SB3112 Summary

• Amends the Children and Family Services Act to expand the definition of "children" eligible for Department services to include persons under age 21 who were committed to the Department prior to age 18 and continue under court jurisdiction, or were accepted for care before age 18 and whose best interests are served by continuing services.

• Adds "homeless youth" (persons under age 19 not in safe/stable living situations who cannot be reunited with families) as a category eligible for Department child welfare services.

• Requires family preservation services to be mandatory (not voluntary) for families when a child abuse or neglect investigation is determined to be "indicated," and establishes that families must cooperate with and be provided these services.

• Modifies the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act to require that when reports are determined "indicated," families shall receive family preservation services as defined in the Act, shifting from optional to mandatory service provision.

• Clarifies Department authority to develop service plans and provide concurrent planning for permanency, with child health and safety as the paramount concern in all placement and reunification decisions.