IL HB5551

Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to ensure incarcerated parents can participate in case plan reviews via teleconference or videoconference, with case plans addressing tasks to be completed and visitation opportunities unless not in the child's best interests.

Allows fictive kin (unrelated individuals with close personal or emotional ties to a child) to qualify as relative caregivers, with foster parent licensure required within 6 months of placement, though the child cannot be removed solely for failure to obtain licensure.

Expands the definition of fictive kin to include current foster parents who have cared for a child for at least one year, established a family-like relationship, and been identified as the child's permanent connection.

Adds "good cause" exception to mandatory termination of parental rights filing when a parent is incarcerated and maintains a meaningful role in the child's life, requiring consideration of parental communication, compliance with service plans, and access limitations.

Modifies termination of parental rights provisions to assess whether an incarcerated parent maintains meaningful relationship through letters, phone calls, visits, efforts to comply with service plans, and limitations in access to family support programs and court participation.