HB5592 EngrossedLRB097 16555 RLC 66075 b

1    AN ACT concerning siblings.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Children and Family Services Act is amended
5by changing Sections 7 and 7.4 as follows:
 
6    (20 ILCS 505/7)  (from Ch. 23, par. 5007)
7    Sec. 7. Placement of children; considerations.
8    (a) In placing any child under this Act, the Department
9shall place the such child, as far as possible, in the care and
10custody of some individual holding the same religious belief as
11the parents of the child, or with some child care facility
12which is operated by persons of like religious faith as the
13parents of such child.
14    (a-5) In placing a child under this Act, the Department
15shall place the child with the child's sibling or siblings
16under Section 7.4 of this Act unless the placement is not in
17each child's best interest, or is otherwise not possible under
18the Department's rules. If the child is not placed with a
19sibling under the Department's rules, the Department shall
20consider placements that are likely to develop, preserve,
21nurture, and support sibling relationships, where doing so is
22in each child's best interest.
23    (b) In placing a child under this Act, the Department may

 

 

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1place a child with a relative if the Department determines that
2the relative will be able to adequately provide for the child's
3safety and welfare based on the factors set forth in the
4Department's rules governing relative placements, and that the
5placement is consistent with the child's best interests, taking
6into consideration the factors set out in subsection (4.05) of
7Section 1-3 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.
8    When the Department first assumes custody of a child, in
9placing that child under this Act, the Department shall make
10reasonable efforts to identify and locate a relative who is
11ready, willing, and able to care for the child. At a minimum,
12these efforts shall be renewed each time the child requires a
13placement change and it is appropriate for the child to be
14cared for in a home environment. The Department must document
15its efforts to identify and locate such a relative placement
16and maintain the documentation in the child's case file.
17    If the Department determines that a placement with any
18identified relative is not in the child's best interests or
19that the relative does not meet the requirements to be a
20relative caregiver, as set forth in Department rules or by
21statute, the Department must document the basis for that
22decision and maintain the documentation in the child's case
23file.
24    If, pursuant to the Department's rules, any person files an
25administrative appeal of the Department's decision not to place
26a child with a relative, it is the Department's burden to prove

 

 

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1that the decision is consistent with the child's best
2interests.
3    When the Department determines that the child requires
4placement in an environment, other than a home environment, the
5Department shall continue to make reasonable efforts to
6identify and locate relatives to serve as visitation resources
7for the child and potential future placement resources, except
8when the Department determines that those efforts would be
9futile or inconsistent with the child's best interests.
10    If the Department determines that efforts to identify and
11locate relatives would be futile or inconsistent with the
12child's best interests, the Department shall document the basis
13of its determination and maintain the documentation in the
14child's case file.
15    If the Department determines that an individual or a group
16of relatives are inappropriate to serve as visitation resources
17or possible placement resources, the Department shall document
18the basis of its determination and maintain the documentation
19in the child's case file.
20    When the Department determines that an individual or a
21group of relatives are appropriate to serve as visitation
22resources or possible future placement resources, the
23Department shall document the basis of its determination,
24maintain the documentation in the child's case file, create a
25visitation or transition plan, or both, and incorporate the
26visitation or transition plan, or both, into the child's case

 

 

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1plan. For the purpose of this subsection, any determination as
2to the child's best interests shall include consideration of
3the factors set out in subsection (4.05) of Section 1-3 of the
4Juvenile Court Act of 1987.
5    The Department may not place a child with a relative, with
6the exception of certain circumstances which may be waived as
7defined by the Department in rules, if the results of a check
8of the Law Enforcement Agencies Data System (LEADS) identifies
9a prior criminal conviction of the relative or any adult member
10of the relative's household for any of the following offenses
11under the Criminal Code of 1961:
12        (1) murder;
13        (1.1) solicitation of murder;
14        (1.2) solicitation of murder for hire;
15        (1.3) intentional homicide of an unborn child;
16        (1.4) voluntary manslaughter of an unborn child;
17        (1.5) involuntary manslaughter;
18        (1.6) reckless homicide;
19        (1.7) concealment of a homicidal death;
20        (1.8) involuntary manslaughter of an unborn child;
21        (1.9) reckless homicide of an unborn child;
22        (1.10) drug-induced homicide;
23        (2) a sex offense under Article 11, except offenses
24    described in Sections 11-7, 11-8, 11-12, 11-13, 11-35,
25    11-40, and 11-45;
26        (3) kidnapping;

 

 

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1        (3.1) aggravated unlawful restraint;
2        (3.2) forcible detention;
3        (3.3) aiding and abetting child abduction;
4        (4) aggravated kidnapping;
5        (5) child abduction;
6        (6) aggravated battery of a child as described in
7    Section 12-4.3 or subdivision (b)(1) of Section 12-3.05;
8        (7) criminal sexual assault;
9        (8) aggravated criminal sexual assault;
10        (8.1) predatory criminal sexual assault of a child;
11        (9) criminal sexual abuse;
12        (10) aggravated sexual abuse;
13        (11) heinous battery as described in Section 12-4.1 or
14    subdivision (a)(2) of Section 12-3.05;
15        (12) aggravated battery with a firearm as described in
16    Section 12-4.2 or subdivision (e)(1), (e)(2), (e)(3), or
17    (e)(4) of Section 12-3.05;
18        (13) tampering with food, drugs, or cosmetics;
19        (14) drug-induced infliction of great bodily harm as
20    described in Section 12-4.7 or subdivision (g)(1) of
21    Section 12-3.05;
22        (15) aggravated stalking;
23        (16) home invasion;
24        (17) vehicular invasion;
25        (18) criminal transmission of HIV;
26        (19) criminal abuse or neglect of an elderly or

 

 

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1    disabled person as described in Section 12-21 or subsection
2    (b) of Section 12-4.4a;
3        (20) child abandonment;
4        (21) endangering the life or health of a child;
5        (22) ritual mutilation;
6        (23) ritualized abuse of a child;
7        (24) an offense in any other state the elements of
8    which are similar and bear a substantial relationship to
9    any of the foregoing offenses.
10For the purpose of this subsection, "relative" shall include
11any person, 21 years of age or over, other than the parent, who
12(i) is currently related to the child in any of the following
13ways by blood or adoption: grandparent, sibling,
14great-grandparent, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, first cousin,
15second cousin, godparent, great-uncle, or great-aunt; or (ii)
16is the spouse of such a relative; or (iii) is the child's
17step-father, step-mother, or adult step-brother or
18step-sister; "relative" also includes a person related in any
19of the foregoing ways to a sibling of a child, even though the
20person is not related to the child, when the child and its
21sibling are placed together with that person. For children who
22have been in the guardianship of the Department, have been
23adopted, and are subsequently returned to the temporary custody
24or guardianship of the Department, a "relative" may also
25include any person who would have qualified as a relative under
26this paragraph prior to the adoption, but only if the

 

 

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1Department determines, and documents, that it would be in the
2child's best interests to consider this person a relative,
3based upon the factors for determining best interests set forth
4in subsection (4.05) of Section 1-3 of the Juvenile Court Act
5of 1987. A relative with whom a child is placed pursuant to
6this subsection may, but is not required to, apply for
7licensure as a foster family home pursuant to the Child Care
8Act of 1969; provided, however, that as of July 1, 1995, foster
9care payments shall be made only to licensed foster family
10homes pursuant to the terms of Section 5 of this Act.
11    (c) In placing a child under this Act, the Department shall
12ensure that the child's health, safety, and best interests are
13met. In rejecting placement of a child with an identified
14relative, the Department shall ensure that the child's health,
15safety, and best interests are met. In evaluating the best
16interests of the child, the Department shall take into
17consideration the factors set forth in subsection (4.05) of
18Section 1-3 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.
19    The Department shall consider the individual needs of the
20child and the capacity of the prospective foster or adoptive
21parents to meet the needs of the child. When a child must be
22placed outside his or her home and cannot be immediately
23returned to his or her parents or guardian, a comprehensive,
24individualized assessment shall be performed of that child at
25which time the needs of the child shall be determined. Only if
26race, color, or national origin is identified as a legitimate

 

 

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1factor in advancing the child's best interests shall it be
2considered. Race, color, or national origin shall not be
3routinely considered in making a placement decision. The
4Department shall make special efforts for the diligent
5recruitment of potential foster and adoptive families that
6reflect the ethnic and racial diversity of the children for
7whom foster and adoptive homes are needed. "Special efforts"
8shall include contacting and working with community
9organizations and religious organizations and may include
10contracting with those organizations, utilizing local media
11and other local resources, and conducting outreach activities.
12    (c-1) At the time of placement, the Department shall
13consider concurrent planning, as described in subsection (l-1)
14of Section 5, so that permanency may occur at the earliest
15opportunity. Consideration should be given so that if
16reunification fails or is delayed, the placement made is the
17best available placement to provide permanency for the child.
18    (d) The Department may accept gifts, grants, offers of
19services, and other contributions to use in making special
20recruitment efforts.
21    (e) The Department in placing children in adoptive or
22foster care homes may not, in any policy or practice relating
23to the placement of children for adoption or foster care,
24discriminate against any child or prospective adoptive or
25foster parent on the basis of race.
26(Source: P.A. 96-1551, Article 1, Section 900, eff. 7-1-11;

 

 

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196-1551, Article 2, Section 920, eff. 7-1-11; revised 9-30-11.)
 
2    (20 ILCS 505/7.4)
3    Sec. 7.4. Development and preservation of sibling
4relationships for children in care; placement of siblings;
5contact among siblings placed apart. Placement of siblings.
6    (a) Purpose and policy. The General Assembly recognizes
7that sibling relationships are unique and essential for a
8person, but even more so for children who are removed from the
9care of their families and placed in the State child welfare
10system. When family separation occurs through State
11intervention, every effort must be made to preserve, support
12and nurture sibling relationships when doing so is in the best
13interest of each sibling. It is in the interests of foster
14children who are part of a sibling group to enjoy contact with
15one another, as long as the contact is in each child's best
16interest. This is true both while the siblings are in State
17care and after one or all of the siblings leave State care
18through adoption, guardianship, or aging out. When a child is
19in need of an adoptive placement, the Department shall examine
20its files and other available resources and attempt to
21determine whether any biological sibling of the child has been
22adopted. If the Department determines that a biological sibling
23of the child has been adopted, the Department shall make a good
24faith effort to locate the adoptive parents of the sibling and
25inform them of the availability of the child for adoption.

 

 

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1    (b) Definitions. For purposes of this Section:
2        (1) Whenever a best interest determination is required
3    by this Section, the Department shall consider the factors
4    set out in subsection 4.05 of Section 1-3 or the Juvenile
5    Court Act of 1987 and the Department's rules regarding
6    Sibling Placement, 89 111. Admin. Code 301.70 and Sibling
7    Visitation, 89 111. Admin. Code 301.220, and the
8    Department's rules regarding Placement Selection Criteria.
9    89 111. Admin. Code 301.60.
10        (2) "Adopted child" means a child who, immediately
11    preceding the adoption, was in the custody or guardianship
12    of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
13    under Article II of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.
14        (3) "Adoptive parent" means a person who has become a
15    parent through the legal process of adoption.
16        (4) "Child" means a person in the temporary custody or
17    guardianship of the Department who is under the age of 21.
18        (5) "Child placed in private guardianship" means a
19    child who, immediately preceding the guardianship, was in
20    the custody or guardianship of the Illinois Department of
21    Children and Family Services under Article II of the
22    Juvenile Court Act.
23        (6) "Contact" may include, but is not limited to
24    visits, telephone calls, letters, sharing of photographs
25    or information, e-mails, video conferencing, and other
26    form of communication or contact.

 

 

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1        (7) "Legal Guardian" means a person who has become the
2    legal guardian of a child who, immediately prior to the
3    guardianship, was in the custody or guardianship of the
4    Illinois Department of Children and Family Services under
5    Article II of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.
6        (8) "Parent" means the child's mother or father who is
7    named as the respondent in proceedings conducted under
8    Article II of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.
9        (9) "Post Permanency Sibling Contact" means contact
10    between siblings following the entry of a Judgment Order
11    for Adoption under Section 14 of the Adoption Act regarding
12    at least one sibling or an Order for Guardianship
13    appointing a private guardian under Section 2-27 or the
14    Juvenile Court Act of 1987, regarding at least one sibling.
15    Post Permanency Sibling Contact may include, but is not
16    limited to, visits, telephone calls, letters, sharing of
17    photographs or information, emails, video conferencing,
18    and other form of communication or connection agreed to by
19    the parties to a Post Permanency Sibling Contact Agreement.
20        (10) "Post Permanency Sibling Contact Agreement" means
21    a written agreement between the adoptive parent or parents,
22    the child, and the child's sibling regarding post
23    permanency contact between the adopted child and the
24    child's sibling, or a written agreement between the legal
25    guardians, the child, and the child's sibling regarding
26    post permanency contact between the child placed in

 

 

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1    guardianship and the child's sibling. The Post Permanency
2    Sibling Contact Agreement may specify the nature and
3    frequency of contact between the adopted child or child
4    placed in guardianship and the child's sibling following
5    the entry of the Judgment Order for Adoption or Order for
6    Private Guardianship. The Post Permanency Sibling Contact
7    Agreement may be supported by services as specified in this
8    Section. The Post Permanency Sibling Contact Agreement is
9    voluntary on the part of the parties to the Post Permanency
10    Sibling Contact Agreement and is not a requirement for
11    finalization of the child's adoption or guardianship. When
12    entered into, the Post Permanency Sibling Contact
13    Agreement shall be placed in the child's Post Adoption or
14    Guardianship case record and in the case file of a sibling
15    who is a party to the agreement and who remains in the
16    Department's custody or guardianship.
17        (11) "Sibling Contact Support Plan" means a written
18    document that sets forth the plan for future contact
19    between siblings who are in the Department's care and
20    custody and residing separately. The goal of the Support
21    Plan is to develop or preserve and nurture the siblings'
22    relationships. The Support Plan shall set forth the role of
23    the foster parents, caregivers, and others in implementing
24    the Support Plan. The Support Plan must meet the minimum
25    standards regarding frequency of in-person visits provided
26    for in Department rule.

 

 

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1        (12) "Siblings" means children who share at least one
2    parent in common. This definition of siblings applies
3    solely for purposes of placement and contact under this
4    Section. For purposes of this Section, children who share
5    at least one parent in common continue to be siblings after
6    their parent's parental rights are terminated, if parental
7    rights were terminated while a petition under Article II of
8    the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 was pending. For purposes of
9    this Section, children who share at least one parent in
10    common continue to be siblings after a sibling is adopted
11    or placed in private guardianship when the adopted child or
12    child placed in private guardianship was in the
13    Department's custody or guardianship under Article II of
14    the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 immediately prior to the
15    adoption or private guardianship. For children who have
16    been in the guardianship of the Department under Article II
17    of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, have been adopted, and
18    are subsequently returned to the temporary custody or
19    guardianship of the Department under Article II of the
20    Juvenile Court Act of 1987, "siblings" includes a person
21    who would have been considered a sibling prior to the
22    adoption and siblings through adoption.
23    (c) No later than January 1, 2013, the Department shall
24promulgate rules addressing the development and preservation
25of sibling relationships. The rules shall address, at a
26minimum:

 

 

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1        (1) Recruitment, licensing, and support of foster
2    parents willing and capable of either fostering sibling
3    groups or supporting and being actively involved in
4    planning and executing sibling contact for siblings placed
5    apart. The rules shall address training for foster parents,
6    licensing workers, placement workers, and others as deemed
7    necessary.
8        (2) Placement selection for children who are separated
9    from their siblings and how to best promote placements of
10    children with foster parents or programs that can meet the
11    childrens' needs, including the need to develop and
12    maintain contact with siblings.
13        (3) State-supported guidance to siblings who have aged
14    out of state care regarding positive engagement with
15    siblings.
16        (4) Implementation of Post Permanency Sibling Contact
17    Agreements for children exiting State care, including
18    services offered by the Department to encourage and assist
19    parties in developing agreements, services offered by the
20    Department post-permanency to support parties in
21    implementing and maintaining agreements, and including
22    services offered by the Department post-permanency to
23    assist parties in amending agreements as necessary to meet
24    the needs of the children.
25        (5) Services offered by the Department for children who
26    exited foster care prior to the availability of

 

 

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1    Post-Permanency Sibling Contact Agreements, to invite
2    willing parties to participate in a facilitated
3    discussion, including, but not limited to, a mediation or
4    joint team decision-making meeting, to explore sibling
5    contact.
6         If the adoptive parents of a biological sibling of a
7    child available for adoption apply to adopt that child, the
8    Department shall consider them as adoptive applicants for
9    the adoption of the child. The Department's final decision,
10    however, shall be based upon the welfare and best interest
11    of the child. In arriving at its decision, the Department
12    shall consider all relevant factors, including but not
13    limited to:
14    (d) The Department shall develop a form to be provided to
15youth entering care and exiting care explaining their rights
16and responsibilities related to sibling visitation while in
17care and post permanency.
18    (e) Whenever a child enters care or requires a new
19placement, the Department shall consider the development and
20preservation of sibling relationships.
21        (1) This subsection applies when a child entering care
22    or requiring a change of placement has siblings who are in
23    the custody or guardianship of the Department. When a child
24    enters care or requires a new placement, the Department
25    shall examine its files and other available resources and
26    determine whether a sibling of that child is in the custody

 

 

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1    or guardianship of the Department. If the Department
2    determines that a sibling is in its custody or
3    guardianship, the Department shall then determine whether
4    it is in the best interests of each of the siblings for the
5    child needing placement to be placed with the sibling. If
6    the Department determines that it is in the best interest
7    of each sibling to be placed together, and the sibling's
8    foster parent is able and willing to care for the child
9    needing placement, the Department shall place the child
10    needing placement with the sibling. A determination that it
11    is not in a child's best interest to be placed with a
12    sibling shall be made in accordance with Department rules,
13    and documented in the file of each sibling.
14        (2) This subsection applies when a child who is
15    entering care has siblings who have been adopted or placed
16    in private guardianship. When a child enters care, the
17    Department shall examine its files and other available
18    resources, including consulting with the child's parents,
19    to determine whether a sibling of the child was adopted or
20    placed in private guardianship from State care. The
21    Department shall determine, in consultation with the
22    child's parents, whether it would be in the child's best
23    interests to explore placement with the adopted sibling or
24    sibling in guardianship. Unless the parent objects, if the
25    Department determines it is in the child's best interest to
26    explore the placement, the Department shall contact the

 

 

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1    adoptive parent or guardian of the sibling, determine
2    whether they are willing to be considered as placement
3    resources for the child, and, if so, determine whether it
4    is in the best interests of the child to be placed in the
5    home with the sibling. If the Department determines that it
6    is in the child's best interests to be placed in the home
7    with the sibling, and the sibling's adoptive parents or
8    guardians are willing and capable, the Department shall
9    make the placement. A determination that it is not in a
10    child's best interest to be placed with a sibling shall be
11    made in accordance with Department rule, and documented in
12    the child's file.
13        (3) This subsection applies when a child in Department
14    custody or guardianship requires a change of placement, and
15    the child has siblings who have been adopted or placed in
16    private guardianship. When a child in care requires a new
17    placement, the Department may consider placing the child
18    with the adoptive parent or guardian of a sibling under the
19    same procedures and standards set forth in paragraph (2) of
20    this subsection.
21        (4) When the Department determines it is not in the
22    best interest of one or more siblings to be placed together
23    the Department shall ensure that the child requiring
24    placement is placed in a home or program where the
25    caregiver is willing and able to be actively involved in
26    supporting the sibling relationship to the extent doing so

 

 

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1    is in the child's best interest.
2    (f) When siblings in care are placed in separate
3placements, the Department shall develop a Sibling Contact
4Support Plan. The Department shall convene a meeting to develop
5the Support Plan. The meeting shall include, at a minimum, the
6case managers for the siblings, the foster parents or other
7care providers if a child is in a non-foster home placement and
8the child, when developmentally and clinically appropriate.
9The Department shall make all reasonable efforts to promote the
10participation of the foster parents. Parents whose parental
11rights are intact shall be invited to the meeting. Others, such
12as therapists and mentors, shall be invited as appropriate. The
13Support Plan shall set forth future contact and visits between
14the siblings to develop or preserve, and nurture the siblings'
15relationships. The Support Plan shall set forth the role of the
16foster parents and caregivers and others in implementing the
17Support Plan. The Support Plan must meet the minimum standards
18regarding frequency of in-person visits provided for in
19Department rule. The Support Plan will be incorporated in the
20child's service plan and reviewed at each administrative case
21review. The Support Plan should be modified if one of the
22children moves to a new placement, or as necessary to meet the
23needs of the children. The Sibling Contact Support Plan for a
24child in care may include siblings who are not in the care of
25the Department, with the consent and participation of that
26child's parent or guardian.

 

 

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1    (g) By January 1, 2013, the Department shall develop a
2registry so that placement information regarding adopted
3siblings and siblings in private guardianship is readily
4available to Department and private agency caseworkers
5responsible for placing children in the Department's care. When
6a child is adopted or placed in private guardianship from
7foster care the Department shall inform the adoptive parents or
8guardians that they may be contacted in the future regarding
9placement of or contact with, siblings subsequently requiring
10placement.
11    (h) When a child is in need of an adoptive placement, the
12Department shall examine its files and other available
13resources and attempt to determine whether a sibling of the
14child has been adopted or placed in private guardianship after
15being in the Department's custody or guardianship. If the
16Department determines that a sibling of the child has been
17adopted or placed in private guardianship, the Department shall
18make a good faith effort to locate the adoptive parents or
19guardians of the sibling and inform them of the availability of
20the child for adoption. The Department may determine not to
21inform the adoptive parents or guardian of a sibling of a child
22that the child is available for adoption only for a reason
23permitted under criteria adopted by the Department by rule, and
24documented in the child's case file. If a child available for
25adoption has a sibling who has been adopted or placed in
26guardianship, and the adoptive parents or guardians of that

 

 

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1sibling apply to adopt the child, the Department shall consider
2them as adoptive applicants for the adoption of the child. The
3Department's final decision as to whether it will consent to
4the adoptive parents or guardians of a sibling being the
5adoptive parents of the child shall be based upon the welfare
6and best interest of the child. In arriving at its decision,
7the Department shall consider all relevant factors, including
8but not limited to:
9        (1) the wishes of the child;
10        (2) the interaction and interrelationship of the child
11    with the applicant to adopt the child;
12        (3) the child's need for stability and continuity of
13    relationship with parent figures;
14        (4) the child's adjustment to his or her present home,
15    school, and community;
16        (5) the mental and physical health of all individuals
17    involved;
18        (6) the family ties between the child and the child's
19    relatives, including siblings;
20        (7) the background, age, and living arrangements of the
21    applicant to adopt the child;
22        (8) a criminal background report of the applicant to
23    adopt the child.
24    If placement of the child available for adoption with the
25adopted sibling or sibling in private guardianship is not
26feasible, but it is in the child's best interest to develop a

 

 

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1relationship with his or her sibling, the Department shall
2invite the adoptive parents, guardian, or guardians for a
3mediation or joint team decision-making meeting to facilitate a
4discussion regarding future sibling contact.
5    (i) Post Permanency Sibling Contact Agreement. When a child
6in the Department's care has a permanency goal of adoption or
7private guardianship, and the Department is preparing to
8finalize the adoption or guardianship, the Department shall
9convene a meeting with the pre-adoptive parent or prospective
10guardian and the case manager for the child being adopted or
11placed in guardianship and the foster parents and case managers
12for the child's siblings, and others as applicable. The
13children should participate as is developmentally appropriate.
14Others, such as therapists and mentors, may participate as
15appropriate. At the meeting the Department shall encourage the
16parties to discuss sibling contact post permanency. The
17Department may assist the parties in drafting a post permanency
18sibling contact agreement.
19        (1) Parties to the Agreement for Post Permanency
20    Sibling Contact Agreement shall include:
21            (A) The adoptive parent or parents or guardian.
22            (B) The child's sibling or siblings, parents or
23        guardians.
24            (C) The child.
25        (2) Consent of child 14 and over. The written consent
26    of a child age 14 and over to the terms and conditions of

 

 

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1    the Post Permanency Sibling Contact Agreement and
2    subsequent modifications is required.
3        (3) In developing this Agreement, the Department shall
4    encourage the parties to consider the following factors:
5            (A) the physical and emotional safety and welfare
6        of the child;
7            (B) the child's wishes;
8            (C) the interaction and interrelationship of the
9        child with the child's sibling or siblings who would be
10        visiting or communicating with the child, including:
11                (i) the quality of the relationship between
12            the child and the sibling or siblings, and
13                (ii) the benefits and potential harms to the
14            child in allowing the relationship or
15            relationships to continue or in ending them;
16            (D) the child's sense of attachments to the birth
17        sibling or siblings and adoptive family, including:
18                (i) the child's sense of being valued;
19                (ii) the child's sense of familiarity; and
20                (iii) continuity of affection for the child;
21            and
22            (E) other factors relevant to the best interest of
23        the child.
24        (4) In considering the factors in paragraph (3) of this
25    subsection, the Department shall encourage the parties to
26    recognize the importance to a child of developing a

 

 

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1    relationship with siblings including siblings with whom
2    the child does not yet have a relationship; and the value
3    of preserving family ties between the child and the child's
4    siblings, including:
5            (A) the child's need for stability and continuity
6        of relationships with siblings, and
7            (B) the importance of sibling contact in the
8        development of the child's identity.
9        (5) Modification or termination of Post Permanency
10    Sibling Contact Agreement. The parties to the agreement may
11    modify or terminate the Post Permanency Sibling Contact
12    Agreement. If the parties cannot agree to modification or
13    termination, they may request the assistance of the
14    Department of Children and Family Services or another
15    agency identified and agreed upon by the parties to the
16    Post Permanency Sibling Contact Agreement. Any and all
17    terms may be modified by agreement of the parties. Post
18    Permanency Sibling Contact Agreements may also be modified
19    to include contact with siblings whose whereabouts were
20    unknown or who had not yet been born when the Judgment
21    Order for Adoption or Order for Private Guardianship was
22    entered.
23        (6) Adoptions and private guardianships finalized
24    prior to the effective date of amendatory Act. Nothing in
25    this Section prohibits the parties from entering into a
26    Post Permanency Sibling Contact Agreement if the adoption

 

 

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1    or private guardianship was finalized prior to the
2    effective date of this Section. If the Agreement is
3    completed and signed by the parties, the Department shall
4    include the Post Permanency Sibling Contact Agreement in
5    the child's Post Adoption or Private Guardianship case
6    record and in the case file of siblings who are parties to
7    the agreement who are in the Department's custody or
8    guardianship.
9        (1) the wishes of the child;
10        (2) the interaction and interrelationship of the child
11    with the applicant to adopt the child;
12        (3) the child's need for stability and continuity of
13    relationship with parent figures;
14        (4) the child's adjustment to his or her present home,
15    school, and community;
16        (5) the mental and physical health of all individuals
17    involved;
18        (6) the family ties between the child and the child's
19    relatives, including siblings;
20        (7) the background, age, and living arrangements of the
21    applicant to adopt the child;
22        (8) a criminal background report of the applicant to
23    adopt the child.
24    (c) The Department may refuse to inform the adoptive
25parents of a biological sibling of a child that the child is
26available for adoption, as required under subsection (a), only

 

 

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1for a reason permitted under criteria adopted by the Department
2by rule.
3(Source: P.A. 92-666, eff. 7-16-02.)
 
4    Section 10. The Juvenile Court Act of 1987 is amended by
5changing Sections 1-3, 2-10, 2-23, and 2-28 as follows:
 
6    (705 ILCS 405/1-3)  (from Ch. 37, par. 801-3)
7    Sec. 1-3. Definitions. Terms used in this Act, unless the
8context otherwise requires, have the following meanings
9ascribed to them:
10    (1) "Adjudicatory hearing" means a hearing to determine
11whether the allegations of a petition under Section 2-13, 3-15
12or 4-12 that a minor under 18 years of age is abused, neglected
13or dependent, or requires authoritative intervention, or
14addicted, respectively, are supported by a preponderance of the
15evidence or whether the allegations of a petition under Section
165-520 that a minor is delinquent are proved beyond a reasonable
17doubt.
18    (2) "Adult" means a person 21 years of age or older.
19    (3) "Agency" means a public or private child care facility
20legally authorized or licensed by this State for placement or
21institutional care or for both placement and institutional
22care.
23    (4) "Association" means any organization, public or
24private, engaged in welfare functions which include services to

 

 

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1or on behalf of children but does not include "agency" as
2herein defined.
3    (4.05) Whenever a "best interest" determination is
4required, the following factors shall be considered in the
5context of the child's age and developmental needs:
6        (a) the physical safety and welfare of the child,
7    including food, shelter, health, and clothing;
8        (b) the development of the child's identity;
9        (c) the child's background and ties, including
10    familial, cultural, and religious;
11        (d) the child's sense of attachments, including:
12            (i) where the child actually feels love,
13        attachment, and a sense of being valued (as opposed to
14        where adults believe the child should feel such love,
15        attachment, and a sense of being valued);
16            (ii) the child's sense of security;
17            (iii) the child's sense of familiarity;
18            (iv) continuity of affection for the child;
19            (v) the least disruptive placement alternative for
20        the child;
21        (e) the child's wishes and long-term goals;
22        (f) the child's community ties, including church,
23    school, and friends;
24        (g) the child's need for permanence which includes the
25    child's need for stability and continuity of relationships
26    with parent figures and with siblings and other relatives;

 

 

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1        (h) the uniqueness of every family and child;
2        (i) the risks attendant to entering and being in
3    substitute care; and
4        (j) the preferences of the persons available to care
5    for the child.
6    (4.1) "Chronic truant" shall have the definition ascribed
7to it in Section 26-2a of the School Code.
8    (5) "Court" means the circuit court in a session or
9division assigned to hear proceedings under this Act.
10    (6) "Dispositional hearing" means a hearing to determine
11whether a minor should be adjudged to be a ward of the court,
12and to determine what order of disposition should be made in
13respect to a minor adjudged to be a ward of the court.
14    (7) "Emancipated minor" means any minor 16 years of age or
15over who has been completely or partially emancipated under the
16Emancipation of Minors Act or under this Act.
17    (8) "Guardianship of the person" of a minor means the duty
18and authority to act in the best interests of the minor,
19subject to residual parental rights and responsibilities, to
20make important decisions in matters having a permanent effect
21on the life and development of the minor and to be concerned
22with his or her general welfare. It includes but is not
23necessarily limited to:
24        (a) the authority to consent to marriage, to enlistment
25    in the armed forces of the United States, or to a major
26    medical, psychiatric, and surgical treatment; to represent

 

 

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1    the minor in legal actions; and to make other decisions of
2    substantial legal significance concerning the minor;
3        (b) the authority and duty of reasonable visitation,
4    except to the extent that these have been limited in the
5    best interests of the minor by court order;
6        (c) the rights and responsibilities of legal custody
7    except where legal custody has been vested in another
8    person or agency; and
9        (d) the power to consent to the adoption of the minor,
10    but only if expressly conferred on the guardian in
11    accordance with Section 2-29, 3-30, or 4-27.
12    (9) "Legal custody" means the relationship created by an
13order of court in the best interests of the minor which imposes
14on the custodian the responsibility of physical possession of a
15minor and the duty to protect, train and discipline him and to
16provide him with food, shelter, education and ordinary medical
17care, except as these are limited by residual parental rights
18and responsibilities and the rights and responsibilities of the
19guardian of the person, if any.
20    (9.1) "Mentally capable adult relative" means a person 21
21years of age or older who is not suffering from a mental
22illness that prevents him or her from providing the care
23necessary to safeguard the physical safety and welfare of a
24minor who is left in that person's care by the parent or
25parents or other person responsible for the minor's welfare.
26    (10) "Minor" means a person under the age of 21 years

 

 

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1subject to this Act.
2    (11) "Parent" means the father or mother of a child and
3includes any adoptive parent. It also includes a man (i) whose
4paternity is presumed or has been established under the law of
5this or another jurisdiction or (ii) who has registered with
6the Putative Father Registry in accordance with Section 12.1 of
7the Adoption Act and whose paternity has not been ruled out
8under the law of this or another jurisdiction. It does not
9include a parent whose rights in respect to the minor have been
10terminated in any manner provided by law. It does not include a
11person who has been or could be determined to be a parent under
12the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984, or similar parentage law in
13any other state, if that person has been convicted of or pled
14nolo contendere to a crime that resulted in the conception of
15the child under Section 11-1.20, 11-1.30, 11-1.40, 11-11,
1612-13, 12-14, 12-14.1, subsection (a) or (b) (but not
17subsection (c)) of Section 11-1.50 or 12-15, or subsection (a),
18(b), (c), (e), or (f) (but not subsection (d)) of Section
1911-1.60 or 12-16 of the Criminal Code of 1961 or similar
20statute in another jurisdiction unless upon motion of any
21party, other than the offender, to the juvenile court
22proceedings the court finds it is in the child's best interest
23to deem the offender a parent for purposes of the juvenile
24court proceedings.
25    (11.1) "Permanency goal" means a goal set by the court as
26defined in subdivision (2) of Section 2-28.

 

 

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1    (11.2) "Permanency hearing" means a hearing to set the
2permanency goal and to review and determine (i) the
3appropriateness of the services contained in the plan and
4whether those services have been provided, (ii) whether
5reasonable efforts have been made by all the parties to the
6service plan to achieve the goal, and (iii) whether the plan
7and goal have been achieved.
8    (12) "Petition" means the petition provided for in Section
92-13, 3-15, 4-12 or 5-520, including any supplemental petitions
10thereunder in Section 3-15, 4-12 or 5-520.
11    (12.1) "Physically capable adult relative" means a person
1221 years of age or older who does not have a severe physical
13disability or medical condition, or is not suffering from
14alcoholism or drug addiction, that prevents him or her from
15providing the care necessary to safeguard the physical safety
16and welfare of a minor who is left in that person's care by the
17parent or parents or other person responsible for the minor's
18welfare.
19    (12.2) "Post Permanency Sibling Contact Agreement" has the
20meaning ascribed to the term in Section 7.4 of the Children and
21Family Services Act.
22    (13) "Residual parental rights and responsibilities" means
23those rights and responsibilities remaining with the parent
24after the transfer of legal custody or guardianship of the
25person, including, but not necessarily limited to, the right to
26reasonable visitation (which may be limited by the court in the

 

 

HB5592 Engrossed- 31 -LRB097 16555 RLC 66075 b

1best interests of the minor as provided in subsection (8)(b) of
2this Section), the right to consent to adoption, the right to
3determine the minor's religious affiliation, and the
4responsibility for his support.
5    (14) "Shelter" means the temporary care of a minor in
6physically unrestricting facilities pending court disposition
7or execution of court order for placement.
8    (14.1) "Sibling Contact Support Plan" has the meaning
9ascribed to the term in Section 7.4 of the Children and Family
10Services Act.
11    (15) "Station adjustment" means the informal handling of an
12alleged offender by a juvenile police officer.
13    (16) "Ward of the court" means a minor who is so adjudged
14under Section 2-22, 3-23, 4-20 or 5-705, after a finding of the
15requisite jurisdictional facts, and thus is subject to the
16dispositional powers of the court under this Act.
17    (17) "Juvenile police officer" means a sworn police officer
18who has completed a Basic Recruit Training Course, has been
19assigned to the position of juvenile police officer by his or
20her chief law enforcement officer and has completed the
21necessary juvenile officers training as prescribed by the
22Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board, or in the
23case of a State police officer, juvenile officer training
24approved by the Director of the Department of State Police.
25    (18) "Secure child care facility" means any child care
26facility licensed by the Department of Children and Family

 

 

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1Services to provide secure living arrangements for children
2under 18 years of age who are subject to placement in
3facilities under the Children and Family Services Act and who
4are not subject to placement in facilities for whom standards
5are established by the Department of Corrections under Section
63-15-2 of the Unified Code of Corrections. "Secure child care
7facility" also means a facility that is designed and operated
8to ensure that all entrances and exits from the facility, a
9building, or a distinct part of the building are under the
10exclusive control of the staff of the facility, whether or not
11the child has the freedom of movement within the perimeter of
12the facility, building, or distinct part of the building.
13(Source: P.A. 96-168, eff. 8-10-09; 97-568, eff. 8-25-11.)
 
14    (705 ILCS 405/2-10)  (from Ch. 37, par. 802-10)
15    Sec. 2-10. Temporary custody hearing. At the appearance of
16the minor before the court at the temporary custody hearing,
17all witnesses present shall be examined before the court in
18relation to any matter connected with the allegations made in
19the petition.
20    (1) If the court finds that there is not probable cause to
21believe that the minor is abused, neglected or dependent it
22shall release the minor and dismiss the petition.
23    (2) If the court finds that there is probable cause to
24believe that the minor is abused, neglected or dependent, the
25court shall state in writing the factual basis supporting its

 

 

HB5592 Engrossed- 33 -LRB097 16555 RLC 66075 b

1finding and the minor, his or her parent, guardian, custodian
2and other persons able to give relevant testimony shall be
3examined before the court. The Department of Children and
4Family Services shall give testimony concerning indicated
5reports of abuse and neglect, of which they are aware of
6through the central registry, involving the minor's parent,
7guardian or custodian. After such testimony, the court may,
8consistent with the health, safety and best interests of the
9minor, enter an order that the minor shall be released upon the
10request of parent, guardian or custodian if the parent,
11guardian or custodian appears to take custody. If it is
12determined that a parent's, guardian's, or custodian's
13compliance with critical services mitigates the necessity for
14removal of the minor from his or her home, the court may enter
15an Order of Protection setting forth reasonable conditions of
16behavior that a parent, guardian, or custodian must observe for
17a specified period of time, not to exceed 12 months, without a
18violation; provided, however, that the 12-month period shall
19begin anew after any violation. Custodian shall include any
20agency of the State which has been given custody or wardship of
21the child. If it is consistent with the health, safety and best
22interests of the minor, the court may also prescribe shelter
23care and order that the minor be kept in a suitable place
24designated by the court or in a shelter care facility
25designated by the Department of Children and Family Services or
26a licensed child welfare agency; however, a minor charged with

 

 

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1a criminal offense under the Criminal Code of 1961 or
2adjudicated delinquent shall not be placed in the custody of or
3committed to the Department of Children and Family Services by
4any court, except a minor less than 15 years of age and
5committed to the Department of Children and Family Services
6under Section 5-710 of this Act or a minor for whom an
7independent basis of abuse, neglect, or dependency exists. An
8independent basis exists when the allegations or adjudication
9of abuse, neglect, or dependency do not arise from the same
10facts, incident, or circumstances which give rise to a charge
11or adjudication of delinquency.
12    In placing the minor, the Department or other agency shall,
13to the extent compatible with the court's order, comply with
14Section 7 of the Children and Family Services Act. In
15determining the health, safety and best interests of the minor
16to prescribe shelter care, the court must find that it is a
17matter of immediate and urgent necessity for the safety and
18protection of the minor or of the person or property of another
19that the minor be placed in a shelter care facility or that he
20or she is likely to flee the jurisdiction of the court, and
21must further find that reasonable efforts have been made or
22that, consistent with the health, safety and best interests of
23the minor, no efforts reasonably can be made to prevent or
24eliminate the necessity of removal of the minor from his or her
25home. The court shall require documentation from the Department
26of Children and Family Services as to the reasonable efforts

 

 

HB5592 Engrossed- 35 -LRB097 16555 RLC 66075 b

1that were made to prevent or eliminate the necessity of removal
2of the minor from his or her home or the reasons why no efforts
3reasonably could be made to prevent or eliminate the necessity
4of removal. When a minor is placed in the home of a relative,
5the Department of Children and Family Services shall complete a
6preliminary background review of the members of the minor's
7custodian's household in accordance with Section 4.3 of the
8Child Care Act of 1969 within 90 days of that placement. If the
9minor is ordered placed in a shelter care facility of the
10Department of Children and Family Services or a licensed child
11welfare agency, the court shall, upon request of the
12appropriate Department or other agency, appoint the Department
13of Children and Family Services Guardianship Administrator or
14other appropriate agency executive temporary custodian of the
15minor and the court may enter such other orders related to the
16temporary custody as it deems fit and proper, including the
17provision of services to the minor or his family to ameliorate
18the causes contributing to the finding of probable cause or to
19the finding of the existence of immediate and urgent necessity.
20    Where the Department of Children and Family Services
21Guardianship Administrator is appointed as the executive
22temporary custodian, the Department of Children and Family
23Services shall file with the court and serve on the parties a
24parent-child visiting plan, within 10 days, excluding weekends
25and holidays, after the appointment. The parent-child visiting
26plan shall set out the time and place of visits, the frequency

 

 

HB5592 Engrossed- 36 -LRB097 16555 RLC 66075 b

1of visits, the length of visits, who shall be present at the
2visits, and where appropriate, the minor's opportunities to
3have telephone and mail communication with the parents.
4    Where the Department of Children and Family Services
5Guardianship Administrator is appointed as the executive
6temporary custodian, and when the child has siblings in care,
7the Department of Children and Family Services shall file with
8the court and serve on the parties a sibling placement and
9contact plan within 10 days, excluding weekends and holidays,
10after the appointment. The sibling placement and contact plan
11shall set forth whether the siblings are placed together, and
12if they are not placed together, what, if any, efforts are
13being made to place them together. If the Department has
14determined that it is not in a child's best interest to be
15placed with a sibling, the Department shall document in the
16sibling placement and contact plan the basis for its
17determination. For siblings placed separately, the sibling
18placement and contact plan shall set the time and place for
19visits, the frequency of the visits, the length of visits, who
20shall be present for the visits, and where appropriate, the
21child's opportunities to have contact with their siblings in
22addition to in person contact. If the Department determines it
23is not in the best interest of a sibling to have contact with a
24sibling, the Department shall document in the sibling placement
25and contact plan the basis for its determination. The sibling
26placement and contact plan shall specify a date for development

 

 

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1of the Sibling Contact Support Plan, under subsection (f) of
2Section 7.4 of the Children and Family Services Act, and shall
3remain in effect until the Sibling Contact Support Plan is
4developed.
5     For good cause, the court may waive the requirement to
6file the parent-child visiting plan or the sibling placement
7and contact plan, or extend the time for filing either the
8parent-child visiting plan. Any party may, by motion, request
9the court to review the parent-child visiting plan to determine
10whether it is reasonably calculated to expeditiously
11facilitate the achievement of the permanency goal. A party may,
12by motion, request the court to review the parent-child
13visiting plan or the sibling placement and contact plan to
14determine whether it is and is consistent with the minor's best
15interest. The court may refer the parties to mediation where
16available. The frequency, duration, and locations of
17visitation shall be measured by the needs of the child and
18family, and not by the convenience of Department personnel.
19Child development principles shall be considered by the court
20in its analysis of how frequent visitation should be, how long
21it should last, where it should take place, and who should be
22present. If upon motion of the party to review either the plan
23and after receiving evidence, the court determines that the
24parent-child visiting plan is not reasonably calculated to
25expeditiously facilitate the achievement of the permanency
26goal or that the restrictions placed on parent-child contact or

 

 

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1sibling placement or contact are contrary to the child's best
2interests, the court shall put in writing the factual basis
3supporting the determination and enter specific findings based
4on the evidence. The court shall enter an order for the
5Department to implement changes to the parent-child visiting
6plan or sibling placement or contact plan, consistent with the
7court's findings. At any stage of proceeding, any party may by
8motion request the court to enter any orders necessary to
9implement the parent-child visiting plan, sibling placement or
10contact plan or subsequently developed Sibling Contact Support
11Plan. Nothing under this subsection (2) shall restrict the
12court from granting discretionary authority to the Department
13to increase opportunities for additional parent-child contacts
14or sibling contacts, without further court orders. Nothing in
15this subsection (2) shall restrict the Department from
16immediately restricting or terminating parent-child contact or
17sibling contacts, without either amending the parent-child
18visiting plan or the sibling contact plan or obtaining a court
19order, where the Department or its assigns reasonably believe
20that continuation of the parent-child contact, as set out in
21the parent-child visiting plan, would be contrary to the
22child's health, safety, and welfare. The Department shall file
23with the court and serve on the parties any amendments to the
24visitation plan within 10 days, excluding weekends and
25holidays, of the change of the visitation. Any party may, by
26motion, request the court to review the parent-child visiting

 

 

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1plan to determine whether the parent-child visiting plan is
2reasonably calculated to expeditiously facilitate the
3achievement of the permanency goal, and is consistent with the
4minor's health, safety, and best interest.
5    Acceptance of services shall not be considered an admission
6of any allegation in a petition made pursuant to this Act, nor
7may a referral of services be considered as evidence in any
8proceeding pursuant to this Act, except where the issue is
9whether the Department has made reasonable efforts to reunite
10the family. In making its findings that it is consistent with
11the health, safety and best interests of the minor to prescribe
12shelter care, the court shall state in writing (i) the factual
13basis supporting its findings concerning the immediate and
14urgent necessity for the protection of the minor or of the
15person or property of another and (ii) the factual basis
16supporting its findings that reasonable efforts were made to
17prevent or eliminate the removal of the minor from his or her
18home or that no efforts reasonably could be made to prevent or
19eliminate the removal of the minor from his or her home. The
20parents, guardian, custodian, temporary custodian and minor
21shall each be furnished a copy of such written findings. The
22temporary custodian shall maintain a copy of the court order
23and written findings in the case record for the child. The
24order together with the court's findings of fact in support
25thereof shall be entered of record in the court.
26    Once the court finds that it is a matter of immediate and

 

 

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1urgent necessity for the protection of the minor that the minor
2be placed in a shelter care facility, the minor shall not be
3returned to the parent, custodian or guardian until the court
4finds that such placement is no longer necessary for the
5protection of the minor.
6    If the child is placed in the temporary custody of the
7Department of Children and Family Services for his or her
8protection, the court shall admonish the parents, guardian,
9custodian or responsible relative that the parents must
10cooperate with the Department of Children and Family Services,
11comply with the terms of the service plans, and correct the
12conditions which require the child to be in care, or risk
13termination of their parental rights.
14    (3) If prior to the shelter care hearing for a minor
15described in Sections 2-3, 2-4, 3-3 and 4-3 the moving party is
16unable to serve notice on the party respondent, the shelter
17care hearing may proceed ex-parte. A shelter care order from an
18ex-parte hearing shall be endorsed with the date and hour of
19issuance and shall be filed with the clerk's office and entered
20of record. The order shall expire after 10 days from the time
21it is issued unless before its expiration it is renewed, at a
22hearing upon appearance of the party respondent, or upon an
23affidavit of the moving party as to all diligent efforts to
24notify the party respondent by notice as herein prescribed. The
25notice prescribed shall be in writing and shall be personally
26delivered to the minor or the minor's attorney and to the last

 

 

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1known address of the other person or persons entitled to
2notice. The notice shall also state the nature of the
3allegations, the nature of the order sought by the State,
4including whether temporary custody is sought, and the
5consequences of failure to appear and shall contain a notice
6that the parties will not be entitled to further written
7notices or publication notices of proceedings in this case,
8including the filing of an amended petition or a motion to
9terminate parental rights, except as required by Supreme Court
10Rule 11; and shall explain the right of the parties and the
11procedures to vacate or modify a shelter care order as provided
12in this Section. The notice for a shelter care hearing shall be
13substantially as follows:
14
NOTICE TO PARENTS AND CHILDREN
15
OF SHELTER CARE HEARING
16        On ................ at ........., before the Honorable
17    ................, (address:) ................., the State
18    of Illinois will present evidence (1) that (name of child
19    or children) ....................... are abused, neglected
20    or dependent for the following reasons:
21    .............................................. and (2)
22    whether there is "immediate and urgent necessity" to remove
23    the child or children from the responsible relative.
24        YOUR FAILURE TO APPEAR AT THE HEARING MAY RESULT IN
25    PLACEMENT of the child or children in foster care until a
26    trial can be held. A trial may not be held for up to 90

 

 

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1    days. You will not be entitled to further notices of
2    proceedings in this case, including the filing of an
3    amended petition or a motion to terminate parental rights.
4        At the shelter care hearing, parents have the following
5    rights:
6            1. To ask the court to appoint a lawyer if they
7        cannot afford one.
8            2. To ask the court to continue the hearing to
9        allow them time to prepare.
10            3. To present evidence concerning:
11                a. Whether or not the child or children were
12            abused, neglected or dependent.
13                b. Whether or not there is "immediate and
14            urgent necessity" to remove the child from home
15            (including: their ability to care for the child,
16            conditions in the home, alternative means of
17            protecting the child other than removal).
18                c. The best interests of the child.
19            4. To cross examine the State's witnesses.
 
20    The Notice for rehearings shall be substantially as
21follows:
22
NOTICE OF PARENT'S AND CHILDREN'S RIGHTS
23
TO REHEARING ON TEMPORARY CUSTODY
24        If you were not present at and did not have adequate
25    notice of the Shelter Care Hearing at which temporary

 

 

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1    custody of ............... was awarded to
2    ................, you have the right to request a full
3    rehearing on whether the State should have temporary
4    custody of ................. To request this rehearing,
5    you must file with the Clerk of the Juvenile Court
6    (address): ........................, in person or by
7    mailing a statement (affidavit) setting forth the
8    following:
9            1. That you were not present at the shelter care
10        hearing.
11            2. That you did not get adequate notice (explaining
12        how the notice was inadequate).
13            3. Your signature.
14            4. Signature must be notarized.
15        The rehearing should be scheduled within 48 hours of
16    your filing this affidavit.
17        At the rehearing, your rights are the same as at the
18    initial shelter care hearing. The enclosed notice explains
19    those rights.
20        At the Shelter Care Hearing, children have the
21    following rights:
22            1. To have a guardian ad litem appointed.
23            2. To be declared competent as a witness and to
24        present testimony concerning:
25                a. Whether they are abused, neglected or
26            dependent.

 

 

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1                b. Whether there is "immediate and urgent
2            necessity" to be removed from home.
3                c. Their best interests.
4            3. To cross examine witnesses for other parties.
5            4. To obtain an explanation of any proceedings and
6        orders of the court.
7    (4) If the parent, guardian, legal custodian, responsible
8relative, minor age 8 or over, or counsel of the minor did not
9have actual notice of or was not present at the shelter care
10hearing, he or she may file an affidavit setting forth these
11facts, and the clerk shall set the matter for rehearing not
12later than 48 hours, excluding Sundays and legal holidays,
13after the filing of the affidavit. At the rehearing, the court
14shall proceed in the same manner as upon the original hearing.
15    (5) Only when there is reasonable cause to believe that the
16minor taken into custody is a person described in subsection
17(3) of Section 5-105 may the minor be kept or detained in a
18detention home or county or municipal jail. This Section shall
19in no way be construed to limit subsection (6).
20    (6) No minor under 16 years of age may be confined in a
21jail or place ordinarily used for the confinement of prisoners
22in a police station. Minors under 17 years of age must be kept
23separate from confined adults and may not at any time be kept
24in the same cell, room, or yard with adults confined pursuant
25to the criminal law.
26    (7) If the minor is not brought before a judicial officer

 

 

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1within the time period as specified in Section 2-9, the minor
2must immediately be released from custody.
3    (8) If neither the parent, guardian or custodian appears
4within 24 hours to take custody of a minor released upon
5request pursuant to subsection (2) of this Section, then the
6clerk of the court shall set the matter for rehearing not later
7than 7 days after the original order and shall issue a summons
8directed to the parent, guardian or custodian to appear. At the
9same time the probation department shall prepare a report on
10the minor. If a parent, guardian or custodian does not appear
11at such rehearing, the judge may enter an order prescribing
12that the minor be kept in a suitable place designated by the
13Department of Children and Family Services or a licensed child
14welfare agency.
15    (9) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section any
16interested party, including the State, the temporary
17custodian, an agency providing services to the minor or family
18under a service plan pursuant to Section 8.2 of the Abused and
19Neglected Child Reporting Act, foster parent, or any of their
20representatives, on notice to all parties entitled to notice,
21may file a motion that it is in the best interests of the minor
22to modify or vacate a temporary custody order on any of the
23following grounds:
24        (a) It is no longer a matter of immediate and urgent
25    necessity that the minor remain in shelter care; or
26        (b) There is a material change in the circumstances of

 

 

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1    the natural family from which the minor was removed and the
2    child can be cared for at home without endangering the
3    child's health or safety; or
4        (c) A person not a party to the alleged abuse, neglect
5    or dependency, including a parent, relative or legal
6    guardian, is capable of assuming temporary custody of the
7    minor; or
8        (d) Services provided by the Department of Children and
9    Family Services or a child welfare agency or other service
10    provider have been successful in eliminating the need for
11    temporary custody and the child can be cared for at home
12    without endangering the child's health or safety.
13    In ruling on the motion, the court shall determine whether
14it is consistent with the health, safety and best interests of
15the minor to modify or vacate a temporary custody order.
16    The clerk shall set the matter for hearing not later than
1714 days after such motion is filed. In the event that the court
18modifies or vacates a temporary custody order but does not
19vacate its finding of probable cause, the court may order that
20appropriate services be continued or initiated in behalf of the
21minor and his or her family.
22    (10) When the court finds or has found that there is
23probable cause to believe a minor is an abused minor as
24described in subsection (2) of Section 2-3 and that there is an
25immediate and urgent necessity for the abused minor to be
26placed in shelter care, immediate and urgent necessity shall be

 

 

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1presumed for any other minor residing in the same household as
2the abused minor provided:
3        (a) Such other minor is the subject of an abuse or
4    neglect petition pending before the court; and
5        (b) A party to the petition is seeking shelter care for
6    such other minor.
7    Once the presumption of immediate and urgent necessity has
8been raised, the burden of demonstrating the lack of immediate
9and urgent necessity shall be on any party that is opposing
10shelter care for the other minor.
11(Source: P.A. 94-604, eff. 1-1-06; 95-405, eff. 6-1-08; 95-642,
12eff. 6-1-08; 95-876, eff. 8-21-08.)
 
13    (705 ILCS 405/2-23)  (from Ch. 37, par. 802-23)
14    Sec. 2-23. Kinds of dispositional orders.
15    (1) The following kinds of orders of disposition may be
16made in respect of wards of the court:
17        (a) A minor under 18 years of age found to be neglected
18    or abused under Section 2-3 or dependent under Section 2-4
19    may be (1) continued in the custody of his or her parents,
20    guardian or legal custodian; (2) placed in accordance with
21    Section 2-27; (3) restored to the custody of the parent,
22    parents, guardian, or legal custodian, provided the court
23    shall order the parent, parents, guardian, or legal
24    custodian to cooperate with the Department of Children and
25    Family Services and comply with the terms of an after-care

 

 

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1    plan or risk the loss of custody of the child and the
2    possible termination of their parental rights; or (4)
3    ordered partially or completely emancipated in accordance
4    with the provisions of the Emancipation of Minors Act.
5        However, in any case in which a minor is found by the
6    court to be neglected or abused under Section 2-3 of this
7    Act, custody of the minor shall not be restored to any
8    parent, guardian or legal custodian whose acts or omissions
9    or both have been identified, pursuant to subsection (1) of
10    Section 2-21, as forming the basis for the court's finding
11    of abuse or neglect, until such time as a hearing is held
12    on the issue of the best interests of the minor and the
13    fitness of such parent, guardian or legal custodian to care
14    for the minor without endangering the minor's health or
15    safety, and the court enters an order that such parent,
16    guardian or legal custodian is fit to care for the minor.
17        (b) A minor under 18 years of age found to be dependent
18    under Section 2-4 may be (1) placed in accordance with
19    Section 2-27 or (2) ordered partially or completely
20    emancipated in accordance with the provisions of the
21    Emancipation of Minors Act.
22        However, in any case in which a minor is found by the
23    court to be dependent under Section 2-4 of this Act,
24    custody of the minor shall not be restored to any parent,
25    guardian or legal custodian whose acts or omissions or both
26    have been identified, pursuant to subsection (1) of Section

 

 

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1    2-21, as forming the basis for the court's finding of
2    dependency, until such time as a hearing is held on the
3    issue of the fitness of such parent, guardian or legal
4    custodian to care for the minor without endangering the
5    minor's health or safety, and the court enters an order
6    that such parent, guardian or legal custodian is fit to
7    care for the minor.
8        (b-1) A minor between the ages of 18 and 21 may be
9    placed pursuant to Section 2-27 of this Act if (1) the
10    court has granted a supplemental petition to reinstate
11    wardship of the minor pursuant to subsection (2) of Section
12    2-33, or (2) the court has adjudicated the minor a ward of
13    the court, permitted the minor to return home under an
14    order of protection, and subsequently made a finding that
15    it is in the minor's best interest to vacate the order of
16    protection and commit the minor to the Department of
17    Children and Family Services for care and service.
18        (c) When the court awards guardianship to the
19    Department of Children and Family Services, the court shall
20    order the parents to cooperate with the Department of
21    Children and Family Services, comply with the terms of the
22    service plans, and correct the conditions that require the
23    child to be in care, or risk termination of their parental
24    rights.
25    (2) Any order of disposition may provide for protective
26supervision under Section 2-24 and may include an order of

 

 

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1protection under Section 2-25.
2    Unless the order of disposition expressly so provides, it
3does not operate to close proceedings on the pending petition,
4but is subject to modification, not inconsistent with Section
52-28, until final closing and discharge of the proceedings
6under Section 2-31.
7    (3) The court also shall enter any other orders necessary
8to fulfill the service plan, including, but not limited to, (i)
9orders requiring parties to cooperate with services, (ii)
10restraining orders controlling the conduct of any party likely
11to frustrate the achievement of the goal, and (iii) visiting
12orders. When the child is placed separately from a sibling, the
13court shall review the Sibling Contact Support Plan developed
14under subsection (f) of Section 7.4 of the Children and Family
15Services Act, if applicable. If the Department has not convened
16a meeting to develop a Sibling Contact Support Plan, or if the
17court finds that the existing Plan is not in the child's best
18interest, the court may enter an order requiring the Department
19to develop and implement a Sibling Contact Support Plan under
20subsection (f) of Section 7.4 of the Children and Family
21Services Act or order mediation. Unless otherwise specifically
22authorized by law, the court is not empowered under this
23subsection (3) to order specific placements, specific
24services, or specific service providers to be included in the
25plan. If, after receiving evidence, the court determines that
26the services contained in the plan are not reasonably

 

 

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1calculated to facilitate achievement of the permanency goal,
2the court shall put in writing the factual basis supporting the
3determination and enter specific findings based on the
4evidence. The court also shall enter an order for the
5Department to develop and implement a new service plan or to
6implement changes to the current service plan consistent with
7the court's findings. The new service plan shall be filed with
8the court and served on all parties within 45 days after the
9date of the order. The court shall continue the matter until
10the new service plan is filed. Unless otherwise specifically
11authorized by law, the court is not empowered under this
12subsection (3) or under subsection (2) to order specific
13placements, specific services, or specific service providers
14to be included in the plan.
15    (4) In addition to any other order of disposition, the
16court may order any minor adjudicated neglected with respect to
17his or her own injurious behavior to make restitution, in
18monetary or non-monetary form, under the terms and conditions
19of Section 5-5-6 of the Unified Code of Corrections, except
20that the "presentence hearing" referred to therein shall be the
21dispositional hearing for purposes of this Section. The parent,
22guardian or legal custodian of the minor may pay some or all of
23such restitution on the minor's behalf.
24    (5) Any order for disposition where the minor is committed
25or placed in accordance with Section 2-27 shall provide for the
26parents or guardian of the estate of such minor to pay to the

 

 

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1legal custodian or guardian of the person of the minor such
2sums as are determined by the custodian or guardian of the
3person of the minor as necessary for the minor's needs. Such
4payments may not exceed the maximum amounts provided for by
5Section 9.1 of the Children and Family Services Act.
6    (6) Whenever the order of disposition requires the minor to
7attend school or participate in a program of training, the
8truant officer or designated school official shall regularly
9report to the court if the minor is a chronic or habitual
10truant under Section 26-2a of the School Code.
11    (7) The court may terminate the parental rights of a parent
12at the initial dispositional hearing if all of the conditions
13in subsection (5) of Section 2-21 are met.
14(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07; 96-581, eff. 1-1-10;
1596-600, eff. 8-21-09; 96-1000, eff. 7-2-10.)
 
16    (705 ILCS 405/2-28)  (from Ch. 37, par. 802-28)
17    Sec. 2-28. Court review.
18    (1) The court may require any legal custodian or guardian
19of the person appointed under this Act to report periodically
20to the court or may cite him into court and require him or his
21agency, to make a full and accurate report of his or its doings
22in behalf of the minor. The custodian or guardian, within 10
23days after such citation, shall make the report, either in
24writing verified by affidavit or orally under oath in open
25court, or otherwise as the court directs. Upon the hearing of

 

 

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1the report the court may remove the custodian or guardian and
2appoint another in his stead or restore the minor to the
3custody of his parents or former guardian or custodian.
4However, custody of the minor shall not be restored to any
5parent, guardian or legal custodian in any case in which the
6minor is found to be neglected or abused under Section 2-3 or
7dependent under Section 2-4 of this Act, unless the minor can
8be cared for at home without endangering the minor's health or
9safety and it is in the best interests of the minor, and if
10such neglect, abuse, or dependency is found by the court under
11paragraph (1) of Section 2-21 of this Act to have come about
12due to the acts or omissions or both of such parent, guardian
13or legal custodian, until such time as an investigation is made
14as provided in paragraph (5) and a hearing is held on the issue
15of the fitness of such parent, guardian or legal custodian to
16care for the minor and the court enters an order that such
17parent, guardian or legal custodian is fit to care for the
18minor.
19    (2) The first permanency hearing shall be conducted by the
20judge. Subsequent permanency hearings may be heard by a judge
21or by hearing officers appointed or approved by the court in
22the manner set forth in Section 2-28.1 of this Act. The initial
23hearing shall be held (a) within 12 months from the date
24temporary custody was taken, regardless of whether an
25adjudication or dispositional hearing has been completed
26within that time frame, (b) if the parental rights of both

 

 

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1parents have been terminated in accordance with the procedure
2described in subsection (5) of Section 2-21, within 30 days of
3the order for termination of parental rights and appointment of
4a guardian with power to consent to adoption, or (c) in
5accordance with subsection (2) of Section 2-13.1. Subsequent
6permanency hearings shall be held every 6 months or more
7frequently if necessary in the court's determination following
8the initial permanency hearing, in accordance with the
9standards set forth in this Section, until the court determines
10that the plan and goal have been achieved. Once the plan and
11goal have been achieved, if the minor remains in substitute
12care, the case shall be reviewed at least every 6 months
13thereafter, subject to the provisions of this Section, unless
14the minor is placed in the guardianship of a suitable relative
15or other person and the court determines that further
16monitoring by the court does not further the health, safety or
17best interest of the child and that this is a stable permanent
18placement. The permanency hearings must occur within the time
19frames set forth in this subsection and may not be delayed in
20anticipation of a report from any source or due to the agency's
21failure to timely file its written report (this written report
22means the one required under the next paragraph and does not
23mean the service plan also referred to in that paragraph).
24    The public agency that is the custodian or guardian of the
25minor, or another agency responsible for the minor's care,
26shall ensure that all parties to the permanency hearings are

 

 

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1provided a copy of the most recent service plan prepared within
2the prior 6 months at least 14 days in advance of the hearing.
3If not contained in the plan, the agency shall also include a
4report setting forth (i) any special physical, psychological,
5educational, medical, emotional, or other needs of the minor or
6his or her family that are relevant to a permanency or
7placement determination and (ii) for any minor age 16 or over,
8a written description of the programs and services that will
9enable the minor to prepare for independent living. The
10agency's written report must detail what progress or lack of
11progress the parent has made in correcting the conditions
12requiring the child to be in care; whether the child can be
13returned home without jeopardizing the child's health, safety,
14and welfare, and if not, what permanency goal is recommended to
15be in the best interests of the child, and why the other
16permanency goals are not appropriate. The caseworker must
17appear and testify at the permanency hearing. If a permanency
18hearing has not previously been scheduled by the court, the
19moving party shall move for the setting of a permanency hearing
20and the entry of an order within the time frames set forth in
21this subsection.
22    At the permanency hearing, the court shall determine the
23future status of the child. The court shall set one of the
24following permanency goals:
25        (A) The minor will be returned home by a specific date
26    within 5 months.

 

 

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

 

 

HB5592 Engrossed- 57 -LRB097 16555 RLC 66075 b

1    she cannot be provided for in a home environment due to
2    developmental disabilities or mental illness or because he
3    or she is a danger to self or others, provided that goals
4    (A) through (D) have been ruled out.
5    In selecting any permanency goal, the court shall indicate
6in writing the reasons the goal was selected and why the
7preceding goals were ruled out. Where the court has selected a
8permanency goal other than (A), (B), or (B-1), the Department
9of Children and Family Services shall not provide further
10reunification services, but shall provide services consistent
11with the goal selected.
12        (H) Notwithstanding any other provision in this
13    Section, the court may select the goal of continuing foster
14    care as a permanency goal if:
15            (1) The Department of Children and Family Services
16        has custody and guardianship of the minor;
17            (2) The court has ruled out all other permanency
18        goals based on the child's best interest;
19            (3) The court has found compelling reasons, based
20        on written documentation reviewed by the court, to
21        place the minor in continuing foster care. Compelling
22        reasons include:
23                (a) the child does not wish to be adopted or to
24            be placed in the guardianship of his or her
25            relative or foster care placement;
26                (b) the child exhibits an extreme level of need

 

 

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1            such that the removal of the child from his or her
2            placement would be detrimental to the child; or
3                (c) the child who is the subject of the
4            permanency hearing has existing close and strong
5            bonds with a sibling, and achievement of another
6            permanency goal would substantially interfere with
7            the subject child's sibling relationship, taking
8            into consideration the nature and extent of the
9            relationship, and whether ongoing contact is in
10            the subject child's best interest, including
11            long-term emotional interest, as compared with the
12            legal and emotional benefit of permanence;
13            (4) The child has lived with the relative or foster
14        parent for at least one year; and
15            (5) The relative or foster parent currently caring
16        for the child is willing and capable of providing the
17        child with a stable and permanent environment.
18    The court shall set a permanency goal that is in the best
19interest of the child. In determining that goal, the court
20shall consult with the minor in an age-appropriate manner
21regarding the proposed permanency or transition plan for the
22minor. The court's determination shall include the following
23factors:
24        (1) Age of the child.
25        (2) Options available for permanence, including both
26    out-of-State and in-State placement options.

 

 

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1        (3) Current placement of the child and the intent of
2    the family regarding adoption.
3        (4) Emotional, physical, and mental status or
4    condition of the child.
5        (5) Types of services previously offered and whether or
6    not the services were successful and, if not successful,
7    the reasons the services failed.
8        (6) Availability of services currently needed and
9    whether the services exist.
10        (7) Status of siblings of the minor.
11    The court shall consider (i) the permanency goal contained
12in the service plan, (ii) the appropriateness of the services
13contained in the plan and whether those services have been
14provided, (iii) whether reasonable efforts have been made by
15all the parties to the service plan to achieve the goal, and
16(iv) whether the plan and goal have been achieved. All evidence
17relevant to determining these questions, including oral and
18written reports, may be admitted and may be relied on to the
19extent of their probative value.
20    The court shall make findings as to whether, in violation
21of Section 8.2 of the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act,
22any portion of the service plan compels a child or parent to
23engage in any activity or refrain from any activity that is not
24reasonably related to remedying a condition or conditions that
25gave rise or which could give rise to any finding of child
26abuse or neglect. The services contained in the service plan

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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1guardian or legal custodian is fit to care for the minor. In
2the event that the minor has attained 18 years of age and the
3guardian or custodian petitions the court for an order
4terminating his guardianship or custody, guardianship or
5custody shall terminate automatically 30 days after the receipt
6of the petition unless the court orders otherwise. No legal
7custodian or guardian of the person may be removed without his
8consent until given notice and an opportunity to be heard by
9the court.
10    When the court orders a child restored to the custody of
11the parent or parents, the court shall order the parent or
12parents to cooperate with the Department of Children and Family
13Services and comply with the terms of an after-care plan, or
14risk the loss of custody of the child and possible termination
15of their parental rights. The court may also enter an order of
16protective supervision in accordance with Section 2-24.
17    (5) Whenever a parent, guardian, or legal custodian files a
18motion for restoration of custody of the minor, and the minor
19was adjudicated neglected, abused, or dependent as a result of
20physical abuse, the court shall cause to be made an
21investigation as to whether the movant has ever been charged
22with or convicted of any criminal offense which would indicate
23the likelihood of any further physical abuse to the minor.
24Evidence of such criminal convictions shall be taken into
25account in determining whether the minor can be cared for at
26home without endangering his or her health or safety and

 

 

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1fitness of the parent, guardian, or legal custodian.
2        (a) Any agency of this State or any subdivision thereof
3    shall co-operate with the agent of the court in providing
4    any information sought in the investigation.
5        (b) The information derived from the investigation and
6    any conclusions or recommendations derived from the
7    information shall be provided to the parent, guardian, or
8    legal custodian seeking restoration of custody prior to the
9    hearing on fitness and the movant shall have an opportunity
10    at the hearing to refute the information or contest its
11    significance.
12        (c) All information obtained from any investigation
13    shall be confidential as provided in Section 5-150 of this
14    Act.
15(Source: P.A. 96-600, eff. 8-21-09; 96-1375, eff. 7-29-10;
1697-425, eff. 8-16-11.)
 
17    Section 15. The Adoption Act is amended by changing Section
1818.3 as follows:
 
19    (750 ILCS 50/18.3)  (from Ch. 40, par. 1522.3)
20    Sec. 18.3. (a) The agency, Department of Children and
21Family Services, Court Supportive Services, Juvenile Division
22of the Circuit Court, and any other party to the surrender of a
23child for adoption or in an adoption proceeding shall inform
24any birth parent or parents relinquishing a child for purposes

 

 

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1of adoption after the effective date of this Act of the
2opportunity to register with the Illinois Adoption Registry and
3Medical Information Exchange and to utilize the Illinois
4confidential intermediary program and shall obtain a written
5confirmation that acknowledges the birth parent's receipt of
6such information.
7    The birth parent shall be informed in writing that if
8contact or exchange of identifying information with the adult
9adopted or surrendered person is to occur, that adult adopted
10or surrendered person must be 21 years of age or over except as
11referenced in paragraph (d) of this Section.
12    (b) Any birth parent, birth sibling, adopted or surrendered
13person, adoptive parent, or legal guardian indicating their
14desire to receive identifying or medical information shall be
15informed of the existence of the Registry and assistance shall
16be given to such person to legally record his or her name with
17the Registry.
18    (c) The agency, Department of Children and Family Services,
19Court Supportive Services, Juvenile Division of the Circuit
20Court, and any other organization involved in the surrender of
21a child for adoption in an adoption proceeding which has
22written statements from an adopted or surrendered person and
23the birth parent or a birth sibling indicating a desire to
24share identifying information or establish contact shall
25supply such information to the mutually consenting parties,
26except that no identifying information shall be supplied to

 

 

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1consenting birth siblings if any such sibling is under 21 years
2of age. However, both the Registry having an Information
3Exchange Authorization and the organization having a written
4statement requesting the sharing of identifying information or
5contact shall communicate with each other to determine if the
6adopted or surrendered person or the birth parent or birth
7sibling has signed a form at a later date indicating a change
8in his or her desires regarding the sharing of information or
9contact.
10    (d) On and after January 1, 2000, any licensed child
11welfare agency which provides post-adoption search assistance
12to adoptive parents, adopted persons, surrendered persons,
13birth parents, or other birth relatives shall require that any
14person requesting post-adoption search assistance complete an
15Illinois Adoption Registry Application prior to the
16commencement of the search. However, former wards of the
17Department of Children and Family Services between the ages of
1818 and 21 who have been surrendered or adopted shall not be
19required to complete an Illinois Adoption Registry Application
20prior to commencement of the search.
21(Source: P.A. 96-895, eff. 5-21-10.)
 
22    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
23becoming law.