New Illinois Laws 2019: Children and Families

DCFS Child Death Investigation (SB 03223) - Repeals provisions permitting the Child Death Review Teams Executive Council to establish in the Southern Region of the state a special Child Death Investigation Task Force.

Grandparent Visitation (SB 02498) - Expands visitation rights for non-parents. FAMILY

Adult Guardianship Visitation (HB 04687) - Expands who may petition a court for visitation of a ward of the state after the ward’s guardian has denied it to include a spouse, adult grandchild, parent or adult sibling. Current law only allows an adult child to petition for visitation.

Order Of Protection For Foster-Adopted Children (HB 04796) - Expands the Order of Protection for foster parents/guardians who are caring for a child that has been subject to abuse or harassment by that child's birth parents family members or previous household members.

Power of Attorney Ombudsmen (HB 04879) - When a power of attorney exists, the agent of the principal must provide records to a representative of the Office of the State Long Term Care Ombudsman within 21 days of a request to be assessed costs and attorney fees by the court.

Spousal Transfer Of Woods (SB 02274) - Provides that a transfer between spouses does not disqualify wooded acreage from the provisions for the assessment of untransferred wooded acreage.

Gender Neutral Adoptions (HB 05155) - Updates the form of consent required for the adoption of a child by adding gender neutral verbiage, expanding the use of email addresses and cell phones in providing notice, and changing the time frame for which a parent may void their consent for an adoption.

Juvenile Surrogate Health Decisions (HB 05157) - Allows that temporary custodian to serve as a surrogate decision maker for the minor in end-of-life decision-making, if the courts determines by clear and convincing evidence that granting such authority is in the best interest of the child.

DCFS Tuition and Fee Waivers (HB 05122) - Allows certain youth who do not receive a scholarship or fee waiver from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to receive a tuition and fee waiver to assist them in attending and completing their post-secondary education at a state school.

Transfer of Property (SB 02309) - Removes the requirement that a trustee must accept the transfer of real property to a trust before a legal conveyance may be recognized.

Grandparent Visitation (SB 02498) - Expands visitation rights for non-parents. FAMILY

DCFS Specialized Placements (SB 02461) - Requires the DCFS to enter into contracts with agencies or to complete development for specialized placements for youth in the Department's care who are victims of sex trafficking.