IL HB0831

Department of Children and Family Services must notify the Director of Public Health and Director of Healthcare and Family Services whenever it receives a report of suspected child abuse or neglect occurring in a hospital, including freestanding psychiatric hospitals.

Department must send a copy of its final investigation finding to the Director of Public Health and Director of Healthcare and Family Services when abuse or neglect is alleged to have occurred while a child was receiving hospital care.

Department of Public Health receives access to information from unfounded reports involving children alleged to have been abused or neglected while hospitalized for purposes of conducting licensing investigations.

Establishes a "differential response program" allowing the Department to conduct either a family assessment or investigation based on the nature and severity of reported child abuse or neglect allegations.

Department must arrange for independent evaluation of the differential response program for at least the first 3 years and submit a report to the General Assembly by January 15, 2018.