IL HB4906

Changes requirement for court-appointed special advocates from discretionary ("may appoint") to mandatory ("shall appoint") upon filing of abuse, neglect, or dependency petitions.

Defines qualifications for court-appointed special advocates as community volunteers who must be adults, receive state and nationally developed training, pass child abuse/neglect screening, be supervised by accredited programs, and be sworn in by a circuit court judge.

Establishes eight specific duties for advocates: conduct independent assessments, maintain regular in-person contact with the minor, submit written reports on best interests, advocate for timely permanency hearings, attend all court proceedings, monitor compliance with case plans and court orders, and review court documents.

Grants advocates access to all case records upon presentation of appointment order and designates all acquired information as confidential and protected from disclosure except by court order.

Removes provision allowing county boards to opt out of the statute by resolution; applies statewide in counties with established court-appointed special advocate programs.