093_HB2203
LRB093 06578 RLC 06705 b
1 AN ACT in relation to minors.
2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3 represented in the General Assembly:
4 Section 5. The Juvenile Court Act of 1987 is amended by
5 adding Section 2-4.1 as follows:
6 (705 ILCS 405/2-4.1 new)
7 Sec. 2-4.1. Special immigrant minor.
8 (1) Any minor under 18 years of age who has been
9 declared dependent by a juvenile court can be deemed eligible
10 by that court for long-term foster care due to abuse,
11 neglect, or abandonment if that minor is otherwise eligible
12 for special immigrant juvenile status under 8 U.S.C.
13 1101(a)(27)(J).
14 (a) For purposes of this Section, a juvenile court
15 may make a determination that a minor is eligible for
16 long-term foster care pursuant to 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(27)(J)
17 and corresponding federal regulations, provided that the
18 court makes the following specific findings:
19 (i) that a diligent search for the minor's
20 natural parents or prior adoptive parents has been
21 conducted both nationally and internationally;
22 (ii) that all efforts at reunification with
23 the minor's natural parents or prior adoptive
24 parents have been exhausted; and
25 (iii) that reunification with the minor's
26 natural parents or prior adoptive parents is not a
27 viable option.
28 (b) For purposes of this Section, "abandonment" is
29 defined in subdivision D (b) of Section 1 of the Adoption
30 Act as the failure to maintain a reasonable degree of
31 interest, concern, or responsibility as to the minor's
32 welfare.
-2- LRB093 06578 RLC 06705 b
1 (2) This Section does not apply to a minor who would be
2 included in this Section solely for the purpose of qualifying
3 for financial assistance for himself, herself, his or her
4 parents, guardian, or custodian.
5 Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
6 becoming law.