Public Act No. 21-140 Summary

• Limits transfer of juveniles to Department of Correction facilities and prohibits reducing other juvenile detention populations within the Judicial Department or Department of Children and Families (effective July 1, 2021).

• Requires Commissioner of Children and Families to submit federal Child and Family Services Plan, Annual Progress and Services Report, Child and Family Services Review, and Program Improvement Plan to legislative committees within 30 days of federal approval (effective July 1, 2021).

• Expands State Advisory Council on Children and Families from 19 to 20 members, adding one health care professional with expertise in children's health, and requires council to review federal reports rather than state strategic plans (effective October 1, 2021).

• Establishes qualified residential treatment program assessment requirements: children placed in such programs must be assessed within 30 days by a qualified individual and Superior Court must review placement within 15 days to ensure least restrictive setting (effective July 1, 2021 or upon federal approval of Family First Prevention Plan).

• Requires Commissioner of Correction to compile and report annually on frequency and use of physical restraint and seclusion on youth age 20 and younger at John R. Manson Youth Institution, distinguishing between emergency and non-emergency uses (effective October 1, 2017).