IL HB2649

Creates the Task Force on Children of Incarcerated Parents to develop policies and procedures protecting children affected by parental incarceration and preserving parent-child relationships.

Task Force consists of 22 members including advocates, researchers, formerly incarcerated parents, adult children of incarcerated parents, and representatives from state agencies, law enforcement, courts, and the General Assembly.

Task Force must meet at least 4 times with first meeting by August 1, 2019, review research and best practices, and submit findings and recommendations to the General Assembly and Governor by December 31, 2019.

Establishes 8 guiding principles for task force policies including protecting children from trauma during arrest, ensuring children are heard in decisions, facilitating visitation and communication, and preventing children from being judged for parental incarceration.

Legislative findings document that approximately 186,000 Illinois children experienced parental incarceration from 2011-2012, and parental incarceration is classified as an Adverse Childhood Experience linked to poor mental and physical health outcomes.