Bill
SB 1684
Requires DCFS to inform parents about medical opinions in abuse/neglect cases, allow second opinions, and treat such opinions as potential evidence.
Status & Source
- Short title: ANCRA — Medical Professional Opinion
- Amends: Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act (325 ILCS 5/7.4)
- Sponsor: Sen. Kimberly A. Lightford (introduced 02/05/2025)
- Recent procedural actions (as provided): referred to Health & Human Services (03/11/2025); multiple co‑sponsors added (including Sen. Graciela Guzmán on 03/28/2025).
Purpose
- Require transparency and parental notice when the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) refers a child to a medical professional for an opinion in an abuse/neglect investigation; and to establish parental rights and reporting requirements related to such medical opinions.
Key provisions
- Definition: The bill defines “medical professional” for purposes of the referral/assessment process (text identifies but full statutory definition appears in bill).
- Required disclosures by medical professionals: Whenever a medical professional has direct contact with a child or the child’s family pursuant to a DCFS referral, the medical professional must explain to the parent/guardian that the professional is providing an opinion to DCFS on whether the child’s injury or condition is suspicious for child maltreatment.
- DCFS notification of parental rights: DCFS must inform the parent/guardian of:
1. The right to request and receive a copy of the medical professional’s written opinion.
2. The right to obtain, at the parent’s/guardian’s own expense, a second medical opinion and submit it to DCFS for consideration.
3. That any second medical opinion submitted to DCFS before DCFS issues a final determination will be considered either inculpatory or exculpatory evidence (i.e., it will be treated as evidence that can support or undermine allegations).
4. DCFS’s investigative timeframes for the case.
- Reporting requirements: The bill requires DCFS to include in annual reports the number of investigations in which a medical professional provided a written opinion and to include specific related data elements (the bill text specifies the types of data to be reported).
Who is affected
- Parents and legal guardians of children subject to DCFS abuse/neglect investigations (increased notice and procedural rights).
- Children who are examined as part of investigations.
- Medical professionals who provide evaluations/opinions to DCFS (must give specified explanations).
- DCFS — operational and recordkeeping responsibilities, plus new reporting obligations.
- Potentially courts, lawyers, and service providers who may rely on medical opinions or second opinions during investigations and proceedings.
Potential impacts and considerations
- Transparency: Increases parental access to medical opinions and clarifies procedural rights in investigations.
- Evidence process: Formalizes that parent‑provided second opinions submitted before a final DCFS determination must be treated as admissible evidence for or against allegations.
- Administrative effects: DCFS will incur additional notice, documentation, and reporting responsibilities; medical professionals must follow new notice requirements.
- Financial burden: Costs for obtaining independent second opinions fall on parents/guardians unless otherwise provided.
- Implementation: Operational details (timelines, specific data fields for reporting) will determine the scope of administrative change.
Procedural next steps
- Referred to the Health & Human Services committee (03/11/2025). Further committee consideration and floor action would follow in the legislative process.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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