HB5224 Summary

• Amends the Illinois Adoption Act to add a definition of "Adult" as a person 18 years old or older who is the subject of a petition for adoption under Section 3 of the Act.

• Expands the definition of "related child" to include relationships established through civil union in addition to blood, marriage, and adoption relationships.

• Adds new definitions to the Act including "biological parent," "birth parent," "natural parent," "placement disruption," "secondary placement," "adoption dissolution," "unregulated placement," and "post-placement and post-adoption support services."

• Clarifies that "Legal mother" includes women recognized as or presumed to be a child's mother through various means including giving birth, establishment of maternity through parentage acts, court proceedings, marriage or civil union, or listing on birth certificate.

• Clarifies that "Legal father" includes men recognized as or presumed to be a child's father through marriage or civil union, establishment of paternity through parentage acts, listing on birth certificate, or court proceedings.