IL HB1551

Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to ensure children in its custody receive up-to-date well-child visits and age-appropriate immunizations, or document religious or medical reasons for non-compliance.

Mandates completion of a home safety checklist within 24 hours before a child is returned from foster care to a parent or guardian, and recertification within 5 working days and monthly thereafter until case closure.

Requires aftercare services to commence immediately when a child is returned to parental or guardian custody, with a minimum 6-month duration for each child starting from their individual return date.

Requires the Department to accept reports from mandated reporters as child welfare services referrals when there is a prior indicated abuse/neglect report or open service case involving any household member, unless family refusal triggers a full child protective services investigation.

Directs the Auditor General to conduct performance audits of the Department one year after enactment and a follow-up audit within 2 years to ensure compliance with these requirements.