HB3237 Summary

• Defines "domestic violence" in the Juvenile Court Act to include acts under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986 and violations of Criminal Code Section 12-4.4a.

• Prohibits courts from finding a minor abused or neglected based solely on domestic violence against a parent, guardian, or custodian, even if the minor was present during the violence.

• Requires that any abuse or neglect finding must be supported by factual evidence unrelated to domestic violence that independently supports the determination.

• Establishes a presumption that a parent, guardian, or custodian who experienced domestic violence should retain or regain custody of a minor unless the court finds independent acts or omissions constituting abuse or neglect.

• Defines "injurious environment" as requiring conditions creating a real, significant and imminent likelihood of moderate to severe harm where the parent or caretaker blatantly disregarded parental responsibility to prevent or mitigate such harm.