Bill Status of HB3277  102nd General Assembly


Short Description:  JUV CT-COURT APP SPEC ADVOCATE

House Sponsors
Rep. Terra Costa Howard and Chris Bos

Senate Sponsors
(Sen. Christopher Belt - Julie A. Morrison)

Last Action
DateChamber Action
  8/27/2021HousePublic Act . . . . . . . . . 102-0607

Statutes Amended In Order of Appearance
705 ILCS 405/2-17.1


Synopsis As Introduced
Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Requires (rather than gives discretion to the court) to appoint a special advocate upon the filing of a petition to declare a minor an abused, neglected, or dependent minor and to adjudge the minor a ward of the court. Establishes qualifications of a court appointed special advocate. Provides that a court appointed special advocate shall: (1) conduct an independent assessment to determine the facts and circumstances surrounding the case by monitoring compliance with the court order; (2) maintain regular and sufficient in-person contact with the minor; (3) submit written reports to the court regarding the minor's best interests; (4) advocate for timely court hearings to obtain permanency for the minor; (5) be notified of all administrative case reviews pertaining to the minor as defined by and work with the parties' attorneys, the guardian ad litem, and others assigned to the minor's case to protect the minor's health, safety and best interests and insure the proper delivery of child welfare services; (6) attend all court hearings and other proceedings to advocate for the minor's best interests; (7) monitor compliance with the case plan and all court orders; and (8) review all court related documents. Provides that upon presentation of an order of appointment, a court appointed special advocate shall have access to all records and information relevant to the minor's case. Provides that all records and information acquired, reviewed, or produced by a court appointed special advocate during the course of his or her appointment shall be deemed confidential and shall not be disclosed except as ordered by the court.

House Floor Amendment No. 1
Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the provisions of the bill as introduced, with the following changes: Provides that in counties of populations over 3,000,000 the court may appoint, rather than shall appoint, a special advocate upon a filing of certain petitions or at any time during the pendency of certain proceedings. Provides that a "court appointed special advocate" means a community volunteer who is 21 or older, rather than the age of majority. Provides that the court may consider, rather than shall consider, at its discretion, testimony of the court appointed special advocate pertaining to the well-being of the minor.

Senate Committee Amendment No. 1
Provides that the court appointed special advocate shall review all court documents that relate to the minor child (rather than all court related documents). Provides that upon presentation of an order of appointment, a court appointed special advocate shall have access to all records and information relevant to the minor's case with regard to the minor child (rather than all records and information relevant to the minor's case).

Actions 
DateChamber Action
  2/19/2021HouseFiled with the Clerk by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
  2/19/2021HouseFirst Reading
  2/19/2021HouseReferred to Rules Committee
  3/16/2021HouseAssigned to Judiciary - Civil Committee
  3/23/2021HouseDo Pass / Short Debate Judiciary - Civil Committee; 016-000-000
  4/8/2021HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate
  4/14/2021HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
  4/14/2021HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
  4/20/2021HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Judiciary - Civil Committee
  4/20/2021HouseSecond Reading - Short Debate
  4/20/2021HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
  4/21/2021HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be Adopted Judiciary - Civil Committee; 015-000-000
  4/22/2021HouseRecalled to Second Reading - Short Debate
  4/22/2021HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted
  4/22/2021HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
  4/22/2021HouseThird Reading - Short Debate - Passed 116-000-000
  4/22/2021HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Chris Bos
  4/23/2021SenateArrive in Senate
  4/23/2021SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of First Reading April 27, 2021
  4/28/2021SenateChief Senate Sponsor Sen. Christopher Belt
  4/28/2021SenateFirst Reading
  4/28/2021SenateReferred to Assignments
  5/10/2021SenateAssigned to Judiciary
  5/13/2021SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Christopher Belt
  5/13/2021SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments
  5/17/2021SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Judiciary
  5/18/2021SenateSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted
  5/19/2021SenateDo Pass as Amended Judiciary; 007-000-000
  5/19/2021SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 20, 2021
  5/20/2021SenateSecond Reading
  5/20/2021SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 21, 2021
  5/27/2021SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading ** May 28, 2021
  5/29/2021SenateAdded as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Julie A. Morrison
  5/29/2021SenateThird Reading - Passed; 059-000-000
  5/29/2021HouseArrived in House
  5/29/2021HousePlaced on Calendar Order of Concurrence Senate Amendment(s) 1
  5/30/2021HouseSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion Filed Concur Rep. Terra Costa Howard
  5/30/2021HouseSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Referred to Rules Committee
  5/30/2021HouseSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Recommends Be Adopted Rules Committee; 004-000-000
  5/31/2021HouseSenate Committee Amendment No. 1 House Concurs 117-000-000
  5/31/2021HouseHouse Concurs
  5/31/2021HousePassed Both Houses
  6/29/2021HouseSent to the Governor
  8/27/2021HouseGovernor Approved
  8/27/2021HouseEffective Date January 1, 2022
  8/27/2021HousePublic Act . . . . . . . . . 102-0607