HB3973 Summary

• Defines "domestic violence" in juvenile court proceedings by reference to the Illinois Domestic Violence Act of 1986 and Section 12-4.4a of the Criminal Code of 2012.

• Establishes that an environment is "injurious" only when conditions create real, significant, and imminent likelihood of moderate to severe harm AND the parent or caretaker blatantly disregarded their parental responsibility to prevent or mitigate such harm.

• Creates a presumption that custody with a parent, guardian, or custodian who experienced domestic violence is consistent with the minor's health, safety, and best interests, unless the court finds acts or omissions unrelated to domestic violence that independently support abuse or neglect findings.

• Prohibits domestic violence experienced by a parent, guardian, or custodian from being construed as their acts or omissions in abuse or neglect determinations; findings must be based on conduct independent of the domestic violence they experienced.

• Adds protections for domestic violence survivors in temporary custody determinations and placement decisions under the Juvenile Court Act.