Public Act No. 22-42 Summary

• Expands the list of entities authorized to access Department of Children and Families records without subject consent to include child placing agencies, the Department of Administrative Services, and the Department of Correction for specified purposes related to child protection and services.

• Adds new subsections to the record disclosure statute authorizing the Office of Early Childhood to determine suitability for child care licensing and subsidy receipt, and clarifying notification requirements when individuals are placed on the child abuse and neglect registry.

• Establishes an administrative unit within the Department of Children and Families to oversee education for children in juvenile justice facilities and incarcerated children, replacing previous education administration arrangements and effective October 1, 2022.

• Requires the education unit to develop quarterly performance reports for the Juvenile Justice Policy and Oversight Committee, contract with educational providers, facilitate student transitions back to community schools, and maintain uniform electronic records systems for educational records.

• Mandates school districts transfer educational records within specified timeframes when students enroll in new districts or transfer from/to the juvenile justice education unit, with new schools crediting students for all instruction received within 30 days.