HB0019 Summary

• Creates the Direct Child Welfare Service Employee License Board within the Department of Children and Family Services, consisting of 9 members appointed by the Director with specific composition requirements: 5 licensed human services professionals, 2 university faculty with child welfare experience, and 2 general public members.

• Board members serve staggered 3-year terms with a 6-year consecutive service limit, must be Illinois residents with geographic representation, and cannot have pending child abuse reports or certain criminal convictions.

• Board makes recommendations on licensure rules and makes final determinations on revocation, suspension, or reinstatement of direct child welfare service licenses after hearings under Department rules.

• Establishes comprehensive post-placement and post-adoption support services for children adopted in Illinois, through interstate compact, international adoptions, and former youth in care placed in guardianships.

• Requires Department to establish a toll-free number answered within one business day, publicize services through website and materials distributed to agencies and adoptive parents, and submit annual reports to the General Assembly beginning one year after enactment detailing services provided and placement disruption data.