summary
Introduced
01/27/2026
01/27/2026
In Committee
02/03/2026
02/03/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Removes all references and provisions requiring the Department of Children and Family Services to develop Error Reduction Implementation Plans. Instead requires the Department to develop Strengthening Best Practices Plans, as necessary, informed by principles of safety science, for the purpose of reducing child fatalities and serious harm. Provides that these plans shall (i) be guided by patterns, findings, and recommendations, as identified in the DCFS Office of the Inspector General (OIG) death or serious injury investigations and Child Death Review Teams recommendations; and (ii) address the systemic and organizational conditions that contribute to child fatalities and serious harm. Requires the Inspector General to submit proposed Strengthening Best Practices Plans to the Department's Director for review. Requires the plans to include compliance provisions, which specify methods for implementing, monitoring, and evaluating recommendations. Requires the OIG, in collaboration with the Department, to implement training and reform protocols through incubating change in each region, Department office, or Child Welfare Contributing Agency, as required. Requires the OIG to develop and submit new Strengthening Best Practices Plans, as necessary, and to work with staff designated by the Department to deliver training curriculum in order to implement each Strengthening Best Practices Plan. Provides that the OIG shall include a review of the implementation and evaluation of the plans from the previous fiscal year, as necessary, in the OIG Annual Report provided to the General Assembly and Governor.
AI Summary
This bill shifts the focus of the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) from developing "Error Reduction Implementation Plans" to creating "Strengthening Best Practices Plans," which are intended to reduce child fatalities and serious harm by addressing systemic and organizational issues. These new plans will be informed by safety science principles and will be guided by findings and recommendations from investigations by the DCFS Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and Child Death Review Teams. The OIG will be responsible for developing and submitting these plans, which will include provisions for implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. The OIG, in collaboration with DCFS, will also implement training and reform protocols across different regions and agencies involved in child welfare. Finally, the OIG will report on the implementation and evaluation of these plans in its annual report to the General Assembly and Governor.
Committee Categories
Health and Social Services
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Assigned to Child Welfare (on 02/03/2026)
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...