    connections between the parent whose rights have been
6    terminated and the youth. The Department of Children and
7    Family Services shall document its determinations and
8    efforts to foster connections in the child's case plan.
9    Custody of the minor shall not be restored to any parent,
10guardian, or legal custodian in any case in which the minor is
11found to be neglected or abused under Section 2-3 or dependent
12under Section 2-4 of this Act, unless the minor can be cared
13for at home without endangering his or her health or safety and
14it is in the best interest of the minor, and if such neglect,
15abuse, or dependency is found by the court under paragraph (1)
16of Section 2-21 of this Act to have come about due to the acts
17or omissions or both of such parent, guardian, or legal
18custodian, until such time as an investigation is made as
19provided in paragraph (5) and a hearing is held on the issue of
20the health, safety, and best interest of the minor and the
21fitness of such parent, guardian, or legal custodian to care
22for the minor and the court enters an order that such parent,
23guardian, or legal custodian is fit to care for the minor. If a
24motion is filed to modify or vacate a private guardianship
25order and return the child to a parent, guardian, or legal
26custodian, the court may order the Department of Children and

 

 

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1Family Services to assess the minor's current and proposed
2living arrangements and to provide ongoing monitoring of the
3health, safety, and best interest of the minor during the
4pendency of the motion to assist the court in making that
5determination. In the event that the minor has attained 18
6years of age and the guardian or custodian petitions the court
7for an order terminating his guardianship or custody,
8guardianship or custody shall terminate automatically 30 days
9after the receipt of the petition unless the court orders
10otherwise. No legal custodian or guardian of the person may be
11removed without his consent until given notice and an
12opportunity to be heard by the court.
13    When the court orders a child restored to the custody of
14the parent or parents, the court shall order the parent or
15parents to cooperate with the Department of Children and
16Family Services and comply with the terms of an after-care
17plan, or risk the loss of custody of the child and possible
18termination of their parental rights. The court may also enter
19an order of protective supervision in accordance with Section
202-24.
21    If the minor is being restored to the custody of a parent,
22legal custodian, or guardian who lives outside of Illinois,
23and an Interstate Compact has been requested and refused, the
24court may order the Department of Children and Family Services
25to arrange for an assessment of the minor's proposed living
26arrangement and for ongoing monitoring of the health, safety,

 

 

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1and best interest of the minor and compliance with any order of
2protective supervision entered in accordance with Section
32-24.
4    (5) Whenever a parent, guardian, or legal custodian files
5a motion for restoration of custody of the minor, and the minor
6was adjudicated neglected, abused, or dependent as a result of
7physical abuse, the court shall cause to be made an
8investigation as to whether the movant has ever been charged
9with or convicted of any criminal offense which would indicate
10the likelihood of any further physical abuse to the minor.
11Evidence of such criminal convictions shall be taken into
12account in determining whether the minor can be cared for at
13home without endangering his or her health or safety and
14fitness of the parent, guardian, or legal custodian.
15        (a) Any agency of this State or any subdivision
16    thereof shall cooperate with the agent of the court in
17    providing any information sought in the investigation.
18        (b) The information derived from the investigation and
19    any conclusions or recommendations derived from the
20    information shall be provided to the parent, guardian, or
21    legal custodian seeking restoration of custody prior to
22    the hearing on fitness and the movant shall have an
23    opportunity at the hearing to refute the information or
24    contest its significance.
25        (c) All information obtained from any investigation
26    shall be confidential as provided in Section 5-150 of this

 

 

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1    Act.
2(Source: P.A. 101-63, eff. 10-1-19; 102-193, eff. 7-30-21;
3102-489, eff. 8-20-21; 102-813, eff. 5-13-22; revised
48-23-22.)