HB4028eng 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB4028 Engrossed LRB097 14710 AJO 61950 b

AN ACT concerning civil law.

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

Section 5. The Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act is amended by changing Section 3 as follows:

(325 ILCS 5/3) (from Ch. 23, par. 2053)

Sec. 3. As used in this Act unless the context otherwise requires:

"Adult resident" means any person between 18 and 22 years of age who resides in any facility licensed by the Department under the Child Care Act of 1969. For purposes of this Act, the criteria set forth in the definitions of "abused child" and "neglected child" shall be used in determining whether an adult resident is abused or neglected.

"Child" means any person under the age of 18 years, unless legally emancipated by reason of marriage or entry into a branch of the United States armed services.

"Department" means Department of Children and Family Services.

"Local law enforcement agency" means the police of a city, town, village or other incorporated area or the sheriff of an unincorporated area or any sworn officer of the Illinois Department of State Police.

"Abused child" means a child whose parent or immediate family member, or any person responsible for the child's welfare, or any individual residing in the same home as the child, or a paramour of the child's parent:

(a) inflicts, causes to be inflicted, or allows to be inflicted upon such child physical injury, by other than accidental means, which causes death, disfigurement, impairment of physical or emotional health, or loss or impairment of any bodily function;

(b) creates a substantial risk of physical injury to such child by other than accidental means which would be likely to cause death, disfigurement, impairment of physical or emotional health, or loss or impairment of any bodily function;

(c) commits or allows to be committed any sex offense against such child, as such sex offenses are defined in the Criminal Code of 1961, as amended, or in the Wrongs to Children Act, and extending those definitions of sex offenses to include children under 18 years of age;

(d) commits or allows to be committed an act or acts of torture upon such child;

(e) inflicts excessive corporal punishment;

(f) commits or allows to be committed the offense of female genital mutilation, as defined in Section 12-34 of the Criminal Code of 1961, against the child;

(g) causes to be sold, transferred, distributed, or given to such child under 18 years of age, a controlled substance as defined in Section 102 of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act in violation of Article IV of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act or in violation of the Methamphetamine Control and Community Protection Act, except for controlled substances that are prescribed in accordance with Article III of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act and are dispensed to such child in a manner that substantially complies with the prescription; or

(h) commits or allows to be committed the offense of involuntary servitude, involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, or trafficking in persons for forced labor or services as defined in Section 10-9 of the Criminal Code of 1961 against the child.

A child shall not be considered abused for the sole reason that the child has been relinquished in accordance with the Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act.

"Neglected child" means any child who is not receiving the proper or necessary nourishment or medically indicated treatment including food or care not provided solely on the basis of the present or anticipated mental or physical impairment as determined by a physician acting alone or in consultation with other physicians or otherwise is not receiving the proper or necessary support or medical or other remedial care recognized under State law as necessary for a child's well-being, or other care necessary for his or her well-being, including adequate food, clothing and shelter; or who is abandoned by his or her parents or other person responsible for the child's welfare without a proper plan of care; or who has been provided with interim crisis intervention services under Section 3-5 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 and whose parent, guardian, or custodian refuses to permit the child to return home and no other living arrangement agreeable to the parent, guardian, or custodian can be made, and the parent, guardian, or custodian has not made any other appropriate living arrangement for the child; or who is a newborn infant whose blood, urine, or meconium contains any amount of a controlled substance as defined in subsection (f) of Section 102 of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act or a metabolite thereof, with the exception of a controlled substance or metabolite thereof whose presence in the newborn infant is the result of medical treatment administered to the mother or the newborn infant. A child shall not be considered neglected for the sole reason that the child's parent or other person responsible for his or her welfare has left the child in the care of an adult relative for any period of time. A child shall not be considered neglected for the sole reason that the child has been relinquished in accordance with the Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act. A child shall not be considered neglected or abused for the sole reason that such child's parent or other person responsible for his or her welfare depends upon spiritual means through prayer alone for the treatment or cure of disease or remedial care as provided under Section 4 of this Act. A child shall not be considered neglected or abused solely because the child is not attending school in accordance with the requirements of Article 26 of The School Code, as amended.

"Child Protective Service Unit" means certain specialized State employees of the Department assigned by the Director to perform the duties and responsibilities as provided under Section 7.2 of this Act.

"Person responsible for the child's welfare" means the child's parent; guardian; foster parent; relative caregiver; any person responsible for the child's welfare in a public or private residential agency or institution; any person responsible for the child's welfare within a public or private profit or not for profit child care facility; or any other person responsible for the child's welfare at the time of the alleged abuse or neglect, including any person that is the custodian of a child under 18 years of age who commits or allows to be committed, against the child, the offense of involuntary servitude, involuntary sexual servitude of a minor, or trafficking in persons for forced labor or services, as provided in Section 10-9 of the Criminal Code of 1961, or any person who came to know the child through an official capacity or position of trust, including but not limited to health care professionals, educational personnel, recreational supervisors, members of the clergy, and volunteers or support personnel in any setting where children may be subject to abuse or neglect.

"Temporary protective custody" means custody within a hospital or other medical facility or a place previously designated for such custody by the Department, subject to review by the Court, including a licensed foster home, group home, or other institution; but such place shall not be a jail or other place for the detention of criminal or juvenile offenders.

"An unfounded report" means any report made under this Act for which it is determined after an investigation that no credible evidence of abuse or neglect exists.

"An indicated report" means a report made under this Act if an investigation determines that credible evidence of the alleged abuse or neglect exists.

"An undetermined report" means any report made under this Act in which it was not possible to initiate or complete an investigation on the basis of information provided to the Department.

"Subject of report" means any child reported to the central register of child abuse and neglect established under Section 7.7 of this Act as an alleged victim of child abuse or neglect and the parent or guardian of the alleged victim or other person responsible for the alleged victim's welfare who is named in the report or added to the report as an alleged perpetrator of child abuse or neglect.

"Perpetrator" means a person who, as a result of investigation, has been determined by the Department to have caused child abuse or neglect.

"Member of the clergy" means a clergyman or practitioner of any religious denomination accredited by the religious body to which he or she belongs.

(Source: P.A. 96-1196, eff. 1-1-11; 96-1446, eff. 8-20-10; 96-1464, eff. 8-20-10; 97-333, eff. 8-12-11.)

Section 10. The Adoption Act is amended by changing Sections 10 and 18.3a and by adding Section 18.08 as follows:

(750 ILCS 50/10) (from Ch. 40, par. 1512)

Sec. 10. Forms of consent and surrender; execution and acknowledgment thereof.

A. The form of consent required for the adoption of a born child shall be substantially as follows:

FINAL AND IRREVOCABLE CONSENT TO ADOPTION

I, ...., (relationship, e.g., mother, father, relative, guardian) of ...., a ..male child, state:

That such child was born on .... at ....

That I reside at ...., County of .... and State of ....

That I am of the age of .... years.

That I hereby enter my appearance in this proceeding and waive service of summons on me.

That I hereby acknowledge that I have been provided with a copy of the Birth Parent Rights and Responsibilities-Private Form before signing this Consent and that I have had time to read, or have had read to me, this Form. I understand that if I do not receive any of the rights as described in this Form, it shall not constitute a basis to revoke this Final and Irrevocable Consent.

That I do hereby consent and agree to the adoption of such child.

That I wish to and understand that by signing this consent I do irrevocably and permanently give up all custody and other parental rights I have to such child.

That I understand such child will be placed for adoption and that I cannot under any circumstances, after signing this document, change my mind and revoke or cancel this consent or obtain or recover custody or any other rights over such child. That I have read and understand the above and I am signing it as my free and voluntary act.

Dated (insert date). .........................

If under Section 8 the consent of more than one person is required, then each such person shall execute a separate consent.

A-1. (1) The form of the Final and Irrevocable Consent to Adoption by a Specified Person or Persons: Non-DCFS Case set forth in this subsection A-1 is to be used by legal parents only. This form is not to be used in cases in which there is a pending petition under Section 2-13 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.

(2) The form of the Final and Irrevocable Consent to Adoption by a Specified Person or Persons in a non-DCFS case shall have the caption of the proceeding in which it is to be filed and shall be substantially as follows:

FINAL AND IRREVOCABLE CONSENT TO ADOPTION BY

A SPECIFIED PERSON OR PERSONS; NON-DCFS CASE

I, ...., (relationship, e.g., mother, father) of ...., a ..male child, state:

1. That such child was born on ...., at ....., City of ... and State of ....

2. That I reside at ...., County of .... and State of ....

3. That I am of the age of .... years.

4. That I hereby enter my appearance in this proceeding and waive service of summons on me.

5. That I hereby acknowledge that I have been provided a copy of the Birth Parent Rights and Responsibilities-Private Form before signing this Consent and that I have had time to read, or have had read to me, this Form and that I understand the Rights and Responsibilities described in this Form. I understand that if I do not receive any of my rights as described in said Form, it shall not constitute a basis to revoke this Final and Irrevocable Consent to Adoption by a Specified Person.

6. That I do hereby consent and agree to the adoption of such child by .... (specified persons) only.

7. That I wish to and understand that upon signing this consent I do irrevocably and permanently give up all custody and other parental rights I have to such child if such child is adopted by .... (specified person or persons). I hereby transfer all of my rights to the custody, care and control of such child to ............................. (specified person or persons).

8. That I understand such child will be adopted by ....................... (specified person or persons) and that I cannot under any circumstances, after signing this document, change my mind and revoke or cancel this consent or obtain or recover custody or any other rights over such child if ............................ (specified person or persons) adopt(s) such child; PROVIDED that each specified person has filed or shall file, within 60 days from the date hereof, a petition for the adoption of such child.

9. That if the specified person or persons designated herein do not file a petition for adoption within the time-frame specified above, or, if said petition for adoption is filed within the time-frame specified above but the adoption petition is dismissed with prejudice or the adoption proceeding is otherwise concluded without an order declaring the child to be the adopted child of the specified person or persons, then I understand that I will receive written notice of such circumstances within 10 business days of their occurrence. I understand that the notice will be directed to me using the contact information I have provided in this consent. I understand that I will have 10 business days from the date that the written notice is sent to me to respond, within which time I may request the Court to declare this consent voidable and return the child to me. I further understand that the Court will make the final decision of whether or not the child will be returned to me. If I do not make such request within 10 business days of the date of the notice, then I expressly waive any other notice or service of process in any legal proceeding for the adoption of the child.

10. That I expressly acknowledge that nothing in this Consent impairs the validity and absolute finality of this Consent under any circumstance other than those described in paragraph 9 of this Consent.

11. That I understand that I have a remaining duty and obligation to keep .............. (insert name and address of the attorney for the specified person or persons) informed of my current address or other preferred contact information until this adoption has been finalized. My failure to do so may result in the termination of my parental rights and the child being placed for adoption in another home.

12. That I do expressly waive any other notice or service of process in any of the legal proceedings for the adoption of the child as long as the adoption proceeding by the specified person or persons is pending.

13. That I have read and understand the above and I am signing it as my free and voluntary act.

14. That I acknowledge that this consent is valid even if the specified person or persons separate or divorce or one of the specified persons dies prior to the entry of the final judgment for adoption.

Dated (insert date).

.............................................

Signature of parent.

.............................................

Address of parent.

.............................................

Phone number(s) of parent.

.............................................

Personal email(s) of parent.

.............................................

(3) The form of the certificate of acknowledgement for a Final and Irrevocable Consent for Adoption by a Specified Person or Persons: Non-DCFS Case shall be substantially as follows:

STATE OF ..............) ) SS. COUNTY OF .............)

I, .................... (Name of Judge or other person), ..................... (official title, name, and address), certify that ............., personally known to me to be the same person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing Final and Irrevocable Consent for Adoption by a Specified Person or Persons; non-DCFS case, appeared before me this day in person and acknowledged that (she)(he) signed and delivered the consent as (her)(his) free and voluntary act, for the specified purpose. I am further satisfied that, before signing this Consent, ........ has read, or has had read to him or her, the Birth Parent Rights and Responsibilities-Private Form.

A-2. Birth Parent Rights and Responsibilities-Private Form. The Birth Parent Rights and Responsibilities-Private Form must be read by, or have been read to, any person executing a Final and Irrevocable Consent to Adoption under subsection A, a Final and Irrevocable Consent to Adoption by a Specified Person or Persons: Non-DCFS Case under subsection A-1, or a Consent to Adoption of Unborn Child under subsection B prior to the execution of said Consent. The form of the Birth Parent Rights and Responsibilities-Private Form shall be substantially as follows:

Birth Parent Rights and Responsibilities-Private Form

As a birth parent in the State of Illinois, you have the right:

1. To have your own attorney represent you. The prospective adoptive parents may agree to pay for the cost of your attorney in a manner consistent with Illinois law, but they are not required to do so.

2. To be treated with dignity and respect at all times and to make decisions free from coercion and pressure.

3. To receive counseling before and after signing a Final and Irrevocable Consent to Adoption ("Consent"), a Final and Irrevocable Consent to Adoption by a Specified Person or Persons: Non-DCFS Case ("Specified Consent"), or a Consent to Adoption of Unborn Child ("Unborn Consent"). The prospective adoptive parents may agree to pay for the cost of counseling in a manner consistent with Illinois law, but they are not required to do so.

4. To ask to be involved in choosing your child's prospective adoptive parents and to ask to meet them.

5. To ask your child's prospective adoptive parents any questions that pertain to your decision to place your child with them.

6. To see your child before signing a Consent or Specified Consent.

7. To request contact with your child and/or the child's prospective adoptive parents, with the understanding that any promises regarding contact with your child or receipt of information about the child after signing a Consent, Specified Consent, or Unborn Consent cannot be enforced under Illinois law.

8. To receive copies of all documents that you sign and have those documents provided to you in your preferred language.

9. To request that your identifying information remain confidential, unless required otherwise by Illinois law or court order, and to register with the Illinois Adoption Registry and Medical Information Exchange.

10. To work with an adoption agency or attorney of your choice, or change said agency or attorney, provided you promptly inform all of the parties currently involved.

11. To receive, upon request, a written list of any promised support, financial or otherwise, from your attorney or the attorney for your child's prospective adoptive parents.

12. To delay signing a Consent, Specified Consent, or Unborn Consent if you are not ready to do so.

13. To decline to sign a Consent, Specified Consent, or Unborn Consent even if you have received financial support from the prospective adoptive parents.

If you do not receive any of the rights described in this Form, it shall not be a basis to revoke a Consent, Specified Consent, or Unborn Consent.

As a Birth Parent in the State of Illinois, you have the responsibility:

1. To carefully consider your reasons for choosing adoption.

2. To voluntarily provide all known medical, background, and family information about yourself and your immediate family to your child's prospective adoptive parents or their attorney. For the health of your child, you are strongly encouraged, but not required, to provide all known medical, background, and family history information about yourself and your family to your child's prospective adoptive parents or their attorney.

3. (Birth mothers only) To accurately complete an Affidavit of Identification, which identifies the father of the child when known, with the understanding that a birth mother has a right to decline to identify the birth father.

4. To not accept financial support or reimbursement of pregnancy related expenses simultaneously from more than one source.

B. The form of consent required for the adoption of an unborn child shall be substantially as follows:

CONSENT TO ADOPTION OF UNBORN CHILD

I, ...., state:

That I am the father of a child expected to be born on or about .... to .... (name of mother).

That I reside at .... County of ...., and State of .....

That I am of the age of .... years.

That I hereby enter my appearance in such adoption proceeding and waive service of summons on me.

That I hereby acknowledge that I have been provided with a copy of the Birth Parent Rights and Responsibilities-Private Form before signing this Consent, and that I have had time to read, or have had read to me, this Form. I understand that if I do not receive any of the rights as described in this Form, it shall not constitute a basis to revoke this Consent to Adoption of Unborn Child.

That I do hereby consent and agree to the adoption of such child, and that I have not previously executed a consent or surrender with respect to such child.

That I wish to and do understand that by signing this consent I do irrevocably and permanently give up all custody and other parental rights I have to such child, except that I have the right to revoke this consent by giving written notice of my revocation not later than 72 hours after the birth of the child.

That I understand such child will be placed for adoption and that, except as hereinabove provided, I cannot under any circumstances, after signing this document, change my mind and revoke or cancel this consent or obtain or recover custody or any other rights over such child.

That I have read and understand the above and I am signing it as my free and voluntary act.

Dated (insert date).

........................

B-5. (1) The parent of a child may execute a consent to standby adoption by a specified person or persons. A consent under this subsection B-5 shall be acknowledged by a parent pursuant to subsection H and subsection K of this Section. The form of consent required for the standby adoption of a born child effective at a future date when the consenting parent of the child dies or requests that a final judgment of adoption be entered shall be substantially as follows:

FINAL AND IRREVOCABLE CONSENT

TO STANDBY ADOPTION

I, ..., (relationship, e.g. mother or father) of ...., a ..male child, state:

That the child was born on .... at .....

That I reside at ...., County of ...., and State of .....

That I am of the age of .... years.

That I hereby enter my appearance in this proceeding and waive service of summons on me in this action only.

That I do hereby consent and agree to the standby adoption of the child, and that I have not previously executed a consent or surrender with respect to the child.

That I wish to and understand that by signing this consent I do irrevocably and permanently give up all custody and other parental rights I have to the child, effective upon (my death) (the child's other parent's death) or upon (my) (the other parent's) request for the entry of a final judgment for adoption if ..... (specified person or persons) adopt my child.

That I understand that until (I die) (the child's other parent dies), I retain all legal rights and obligations concerning the child, but at that time, I irrevocably give all custody and other parental rights to .... (specified person or persons).

I understand my child will be adopted by ....... (specified person or persons) only and that I cannot, under any circumstances, after signing this document, change my mind and revoke or cancel this consent or obtain or recover custody or any other rights over my child if ..... (specified person or persons) adopt my child.

I understand that this consent to standby adoption is valid only if the petition for standby adoption is filed and that if ....... (specified person or persons), for any reason, cannot or will not file a petition for standby adoption or if his, her, or their petition for standby adoption is denied, then this consent is void. I have the right to notice of any other proceeding that could affect my parental rights.

That I have read and understand the above and I am signing it as my free and voluntary act.

Dated (insert date).

....................

If under Section 8 the consent of more than one person is required, then each such person shall execute a separate consent. A separate consent shall be executed for each child.

(2) If the parent consents to a standby adoption by 2 specified persons, then the form shall contain 2 additional paragraphs in substantially the following form:

If .... (specified persons) obtain a judgment of dissolution of marriage before the judgment for adoption is entered, then ..... (specified person) shall adopt my child. I understand that I cannot change my mind and revoke this consent or obtain or recover custody of my child if ..... (specified persons) obtain a judgment of dissolution of marriage and ..... (specified person) adopts my child. I understand that I cannot change my mind and revoke this consent if ...... (specified persons) obtain a judgment of dissolution of marriage before the adoption is final. I understand that this consent to adoption has no effect on who will get custody of my child if ..... (specified persons) obtain a judgment of dissolution of marriage after the adoption is final. I understand that if either ..... (specified persons) dies before the petition to adopt my child is granted, then the surviving person may adopt my child. I understand that I cannot change my mind and revoke this consent or obtain or recover custody of my child if the surviving person adopts my child.

A consent to standby adoption by specified persons on this form shall have no effect on a court's determination of custody or visitation under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act if the marriage of the specified persons is dissolved before the adoption is final.

(3) The form of the certificate of acknowledgement for a Final and Irrevocable Consent for Standby Adoption shall be substantially as follows:

STATE OF .....) ) SS. COUNTY OF ....)

I, ....... (name of Judge or other person) ..... (official title, name, and address), certify that ......., personally known to me to be the same person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing Final and Irrevocable Consent to Standby Adoption, appeared before me this day in person and acknowledged that (she) (he) signed and delivered the consent as (her) (his) free and voluntary act, for the specified purpose.

I have fully explained that this consent to adoption is valid only if the petition to adopt is filed, and that if the specified person or persons, for any reason, cannot or will not adopt the child or if the adoption petition is denied, then this consent will be void. I have fully explained that if the specified person or persons adopt the child, by signing this consent (she) (he) is irrevocably and permanently relinquishing all parental rights to the child, and (she) (he) has stated that such is (her) (his) intention and desire.

Dated (insert date).

Signature ..............................

(4) If a consent to standby adoption is executed in this form, the consent shall be valid only if the specified person or persons adopt the child. The consent shall be void if:

(a) the specified person or persons do not file a petition for standby adoption of the child; or

(b) a court denies the standby adoption petition.

The parent shall not need to take further action to revoke the consent if the standby adoption by the specified person or persons does not occur, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 11 of this Act.

C. The form of surrender to any agency given by a parent of a born child who is to be subsequently placed for adoption shall be substantially as follows and shall contain such other facts and statements as the particular agency shall require.

FINAL AND IRREVOCABLE SURRENDER

FOR PURPOSES OF ADOPTION

I, .... (relationship, e.g., mother, father, relative, guardian) of ...., a ..male child, state:

That such child was born on ...., at .....

That I reside at ...., County of ...., and State of .....

That I am of the age of .... years.

That I do hereby surrender and entrust the entire custody and control of such child to the .... (the "Agency"), a (public) (licensed) child welfare agency with its principal office in the City of ...., County of .... and State of ...., for the purpose of enabling it to care for and supervise the care of such child, to place such child for adoption and to consent to the legal adoption of such child.

That I hereby grant to the Agency full power and authority to place such child with any person or persons it may in its sole discretion select to become the adopting parent or parents and to consent to the legal adoption of such child by such person or persons; and to take any and all measures which, in the judgment of the Agency, may be for the best interests of such child, including authorizing medical, surgical and dental care and treatment including inoculation and anaesthesia for such child.

That I wish to and understand that by signing this surrender I do irrevocably and permanently give up all custody and other parental rights I have to such child.

That I understand I cannot under any circumstances, after signing this surrender, change my mind and revoke or cancel this surrender or obtain or recover custody or any other rights over such child.

That I have read and understand the above and I am signing it as my free and voluntary act.

Dated (insert date).

........................

C-5. The form of a Final and Irrevocable Designated Surrender for Purposes of Adoption to any agency given by a parent of a born child who is to be subsequently placed for adoption is to be used by legal parents only. The form shall be substantially as follows and shall contain such other facts and statements as the particular agency shall require:

FINAL AND IRREVOCABLE DESIGNATED SURRENDER

FOR PURPOSES OF ADOPTION

I, .... (relationship, e.g., mother, father, relative, guardian) of ...., a ..male child, state:

1. That such child was born on ...., at .....

2. That I reside at ...., County of ...., and State of .....

3. That I am of the age of .... years.

4. That I do hereby surrender and entrust the entire custody and control of such child to the .... (the "Agency"), a (public) (licensed) child welfare agency with its principal office in the City of ...., County of .... and State of ...., for the purpose of enabling it to care for and supervise the care of such child, to place such child for adoption with ............................. (specified person or persons) and to consent to the legal adoption of such child and to take any and all measures which, in the judgment of the Agency, may be for the best interests of such child, including authorizing medical, surgical and dental care and treatment including inoculation and anesthesia for such child.

5. That I wish to and understand that by signing this surrender I do irrevocably and permanently give up all custody and other parental rights I have to such child.

6. That if the petition for adoption is not filed by the specified person or persons designated herein or, if the petition for adoption is filed but the adoption petition is dismissed with prejudice or the adoption proceeding is otherwise concluded without an order declaring the child to be the adopted child of each specified person, then I understand that the Agency will provide notice to me within 10 business days and that such notice will be directed to me using the contact information I have provided to the Agency. I understand that I will have 10 business days from the date that the Agency sends me its notice to respond, within which time I may choose to designate other adoptive parent(s). However, I acknowledge that the Agency has full power and authority to place the child for adoption with any person or persons it may in its sole discretion select to become the adopting parent or parents and to consent to the legal adoption of the child by such person or persons.

7. That I acknowledge that this surrender is valid even if the specified persons separate or divorce or one of the specified persons dies prior to the entry of the final judgment for adoption.

8. That I expressly acknowledge that the above paragraphs 6 and 7 do not impair the validity and absolute finality of this surrender under any circumstance.

9. That I understand that I have a remaining obligation to keep the Agency informed of my current contact information until the adoption of the child has been finalized if I wish to be notified in the event the adoption by the specified person(s) cannot proceed.

10. That I understand I cannot under any circumstances, after signing this surrender, change my mind and revoke or cancel this surrender or obtain or recover custody or any other rights over such child.

11. That I have read and understand the above and I am signing it as my free and voluntary act.

Dated (insert date). ..............................

D. The form of surrender to an agency given by a parent of an unborn child who is to be subsequently placed for adoption shall be substantially as follows and shall contain such other facts and statements as the particular agency shall require.

SURRENDER OF UNBORN CHILD FOR

PURPOSES OF ADOPTION

I, .... (father), state:

That I am the father of a child expected to be born on or about .... to .... (name of mother).

That I reside at ...., County of ...., and State of .....

That I am of the age of .... years.

That I do hereby surrender and entrust the entire custody and control of such child to the .... (the "Agency"), a (public) (licensed) child welfare agency with its principal office in the City of ...., County of .... and State of ...., for the purpose of enabling it to care for and supervise the care of such child, to place such child for adoption and to consent to the legal adoption of such child, and that I have not previously executed a consent or surrender with respect to such child.

That I hereby grant to the Agency full power and authority to place such child with any person or persons it may in its sole discretion select to become the adopting parent or parents and to consent to the legal adoption of such child by such person or persons; and to take any and all measures which, in the judgment of the Agency, may be for the best interests of such child, including authorizing medical, surgical and dental care and treatment, including inoculation and anaesthesia for such child.

That I wish to and understand that by signing this surrender I do irrevocably and permanently give up all custody and other parental rights I have to such child.

That I understand I cannot under any circumstances, after signing this surrender, change my mind and revoke or cancel this surrender or obtain or recover custody or any other rights over such child, except that I have the right to revoke this surrender by giving written notice of my revocation not later than 72 hours after the birth of such child.

That I have read and understand the above and I am signing it as my free and voluntary act.

Dated (insert date).

........................

E. The form of consent required from the parents for the adoption of an adult, when such adult elects to obtain such consent, shall be substantially as follows:

CONSENT

I, ...., (father) (mother) of ...., an adult, state:

That I reside at ...., County of .... and State of .....

That I do hereby consent and agree to the adoption of such adult by .... and .....

Dated (insert date).

.........................

F. The form of consent required for the adoption of a child of the age of 14 years or upwards, or of an adult, to be given by such person, shall be substantially as follows:

CONSENT

I, ...., state:

That I reside at ...., County of .... and State of ..... That I am of the age of .... years. That I consent and agree to my adoption by .... and .....

Dated (insert date).

........................

G. The form of consent given by an agency to the adoption by specified persons of a child previously surrendered to it shall set forth that the agency has the authority to execute such consent. The form of consent given by a guardian of the person of a child sought to be adopted, appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction, shall set forth the facts of such appointment and the authority of the guardian to execute such consent.

H. A consent (other than that given by an agency, or guardian of the person of the child sought to be adopted who was appointed by a court of competent jurisdiction) shall be acknowledged by a parent before a judge of a court of competent jurisdiction or, except as otherwise provided in this Act, before a representative of an agency, or before a person, other than the attorney for the prospective adoptive parent or parents, designated by a court of competent jurisdiction.

I. A surrender, or any other document equivalent to a surrender, by which a child is surrendered to an agency shall be acknowledged by the person signing such surrender, or other document, before a judge of a court of competent jurisdiction, or, except as otherwise provided in this Act, before a representative of an agency, or before a person designated by a court of competent jurisdiction.

J. The form of the certificate of acknowledgment for a consent, a surrender, or any other document equivalent to a surrender, shall be substantially as follows:

STATE OF ....) ) SS. COUNTY OF ...)

I, .... (Name of judge or other person), .... (official title, name and location of court or status or position of other person), certify that ...., personally known to me to be the same person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing (consent) (surrender), appeared before me this day in person and acknowledged that (she) (he) signed and delivered such (consent) (surrender) as (her) (his) free and voluntary act, for the specified purpose.

I have fully explained that by signing such (consent) (surrender) (she) (he) is irrevocably relinquishing all parental rights to such child or adult and (she) (he) has stated that such is (her) (his) intention and desire. (Add if Consent only) I am further satisfied that, before signing this Consent, ........ has read, or has had read to him or her, the Birth Parent Rights and Responsibilities-Private Form.

Dated (insert date).

Signature ...............

K. When the execution of a consent or a surrender is acknowledged before someone other than a judge, such other person shall have his or her signature on the certificate acknowledged before a notary public, in form substantially as follows:

STATE OF ....) ) SS. COUNTY OF ...)

I, a Notary Public, in and for the County of ......, in the State of ......, certify that ...., personally known to me to be the same person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing certificate of acknowledgment, appeared before me in person and acknowledged that (she) (he) signed such certificate as (her) (his) free and voluntary act and that the statements made in the certificate are true.

Dated (insert date).

Signature ...................... Notary Public

(official seal)

There shall be attached a certificate of magistracy, or other comparable proof of office of the notary public satisfactory to the court, to a consent signed and acknowledged in another state.

L. A surrender or consent executed and acknowledged outside of this State, either in accordance with the law of this State or in accordance with the law of the place where executed, is valid.

M. Where a consent or a surrender is signed in a foreign country, the execution of such consent shall be acknowledged or affirmed in a manner conformable to the law and procedure of such country.

N. If the person signing a consent or surrender is in the military service of the United States, the execution of such consent or surrender may be acknowledged before a commissioned officer and the signature of such officer on such certificate shall be verified or acknowledged before a notary public or by such other procedure as is then in effect for such division or branch of the armed forces.

O. (1) The parent or parents of a child in whose interests a petition under Section 2-13 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 is pending may, with the approval of the designated representative of the Department of Children and Family Services ("Department" or "DCFS"), execute a consent to adoption by a specified person or persons:

(a) in whose physical custody the child has resided for at least 6 months; or

(b) in whose physical custody at least one sibling of the child who is the subject of this consent has resided for at least 6 months, and the child who is the subject of this consent is currently residing in this foster home; or

(c) in whose physical custody a child under one year of age has resided for at least 3 months.

The court may waive the time frames in subdivisions (a), (b), and (c) for good cause shown if the court finds it to be in the child's best interests. A consent under this subsection O shall be acknowledged by a parent pursuant to subsection H and subsection K of this Section.

(2) The final and irrevocable consent to adoption by a specified person or persons in a Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) case consent to adoption by a specified person or persons shall have the caption of the proceeding in which it is to be filed and shall be substantially as follows:

FINAL AND IRREVOCABLE CONSENT TO ADOPTION BY

A SPECIFIED PERSON OR PERSONS: DCFS CASE

I, ......................................, the .................. (mother or father) of a ....male child, state:

1. My child ............................ (name of child) was born on (insert date) at .................... Hospital in the municipality of ........., in ................ County, State of ...............

2. I reside at ......................, County of ............. and State of ..............

Mail may also be sent to me at this address ............................, in care of .................

My home telephone number is..........................

My cell telephone number is..........................

My e-mail address is.................................

3. I, ..........................., am .... years old.

4. I enter my appearance in this action for my child to be adopted to adopt my child by the person or persons specified herein by me and waive service of summons on me in this action only.

5. I hereby acknowledge that I have been provided a copy of the Birth Parent Rights and Responsibilities for DCFS Cases before signing this Consent and that I have had time to read this form or have it read to me and that I understand the rights and responsibilities described in this form. I understand that if I do not receive any of my rights as described in the form, it shall not constitute a basis to revoke this Final and Irrevocable Consent to Adoption by a Specified Person or Persons.

6. I do hereby consent and agree to the adoption of such child by .......... (specified person or persons) only.

7. I wish to sign this consent and I understand that by signing this consent I irrevocably and permanently give up all my parental rights I have to my child.

8. I understand that this consent allows my child to be adopted by .......... only and that I cannot under any circumstances after signing this document change my mind and revoke or cancel this consent.

9. I understand that this consent will be void if:

(a) the Department places my child with someone other than the specified person or persons; or

(b) a court denies the adoption petition for the specified person or persons to adopt my child; or

(c) the DCFS Guardianship Administrator refuses to consent to my child's adoption by the specified person or persons on the basis that the adoption is not in my child's best interests.

I understand that if this consent is void I have parental rights to my child, subject to any applicable court orders including those entered under Article II of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, unless and until I sign a new consent or surrender or my parental rights are involuntarily terminated. I understand that if this consent is void, my child may be adopted by someone other than the specified person or persons only if I sign a new consent or surrender, or my parental rights are involuntarily terminated. I understand that if this consent is void, the Department will notify me within 30 days using the addresses and telephone numbers I provided in paragraph 2 of this form. I understand that if I receive such a notice, it is very important that I contact the Department immediately, and preferably within 30 days, to have input into the plan for my child's future.

10. I understand that if a petition for adoption of my child is filed by someone other than the specified person or persons, the Department will notify me within 14 days after the Department becomes aware of the petition. The fact that someone other than the specified person or persons files a petition to adopt my child does not make this consent void.

11. If a person other than the specified person or persons files a petition to adopt my child or if the consent is void under paragraph 9, the Department will send written notice to me using the mailing address and email address provided by me in paragraph 2 of this form. The Department will also contact me using the telephone numbers I provided in paragraph 2 of this form. It is very important that I let the Department know if any of my contact information changes. If I do not let the Department know if any of my contact information changes, I understand that I may not receive notification from the Department if this consent is void or if someone other than the specified person or persons files a petition to adopt my child. If any of my contact information changes, I should immediately notify:

Caseworker's name and telephone number:

............................................................;

Agency name, address, zip code, and telephone number:

............................................................;

Supervisor's name and telephone number:

............................................................;

DCFS Advocacy Office for Children and Families: 800-232-3798.

12. I expressly acknowledge that paragraph 9 (and paragraphs 8a and 8b, if applicable) do not impair the validity and finality of this consent under any circumstances.

I consent to the adoption of my child by ............................. (specified person or persons) only.

I wish to sign this consent and I understand that by signing this consent I irrevocably and permanently give up all parental rights I have to my child if my child is adopted by ............................. (specified person or persons).

I understand my child will be adopted by ............................. (specified person or persons) only and that I cannot under any circumstances, after signing this document, change my mind and revoke or cancel this consent or obtain or recover custody or any other rights over my child if ............................ (specified person or persons) adopt my child.

I understand that this consent to adoption is valid only if the petition to adopt is filed within one year from the date that I sign it and that if ....................... (specified person or persons), for any reason, cannot or will not file a petition to adopt my child within that one year period or if their adoption petition is denied, then this consent will be voidable after one year upon the timely filing of my motion. If I file this motion before the filing of the petition for adoption, I understand that the court shall revoke this specific consent. I have the right to notice of any other proceeding that could affect my parental rights, except for the proceeding for ............. (specified person or persons) to adopt my child.

13. I have read and understand the above and I am signing it as my free and voluntary act.

Dated (insert date).

.............................................

Signature of parent

(3) If the parent consents to an adoption by 2 specified persons, then the form shall contain 2 additional paragraphs in substantially the following form:

8a. If ............... (specified persons) get a divorce or are granted a dissolution of a civil union before the petition to adopt my child is granted, this consent is valid for ........... (specified person) to adopt my child. I understand that I cannot change my mind or revoke this consent or recover custody of my child on the basis that the specified persons divorce or are granted a dissolution of a civil union. then .......... (specified person) shall adopt my child. I understand that I cannot change my mind and revoke this consent or obtain or recover custody over my child if ............. (specified persons) divorce and ............. (specified person) adopts my child. I understand that I cannot change my mind and revoke this consent or obtain or recover custody over my child if ................. (specified persons) divorce after the adoption is final. I understand that this consent to adoption has no effect on who will get custody of my child if they divorce after the adoption is final.

8b. I understand that if either ............... (specified persons) dies before the petition to adopt my child is granted, this consent remains valid for the surviving person to adopt my child. I understand that I cannot change my mind or revoke this consent or recover custody of my child on the basis that one of the specified persons dies. then the surviving person can adopt my child. I understand that I cannot change my mind and revoke this consent or obtain or recover custody over my child if the surviving person adopts my child.

A consent to adoption by specified persons on this form shall have no effect on a court's determination of custody or visitation under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act if the marriage of the specified persons is dissolved after the adoption is final.

(4) The form of the certificate of acknowledgement for a Final and Irrevocable Consent for Adoption by a Specified Person or Persons: DCFS Case shall be substantially as follows:

STATE OF ..............) ) SS. COUNTY OF .............)

I, .................... (Name of Judge or other person), ..................... (official title, name, and address), certify that ............., personally known to me to be the same person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing Final and Irrevocable Consent for Adoption by a Specified Person or Persons: DCFS Case, appeared before me this day in person and acknowledged that (she)(he) signed and delivered the consent as (her)(his) free and voluntary act, for the specified purpose.

I have fully explained that this consent to adoption is valid only if the petition to adopt is filed within one year from the date that it is signed, and that if the specified person or persons, for any reason, cannot or will not adopt the child or if the adoption petition is denied, then this consent will be voidable after one year upon the timely filing of a motion by the parent to revoke the consent. I explained that if this motion is filed before the filing of the petition for adoption, the court shall revoke this specific consent. I have fully explained that if the specified person or persons adopt the child, by signing this consent this parent is irrevocably and permanently relinquishing all parental rights to the child so that the child may be adopted by a specified person or persons, and this parent has stated that such is (her)(his) intention and desire. I have fully explained that this consent is void only if:

(a) the placement is disrupted and the child is moved to a different placement; or

(b) a court denies the petition for adoption; or

(c) the Department of Children and Family Services Guardianship Administrator refuses to consent to the child's adoption by a specified person or persons on the basis that the adoption is not in the child's best interests.

Dated (insert date).

...............................

Signature

(5) If a consent to adoption by a specified person or persons is executed in this form, the following provisions shall apply. The consent shall be valid only for the if that specified person or persons to adopt the child. The consent shall be void voidable after one year if:

(a) the placement disrupts and the child is moved to another placement the specified person or persons do not file a petition to adopt the child within one year after the consent is signed and the parent files a timely motion to revoke this consent. If this motion is filed before the filing of the petition for adoption the court shall revoke this consent; or

(b) a court denies the petition for adoption a court denies the adoption petition; or

(c) the Department of Children and Family Services Guardianship Administrator refuses to consent to the child's adoption by the specified person or persons on the basis that the adoption is not in the child's best interests determines that the specified person or persons will not or cannot complete the adoption, or in the best interests of the child should not adopt the child.

If the consent is void under this Section, the parent shall not need to take further action to revoke the consent. No proceeding for termination of parental rights shall be brought unless the parent who executed the consent to adoption by a specified person or persons has been notified of the proceedings pursuant to Section 7 of this Act or subsection (4) of Section 2-13 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Within 30 days of the consent becoming void, the Department of Children and Family Services Guardianship Administrator shall make good faith attempts to notify the parent in writing and shall give written notice to the court and all additional parties in writing that the adoption has not occurred or will not occur and that the consent is void. If the adoption by a specified person or persons does not occur, no proceeding for termination of parental rights shall be brought unless the biological parent who executed the consent to adoption by a specified person or persons has been notified of the proceeding pursuant to Section 7 of this Act or subsection (4) of Section 2-13 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. The parent shall not need to take further action to revoke the consent if the specified adoption does not occur, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 11 of this Act.

(6) The Department of Children and Family Services is authorized to promulgate rules necessary to implement this subsection O.

(7) (Blank). The Department shall collect and maintain data concerning the efficacy of specific consents. This data shall include the number of specific consents executed and their outcomes, including but not limited to the number of children adopted pursuant to the consents, the number of children for whom adoptions are not completed, and the reason or reasons why the adoptions are not completed.

(8) The Department of Children and Family Services shall promulgate a rule and procedures regarding Consents to Adoption by a Specified Person or Persons in DCFS cases. The rule and procedures shall provide for the development of the Birth Parent Rights and Responsibilities Form for DCFS Cases.

(9) A consent to adoption by specified persons on this consent form shall have no effect on a court's determination of custody or visitation under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act or the Illinois Religious Freedom Protection and Civil Union Act if the marriage or civil union of the specified persons is dissolved after the adoption is final.

P. If the person signing a consent is incarcerated or detained in a correctional facility, prison, jail, detention center, or other comparable institution, either in this State or any other jurisdiction, the execution of such consent may be acknowledged before social service personnel of such institution, or before a person designated by a court of competent jurisdiction.

Q. A consent may be acknowledged telephonically, via audiovisual connection, or other electronic means, provided that a court of competent jurisdiction has entered an order approving the execution of the consent in such manner and has designated an individual to be physically present with the parent executing such consent in order to verify the identity of the parent.

R. An agency whose representative is acknowledging a consent pursuant to this Section shall be a public child welfare agency, or a child welfare agency, or a child placing agency that is authorized or licensed in the State or jurisdiction in which the consent is signed.

S. The form of waiver by a putative or legal father of a born or unborn child shall be substantially as follows:

FINAL AND IRREVOCABLE

WAIVER OF PARENTAL RIGHTS OF PUTATIVE OR LEGAL FATHER

I, .................... , state under oath or affirm as follows:

1. That the biological mother ............... has named me as a possible biological or legal father of her minor child who was born, or is expected to be born on ..........., ......, in the City/Town of........., State of ...........

2. That I understand that the biological mother ............. intends to or has placed the child for adoption.

3. That I reside at ................, in the City/Town of..........., State of ................

4. That I am ................ years of age and my date of birth is ..............., .............

5. That I (select one):

..... am married to the biological mother.

..... am not married to the biological mother and have not been married to the biological mother within 300 days before the child's birth or expected date of child's birth.

..... am not currently married to the biological mother, but was married to the biological mother, within 300 days before the child's birth or expected date of child's birth.

6. That I (select one):

..... neither admit nor deny that I am the biological father of the child.

..... deny that I am the biological father of the child.

7. That I hereby agree to the termination of my parental rights, if any, without further notice to me of any proceeding for the adoption of the minor child, even if I have taken any action to establish parental rights or take any such action in the future including registering with any putative father registry.

8. That I understand that by signing this Waiver I do irrevocably and permanently give up all custody and other parental rights I may have to such child.

9. That I understand that this Waiver is FINAL AND IRREVOCABLE and that I am permanently barred from contesting any proceeding for the adoption of the child after I sign this Waiver.

10. That I waive any further service of summons or other pleadings in any proceeding to terminate parental rights, if any to this child, or any proceeding for adoption of this child.

11. That I understand that if a final judgment or order of adoption for this child is not entered, then any parental rights or responsibilities that I may have remain intact.

12. That I have read and understand the above and that I am signing it as my free and voluntary act.

Dated: ................... , ..............

...........................................

Signature

OATH I have been duly sworn and I state under oath that I have read and understood this Final and Irrevocable Waiver of Parental Rights of Putative or Legal Father. The facts contained in it are true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I have signed this document as my free and voluntary act in order to facilitate the adoption of the child.

.............................. Signature

Signed and Sworn before me on this ............ day of ..........., 20....

................... Notary Public

(Source: P.A. 96-601, eff. 8-21-09; 96-1461, eff. 1-1-11; 97-493, eff. 8-22-11.)

(750 ILCS 50/18.08 new)

Sec. 18.08. Adoption Advisory Council.

(a) There shall be established under the Department of Public Health the Adoption Advisory Council. The Council shall include:

(1) the Director of the Department of Public Health, or his or her designee, who shall serve as the chairperson of the Council;

(2) the Director of the Department of Children and Family Services, or his or her designee;

(3) an attorney representing the Attorney General's Office appointed by the Attorney General;

(4) a currently certified confidential intermediary appointed by the Director of the Department of Children and Family Services;

(5) one representative from each of the following organizations appointed by the Director of the Department of Public Health: Adoption Advocates of Illinois, Adoptive Families Today, Catholic Conference of Illinois, Chicago Area Families for Adoption, Chicago Bar Association, Child Care Association of Illinois, Children Remembered, Inc., Children's Home and Aid Society of Illinois, Child Welfare Advisory Council, The Cradle, Healing Hearts, Illinois Foster Parents Association, Illinois State Bar Association, Illinois State Medical Society, Jewish Children's Bureau, LDS Social Services, Lutheran Social Services of Illinois, Maryville Academy, Midwest Adoption Center, St. Mary's Services, Stars of David, and Truthseekers in Adoption;

(6) 5 additional members appointed by the Director of the Department of Children and Family Services who shall, when making those appointments, consider advocates for adopted persons, adoptive parents, or birth parents, lawyers who represent clients in private adoptions, lawyers specializing in privacy law, and representatives of agencies involved in adoptions; and

(7) an attorney from the Department of Children and Family Services and the person directly responsible for administering the confidential intermediary program, who shall serve as ex-officio, non-voting advisors to the Council.

(b) If any one of the named organizations in item (5) of subsection (a) notifies the Director of the Department of Public Health in writing that the organization does not wish to participate on the Adoption Advisory Council or that the organization is no longer functioning, the Director may designate another organization that represents the same constituency as the named organization to replace the named organization on the Council.

(c) Council members shall receive no compensation for their service. The Council shall meet no less often than once every 6 months and shall meet as the Director of the Department of Public Health deems necessary. The council shall make recommendations regarding the development of rules, procedures, and forms that will ensure the efficient and effective operation of the adoption process in Illinois and the effective delivery of adult post-adoption services in Illinois, including:

(1) advising the Department of Public Health on the development of rules, procedures, and forms utilized by the Illinois Adoption Registry and Medical Information Exchange;

(2) making recommendations regarding the procedures, tools, and technology that will ensure efficient and effective operation of the Registry;

(3) assisting the Department of Public Health with the development, publication, and circulation of an informational pamphlet that describes the purpose, function, and mechanics of the Illinois Adoption Registry and Medical Information Exchange, including information about who is eligible to register and how to register; information about the questions and concerns that registrants may develop when they register or when they receive information from the Registry; and a list of services, programs, groups, and informational websites that are available to assist registrants with their questions and concerns;

(4) collecting, compiling, and reviewing statistical data and empirical information concerning the procedures in the Registry including, but not limited to, data concerning the filing of Denials of Information Exchange, Information Exchange Authorizations, Requests for a Non-Certified Copy of an Original Birth Certificate, and Birth Parent Preference Forms;

(5) making recommendations regarding the standards for certification for confidential intermediaries;

(6) reviewing compliance with all appropriate laws including, but not limited to, P.A. 96-895 and this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly;

(7) overseeing methods used to verify that intermediaries are complying with the appropriate laws;

(8) assisting the Department of Children and Family Services with training for confidential intermediaries, including training with respect to federal and State privacy laws;

(9) reviewing the relationship between confidential intermediaries and the court system and making recommendations concerning sample orders that define the scope of the intermediaries' access to information;

(10) considering any recent violations of policy or procedures by confidential intermediaries and remedial steps, including decertification, which might be recommended so as to prevent future violations; and

(11) reviewing reports from the Department of Children and Family Services submitted by July 1 and January 1 of each year in order detailing the penalties assessed and collected, the amounts of related deposits into the DCFS Children's Services Fund, and any expenditures from such deposits.

(d) Within 45 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 97th General Assembly, both the Adoption Registry Advisory Council and the Confidential Intermediary Council shall, notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, turn over the Council's records to the Adoption Advisory Council and cease to function.

(750 ILCS 50/18.3a) (from Ch. 40, par. 1522.3a)

Sec. 18.3a. Confidential intermediary.

(a) General purposes. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, any adopted or surrendered person 21 years of age or over, any adoptive parent or legal guardian of an adopted or surrendered person under the age of 21, or any birth parent of an adopted or surrendered person who is 21 years of age or over may petition the court in any county in the State of Illinois for appointment of a confidential intermediary as provided in this Section for the purpose of exchanging medical information with one or more mutually consenting biological relatives, obtaining identifying information about one or more mutually consenting biological relatives, or arranging contact with one or more mutually consenting biological relatives. Additionally, in cases where an adopted or surrendered person is deceased, an adult child of the adopted or surrendered person or his or her adoptive parents or surviving spouse may file a petition under this Section and in cases where the birth parent is deceased, an adult birth sibling of the adopted or surrendered person or of the deceased birth parent may file a petition under this Section for the purpose of exchanging medical information with one or more mutually consenting biological relatives of the adopted or surrendered person, obtaining identifying information about one or more mutually consenting biological relatives of the adopted or surrendered person, or arranging contact with one or more mutually consenting biological relatives of the adopted or surrendered person. Beginning January 1, 2006, any adopted or surrendered person 21 years of age or over; any adoptive parent or legal guardian of an adopted or surrendered person under the age of 21; any birth parent, birth sibling, birth aunt, or birth uncle of an adopted or surrendered person over the age of 21; any surviving child, adoptive parent, or surviving spouse of a deceased adopted or surrendered person who wishes to petition the court for the appointment of a confidential intermediary shall be required to accompany their petition with proof of registration with the Illinois Adoption Registry and Medical Information Exchange.

(b) Petition. Upon petition by an adopted or surrendered person 21 years of age or over (an "adult adopted or surrendered person"), an adoptive parent or legal guardian of an adopted or surrendered person under the age of 21, or a birth parent of an adopted or surrendered person who is 21 years of age or over, the court shall appoint a confidential intermediary. Upon petition by an adult child, adoptive parent or surviving spouse of an adopted or surrendered person who is deceased, by an adult birth sibling of an adopted or surrendered person whose common birth parent is deceased and whose adopted or surrendered birth sibling is 21 years of age or over, or by an adult sibling of a birth parent who is deceased, and whose surrendered child is 21 years of age or over, the court may appoint a confidential intermediary if the court finds that the disclosure is of greater benefit than nondisclosure. The petition shall state which biological relative or relatives are being sought and shall indicate if the petitioner wants to do any one or more of the following: exchange medical information with the biological relative or relatives, obtain identifying information from the biological relative or relatives, or to arrange contact with the biological relative.

(c) Order. The order appointing the confidential intermediary shall allow that intermediary to conduct a search for the sought-after relative by accessing those records described in subsection (g) of this Section.

(d) Fees and expenses. The court shall not condition the appointment of the confidential intermediary on the petitioner's payment of the intermediary's fees and expenses in advance of the commencement of the work of the confidential intermediary. No However, no fee shall be charged if the petitioner is an adult adopted or surrendered person and the sought-after relative is a birth parent who filed or who did not file a Denial with the Registry prior to January 1, 2011, or filed a Birth Parent Preference Form on which Option E was selected after January 1, 2011 and more than 5 years have transpired since the birth parent filed the Denial of Information Exchange or Birth Parent Preference Form on which Option E was selected.

(e) Eligibility of intermediary. The court may appoint as confidential intermediary any person certified by the Department of Children and Family Services as qualified to serve as a confidential intermediary. Certification shall be dependent upon the confidential intermediary completing a course of training including, but not limited to, applicable federal and State privacy laws.

(f) (Blank). Confidential Intermediary Council. There shall be established under the Department of Children and Family Services a Confidential Intermediary Advisory Council. One member shall be an attorney representing the Attorney General's Office appointed by the Attorney General. One member shall be a currently certified confidential intermediary appointed by the Director of the Department of Children and Family Services. The Director shall also appoint 5 additional members. When making those appointments, the Director shall consider advocates for adopted persons, adoptive parents, birth parents, lawyers who represent clients in private adoptions, lawyers specializing in privacy law, and representatives of agencies involved in adoptions. The Director shall appoint one of the 7 members as the chairperson. An attorney from the Department of Children and Family Services and the person directly responsible for administering the confidential intermediary program shall serve as ex-officio, non-voting advisors to the Council. Council members shall serve at the discretion of the Director and shall receive no compensation other than reasonable expenses approved by the Director. The Council shall meet no less than twice yearly and shall meet at least once yearly with the Registry Advisory Council, and shall make recommendations to the Director regarding the development of rules, procedures, and forms that will ensure efficient and effective operation of the confidential intermediary process, including:

(1) Standards for certification for confidential intermediaries.

(2) Oversight of methods used to verify that intermediaries are complying with the appropriate laws.

(3) Training for confidential intermediaries, including training with respect to federal and State privacy laws.

(4) The relationship between confidential intermediaries and the court system, including the development of sample orders defining the scope of the intermediaries' access to information.

(5) Any recent violations of policy or procedures by confidential intermediaries and remedial steps, including decertification, to prevent future violations.

(g) Access. Subject to the limitations of subsection (i) of this Section, the confidential intermediary shall have access to vital records or a comparable public entity that maintains vital records in another state in accordance with that state's laws, maintained by the Department of Public Health and its local designees for the maintenance of vital records or a comparable public entity that maintains vital records in another state in accordance with that state's laws and all records of the court or any adoption agency, public or private, as limited in this Section, which relate to the adoption or the identity and location of an adopted or surrendered person, of an adult child or surviving spouse of a deceased adopted or surrendered person, or of a birth parent, birth sibling, or the sibling of a deceased birth parent. The confidential intermediary shall not have access to any personal health information protected by the Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information adopted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 unless the confidential intermediary has obtained written consent from the person whose information is being sought by an adult adopted or surrendered person or, if that person is a minor child, that person's parent or guardian. Confidential intermediaries shall be authorized to inspect confidential relinquishment and adoption records. The confidential intermediary shall not be authorized to access medical records, financial records, credit records, banking records, home studies, attorney file records, or other personal records. In cases where a birth parent is being sought, an adoption agency shall inform the confidential intermediary of any statement filed pursuant to Section 18.3, hereinafter referred to as "the 18.3 statement", indicating a desire of the surrendering birth parent to have identifying information shared or to not have identifying information shared. If there was a clear statement of intent by the sought-after birth parent not to have identifying information shared, the confidential intermediary shall discontinue the search and inform the petitioning party of the sought-after relative's intent unless the birth parent filed the 18.3 statement prior to the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly and more than 5 years have elapsed since the filing of the 18.3 statement. If the adult adopted or surrendered person is the subject of an 18.3 statement indicating a desire not to establish contact which was filed more than 5 years prior to the search request, the confidential intermediary shall confirm the petitioner's desire to continue the search. Information provided to the confidential intermediary by an adoption agency shall be restricted to the full name, date of birth, place of birth, last known address, last known telephone number of the sought-after relative or, if applicable, of the children or siblings of the sought-after relative, and the 18.3 statement.

(h) Adoption agency disclosure of medical information. If the petitioner is an adult adopted or surrendered person or the adoptive parent of a minor and if the petitioner has signed a written authorization to disclose personal medical information, an adoption agency disclosing information to a confidential intermediary shall disclose available medical information about the adopted or surrendered person from birth through adoption.

(i) Duties of confidential intermediary in conducting a search. In conducting a search under this Section, the confidential intermediary shall first confirm that there is no Denial of Information Exchange on file with the Illinois Adoption Registry. If the petitioner is an adult child of an adopted or surrendered person who is deceased, the confidential intermediary shall additionally confirm that the adopted or surrendered person did not file a Denial of Information Exchange or a Birth Parent Preference Form with Option E selected with the Illinois Adoption Registry during his or her life. If there is a Denial on file with the Registry, the confidential intermediary must discontinue the search unless the petitioner is an adult adopted or surrendered person and the sought-after birth relative filed the Denial 5 years or more prior to the search or the birth parent has not been the object of a search through the State confidential intermediary program for 10 or more years. If the petitioner is an adult adopted or surrendered person and there is a Birth Parent Preference Form on file with the Registry and the birth parent who completed the form selected Option E, the confidential intermediary must discontinue the search unless 5 years or more have elapsed since the filing of the Birth Parent Preference Form. If the petitioner is an adult birth sibling of an adopted or surrendered person or an adult sibling of a birth parent who is deceased, the confidential intermediary shall additionally confirm that the birth parent did not file a Denial of Information Exchange or a Birth Parent Preference Form with Option E selected with the Registry during his or her life. If the confidential intermediary learns that a sought-after birth parent signed an 18.3 statement indicating his or her intent not to have identifying information shared, and did not later file an Information Exchange Authorization or a Birth Parent Preference Form with the Registry, the confidential intermediary shall discontinue the search and inform the petitioning party of the birth parent's intent, unless the petitioner is an adult adopted or surrendered person and 5 years or more have elapsed since the birth parent signed the statement indicating his or her intent not to have identifying information shared. In cases where the birth parent filed a Denial of Information Exchange or Birth Parent Preference Form where Option E was selected, or statement indicating his or her intent not to have identifying information shared less than 5 years prior to the search request and the petitioner is an adult adopted or surrendered person, the confidential intermediary shall inform the petitioner of the need to discontinue the search until 5 years have elapsed since the Denial of Information Exchange or Birth Parent Preference Form where Option E was selected, or statement was filed; in cases where a birth parent was previously the subject of a search through the State confidential intermediary program, the confidential intermediary shall inform the petitioner of the need to discontinue the search until 10 years or more have elapsed since the initial search was closed. In cases where a birth parent has been the object of 2 searches through the State confidential intermediary program, no subsequent search for the birth parent shall be authorized absent a court order to the contrary.

In conducting a search under this Section, the confidential intermediary shall attempt to locate the relative or relatives from whom the petitioner has requested information. If the sought-after relative is deceased or cannot be located after a diligent search, the confidential intermediary may contact other adult relatives of the sought-after relative.

The confidential intermediary shall contact a sought-after relative on behalf of the petitioner in a manner that respects the sought-after relative's privacy and shall inform the sought-after relative of the petitioner's request for medical information, identifying information or contact as stated in the petition. Based upon the terms of the petitioner's request, the confidential intermediary shall contact a sought-after relative on behalf of the petitioner and inform the sought-after relative of the following options:

(1) The sought-after relative may totally reject one or all of the requests for medical information, identifying information or contact. The sought-after relative shall be informed that they can provide a medical questionnaire to be forwarded to the petitioner without releasing any identifying information. The confidential intermediary shall inform the petitioner of the sought-after relative's decision to reject the sharing of information or contact.

(2) The sought-after relative may consent to completing a medical questionnaire only. In this case, the confidential intermediary shall provide the questionnaire and ask the sought-after relative to complete it. The confidential intermediary shall forward the completed questionnaire to the petitioner and inform the petitioner of the sought-after relative's desire to not provide any additional information.

(3) The sought-after relative may communicate with the petitioner without having his or her identity disclosed. In this case, the confidential intermediary shall arrange the desired communication in a manner that protects the identity of the sought-after relative. The confidential intermediary shall inform the petitioner of the sought-after relative's decision to communicate but not disclose his or her identity.

(4) The sought-after relative may consent to initiate contact with the petitioner. If both the petitioner and the sought-after relative or relatives are eligible to register with the Illinois Adoption Registry, the confidential intermediary shall provide the necessary application forms and request that the sought-after relative register with the Illinois Adoption Registry. If either the petitioner or the sought-after relative or relatives are ineligible to register with the Illinois Adoption Registry, the confidential intermediary shall obtain written consents from both parties that they wish to disclose their identities to each other and to have contact with each other.

(j) Oath. The confidential intermediary shall sign an oath of confidentiality substantially as follows: "I, .........., being duly sworn, on oath depose and say: As a condition of appointment as a confidential intermediary, I affirm that:

(1) I will not disclose to the petitioner, directly or indirectly, any confidential information except in a manner consistent with the law.

(2) I recognize that violation of this oath subjects me to civil liability and to a potential finding of contempt of court. ................................

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me, a Notary Public, on (insert date)

................................."

(k) Sanctions.

(1) Any confidential intermediary who improperly discloses confidential information identifying a sought-after relative shall be liable to the sought-after relative for damages and may also be found in contempt of court.

(2) Any person who learns a sought-after relative's identity, directly or indirectly, through the use of procedures provided in this Section and who improperly discloses information identifying the sought-after relative shall be liable to the sought-after relative for actual damages plus minimum punitive damages of $10,000.

(3) The Department shall fine any confidential intermediary who improperly discloses confidential information in violation of item (1) or (2) of this subsection (k) an amount up to $2,000 per improper disclosure. This fine does not affect civil liability under item (2) of this subsection (k). The Department shall deposit all fines and penalties collected under this Section into the Illinois Adoption Registry and Medical Information Fund.

(l) Death of person being sought. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, if the confidential intermediary discovers that the person being sought has died, he or she shall report this fact to the court, along with a copy of the death certificate. If the sought-after relative is a birth parent, the confidential intermediary shall also forward a copy of the birth parent's death certificate, if available, to the Registry for inclusion in the Registry file.

(m) Any confidential information obtained by the confidential intermediary during the course of his or her search shall be kept strictly confidential and shall be used for the purpose of arranging contact between the petitioner and the sought-after birth relative. At the time the case is closed, all identifying information shall be returned to the court for inclusion in the impounded adoption file.

(n) If the petitioner is an adopted or surrendered person 21 years of age or over or the adoptive parent or legal guardian of an adopted or surrendered person under the age of 21, any non-identifying information, as defined in Section 18.4, that is ascertained during the course of the search may be given in writing to the petitioner at any time during the search before the case is closed.

(o) Except as provided in subsection (k) of this Section, no liability shall accrue to the State, any State agency, any judge, any officer or employee of the court, any certified confidential intermediary, or any agency designated to oversee confidential intermediary services for acts, omissions, or efforts made in good faith within the scope of this Section.

(p) An adoption agency that has received a request from a confidential intermediary for the full name, date of birth, last known address, or last known telephone number of a sought-after relative pursuant to subsection (g) of Section 18.3a, or for medical information regarding a sought-after relative pursuant to subsection (h) of Section 18.3a, must satisfactorily comply with this court order within a period of 45 days. The court shall order the adoption agency to reimburse the petitioner in an amount equal to all payments made by the petitioner to the confidential intermediary, and the adoption agency shall be subject to a civil monetary penalty of $1,000 to be paid to the Department of Children and Family Services. Following the issuance of a court order finding that the adoption agency has not complied with Section 18.3, the adoption agency shall be subject to a monetary penalty of $500 per day for each subsequent day of non-compliance. Proceeds from such fines shall be utilized by the Department of Children and Family Services to subsidize the fees of petitioners as referenced in subsection (d) of this Section.

(q) Provide information to eligible petitioner. The confidential intermediary may provide to eligible petitioners as described in subsections (a) and (b) of this Section, the name of the child welfare agency which had legal custody of the surrendered person or responsibility for placing the surrendered person and any available contact information for such agency. In addition, the confidential intermediary may provide to such petitioners the name of the state in which the surrender occurred or in which the adoption was finalized.

Any reimbursements and fines, notwithstanding any reimbursement directly to the petitioner, paid under this subsection are in addition to other remedies a court may otherwise impose by law.

The Department of Children and Family Services shall submit reports to the Adoption Advisory Council Confidential Intermediary Advisory Council by July 1 and January 1 of each year in order to report the penalties assessed and collected under this subsection, the amounts of related deposits into the DCFS Children's Services Fund, and any expenditures from such deposits.

(Source: P.A. 96-661, eff. 8-25-09; 96-895, eff. 5-21-10; 97-110, eff. 7-14-11.)

(750 ILCS 50/18.07 rep.)

Section 15. The Adoption Act is amended by repealing Section 18.07.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect January 1, 2013, except this Section and Section 5 take effect upon becoming law.