(20 ILCS 505/9.1) (from Ch. 23, par. 5009.1) Sec. 9.1. The Department shall adopt rules no later than January 1, 2026 regarding referral of Title IV-E foster care maintenance cases to the Department of Healthcare and Family Services for child support enforcement services under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act. It is the policy of the State that in order to preserve the financial security of a child's parent seeking reunification, the Department will not refer cases for child support enforcement services or seek an assignment of rights of child support regarding any child prior to the permanency goal of return home being ruled out by the court in accordance with the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. The Department may refer cases for child support enforcement services, consistent with rules, after the permanency goal of return home has been ruled out by the court in accordance with the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. The Department shall adopt rules by January 1, 2026 establishing additional policies or criteria to consider to ensure compliance with this Section and federal law regarding referral for child support enforcement or assignment of rights of child support for children where a return home goal has been ruled out in accordance with the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. The Department shall consider "good cause" as defined in regulations promulgated under Title IV-A of the Social Security Act, among other criteria, when determining whether to refer a case and, upon referral, the parent or guardian of a child who is receiving Title IV-E foster care maintenance payments shall be deemed to have made an assignment to the Department of any and all rights, title and interest in any support obligation on behalf of a child. The rights to support assigned to the Department shall constitute an obligation owed the State by the person who is responsible for providing the support, and shall be collectible under all applicable processes. The acceptance of children for services or care shall not be limited or conditioned in any manner on the financial status or ability of parents or guardians to make such payments.(Source: P.A. 103-984, eff. 8-9-24.) |