Bill Text: IL HB4887 | 2017-2018 | 100th General Assembly | Chaptered


Bill Title: Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to assist youth in care in identifying and obtaining documents necessary to function as an independent adult prior to the closure of the youth's case to terminate wardship under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that the necessary documents shall include, but not be limited to: State identification card or driver's license; social security card; medical records; educational records; and other documents. Provides that if a court orders that the wardship of a youth in care be terminated and all proceedings under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 respecting the youth in care finally closed and discharged, the Department shall ensure that the youth in care has a copy of the court's order. Provides that a court shall find that it is in the minor's best interest to continue wardship of a minor if the Department of Children and Family Services has not made reasonable efforts to ensure that the minor has documents necessary for adult living. Provides that it shall not be in the minor's best interest to terminate wardship of a minor over the age of 18 who is in the Department's guardianship if the Department has not made reasonable efforts to ensure that the minor has documents necessary for adult living.

Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-1)

Status: (Passed) 2018-08-03 - Public Act . . . . . . . . . 100-0680 [HB4887 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2017-HB4887-Chaptered.html



Public Act 100-0680
HB4887 EnrolledLRB100 17355 KTG 32519 b
AN ACT concerning State government.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The Children and Family Services Act is amended
by adding Section 35.10 as follows:
(20 ILCS 505/35.10 new)
Sec. 35.10. Documents necessary for adult living.
The Department shall assist a youth in care in identifying
and obtaining documents necessary to function as an independent
adult prior to the closure of the youth's case to terminate
wardship as provided in Section 2-31 of the Juvenile Court Act
of 1987. These necessary documents shall include, but not be
limited to, any of the following:
(1) State identification card or driver's license.
(2) Social Security card.
(3) Medical records, including, but not limited to,
health passport, dental records, immunization records,
name and contact information for all current medical,
dental, and mental health providers, and a signed
certification that the Department provided the youth with
education on executing a healthcare power of attorney.
(4) Medicaid card or other health eligibility
documentation.
(5) Certified copy of birth certificate.
(6) Any applicable religious documents.
(7) Voter registration card.
(8) Immigration, citizenship, or naturalization
documentation, if applicable.
(9) Death certificates of parents, if applicable.
(10) Life book or compilation of personal history and
photographs.
(11) List of known relatives with relationships,
addresses, telephone numbers, and other contact
information, with the permission of the involved relative.
(12) Resume.
(13) Educational records, including list of schools
attended, and transcript, high school diploma, or high
school equivalency certificate.
(14) List of placements while in care.
(15) List of community resources with referral
information, including the Midwest Adoption Center for
search and reunion services for former youth in care,
whether or not they were adopted, and the Illinois Chapter
of Foster Care Alumni of America.
If a court determines that a youth in care no longer requires
wardship of the court and orders the wardship terminated and
all proceedings under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 respecting
the youth in care finally closed and discharged, the Department
shall ensure that the youth in care receives a copy of the
court's order.
Section 10. The Juvenile Court Act of 1987 is amended by
changing Section 2-31 as follows:
(705 ILCS 405/2-31) (from Ch. 37, par. 802-31)
Sec. 2-31. Duration of wardship and discharge of
proceedings.
(1) All proceedings under this Act in respect of any minor
for whom a petition was filed after the effective date of this
amendatory Act of 1991 automatically terminate upon his
attaining the age of 19 years, except that a court may continue
the wardship of a minor until age 21 for good cause when there
is satisfactory evidence presented to the court and the court
makes written factual findings that the health, safety, and
best interest of the minor and the public require the
continuation of the wardship. A court shall find that it is in
the minor's best interest to continue wardship if the
Department of Children and Family Services has not made
reasonable efforts to ensure that the minor has documents
necessary for adult living as provided in Section 35.10 of the
Children and Family Services Act.
(2) Whenever the court determines, and makes written
factual findings, that health, safety, and the best interests
of the minor and the public no longer require the wardship of
the court, the court shall order the wardship terminated and
all proceedings under this Act respecting that minor finally
closed and discharged. The court may at the same time continue
or terminate any custodianship or guardianship theretofore
ordered but the termination must be made in compliance with
Section 2-28. When terminating wardship under this Section, if
the minor is over 18, or if wardship is terminated in
conjunction with an order partially or completely emancipating
the minor in accordance with the Emancipation of Minors Act,
the court shall also make specific findings of fact as to the
minor's wishes regarding case closure and the manner in which
the minor will maintain independence. The minor's lack of
cooperation with services provided by the Department of
Children and Family Services shall not by itself be considered
sufficient evidence that the minor is prepared to live
independently and that it is in the best interest of the minor
to terminate wardship. It shall not be in the minor's best
interest to terminate wardship of a minor over the age of 18
who is in the guardianship of the Department of Children and
Family Services if the Department has not made reasonable
efforts to ensure that the minor has documents necessary for
adult living as provided in Section 35.10 of the Children and
Family Services Act.
(3) The wardship of the minor and any custodianship or
guardianship respecting the minor for whom a petition was filed
after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1991
automatically terminates when he attains the age of 19 years
except as set forth in subsection (1) of this Section. The
clerk of the court shall at that time record all proceedings
under this Act as finally closed and discharged for that
reason.
(Source: P.A. 96-581, eff. 1-1-10.)
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