IL HB4578

Second or subsequent violations of endangering the life or health of a child would be elevated from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class 3 felony, including violations of substantially equivalent offenses in other states.

Courts would be permitted to order psychological or psychiatric evaluations and treatment at the convicted person's expense for those convicted of child endangerment.

Special probation provisions allowing deferred judgment would no longer apply to repeat offenders convicted of child endangerment or child abandonment.

Hearsay exceptions in prosecutions involving children under 18 and youth trafficking victims would be expanded to include testimony from "qualified witnesses" and statements regarding "qualified acts" under specific evidence rules.

Child victims of physical abuse or trafficking reported to DCFS or law enforcement would gain the right to forensic interviews conducted by accredited children's advocacy center interviewers, with investigators required to provide notice of this right and related trauma-informed services.