SB2042 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 27654 RLC 54031 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
SB2042

Introduced 2/9/2023, by Sen. Cristina H. Pacione-Zayas

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

See Index

Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Establishes procedures for determining whether a child is fit to stand trial. Provides that the procedures apply to a child under the age of 21, regardless of whether the person is subject to the Act or prosecuted under the criminal laws of the State. Provides that unfitness may result from the presence of any condition or confluence of conditions, including, but not limited to, mental illness, substance use disorder, developmental disability, chronological immaturity, relative immaturity, or child traumatic stress. Provides that a diagnosis is not required for a finding of unfitness. Provides that a child is unfit when the child either: (1) lacks sufficient present ability to consult with the child's attorney with a reasonable degree of rational understanding, as evidenced by lacking the ability to disclose to the attorney facts pertinent to the proceedings at issue and to assist in the child's defense; or (2) lacks a rational or a factual understanding of the proceedings against the child, as evidenced by certain specified factors. Provides that the issue of the child's fitness to stand trial, to plead, or to be sentenced may be raised by the child's attorney, the State, or the court at any time before a plea is entered or before, during, or after trial. Provides that in making determinations on the issue of a child's fitness, the following burdens of proof and presumptions shall apply: (1) when the court finds a bona fide doubt as to the fitness of a child, the State bears the burden of proving that the child is fit by clear and convincing evidence; and (2) a child who is receiving medication shall not be presumed to be fit or unfit to stand trial solely by virtue of the receipt of that medication. Provides that the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission shall develop and recommend mechanisms to collect and analyze data, disaggregated by race, ethnicity, gender, geography, age, and socioeconomic status, resulting from the implementation of these provisions. Provides that the report and recommendations shall be submitted to the General Assembly on or before January 1, 2024. Contains a severability provision. Effective July 1, 2023.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning courts.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Juvenile Court Act of 1987 is amended by adding Part 5A to Article V as follows:

(705 ILCS 405/Art. Pt. 5A heading new)

PART 5A. FITNESS TO STAND TRIAL

(705 ILCS 405/5-5A-101 new)

Sec. 5-5A-101. Purpose. This Part recognizes that children are substantially different from adults and therefore creates procedures to establish fitness to stand trial that accommodate these differences. This Part is intended to support children through practices that are trauma-informed and that protect children's rights and dignity; questions of interpretation shall be resolved in line with these practices. This Part recognizes that the ability to understand charges and to participate meaningfully in one's own defense evolve gradually throughout childhood and early adulthood and that each child deserves developmentally appropriate responses that reflect the best understanding of the child's current abilities.

(705 ILCS 405/5-5A-105 new)

Sec. 5-5A-105. Definitions. As used in this Part:

"Child" means a person under the age of 21, regardless of whether the person is subject to this Act or prosecuted under the criminal laws of this State.

"Child traumatic stress" means exposure to one or more traumatic events over the course of a child's life that result in that child developing reactions that persist and that interfere with the child's functional, social, adaptive, or intellectual ability.

"Chronological immaturity" means a lack of functional, social, adaptive, or intellectual ability due to chronological age.

"Developmental disability" means a disability that is attributable to an intellectual disability, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, a learning disability, or any other condition that results in impaired functional, social, adaptive, or intellectual ability.

"Mental illness" means a mental or emotional disorder that substantially impairs a person's thought, perception of reality, emotional process, judgment, behavior, or ability to cope with the ordinary demands of life, but does not include behavioral disorders.

"Relative immaturity" means a lack of functional, social, adaptive, or intellectual ability when a child is compared to other children of the same chronological age.

"Substance use disorder" has the same meaning as provided in Section 1-10 of the Substance Use Disorder Act.

(705 ILCS 405/5-5A-110 new)

Sec. 5-5A-110. Unfitness standard. Unfitness may result from the presence of any condition or confluence of conditions, including, but not limited to, mental illness, substance use disorder, developmental disability, chronological immaturity, relative immaturity, or child traumatic stress. A diagnosis is not required for a finding of unfitness. A child is unfit when the child either:

(1) lacks sufficient present ability to consult with the child's attorney with a reasonable degree of rational understanding, as evidenced by lacking the ability to disclose to the attorney facts pertinent to the proceedings at issue and to assist in the child's defense; or

(2) lacks a rational or a factual understanding of the proceedings against the child, as evidenced by any one or more of the following:

(A) a lack of ability to identify who the participants are, including the judge, child's attorney, State's Attorney, or qualified expert;

(B) a lack of ability to differentiate the multiple roles a single participant could serve in different proceedings the child is involved in;

(C) a lack of understanding of the allegations in the petition for adjudication of delinquency;

(D) a lack of understanding of the range of possible dispositions that may be imposed in the proceedings;

(E) a lack of ability to use the factual understandings and factors in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of this subsection to make rational decisions; or

(F) a lack of any other factors that a qualified expert deems relevant.

(705 ILCS 405/5-5A-115 new)

Sec. 5-5A-115. Raising the issue of unfitness.

(a) The issue of the child's fitness to stand trial, to plead, or to be sentenced may be raised by the child's attorney, the State, or the court at any time before a plea is entered or before, during, or after trial.

(b) When the issue of the child's fitness is raised, the court must determine whether there is a bona fide doubt that the child is fit. The court shall find a bona fide doubt when evidence is presented or proffered that suggests that the child could be unfit. If the court finds that there is a bona fide doubt, the court shall order a fitness evaluation pursuant to Section 5-5A-125 before proceeding further. Nothing in this Section shall operate to extinguish any rights of a child established by attorney-client privilege.

(c) When a child is being prosecuted under the criminal laws of this State pursuant to Section 5-130 or 5-805, the criminal court shall apply the fitness standards in this Part. If the issue of the child's fitness is raised prior to the resolution of a transfer proceeding pursuant to Section 5-805, the juvenile court shall apply the fitness standards as set forth in this Part.

(705 ILCS 405/5-5A-120 new)

Sec. 5-5A-120. Burdens and presumptions. In making determinations on the issue of a child's fitness, the following burdens of proof and presumptions shall apply:

(1) when the court finds a bona fide doubt as to the fitness of a child pursuant to Section 5-5A-115, the State bears the burden of proving that the child is fit by clear and convincing evidence; and

(2) a child who is receiving medication shall not be presumed to be fit or unfit to stand trial solely by virtue of the receipt of that medication.

(705 ILCS 405/5-5A-125 new)

Sec. 5-5A-125. Fitness evaluation. When the court orders a fitness evaluation pursuant to subsection (b) of Section 5-5A-115, the court must appoint one or more qualified experts pursuant to Section 5-5A-135. Each expert must evaluate whether the child is fit and must submit a report of the expert's findings to the court pursuant to Section 5-5A-160.

(705 ILCS 405/5-5A-130 new)

Sec. 5-5A-130. Location of evaluation. A fitness evaluation ordered pursuant to subsection (b) of Section 5-5A-115 must be conducted in the least restrictive environment for the child. The evaluation must be conducted in person whenever possible. Video technology for a remote evaluation may be used only as a last resort. If video technology is used, it must be a secure platform.

(705 ILCS 405/5-5A-135 new)

Sec. 5-5A-135. Qualification of experts. An expert evaluating the child pursuant to Section 5-5A-125 must either be a licensed clinical psychologist or psychiatrist with training and experience in forensics, child development, and child trauma.

(705 ILCS 405/5-5A-140 new)

Sec. 5-5A-140. Timeline for evaluation. The fitness evaluation ordered pursuant to subsection (b) of Section 5-5A-115 and report written pursuant to Section 5-5A-160 must be completed within 30 days of a court order entered pursuant to subsection (b) of Section 5-5A-115. The time for completion of the fitness evaluation may be extended an additional 30 days for good cause if the child is not in custody.

(705 ILCS 405/5-5A-145 new)

Sec. 5-5A-145. Counsel at evaluation. The child's counsel must be allowed to be present at the evaluation conducted, if requested by child's counsel, pursuant to Section 5-5A-125.

(705 ILCS 405/5-5A-150 new)

Sec. 5-5A-150. Statements made during evaluation. No statement made by the child during the evaluation conducted pursuant to Section 5-5A-125 shall be used against the child in the current court proceedings or in any future proceedings. No statement made by the child relating to the alleged offense or other offenses shall be included in the report required under Section 5-5A-160. The court must advise the child before the evaluation takes place that no statement made during the evaluation shall be used against the child.

(705 ILCS 405/5-5A-155 new)

Sec. 5-5A-155. Recordings of evaluations and privacy.

(a) An evaluation of the child conducted pursuant to Section 5-5A-125 shall be video recorded.

(b) The video recording of a fitness evaluation is confidential and may be viewed only by the court, the expert conducting the evaluation defined in Section 5-5A-125, the child's attorney, the State, and any other expert in the proceedings deemed necessary by the court and pursuant to Section 5-910.

(705 ILCS 405/5-5A-160 new)

Sec. 5-5A-160. Contents of evaluation report.

(a) When an evaluation is conducted pursuant to Section 5-5A-125, the appointed expert must submit a written report of the findings to the court. The evaluation report must detail the methods and tools used during the evaluation and be made in writing.

(b) The evaluation report must contain:

(1) an assessment of any mental illness, substance use disorder, or developmental disability of the child, including:

(A) the results of a mental status exam;

(B) a description of the history and current status of any symptoms of any mental illness or developmental disability, or both (a diagnosis is not required);

(2) an assessment of the child's chronological and relative immaturity;

(3) an assessment of any child traumatic stress, including a description of the child's history of exposure to traumatic events;

(4) an assessment of any other condition of the child that could impact the child's functional abilities related to fitness to stand trial;

(5) an assessment of the child's rational and factual understandings related to fitness to stand trial, the unfitness standard in Section 5-5A-110, and the relationship of these abilities to any conditions of the child as assessed in paragraphs (1) through (4);

(6) whether the expert, based on the evaluation and in the expert's professional judgment, believes the child is fit;

(7) if the expert believes that the child is unfit, whether the expert believes there is a substantial probability that the child will attain fitness within the statutory period to attain fitness;

(8) recommendations, if the expert believes the child is unfit, including:

(A) services that would help the child attain fitness;

(B) placement for services to attain fitness; and

(C) risk assessments needed prior to placement; and

(9) opinions on:

(A) the likelihood of the success of the services recommended; and

(B) the length of time anticipated to attain fitness.

(705 ILCS 405/5-5A-165 new)

Sec. 5-5A-165. Hearing to determine fitness.

(a) When a bona fide doubt of fitness has been raised, the court shall conduct a hearing to determine the issue of the child's fitness within 30 days of receipt of the evaluation report described in Section 5-5A-160, unless the timeline is waived by the child's counsel.

(b) The child has the right to be present at every hearing on the issue of the child's fitness.

(c) On the basis of the evidence before it, the court must determine whether the child is unfit to stand trial pursuant to Section 5-5A-110. If the court finds that the child is unfit, the court shall determine:

(1) whether in-court assistance pursuant to Section 5-5A-190 would render the child fit; and

(2) whether there is a substantial probability that the child, if provided with services to attain fitness pursuant to Section 5-5A-170, will attain fitness within the period to attain fitness set forth in Section 5-5A-175.

(d) If the court finds that the child is unfit and there is not a substantial probability the child will attain fitness within the statutory period as set forth in Section 5-5A-175, the court shall proceed under Section 5-5A-210.

(e) If the court finds the child is unfit but that there is a substantial probability that the child will become fit within the period to attain fitness set forth in Section 5-5A-175, or if the court is unable to determine whether a substantial probability exists, the court shall order the child to receive services to attain fitness on either an inpatient or outpatient basis. If the court is unable to determine whether a substantial probability exists and orders the child to receive services to attain fitness, the court shall conduct a hearing as soon as possible following the receipt of the report filed pursuant to Section 5-5A-180 to determine whether there is a substantial probability that the child will attain fitness within the statutory period.

(f) If the court finds that the child is unfit to stand trial, it shall proceed pursuant to this Act. If the court finds that the child could be rendered fit with in-court assistance, the court shall order in-court assistance pursuant to Section 5-5A-190.

(g) An order finding the child unfit to stand trial is a final order for purposes of appeal by the State or the child.

(705 ILCS 405/5-5A-170 new)

Sec. 5-5A-170. Services to attain fitness.

(a) When the court orders services to attain fitness pursuant to Section 5-5A-165, the court shall determine if the child will receive services on an inpatient or outpatient basis. If inpatient, the child shall be placed at a facility approved by the Illinois Department of Human Services to provide residential, restoration care and treatment. If the court orders the child to receive services on an outpatient basis, such services shall be rendered in the community at a program approved by the Illinois Department of Human Services. Court-ordered services and placements shall be consistent with the recommendations in the evaluation report. All services shall be trauma-informed, developmentally appropriate, and provided in the least restrictive environment considering the needs and best interests of the child. A placement may be ordered on an inpatient basis only when the child exhibits needs warranting a hospital-level of care.

(b) Within 5 days of a court order for services to attain fitness entered pursuant to Section 5-5A-165, the clerk of the circuit court shall transmit to the Illinois Department of Human Services, and any other agency or institution providing services to attain fitness to the child, the following:

(1) a certified copy of the order to receive services and the complete copy of any report on the child's fitness prepared pursuant to this Part;

(2) the county and municipality in which the alleged offense occurred;

(3) the county and municipality in which the arrest took place;

(4) a copy of the arrest report, charges, and arrest record; and

(5) all additional matters that the court directs the clerk to transmit.

(705 ILCS 405/5-5A-175 new)

Sec. 5-5A-175. Period to attain fitness. For a child charged with a felony, the maximum total time a court may order a child to receive services to attain fitness shall be one year. For a child charged with a misdemeanor, the maximum total period shall be no more than one year. The period to attain fitness shall begin with the court's first finding of unfitness during a fitness hearing pursuant to Section 5-5A-165.

(705 ILCS 405/5-5A-180 new)

Sec. 5-5A-180. Initial and subsequent progress reports.

(a) Within 30 days of entry of an order to receive services to attain fitness pursuant to Sections 5-5A-170 and 5-5A-175, the person in charge of supervising the child's services shall file with the court an initial report assessing the program's capacity to provide appropriate services for the child and indicating the person's opinion as to the probability of the child attaining fitness within the period to attain fitness provided in Section 5-5A-175. If the initial report indicates that there is a substantial probability that the child will attain fitness within the allowed statutory period, the supervisor shall also file a services plan which shall include:

(1) a description of the goals of services with respect to rendering the child fit, a specification of the proposed modalities of services, and an estimated timetable for attainment of the goals; and

(2) an identification of the person in charge of supervising the child's services.

(b) The supervisor shall submit a subsequent written progress report to the court at least 7 days prior to the date of any hearing on the issue of the child's fitness.

(c) If the supervisor determines that any of the following circumstances are met, the supervisor shall notify the court in writing as soon as possible but no later than 7 days after the determination is made:

(1) if the supervisor believes that the child has attained fitness;

(2) if the supervisor believes that there is not a substantial probability that the child will attain fitness, with services, within the period to attain fitness under Section 5-5A-175; or

(3) if the supervisor believes a change in services or placement is necessary.

(d) The initial and subsequent progress reports shall contain:

(1) the clinical findings of the supervisor and the facts upon which the findings are based;

(2) the opinion of the supervisor as to whether the child has attained fitness and as to whether the child is making progress, with services, toward attaining fitness within the period set in Section 5-5A-175;

(3) whether the current services to attain fitness and placement continue to be in the least restrictive environment necessary, whether a different level of care is needed, and the basis for that recommendation; and

(4) any other changes in recommendations of services to attain fitness.

(e) If the supervisor of the child's services determines, pursuant to paragraph (3) of subsection (d) of this Section, that the child is not in the least restrictive environment necessary to attain fitness, upon receipt of the progress report, the court shall ensure that the child is immediately moved to the least restrictive environment necessary.

(705 ILCS 405/5-5A-185 new)

Sec. 5-5A-185. Periodic hearings. Upon entry or continuation of any order to receive services to attain fitness, the court shall set a date for hearing to reexamine the issue of the child's fitness not more than 90 days thereafter. In addition, whenever the court receives a report from the supervisor of the child's services pursuant to paragraph (c) of Section 5-5A-180, the court shall set the matter for a hearing within 14 days unless good cause is demonstrated why the hearing cannot be held. On the date set, the court shall conduct a hearing to redetermine the child's fitness pursuant to Section 5-5A-165.

(705 ILCS 405/5-5A-190 new)

Sec. 5-5A-190. In-court assistance to render a child fit.

(a) If the court determines that the child could be rendered fit with in-court assistance under Section 5-5A-165, the court shall order in-court assistance under subsection (b). A child found unfit because of chronological immaturity cannot be rendered fit with in-court assistance. A child found unfit because of relative immaturity or child traumatic stress cannot be rendered fit solely with in-court assistance.

(b) In-court assistance may include, but is not limited to:

(1) appointment of a qualified translator who shall simultaneously translate all court proceedings into a language understood by the child; and

(2) appointment of an expert qualified to assist a child who, because of a disability, is unable to communicate with the child's attorney.

(c) If in-court assistance is provided, the case may proceed to trial only if the court determines that in-court assistance renders the child fit. In such cases, the court shall state for the record the following:

(1) the qualifications and experience of the experts or other persons appointed to provide in-court assistance to the child;

(2) the court's reasons for selecting or appointing the particular experts or other persons to provide the in-court assistance to the child;

(3) how the appointment of the particular expert or other persons will serve the goal of rendering the child fit, based on the appointee's qualifications and experience, and the lack of functional, social, adaptive, or intellectual abilities of the child; and

(4) any other factors considered by the court in appointing the experts or other persons.

(d) A child adjudicated delinquent following a trial conducted with in-court assistance provided under this Section shall not be sentenced before a written report of social investigation is presented to and considered by the court. The written report of social investigation shall be prepared pursuant to Section 5-701 and shall include a physical and mental examination unless the court finds that the reports of prior physical and mental examinations conducted pursuant to this Part are adequate and recent enough to render additional examinations unnecessary.

(705 ILCS 405/5-5A-195 new)

Sec. 5-5A-195. Time Credit. A sentence imposed on the child in the pending case or in any other case arising out of the same conduct shall be reduced by time spent:

(1) in custody pursuant to orders issued under Section 5-5A-170 or pursuant to a commitment to the Department of Human Services following a finding of unfitness under this Part;

(2) in any court-ordered out-of-home placement; including, but not limited to, a detention facility, rehabilitation center, or inpatient hospital; or

(3) home detention or electronic monitoring pursuant to Section 5-7A-110.

(705 ILCS 405/5-5A-200 new)

Sec. 5-5A-200. Court organization of records. Any report filed with the court concerning diagnosis, evaluation progress, or services made pursuant to this Part shall not be placed in the child's court record but shall be maintained separately by the clerk of the court and shall be available only to the court or an appellate court, the State, the child, the child's attorney, the child's parent or guardian, or a facility or program that provides services to the child pursuant to an order of the court. These records of the child shall be privileged and shall not be disclosed except under the conditions set forth in Section 5-910. Nothing in this Section shall operate to extinguish any rights of a child established by law, including, but not limited to: attorney-client, physician-patient, psychologist-client, or social worker-client privileges, except as otherwise provided by law.

(705 ILCS 405/5-5A-205 new)

Sec. 5-5A-205. Sentencing guidelines for a child who attains fitness. The court shall not impose a commitment to the Department of Juvenile Justice upon the child if the court believes that because of the child's condition, such a sentence would not be in the interests of society and the child, or would subject the child to excessive hardship. In addition to any other conditions of a sentence of conditional discharge or probation, the court may require that the child receive additional services for the child's condition.

(705 ILCS 405/5-5A-210 new)

Sec. 5-5A-210. Legal disposition if fitness cannot be attained. The court shall dismiss the charges against the child with prejudice if the court finds the child is unfit under Section 5-5A-165 and that the child:

(1) cannot attain fitness within the period to attain fitness defined in Section 5-5A-175 or that there is not a substantial probability that the child will attain fitness within the period to attain fitness defined under Section 5-5A-175; and

(2) cannot attain fitness with in-court assistance pursuant to Section 5-5A-190.

(705 ILCS 405/5-5A-215 new)

Sec. 5-5A-215. Follow-up study and recommendations. The Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission shall develop and recommend mechanisms to collect and analyze data, disaggregated by race, ethnicity, gender, geography, age, and socioeconomic status, resulting from the implementation of this Part. The report and recommendations shall be submitted to the General Assembly on or before January 1, 2024.

Section 97. Severability. The provisions of this Act are severable under Section 1.31 of the Statute on Statutes.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1, 2023.