Bill Text: IL HB4996 | 2015-2016 | 99th General Assembly | Chaptered

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Bill Title: Amends the School Code. Requires a school board to appoint at least one employee to act as a liaison to facilitate the enrollment and transfer of records of students in the legal custody of the Department of Children and Family Services when enrolling in or changing schools. Sets forth the qualifications for appointment. Provides that liaisons shall build capacity and infrastructure within the school district to support students in the legal custody of the Department of Children and Family Services. Sets forth what a liaison's responsibilities may include. Provides that a school district must have a designated liaison by the beginning of the 2017-2018 school year. Effective immediately.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 5)

Status: (Passed) 2016-08-12 - Public Act . . . . . . . . . 99-0781 [HB4996 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2015-HB4996-Chaptered.html

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Public Act 099-0781
HB4996 Enrolled LRB099 18316 NHT 42690 b
AN ACT concerning education.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The School Code is amended by adding Sections
10-20.58 and 34-18.50 as follows:
(105 ILCS 5/10-20.58 new)
Sec. 10-20.58. DCFS liaison.
(a) Each school board may appoint at least one employee to
act as a liaison to facilitate the enrollment and transfer of
records of students in the legal custody of the Department of
Children and Family Services when enrolling in or changing
schools. The school board may appoint any employee of the
school district who is licensed under Article 21B of this Code
to act as a liaison; however, employees who meet any of the
following criteria must be prioritized for appointment:
(1) Employees who have worked with mobile student
populations or students in foster care.
(2) Employees who are familiar with enrollment, record
transfers, existing community services, and student
support services.
(3) Employees who serve as a high-level administrator.
(4) Employees who are counselors or have experience
with student counseling.

(5) Employees who are knowledgeable on child welfare
policies.
(6) Employees who serve as a school social worker.
(b) Liaisons under this Section are encouraged to build
capacity and infrastructure within their school district to
support students in the legal custody of the Department of
Children and Family Services. Liaison responsibilities may
include the following:
(1) streamlining the enrollment processes for students
in foster care;
(2) implementing student data tracking and monitoring
mechanisms;
(3) ensuring that students in the legal custody of the
Department of Children and Family Services receive all
school nutrition and meal programs available;
(4) coordinating student withdrawal from a school,
record transfers, and credit recovery;
(5) becoming experts on the foster care system and
State laws and policies in place that support children
under the legal custody of the Department of Children and
Family Services;
(6) coordinating with child welfare partners;
(7) providing foster care-related information and
training to the school district;
(8) working with the Department of Children and Family
Services to help students maintain their school placement,

if appropriate;
(9) reviewing student schedules to ensure that
students are on track to graduate;
(10) encouraging a successful transition into
adulthood and post-secondary opportunities;
(11) encouraging involvement in extracurricular
activities; and
(12) knowing what support is available within the
school district and community for students in the legal
custody of the Department of Children and Family Services.
(c) A school district is encouraged to designate a liaison
by the beginning of the 2017-2018 school year.
(d) Individuals licensed under Article 21B of this Code
acting as a liaison under this Section shall perform the duties
of a liaison in addition to existing contractual obligations.
(105 ILCS 5/34-18.50 new)
Sec. 34-18.50. DCFS liaison.
(a) The board may appoint at least one employee to act as a
liaison to facilitate the enrollment and transfer of records of
students in the legal custody of the Department of Children and
Family Services when enrolling in or changing schools. The
board may appoint any employee of the school district who is
licensed under Article 21B of this Code to act as a liaison;
however, employees who meet any of the following criteria must
be prioritized for appointment:

(1) Employees who have worked with mobile student
populations or students in foster care.
(2) Employees who are familiar with enrollment, record
transfers, existing community services, and student
support services.
(3) Employees who serve as a high-level administrator.
(4) Employees who are counselors or have experience
with student counseling.
(5) Employees who are knowledgeable on child welfare
policies.
(6) Employees who serve as a school social worker.
(b) Liaisons under this Section are encouraged to build
capacity and infrastructure within the school district to
support students in the legal custody of the Department of
Children and Family Services. Liaison responsibilities may
include the following:
(1) streamlining the enrollment processes for students
in foster care;
(2) implementing student data tracking and monitoring
mechanisms;
(3) ensuring that students in the legal custody of the
Department of Children and Family Services receive all
school nutrition and meal programs available;
(4) coordinating student withdrawal from a school,
record transfers, and credit recovery;
(5) becoming experts on the foster care system and

State laws and policies in place that support children
under the legal custody of the Department of Children and
Family Services;
(6) coordinating with child welfare partners;
(7) providing foster care-related information and
training to the school district;
(8) working with the Department of Children and Family
Services to help students maintain their school placement,
if appropriate;
(9) reviewing student schedules to ensure that
students are on track to graduate;
(10) encouraging a successful transition into
adulthood and post-secondary opportunities;
(11) encouraging involvement in extracurricular
activities; and
(12) knowing what support is available within the
school district and community for students in the legal
custody of the Department of Children and Family Services.
(c) The school district is encouraged to designate a
liaison by the beginning of the 2017-2018 school year.
(d) Individuals licensed under Article 21B of this Code
acting as a liaison under this Section shall perform the duties
of a liaison in addition to existing contractual obligations.
Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
becoming law.