Bill
HB 2907
The act formally recognizes and expands parental rights to be informed, participate, and be supported in child welfare cases, including placement, visits, and team involvement.
Status and timeline
- Enacted as Public Act 104‑0254 (Illinois).
- Introduced: Feb 18, 2025. Passed both chambers: May 22, 2025. Sent to Governor: June 20, 2025. Governor approved: Aug 15, 2025.
- Effective date: August 15, 2025.
Purpose
- Establishes the "Child Welfare Disclosure to Parents Act" and declares State policy recognizing a set of rights for parents (and caregivers) who are involved with Illinois’s child welfare system while receiving intact family services or reunification services. The Act is intended to increase transparency, parental participation, and communication between parents and the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and related parties.
Key provisions / rights created
- Notice: Parents must be provided a copy of the Act at case opening or at the parent's first contact with DCFS.
- Respect and participation: Parents have the right to be treated with dignity and respect and to be treated as valued members of the child welfare team. They are to be encouraged to participate in the development and amendment of their service plans and may request amendments.
- Placement and custody considerations:
- Parents (including non‑custodial parents) must be consulted about relative placement options before placement in foster care.
- Non‑custodial parents must be assessed and considered for custody prior to DCFS taking protective custody.
- Financial means shall not be used as a basis for removal or reunification decisions.
- Visits and communication:
- Right to timely parent‑child visits; canceled/postponed visits must be rescheduled promptly.
- Visits should occur in a comfortable, family‑like setting (subject to law, DCFS rules, and court orders).
- Parents should be notified of and invited to child medical appointments and school meetings.
- Parents may communicate, when feasible, with substitute caregivers to support shared parenting and help caregivers understand the child's needs.
- Case management and access:
- Right to request a child and family team meeting.
- Parents must be provided the caseworker’s supervisor contact information.
- Child welfare business calls, emails, and texts should be responded to in a timely, professional manner.
- Meetings should be scheduled at times/places that facilitate parent participation.
- Transportation assistance must be provided when necessary to attend meetings and visits.
- Additional protections:
- Parents are to be consulted on the child’s hair care plan (provided it does not conflict with the child’s wishes).
- Parents are protected from retaliation for asserting rights under the Act.
- Scope caveat: Many rights are expressly “subject to and in accordance with State law, all rules and procedures of the Department of Children and Family Services, and all applicable court orders.”
Who is affected
- Primary: Parents and caregivers who are receiving intact family services or reunification services under Illinois’s child welfare system.
- Secondary: DCFS staff (caseworkers and supervisors), substitute caregivers (foster parents), courts handling child welfare matters, and attorneys and service providers who engage with these families.
Implementation and enforcement
- The Act sets out policy and enumerated rights but does not create a standalone enforcement mechanism or statutory penalty in the enrolled text; rights are framed as State policy and subject to existing laws, DCFS rules, and court orders. Agencies and courts will be responsible for applying these rights consistent with current legal frameworks.
Practical impact
- Aims to improve parental engagement, transparency, and procedural access in child welfare cases. Operational effects will depend on DCFS implementation (e.g., distributing the Act at case opening, training staff, providing transportation assistance, and establishing reliable communication and scheduling practices).
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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