Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for HB5551

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Expands the definition of "fictive kin" to include any individual, unrelated by birth or marriage, who is the foster parent of a child in the custody or guardianship of the Department of Children and Family Services, has established a significant and family-like relationship with the child, and has been identified by the Department as the child's permanent connection, as defined by rule by the Department.

Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the Children and Family Services Act. In provisions requiring the Department of Children and Family Services to develop a case plan for each client for whom the Department is providing placement services, requires the Department to ensure that incarcerated parents are able to participate in case plan reviews via teleconference or videoconference; and requires the case plan to address the tasks that must be completed by an incarcerated parent and other matters. Requires the Department to use the child's best interest standard under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 when considering a placement that will permit the child to maintain a meaningful relationship with his or her parents. Expands the definition of "fictive kin" to include any individual, unrelated by birth or marriage, who is the current foster parent of a child in the custody or guardianship of the Department pursuant to the Act and the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, if the child has been placed in the home for at least one year and has established a significant and family-like relationship with the foster parent, and the foster parent has been identified by the Department as the child's permanent connection, as defined by Department rule. Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. In provisions concerning a petition for the termination of parental rights involving minors who are committed to the care of the Department, provides that such a petition shall be filed unless a good cause exists that filing the petition is contrary to the child's best interests. Lists a parent's incarceration or prior incarceration, under certain conditions, as a good cause for not filing a petition for the termination of parental rights. Removes language concerning transitional rules for children living in foster care. Amends the Adoption Act. Removes language that provides that a child living in foster care for 15 months out of any 22-month period is a ground for finding a parent to be unfit.

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