HB2809 Summary

• Amends the Adoption Act to align with the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 and establishes procedures for intercountry and interstate adoptions involving children from outside the United States.

• Creates the position of Intercountry Adoption Coordinator within the Department of Children and Family Services to evaluate prospective adoptive parents' suitability and issue endorsement or denial letters based on preadoption requirements.

• Requires out-of-state adoption agencies to obtain Department approval and provide documentation of their licensing, program description, and supervision capabilities before placing children into Illinois.

• Establishes a 21-day timeline for the Intercountry Adoption Coordinator to issue endorsement or denial letters and allows prospective adoptive parents to request a review of denial decisions by the Department Director within 30 days.

• Requires the Department to provide annual reports to the General Assembly with statistics on endorsement letters, denial letters, and review requests for intercountry adoptions.