Rep. Natalie A. Manley

Filed: 3/18/2021

 

 


 

 


 
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1
AMENDMENT TO HOUSE BILL 1068

2    AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend House Bill 1068 by replacing
3everything after the enacting clause with the following:
 
4    "Section 5. The Juvenile Court Act of 1987 is amended by
5changing Section 2-28 as follows:
 
6    (705 ILCS 405/2-28)  (from Ch. 37, par. 802-28)
7    Sec. 2-28. Court review.
8    (1) The court may require any legal custodian or guardian
9of the person appointed under this Act to report periodically
10to the court or may cite him into court and require him or his
11agency, to make a full and accurate report of his or its doings
12in behalf of the minor. The custodian or guardian, within 10
13days after such citation, or earlier if the court determines
14it to be necessary to protect the health, safety, or welfare of
15the minor, shall make the report, either in writing verified
16by affidavit or orally under oath in open court, or otherwise

 

 

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1as the court directs. Upon the hearing of the report the court
2may remove the custodian or guardian and appoint another in
3his stead or restore the minor to the custody of his parents or
4former guardian or custodian. However, custody of the minor
5shall not be restored to any parent, guardian or legal
6custodian in any case in which the minor is found to be
7neglected or abused under Section 2-3 or dependent under
8Section 2-4 of this Act, unless the minor can be cared for at
9home without endangering the minor's health or safety and it
10is in the best interests of the minor, and if such neglect,
11abuse, or dependency is found by the court under paragraph (1)
12of Section 2-21 of this Act to have come about due to the acts
13or omissions or both of such parent, guardian or legal
14custodian, until such time as an investigation is made as
15provided in paragraph (5) and a hearing is held on the issue of
16the fitness of such parent, guardian or legal custodian to
17care for the minor and the court enters an order that such
18parent, guardian or legal custodian is fit to care for the
19minor.
20    (1.5) The public agency that is the custodian or guardian
21of the minor shall file a written report with the court no
22later than 15 days after a minor in the agency's care remains:
23        (1) in a shelter placement beyond 30 days;
24        (2) in a psychiatric hospital past the time when the
25    minor is clinically ready for discharge or beyond medical
26    necessity for the minor's health; or

 

 

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1        (3) in a detention center or Department of Juvenile
2    Justice facility solely because the public agency cannot
3    find an appropriate placement for the minor.
4    The report shall explain the steps the agency is taking to
5ensure the minor is placed appropriately, how the minor's
6needs are being met in the minor's shelter placement, and if a
7future placement has been identified by the Department, why
8the anticipated placement is appropriate for the needs of the
9minor and the anticipated placement date.
10    (1.6) Within 35 days after placing a child in its care in a
11qualified residential treatment program, as defined by the
12federal Social Security Act, the Department of Children and
13Family Services shall file a written report with the court and
14send copies of the report to all parties. Within 20 days of the
15filing of the report, the court shall hold a hearing to
16consider the Department's report and determine whether
17placement of the child in a qualified residential treatment
18program provides the most effective and appropriate level of
19care for the child in the least restrictive environment and if
20the placement is consistent with the short-term and long-term
21goals for the child, as specified in the permanency plan for
22the child. The court shall approve or disapprove the
23placement. If applicable, the requirements of Sections 2-27.1
24and 2-27.2 must also be met. The Department's written report
25and the court's written determination shall be included in and
26made part of the case plan for the child. If the child remains

 

 

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1placed in a qualified residential treatment program, the
2Department shall submit evidence at each status and permanency
3hearing:
4        (1) demonstrating that on-going assessment of the
5    strengths and needs of the child continues to support the
6    determination that the child's needs cannot be met through
7    placement in a foster family home, that the placement
8    provides the most effective and appropriate level of care
9    for the child in the least restrictive, appropriate
10    environment, and that the placement is consistent with the
11    short-term and long-term permanency goal for the child, as
12    specified in the permanency plan for the child;
13        (2) documenting the specific treatment or service
14    needs that should be met for the child in the placement and
15    the length of time the child is expected to need the
16    treatment or services; and
17        (3) the efforts made by the agency to prepare the
18    child to return home or to be placed with a fit and willing
19    relative, a legal guardian, or an adoptive parent, or in a
20    foster family home.
21    (2) The first permanency hearing shall be conducted by the
22judge. Subsequent permanency hearings may be heard by a judge
23or by hearing officers appointed or approved by the court in
24the manner set forth in Section 2-28.1 of this Act. The initial
25hearing shall be held (a) within 12 months from the date
26temporary custody was taken, regardless of whether an

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

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1the 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
12        and by any service plan prepared within the prior 6
13        months have been provided and (A) if so, whether the
14        services 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 current or planned
18        placement is necessary, and appropriate to the plan
19        and goal, recognizing the right of minors to the least
20        restrictive (most family-like) setting available and
21        in close proximity to the parents' home consistent
22        with the health, safety, best interest and special
23        needs of the minor and, if the minor is placed
24        out-of-state, whether the out-of-state placement
25        continues to be appropriate and consistent with the
26        health, safety, and best interest 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
15    terminate parental rights of any parent who has failed to
16    make reasonable efforts to correct the conditions which
17    led to the removal of the child or reasonable progress
18    toward the return of the child, as defined in subdivision
19    (D)(m) of Section 1 of the Adoption Act or for whom any
20    other unfitness ground for terminating parental rights as
21    defined in subdivision (D) of Section 1 of the Adoption
22    Act exists.
23        When parental rights have been terminated for a
24    minimum 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
7    the 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
26for the 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
6receipt of the petition unless the court orders otherwise. No
7legal custodian or guardian of the person may be removed
8without his consent until given notice and an opportunity to
9be heard by the 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
13Family Services and comply with the terms of an after-care
14plan, or risk the loss of custody of the child and possible
15termination of their parental rights. The court may also enter
16an order of protective supervision in accordance with Section
172-24.
18    (5) Whenever a parent, guardian, or legal custodian files
19a motion for restoration of custody of the minor, and the minor
20was adjudicated neglected, abused, or dependent as a result of
21physical abuse, the court shall cause to be made an
22investigation as to whether the movant has ever been charged
23with or convicted of any criminal offense which would indicate
24the likelihood of any further physical abuse to the minor.
25Evidence of such criminal convictions shall be taken into
26account in determining whether the minor can be cared for at

 

 

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1home without endangering his or her health or safety and
2fitness of the parent, guardian, or legal custodian.
3        (a) Any agency of this State or any subdivision
4    thereof shall co-operate with the agent of the court in
5    providing any information sought in the investigation.
6        (b) The information derived from the investigation and
7    any conclusions or recommendations derived from the
8    information shall be provided to the parent, guardian, or
9    legal custodian seeking restoration of custody prior to
10    the hearing on fitness and the movant shall have an
11    opportunity at the hearing to refute the information or
12    contest its significance.
13        (c) All information obtained from any investigation
14    shall be confidential as provided in Section 5-150 of this
15    Act.
16(Source: P.A. 100-45, eff. 8-11-17; 100-136, eff. 8-18-17;
17100-229, eff. 1-1-18; 100-863, eff. 8-14-18; 100-978, eff.
188-19-18; 101-63, eff. 10-1-19.)
 
19    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
20becoming law.".