HB2985 Summary

• Establishes the Murdered Children Funeral and Burial Assistance Act (also known as the Mychal Moultry, Jr. Funeral and Burial Assistance Act) to provide direct state payments for funeral and burial expenses of children under 17 killed by firearms in Illinois.

• Limits eligibility to survivors (parents, guardians, or household members in parent-like relationships) with household income below 150% of the federal poverty level who have authority to direct disposition of remains.

• Sets maximum disbursement at $10,000 per child victim, with amounts adjusted annually for inflation starting July 1, 2024, and requires Department of Human Services to process complete requests within 30 days and pay within 30 days thereafter.

• Requires funeral establishments and cemetery authorities to submit disbursement requests within one year of the crime, with requests including death certificate, income documentation, itemized expenses, and other specified materials.

• Prohibits duplicate payments under other state assistance programs and authorizes the Department to conduct audits to detect and recapture improper payments, with law enforcement agencies required to inform families of available assistance.