HB5942 Summary

• Establishes a $100 fine for violations of custody or visitation orders under the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act, waivable only if the fine would create undue burden on an uninvolved party.

• Establishes a $100 fine for violations of custody or visitation provisions in orders of protection under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986, with the same waiver provision for undue hardship.

• Creates the Domestic Violence Victims Assistance Fund in the State treasury, funded by fines collected from custody/visitation order violations, with 10% retained by circuit clerks for administrative costs and 90% remitted to the fund.

• Authorizes the Attorney General to award grants from the Fund to public and private nonprofit organizations providing free legal assistance and domestic abuse advocacy to domestic violence victims in legal proceedings.

• Directs circuit clerks to collect and remit custody/visitation violation fines to the State Treasurer within 30 days of receipt for deposit into the Domestic Violence Victims Assistance Fund.