House Sponsors: DART-FLOWERS-LANG-GRANBERG-SCOTT AND HOLBROOK. Short description: JUV CT-MINOR TESTIFY Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that in proceedings under Article II (abused, neglected, or dependent minor) of the Juvenile Court Act, the minor shall be given the opportunity to address the court personally or through counsel and to testify on his or her own behalf. Provides that it is an absolute right of the minor to be present in court. The court in its discretion, based on a finding of irreparable harm to the minor, may exclude the minor from parts of a dispositional hearing and, with the consent of the parents, guardian, counsel, or guardian ad litem, from parts of an adjudicatory hearing. (Current law gives discretion to the court to exclude the minor without a finding of irreparable harm.) Provides that previous out-of-court statements made by the minor relating to allegations of abuse or neglect are presumed admissible and the requirement of corroboration of the statement shall be applied liberally. Deletes provision that uncorroborated statements not subject to cross examination are not sufficient in themselves to support a finding of abuse or neglect. Effective immediately. HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 1. Deletes reference to: 705 ILCS 405/2-18 Deletes everything. Amends the Juvenile Court Act. Reinserts the provisions of the bill concerning a minor's right to address the court and to be present in court. Effective immediately. HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 2. Adds reference to: 705 ILCS 405/2-28 from Ch. 37, par. 802-28 Amends the Juvenile Court Act. Provides that if a minor's permanency goal has not been achieved within 24 months after adjudication of wardship, the public agency that is the minor's guardian or custodian must file a petition to transfer custody of the minor to the minor's parents or to take other action. FISCAL NOTE, AMENDED (DCFS) No fiscal impact will result from HB63, as amended. JUDICIAL NOTE, AMENDED There may be a small increase in judicial workloads; however, the bill would not increase the need for the number of judges. JUDICIAL NOTE, H-AMS 3 & 4 There may be an increase in judicial workloads; it is not pos- sible to determime impact on the need for judges. STATE MANDATES FISCAL NOTE, H-AM 4 HB 63, amended by H-am 4, fails to create a State mandate. HOME RULE NOTE, H-AM 4 HB 63, amended by H-am 4, does not preempt home rule authority. Last action on Bill: SESSION SINE DIE Last action date: 99-01-12 Location: House Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 2 SENATE - 0 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status