Public Act 0049 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB3079 Enrolled LRB099 08115 HEP 28264 b

Public Act 099-0049

AN ACT concerning civil law.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Child Care Act of 1969 is amended by adding Sections 2.30, 2.31, 2.32, 2.33, and 2.34 as follows:

(225 ILCS 10/2.30 new)

Sec. 2.30. Placement disruption. "Placement disruption" means a circumstance where the child is removed from an adoptive placement before the adoption is finalized.

(225 ILCS 10/2.31 new)

Sec. 2.31. Secondary placement. "Secondary placement" means a placement, including but not limited to the placement of a ward of the Department, that occurs after a placement disruption or adoption dissolution. "Secondary placement" does not mean secondary placements arising due to the death of the adoptive parent of the child.

(225 ILCS 10/2.32 new)

Sec. 2.32. Adoption dissolution. "Adoption dissolution" means a circumstance where the child is removed from an adoptive placement after the adoption is finalized.

(225 ILCS 10/2.33 new)

Sec. 2.33. Unregulated placement. "Unregulated placement" means the secondary placement of a child that occurs without the oversight of the courts, the Department, or a licensed child welfare agency.

(225 ILCS 10/2.34 new)

Sec. 2.34. Post-placement and post-adoption support services. "Post-placement and post-adoption support services" means support services for placed or adopted children and families that include, but are not limited to, counseling for emotional, behavioral, or developmental needs.

Section 10. The Adoption Act is amended by changing Sections 1, 2, 4.1, 5, and 13 and by adding Section 18.9 as follows:

(750 ILCS 50/1) (from Ch. 40, par. 1501)

Sec. 1. Definitions. When used in this Act, unless the context otherwise requires:

A. "Child" means a person under legal age subject to adoption under this Act.

B. "Related child" means a child subject to adoption where either or both of the adopting parents stands in any of the following relationships to the child by blood, marriage, adoption, or civil union: parent, grand-parent, great-grandparent, brother, sister, step-parent, step-grandparent, step-brother, step-sister, uncle, aunt, great-uncle, great-aunt, first cousin, or second cousin. A person is related to the child as a first cousin or second cousin if they are both related to the same ancestor as either grandchild or great-grandchild. A child whose parent has executed a consent to adoption, a surrender, or a waiver pursuant to Section 10 of this Act or whose parent has signed a denial of paternity pursuant to Section 12 of the Vital Records Act or Section 12a of this Act, or whose parent has had his or her parental rights terminated, is not a related child to that person, unless (1) the consent is determined to be void or is void pursuant to subsection O of Section 10 of this Act; or (2) the parent of the child executed a consent to adoption by a specified person or persons pursuant to subsection A-1 of Section 10 of this Act and a court of competent jurisdiction finds that such consent is void; or (3) the order terminating the parental rights of the parent is vacated by a court of competent jurisdiction.

C. "Agency" for the purpose of this Act means a public child welfare agency or a licensed child welfare agency.

D. "Unfit person" means any person whom the court shall find to be unfit to have a child, without regard to the likelihood that the child will be placed for adoption. The grounds of unfitness are any one or more of the following, except that a person shall not be considered an unfit person for the sole reason that the person has relinquished a child in accordance with the Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act:

(a) Abandonment of the child.

(a-1) Abandonment of a newborn infant in a hospital.

(a-2) Abandonment of a newborn infant in any setting where the evidence suggests that the parent intended to relinquish his or her parental rights.

(b) Failure to maintain a reasonable degree of interest, concern or responsibility as to the child's welfare.

(c) Desertion of the child for more than 3 months next preceding the commencement of the Adoption proceeding.

(d) Substantial neglect of the child if continuous or repeated.

(d-1) Substantial neglect, if continuous or repeated, of any child residing in the household which resulted in the death of that child.

(e) Extreme or repeated cruelty to the child.

(f) There is a rebuttable presumption, which can be overcome only by clear and convincing evidence, that a parent is unfit if:

(1) Two or more findings of physical abuse have been entered regarding any children under Section 2-21 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, the most recent of which was determined by the juvenile court hearing the matter to be supported by clear and convincing evidence; or

(2) The parent has been convicted or found not guilty by reason of insanity and the conviction or finding resulted from the death of any child by physical abuse; or

(3) There is a finding of physical child abuse resulting from the death of any child under Section 2-21 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.

No conviction or finding of delinquency pursuant to Article V of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 shall be considered a criminal conviction for the purpose of applying any presumption under this item (f).

(g) Failure to protect the child from conditions within his environment injurious to the child's welfare.

(h) Other neglect of, or misconduct toward the child; provided that in making a finding of unfitness the court hearing the adoption proceeding shall not be bound by any previous finding, order or judgment affecting or determining the rights of the parents toward the child sought to be adopted in any other proceeding except such proceedings terminating parental rights as shall be had under either this Act, the Juvenile Court Act or the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.

(i) Depravity. Conviction of any one of the following crimes shall create a presumption that a parent is depraved which can be overcome only by clear and convincing evidence: (1) first degree murder in violation of paragraph 1 or 2 of subsection (a) of Section 9-1 of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012 or conviction of second degree murder in violation of subsection (a) of Section 9-2 of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012 of a parent of the child to be adopted; (2) first degree murder or second degree murder of any child in violation of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012; (3) attempt or conspiracy to commit first degree murder or second degree murder of any child in violation of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012; (4) solicitation to commit murder of any child, solicitation to commit murder of any child for hire, or solicitation to commit second degree murder of any child in violation of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012; (5) predatory criminal sexual assault of a child in violation of Section 11-1.40 or 12-14.1 of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012; (6) heinous battery of any child in violation of the Criminal Code of 1961; or (7) aggravated battery of any child in violation of the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012.

There is a rebuttable presumption that a parent is depraved if the parent has been criminally convicted of at least 3 felonies under the laws of this State or any other state, or under federal law, or the criminal laws of any United States territory; and at least one of these convictions took place within 5 years of the filing of the petition or motion seeking termination of parental rights.

There is a rebuttable presumption that a parent is depraved if that parent has been criminally convicted of either first or second degree murder of any person as defined in the Criminal Code of 1961 or the Criminal Code of 2012 within 10 years of the filing date of the petition or motion to terminate parental rights.

No conviction or finding of delinquency pursuant to Article 5 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 shall be considered a criminal conviction for the purpose of applying any presumption under this item (i).

(j) Open and notorious adultery or fornication.

(j-1) (Blank).

(k) Habitual drunkenness or addiction to drugs, other than those prescribed by a physician, for at least one year immediately prior to the commencement of the unfitness proceeding.

There is a rebuttable presumption that a parent is unfit under this subsection with respect to any child to which that parent gives birth where there is a confirmed test result that at birth the child's blood, urine, or meconium contained any amount of a controlled substance as defined in subsection (f) of Section 102 of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act or metabolites of such substances, the presence of which in the newborn infant was not the result of medical treatment administered to the mother or the newborn infant; and the biological mother of this child is the biological mother of at least one other child who was adjudicated a neglected minor under subsection (c) of Section 2-3 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987.

(l) Failure to demonstrate a reasonable degree of interest, concern or responsibility as to the welfare of a new born child during the first 30 days after its birth.

(m) Failure by a parent (i) to make reasonable efforts to correct the conditions that were the basis for the removal of the child from the parent during any 9-month period following the adjudication of neglected or abused minor under Section 2-3 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 or dependent minor under Section 2-4 of that Act, or (ii) to make reasonable progress toward the return of the child to the parent during any 9-month period following the adjudication of neglected or abused minor under Section 2-3 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 or dependent minor under Section 2-4 of that Act. If a service plan has been established as required under Section 8.2 of the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act to correct the conditions that were the basis for the removal of the child from the parent and if those services were available, then, for purposes of this Act, "failure to make reasonable progress toward the return of the child to the parent" includes the parent's failure to substantially fulfill his or her obligations under the service plan and correct the conditions that brought the child into care during any 9-month period following the adjudication under Section 2-3 or 2-4 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Notwithstanding any other provision, when a petition or motion seeks to terminate parental rights on the basis of item (ii) of this subsection (m), the petitioner shall file with the court and serve on the parties a pleading that specifies the 9-month period or periods relied on. The pleading shall be filed and served on the parties no later than 3 weeks before the date set by the court for closure of discovery, and the allegations in the pleading shall be treated as incorporated into the petition or motion. Failure of a respondent to file a written denial of the allegations in the pleading shall not be treated as an admission that the allegations are true.

(m-1) Pursuant to the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, a child has been in foster care for 15 months out of any 22 month period which begins on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of 1998 unless the child's parent can prove by a preponderance of the evidence that it is more likely than not that it will be in the best interests of the child to be returned to the parent within 6 months of the date on which a petition for termination of parental rights is filed under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. The 15 month time limit is tolled during any period for which there is a court finding that the appointed custodian or guardian failed to make reasonable efforts to reunify the child with his or her family, provided that (i) the finding of no reasonable efforts is made within 60 days of the period when reasonable efforts were not made or (ii) the parent filed a motion requesting a finding of no reasonable efforts within 60 days of the period when reasonable efforts were not made. For purposes of this subdivision (m-1), the date of entering foster care is the earlier of: (i) the date of a judicial finding at an adjudicatory hearing that the child is an abused, neglected, or dependent minor; or (ii) 60 days after the date on which the child is removed from his or her parent, guardian, or legal custodian.

(n) Evidence of intent to forgo his or her parental rights, whether or not the child is a ward of the court, (1) as manifested by his or her failure for a period of 12 months: (i) to visit the child, (ii) to communicate with the child or agency, although able to do so and not prevented from doing so by an agency or by court order, or (iii) to maintain contact with or plan for the future of the child, although physically able to do so, or (2) as manifested by the father's failure, where he and the mother of the child were unmarried to each other at the time of the child's birth, (i) to commence legal proceedings to establish his paternity under the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984 or the law of the jurisdiction of the child's birth within 30 days of being informed, pursuant to Section 12a of this Act, that he is the father or the likely father of the child or, after being so informed where the child is not yet born, within 30 days of the child's birth, or (ii) to make a good faith effort to pay a reasonable amount of the expenses related to the birth of the child and to provide a reasonable amount for the financial support of the child, the court to consider in its determination all relevant circumstances, including the financial condition of both parents; provided that the ground for termination provided in this subparagraph (n)(2)(ii) shall only be available where the petition is brought by the mother or the husband of the mother.

Contact or communication by a parent with his or her child that does not demonstrate affection and concern does not constitute reasonable contact and planning under subdivision (n). In the absence of evidence to the contrary, the ability to visit, communicate, maintain contact, pay expenses and plan for the future shall be presumed. The subjective intent of the parent, whether expressed or otherwise, unsupported by evidence of the foregoing parental acts manifesting that intent, shall not preclude a determination that the parent has intended to forgo his or her parental rights. In making this determination, the court may consider but shall not require a showing of diligent efforts by an authorized agency to encourage the parent to perform the acts specified in subdivision (n).

It shall be an affirmative defense to any allegation under paragraph (2) of this subsection that the father's failure was due to circumstances beyond his control or to impediments created by the mother or any other person having legal custody. Proof of that fact need only be by a preponderance of the evidence.

(o) Repeated or continuous failure by the parents, although physically and financially able, to provide the child with adequate food, clothing, or shelter.

(p) Inability to discharge parental responsibilities supported by competent evidence from a psychiatrist, licensed clinical social worker, or clinical psychologist of mental impairment, mental illness or an intellectual disability as defined in Section 1-116 of the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Code, or developmental disability as defined in Section 1-106 of that Code, and there is sufficient justification to believe that the inability to discharge parental responsibilities shall extend beyond a reasonable time period. However, this subdivision (p) shall not be construed so as to permit a licensed clinical social worker to conduct any medical diagnosis to determine mental illness or mental impairment.

(q) (Blank).

(r) The child is in the temporary custody or guardianship of the Department of Children and Family Services, the parent is incarcerated as a result of criminal conviction at the time the petition or motion for termination of parental rights is filed, prior to incarceration the parent had little or no contact with the child or provided little or no support for the child, and the parent's incarceration will prevent the parent from discharging his or her parental responsibilities for the child for a period in excess of 2 years after the filing of the petition or motion for termination of parental rights.

(s) The child is in the temporary custody or guardianship of the Department of Children and Family Services, the parent is incarcerated at the time the petition or motion for termination of parental rights is filed, the parent has been repeatedly incarcerated as a result of criminal convictions, and the parent's repeated incarceration has prevented the parent from discharging his or her parental responsibilities for the child.

(t) A finding that at birth the child's blood, urine, or meconium contained any amount of a controlled substance as defined in subsection (f) of Section 102 of the Illinois Controlled Substances Act, or a metabolite of a controlled substance, with the exception of controlled substances or metabolites of such substances, the presence of which in the newborn infant was the result of medical treatment administered to the mother or the newborn infant, and that the biological mother of this child is the biological mother of at least one other child who was adjudicated a neglected minor under subsection (c) of Section 2-3 of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987, after which the biological mother had the opportunity to enroll in and participate in a clinically appropriate substance abuse counseling, treatment, and rehabilitation program.

E. "Parent" means a person who is the legal mother or legal father of the child as defined in subsection X or Y of this Section. For the purpose of this Act, a parent who has executed a consent to adoption, a surrender, or a waiver pursuant to Section 10 of this Act, who has signed a Denial of Paternity pursuant to Section 12 of the Vital Records Act or Section 12a of this Act, or whose parental rights have been terminated by a court, is not a parent of the child who was the subject of the consent, surrender, waiver, or denial unless (1) the consent is void pursuant to subsection O of Section 10 of this Act; or (2) the person executed a consent to adoption by a specified person or persons pursuant to subsection A-1 of Section 10 of this Act and a court of competent jurisdiction finds that the consent is void; or (3) the order terminating the parental rights of the person is vacated by a court of competent jurisdiction.

F. A person is available for adoption when the person is:

(a) a child who has been surrendered for adoption to an agency and to whose adoption the agency has thereafter consented;

(b) a child to whose adoption a person authorized by law, other than his parents, has consented, or to whose adoption no consent is required pursuant to Section 8 of this Act;

(c) a child who is in the custody of persons who intend to adopt him through placement made by his parents;

(c-1) a child for whom a parent has signed a specific consent pursuant to subsection O of Section 10;

(d) an adult who meets the conditions set forth in Section 3 of this Act; or

(e) a child who has been relinquished as defined in Section 10 of the Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act.

A person who would otherwise be available for adoption shall not be deemed unavailable for adoption solely by reason of his or her death.

G. The singular includes the plural and the plural includes the singular and the "male" includes the "female", as the context of this Act may require.

H. (Blank). "Adoption disruption" occurs when an adoptive placement does not prove successful and it becomes necessary for the child to be removed from placement before the adoption is finalized.

I. "Habitual residence" has the meaning ascribed to it in the federal Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 and regulations promulgated thereunder.

J. "Immediate relatives" means the biological parents, the parents of the biological parents and siblings of the biological parents.

K. "Intercountry adoption" is a process by which a child from a country other than the United States is adopted by persons who are habitual residents of the United States, or the child is a habitual resident of the United States who is adopted by persons who are habitual residents of a country other than the United States.

L. (Blank). "Intercountry Adoption Coordinator" means a staff person of the Department of Children and Family Services appointed by the Director to coordinate the provision of services related to an intercountry adoption.

M. "Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children" is a law enacted by all states and certain territories for the purpose of establishing uniform procedures for handling the interstate placement of children in foster homes, adoptive homes, or other child care facilities.

N. (Blank).

O. "Preadoption requirements" means any conditions or standards established by the laws or administrative rules of this State that must be met by a prospective adoptive parent prior to the placement of a child in an adoptive home.

P. "Abused child" means a child whose parent or immediate family member, or any person responsible for the child's welfare, or any individual residing in the same home as the child, or a paramour of the child's parent:

(a) inflicts, causes to be inflicted, or allows to be inflicted upon the child physical injury, by other than accidental means, that causes death, disfigurement, impairment of physical or emotional health, or loss or impairment of any bodily function;

(b) creates a substantial risk of physical injury to the child by other than accidental means which would be likely to cause death, disfigurement, impairment of physical or emotional health, or loss or impairment of any bodily function;

(c) commits or allows to be committed any sex offense against the child, as sex offenses are defined in the Criminal Code of 2012 and extending those definitions of sex offenses to include children under 18 years of age;

(d) commits or allows to be committed an act or acts of torture upon the child; or

(e) inflicts excessive corporal punishment.

Q. "Neglected child" means any child whose parent or other person responsible for the child's welfare withholds or denies nourishment or medically indicated treatment including food or care denied solely on the basis of the present or anticipated mental or physical impairment as determined by a physician acting alone or in consultation with other physicians or otherwise does not provide the proper or necessary support, education as required by law, or medical or other remedial care recognized under State law as necessary for a child's well-being, or other care necessary for his or her well-being, including adequate food, clothing and shelter; or who is abandoned by his or her parents or other person responsible for the child's welfare.

A child shall not be considered neglected or abused for the sole reason that the child's parent or other person responsible for his or her welfare depends upon spiritual means through prayer alone for the treatment or cure of disease or remedial care as provided under Section 4 of the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. A child shall not be considered neglected or abused for the sole reason that the child's parent or other person responsible for the child's welfare failed to vaccinate, delayed vaccination, or refused vaccination for the child due to a waiver on religious or medical grounds as permitted by law.

R. "Putative father" means a man who may be a child's father, but who (1) is not married to the child's mother on or before the date that the child was or is to be born and (2) has not established paternity of the child in a court proceeding before the filing of a petition for the adoption of the child. The term includes a male who is less than 18 years of age. "Putative father" does not mean a man who is the child's father as a result of criminal sexual abuse or assault as defined under Article 11 of the Criminal Code of 2012.

S. "Standby adoption" means an adoption in which a parent consents to custody and termination of parental rights to become effective upon the occurrence of a future event, which is either the death of the parent or the request of the parent for the entry of a final judgment of adoption.

T. (Blank).

T-5. "Biological parent", "birth parent", or "natural parent" of a child are interchangeable terms that mean a person who is biologically or genetically related to that child as a parent.

U. "Interstate adoption" means the placement of a minor child with a prospective adoptive parent for the purpose of pursuing an adoption for that child that is subject to the provisions of the Interstate Compact on Placement of Children.

V. (Blank). "Endorsement letter" means the letter issued by the Department of Children and Family Services to document that a prospective adoptive parent has met preadoption requirements and has been deemed suitable by the Department to adopt a child who is the subject of an intercountry adoption.

W. (Blank). "Denial letter" means the letter issued by the Department of Children and Family Services to document that a prospective adoptive parent has not met preadoption requirements and has not been deemed suitable by the Department to adopt a child who is the subject of an intercountry adoption.

X. "Legal father" of a child means a man who is recognized as or presumed to be that child's father:

(1) because of his marriage to or civil union with the child's parent at the time of the child's birth or within 300 days prior to that child's birth, unless he signed a denial of paternity pursuant to Section 12 of the Vital Records Act or a waiver pursuant to Section 10 of this Act; or

(2) because his paternity of the child has been established pursuant to the Illinois Parentage Act, the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984, or the Gestational Surrogacy Act; or

(3) because he is listed as the child's father or parent on the child's birth certificate, unless he is otherwise determined by an administrative or judicial proceeding not to be the parent of the child or unless he rescinds his acknowledgment of paternity pursuant to the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984; or

(4) because his paternity or adoption of the child has been established by a court of competent jurisdiction.

The definition in this subsection X shall not be construed to provide greater or lesser rights as to the number of parents who can be named on a final judgment order of adoption or Illinois birth certificate that otherwise exist under Illinois law.

Y. "Legal mother" of a child means a woman who is recognized as or presumed to be that child's mother:

(1) because she gave birth to the child except as provided in the Gestational Surrogacy Act; or

(2) because her maternity of the child has been established pursuant to the Illinois Parentage Act of 1984 or the Gestational Surrogacy Act; or

(3) because her maternity or adoption of the child has been established by a court of competent jurisdiction; or

(4) because of her marriage to or civil union with the child's other parent at the time of the child's birth or within 300 days prior to the time of birth; or

(5) because she is listed as the child's mother or parent on the child's birth certificate unless she is otherwise determined by an administrative or judicial proceeding not to be the parent of the child.

The definition in this subsection Y shall not be construed to provide greater or lesser rights as to the number of parents who can be named on a final judgment order of adoption or Illinois birth certificate that otherwise exist under Illinois law.

Z. "Department" means the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

AA. "Placement disruption" means a circumstance where the child is removed from an adoptive placement before the adoption is finalized.

BB. "Secondary placement" means a placement, including but not limited to the placement of a ward of the Department, that occurs after a placement disruption or an adoption dissolution. "Secondary placement" does not mean secondary placements arising due to the death of the adoptive parent of the child.

CC. "Adoption dissolution" means a circumstance where the child is removed from an adoptive placement after the adoption is finalized.

DD. "Unregulated placement" means the secondary placement of a child that occurs without the oversight of the courts, the Department, or a licensed child welfare agency.

EE. "Post-placement and post-adoption support services" means support services for placed or adopted children and families that include, but are not limited to, counseling for emotional, behavioral, or developmental needs.

(Source: P.A. 97-227, eff. 1-1-12; 97-1109, eff. 1-1-13; 97-1150, eff. 1-25-13; 98-455, eff. 1-1-14; 98-532, eff. 1-1-14; 98-804, eff. 1-1-15.)

(750 ILCS 50/2) (from Ch. 40, par. 1502)

Sec. 2. Who may adopt a child.

A. Any of the following persons, who is under no legal disability (except the minority specified in sub-paragraph (b)) and who has resided in the State of Illinois continuously for a period of at least 6 months immediately preceding the commencement of an adoption proceeding, or any member of the armed forces of the United States who has been domiciled in the State of Illinois for 90 days, may institute such proceeding:

(a) A reputable person of legal age and of either sex, provided that if such person is married or in a civil union and has not been living separate and apart from his or her spouse or civil union partner for 12 months or longer, his or her spouse or civil union partner shall be a party to the adoption proceeding, including a spouse or civil union partner husband or wife desiring to adopt a child of the other spouse or civil union partner, in all of which cases the adoption shall be by both spouses or civil union partners jointly;

(b) A minor, by leave of court upon good cause shown.

Notwithstanding sub-paragraph (a) of this subsection, a spouse or civil union partner is not required to join in a petition for adoption to re-adopt a child after an intercountry adoption if the spouse or civil union partner did not previously adopt the child as set forth in subsections (c) and (e) of Section 4.1 of this Act.

B. The residence requirement specified in paragraph A of this Section shall not apply to:

(a) an adoption of a related child or child previously adopted in a foreign country by the petitioner; or

(b) an adoption of a child placed by an agency.

(Source: P.A. 98-804, eff. 1-1-15.)

(750 ILCS 50/4.1) (from Ch. 40, par. 1506)

Sec. 4.1. Adoption between multiple jurisdictions.

(a) The Department of Children and Family Services shall promulgate rules regarding the approval and regulation of agencies providing, in this State, adoption services, as defined in Section 2.24 of the Child Care Act of 1969, which shall include, but not be limited to, a requirement that any agency shall be licensed in this State as a child welfare agency as defined in Section 2.08 of the Child Care Act of 1969. Any out-of-state agency, if not licensed in this State as a child welfare agency, must obtain the approval of the Department in order to act as a sending agency, as defined in Section 1 of the Interstate Compact on Placement of Children Act, seeking to place a child into this State through a placement subject to the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children. An out-of-state agency, if not licensed in this State as a child welfare agency, is prohibited from providing in this State adoption services, as defined by Section 2.24 of the Child Care Act of 1969; shall comply with Section 12C-70 of the Criminal Code of 2012; and shall provide all of the following to the Department:

(1) A copy of the agency's current license or other form of authorization from the approving authority in the agency's state. If no license or authorization is issued, the agency must provide a reference statement, from the approving authority, stating that the agency is authorized to place children in foster care or adoption or both in its jurisdiction.

(2) A description of the program, including home studies, placements, and supervisions, that the child placing agency conducts within its geographical area, and, if applicable, adoptive placements and the finalization of adoptions. The child placing agency must accept continued responsibility for placement planning and replacement if the placement fails.

(3) Notification to the Department of any significant child placing agency changes after approval.

(4) Any other information the Department may require.

The rules shall also provide that any agency that places children for adoption in this State may not, in any policy or practice relating to the placement of children for adoption, discriminate against any child or prospective adoptive parent on the basis of race.

(a-5) (Blank).

(b) Interstate Adoptions.

(1) All interstate adoption placements under this Act shall comply with the Child Care Act of 1969 and the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children. The placement of children with relatives by the Department of Children and Family Services shall also comply with subsection (b) of Section 7 of the Children and Family Services Act.

(2) If an adoption is finalized prior to bringing or sending a child to this State, compliance with the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children is not required.

(c) Intercountry Adoptions. (1) The adoption of a child, if the child is a habitual resident of a country other than the United States and the petitioner is a habitual resident of the United States, or, if the child is a habitual resident of the United States and the petitioner is a habitual resident of a country other than the United States, shall comply with the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000, as amended, and the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended. In the case of an intercountry adoption that requires oversight by the adoption services governed by the Intercountry Adoption Universal Accreditation Act of 2012, this State shall not impose any additional preadoption requirements.

(2) The Department of Children and Family Services shall maintain the office of Intercountry Adoption Coordinator in order to maintain and protect the rights of prospective adoptive parents and children participating in an intercountry adoption and shall develop ongoing programs of support and services to such prospective adoptive parents and children.

(3) In the case of an intercountry adoption of a child by an Illinois resident, the Department shall promulgate rules concerning preadoption requirements, which shall include, but not be limited to, requirements relating to home studies conducted by licensed child welfare agencies and requirements relating to supporting documentation concerning the prospective adoptive parent's suitability to adopt a child.

(4) The Intercountry Adoption Coordinator shall determine whether all preadoption requirements have been met by a prospective adoptive parent. The Intercountry Adoption Coordinator shall also determine whether the prospective adoptive parent is suitable as the adoptive parent. In determining suitability to adopt, the Intercountry Adoption coordinator shall give considerable weight to the home study, but is not bound by it. Even if the home study is favorable, the Intercountry Adoption Coordinator must issue a denial letter if, on the basis of all the information provided, the Intercountry Adoption Coordinator finds, for a specific and articulable reason, that the prospective adoptive parent has failed to establish that he or she is suitable as the adoptive parent.

(5) The Intercountry Adoption Coordinator shall issue an endorsement letter, indicating that all preadoption requirements have been met, or a denial letter, indicating the specific preadoption requirements that have not been met, no later than 21 days from receipt of the home study from the child welfare agency. If, upon receipt of the home study, the Intercountry Adoption Coordinator determines that more information is required before any determination can be made with respect to compliance with the preadoption requirements, the Intercountry Adoption Coordinator shall, within 7 days of receipt of the home study, provide notice describing the additional information, via facsimile or through electronic communication, to the licensed child welfare agency and the adoptive parent. Within 21 days of receipt of the additional information, the Intercountry Adoption Coordinator shall provide the child welfare agency with an endorsement letter or a denial letter. The Intercountry Adoption Coordinator shall mail a copy of the endorsement letter or denial letter to the prospective adoptive parent at the same time that the Intercountry Adoption Coordinator provides the letter to the child welfare agency.

(6) If the Intercountry Adoption Coordinator issues a denial letter, a prospective adoptive parent shall have the right to a review. The Intercountry Adoption Coordinator shall include in its denial letter notification advising the prospective adoptive parent of the right to seek a review, by the Director of the Department, of the determination, if requested in writing within 30 days of receipt of the denial letter. Failure to submit such a request within 30 days waives the prospective parent's right to a review.

(i) The review by the Director shall include, but is not limited to, a review of documentation submitted by the prospective adoptive parent and, if requested by the prospective adoptive parent, a telephone conference or a mutually convenient in-person meeting with the Director, or the Director's designated representative, to allow the prospective adoptive parent to present the facts and circumstances supporting the request for the endorsement letter.

(ii) The Director shall issue a decision within 30 days of receipt of the request for review.

(iii) If the Director concurs with the original denial letter of the Intercountry Adoption Coordinator, the Director's decision shall be considered a final decision and the prospective adoptive parent shall have all rights and remedies to which he or she is entitled under applicable law, including a mandamus action under Article XIV of the Code of Civil Procedure and an action under the federal Civil Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. 1983.

(7) In the case of an intercountry adoption finalized in another country, where a complete and valid Order of Adoption is issued from that country to an Illinois resident, as determined by the United States Department of State, this State shall not impose any additional preadoption requirements.

(8) The Department of Children and Family Services shall provide a report to the General Assembly, on an annual basis for the preceding year, beginning on September 1 of each year after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 98th General Assembly. The report shall provide non-identifying statistical data on the endorsement and denial letters and the requests for review of denial letters and shall contain, but not limited to, the following:

(i) the number of endorsement letters issued by the Intercountry Adoption Coordinator;

(ii) the number of denial letters issued by the Intercountry Adoption Coordinator;

(iii) the number of requests for review of denial letters;

(iv) the number of denial letter reviews which resulted in a reversal by the Director and an endorsement letter being issued; and

(v) the basis of each denial letter and the basis of each reversal of the denial letter in a particular case.

(d) (Blank).

(e) Re-adoption after an intercountry adoption.

(1) Any time after a minor child has been adopted in a foreign country and has immigrated to the United States, the adoptive parent or parents of the child may petition the court for a judgment of adoption to re-adopt the child and confirm the foreign adoption decree.

(2) The petitioner must submit to the court one or more of the following to verify the foreign adoption:

(i) an immigrant visa for the child issued by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that was valid at the time of the child's immigration;

(ii) a decree, judgment, certificate of adoption, adoption registration, or equivalent court order, entered or issued by a court of competent jurisdiction or administrative body outside the United States, establishing the relationship of parent and child by adoption; or

(iii) such other evidence deemed satisfactory by the court.

(3) The child's immigrant visa shall be prima facie proof that the adoption was established in accordance with the laws of the foreign jurisdiction and met United States requirements for immigration.

(4) If the petitioner submits documentation that satisfies the requirements of paragraph (2), the court shall not appoint a guardian ad litem for the minor who is the subject of the proceeding, shall not require any further termination of parental rights of the child's biological parents, nor shall it require any home study, investigation, post-placement visit, or background check of the petitioner.

(5) The petition may include a request for change of the child's name and any other request for specific relief that is in the best interests of the child. The relief may include a request for a revised birth date for the child if supported by evidence from a medical or dental professional attesting to the appropriate age of the child or other collateral evidence.

(6) Two adoptive parents who adopted a minor child together in a foreign country while married to one another may file a petition for adoption to re-adopt the child jointly, regardless of whether their marriage has been dissolved. If either parent whose marriage was dissolved has subsequently remarried or entered into a civil union with another person, the new spouse or civil union partner shall not join in the petition to re-adopt the child, unless the new spouse or civil union partner is seeking to adopt the child. If either adoptive parent does not join in the petition, he or she must be joined as a party defendant. The defendant parent's failure to participate in the re-adoption proceeding shall not affect the existing parental rights or obligations of the parent as they relate to the minor child, and the parent's name shall be placed on any subsequent birth record issued for the child as a result of the re-adoption proceeding.

(7) An adoptive parent who adopted a minor child in a foreign country as an unmarried person may file a petition for adoption to re-adopt the child as a sole petitioner, even if the adoptive parent has subsequently married or entered into a civil union.

(8) If one of the adoptive parents who adopted a minor child dies prior to a re-adoption proceeding, the deceased parent's name shall be placed on any subsequent birth record issued for the child as a result of the re-adoption proceeding.

(Source: P.A. 98-455, eff. 1-1-14.)

(750 ILCS 50/5) (from Ch. 40, par. 1507)

Sec. 5. Petition, contents, verification, filing.

A. A proceeding to adopt a child, other than a related child, shall be commenced by the filing of a petition within 30 days after such child has become available for adoption, provided that such petition may be filed at a later date by leave of court upon a showing that the failure to file such petition within such 30 day period was not due to the petitioners' culpable negligence or their wilful disregard of the provisions of this Section. In the case of a child born outside the United States or a territory thereof, if the prospective adoptive parents of such child have been appointed guardians of such child by a court of competent jurisdiction in a country other than the United States or a territory thereof, such parents shall file a petition as provided in this Section within 30 days after entry of the child into the United States. A petition to adopt an adult or a related child may be filed at any time. A petition for adoption may include more than one person sought to be adopted.

B. A petition to adopt a child other than a related child shall state:

(a) The full names of the petitioners and, if minors, their respective ages;

(b) The place of residence of the petitioners and the length of residence of each in the State of Illinois immediately preceding the filing of the petition;

(c) When the petitioners acquired, or intend to acquire, custody of the child, and the name and address of the persons or agency from whom the child was or will be received;

(d) The name, the place and date of birth if known, and the sex of the child sought to be adopted;

(e) The relationship, if any, of the child to each petitioner;

(f) The names, if known, and the place of residence, if known, of the parents; and whether such parents are minors, or otherwise under any legal disability. The names and addresses of the parents shall be omitted and they shall not be made parties defendant to the petition if (1) the rights of the parents have been terminated by a court of competent jurisdiction, or (2) the child has been surrendered to an agency, or (3) the parent or parents have been served with the notice provided in Section 12a of this Act and said parent or parents have filed a disclaimer of paternity as therein provided or have failed to file such declaration of paternity or a request for notice as provided in said Section, or (4) the parent is a putative father or legal father of the child who has waived his parental rights by signing a waiver as provided in subsection S of Section 10;

(g) If it is alleged that the child has no living parent, then the name of the guardian, if any, of such child and the court which appointed such guardian;

(h) If it is alleged that the child has no living parent and that no guardian of such child is known to petitioners, then the name of a near relative, if known, shall be set forth, or an allegation that no near relative is known and on due inquiry cannot be ascertained by petitioners;

(i) The name to be given the child or adult;

(j) That the person or agency, having authority to consent under Section 8 of this Act, has consented, or has indicated willingness to consent, to the adoption of the child by the petitioners, or that the person having authority to consent is an unfit person and the ground therefor, or that no consent is required under paragraph (f) of Section 8 of this Act;

(k) Whatever orders, judgments or decrees have heretofore been entered by any court affecting (1) adoption or custody of the child, or (2) the adoptive, custodial or parental rights of either petitioner, including the prior denial of any petition for adoption pertaining to such child, or to the petitioners, or either of them.

C. A petition to adopt a related child shall include the information specified in sub-paragraphs (a), (b), (d), (e), (f), (i) and (k) of paragraph B and a petition to adopt an adult shall contain the information required by sub-paragraphs (a), (b) and (i) of paragraph B in addition to the name, place, date of birth and sex of such adult.

D. The petition shall be verified by the petitioners.

E. Upon the filing of the petition the petitioners shall furnish the Clerk of the Court in which the petition is pending such information not contained in such petition as shall be necessary to enable the Clerk of such Court to complete a certificate of adoption as hereinafter provided.

F. A petition for standby adoption shall conform to the requirements of this Act with respect to petition contents, verification, and filing. The petition for standby adoption shall also state the facts concerning the consent of the child's parent to the standby adoption. A petition for standby adoption shall include the information in paragraph B if the petitioner seeks to adopt a child other than a related child. A petition for standby adoption shall include the information in paragraph C if the petitioner seeks to adopt a related child or adult.

G. A petition for adoption to re-adopt a child after an intercountry adoption shall include the information specified in sub-paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (i) and (k) of paragraph B.

(Source: P.A. 97-493, eff. 8-22-11.)

(750 ILCS 50/13) (from Ch. 40, par. 1516)

Sec. 13. Interim order. As soon as practicable after the filing of a petition for adoption the court shall hold a hearing for the following purposes:

A. In other than an adoption of a related child or an adoption through an agency, or of an adult:

(a) To determine the validity of the consent, provided that the execution of a consent pursuant to this Act shall be prima facie evidence of its validity, and provided that the validity of a consent shall not be affected by the omission therefrom of the names of the petitioners or adopting parents at the time the consent is executed or acknowledged, and further provided that the execution of a consent prior to the filing of a petition for adoption shall not affect its validity.

(b) To determine whether there is available suitable temporary custodial care for a child sought to be adopted.

B. In all cases except standby adoptions and re-adoptions:

(a) The court shall appoint some licensed attorney other than the State's attorney acting in his or her official capacity as guardian ad litem to represent a child sought to be adopted. Such guardian ad litem shall have power to consent to the adoption of the child, if such consent is required.

(b) The court shall appoint a guardian ad litem for all named minors or defendants who are persons under legal disability, if any.

(c) If the petition alleges a person to be unfit pursuant to the provisions of subparagraph (p) of paragraph D of Section 1 of this Act, such person shall be represented by counsel. If such person is indigent or an appearance has not been entered on his behalf at the time the matter is set for hearing, the court shall appoint as counsel for him either the Guardianship and Advocacy Commission, the public defender, or, only if no attorney from the Guardianship and Advocacy Commission or the public defender is available, an attorney licensed to practice law in this State.

(d) If it is proved to the satisfaction of the court, after such investigation as the court deems necessary, that termination of parental rights and temporary commitment of the child to an agency or to a person deemed competent by the court, including petitioners, will be for the welfare of the child, the court may order the child to be so committed and may terminate the parental rights of the parents and declare the child a ward of the court or, if it is not so proved, the court may enter such other order as it shall deem necessary and advisable.

(e) Before an interim custody order is granted under this Section, service of summons shall be had upon the parent or parents whose rights have not been terminated, except as provided in subsection (f). Reasonable notice and opportunity to be heard shall be given to the parent or parents after service of summons when the address of the parent or parents is available. The party seeking an interim custody order shall make all reasonable efforts to locate the parent or parents of the child or children they are seeking to adopt and to notify the parent or parents of the party's request for an interim custody order pursuant to this Section.

(f) An interim custody order may be granted without notice upon presentation to the court of a written petition, accompanied by an affidavit, stating that there is an immediate danger to the child and that irreparable harm will result to the child if notice is given to the parent or parents or legal guardian. Upon making a finding that there is an immediate danger to the child if service of process is had upon and notice of hearing is given to the parent or parents or legal guardian prior to the entry of an order granting temporary custody to someone other than a parent or legal guardian, the court may enter an order of temporary custody which shall expire not more than 10 days after its entry. Every ex parte custody order granted without notice shall state the injury which the court sought to avoid by granting the order, the irreparable injury that would have occurred had notice been given, and the reason the order was granted without notice. The matter shall be set down for full hearing before the expiration of the ex parte order and will be heard after service of summons is had upon and notice of hearing is given to the parent or parents or legal guardian. At the hearing the burden of proof shall be upon the party seeking to extend the interim custody order to show that the order was properly granted without notice and that custody should remain with the party seeking to adopt during the pendency of the adoption proceeding. If the interim custody order is extended, the reasons for granting the extension shall be stated in the order.

C. In the case of a child born outside the United States or a territory thereof, if the petitioners have previously been appointed guardians of such child by a court of competent jurisdiction in a country other than the United States or a territory thereof, the court may order that the petitioners continue as guardians of such child.

D. In standby adoption cases:

(a) The court shall appoint a licensed attorney other than the State's Attorney acting in his or her official capacity as guardian ad litem to represent a child sought to be adopted. The guardian ad litem shall have power to consent to the adoption of the child, if consent is required.

(b) The court shall appoint a guardian ad litem for all named minors or defendants who are persons under legal disability, if any.

(c) The court lacks jurisdiction to proceed on the petition for standby adoption if the child has a living parent, adoptive parent, or adjudicated parent whose rights have not been terminated and whose whereabouts are known, unless the parent consents to the standby adoption or, after receiving notice of the hearing on the standby adoption petition, fails to object to the appointment of a standby adoptive parent at the hearing on the petition.

(d) The court shall investigate as needed for the welfare of the child and shall determine whether the petitioner or petitioners shall be permitted to adopt.

(Source: P.A. 90-14, eff. 7-1-97; 90-349, eff. 1-1-98; 91-572, eff. 1-1-00.)

(750 ILCS 50/18.9 new)

Sec. 18.9. Post-placement and post-adoption support services.

(a) It is the public policy of this State to find permanency for children through adoption and to prevent placement disruption, adoption dissolution, and secondary placement. Access to post-placement and post-adoption support services to provide support and resources for wards of the State, foster families, and adoptive families is essential to promote permanency. Public awareness of post-placement and post-adoption services and the ability of families to utilize effective services are essential to permanency.

(b) The Department shall establish and maintain post-placement and post-adoption support services.

(c) The Department shall post information about the Department's post-placement and post-adoption support services on the Department's website and shall provide the information to every licensed child welfare agency, every out of State placement agency or entity approved under Section 4.1 of this Act, and any entity providing adoption support services in the Illinois courts. The Department's post-placement and post-adoption support services shall be referenced in information regarding adoptive parents' rights and responsibilities that the Department publishes and provides to adoptive parents under this Act. The Department shall establish and maintain a toll-free number to advise the public about its post-placement and post-adoption support services and post the number on its website.

(d) Every licensed child welfare agency, every entity approved under Section 4.1 of this Act, and any entity providing adoption support services in the Illinois courts shall provide the Department's website address and link to the Department's post-placement and post-adoption services information set forth in subsection (c) of this Section, including the Department's toll-free number, to every adoptive parent with whom they work in Illinois. This information shall be provided prior to placement.

(e) Beginning one year after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 99th General Assembly, the Department shall report annually to the General Assembly on January 15 the following information for the preceding year:

(1) a description of all post-placement and post-adoption support services the Department provides;

(2) without identifying the names of the recipients of the services, the number of foster parents, prospective adoptive parents, and adoptive families in Illinois who have received the Department's post-placement and post-adoption support services and the type of services provided;

(3) the number of families who have contacted the Department about its post-placement and post-adoption services due to a potential placement disruption, adoption dissolution, secondary placement, or unregulated placement, but for whom the Department declined to provide post-placement and post-adoption support services and the reasons that services were denied; and

(4) the number of placement disruptions, adoption dissolutions, unregulated placements, and secondary placements, and for each one:

(A) the type of placement or adoption, including whether the child who was the subject of the placement was a ward of the Department, and if the child was not a ward, whether the adoption was a private, agency, agency-assisted, interstate, or intercountry adoption;

(B) if the placement or adoption was intercountry, the country of birth of the child;

(C) whether the child who was the subject of the placement disruption, adoption dissolution, unregulated placement, or secondary placement entered State custody;

(D) the length of the placement prior to the placement disruption, adoption dissolution, unregulated placement, or secondary placement;

(E) the age of the child at the time of the placement disruption, adoption dissolution, unregulated placement, or secondary placement;

(F) the reason, if known, for the placement disruption, adoption dissolution, unregulated placement, or secondary placement; and

(G) if a licensed child welfare agency or any approved out of State placing entity participated in the initial placement, and, if applicable, the name of the agency or approved out of State placing entity.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.