summary
Introduced
02/05/2026
02/05/2026
In Committee
02/17/2026
02/17/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amends the Department of Early Childhood Act. Provides that beginning July 1, 2026, the authority and responsibility to conduct a fingerprint-based criminal history check on providers of day care at day care centers, part day child care facilities, day care homes, and group day care homes shall transfer to the Department of Early Childhood from the Department of Children and Family Services. Provides that the Department shall require that each day care license applicant and each applicant, employee, and volunteer of a licensed day care facility to authorize an investigation to determine if such applicant, employee, or volunteer has ever been charged with a crime and if so, the disposition of those charges. Contains provisions on the submission of such persons' fingerprints to the Illinois State Police to be checked for a fee against State and federal criminal history record databases. Provides that any conviction information obtained during the criminal history records checks shall be provided, upon request, to the applicant, employee, and volunteer. Contains provisions on the probationary hiring of employees or volunteers authorizing a criminal background investigation. Makes conforming changes to the Child Care Act of 1969. Effective July 1, 2026.
AI Summary
This bill, effective July 1, 2026, transfers the responsibility for conducting fingerprint-based criminal history checks for individuals working in various types of day care facilities, including day care centers, part-day child care facilities, day care homes, and group day care homes, from the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) to the newly established Department of Early Childhood (DEC). The DEC will now be responsible for requiring all applicants, employees, and volunteers at licensed day care facilities to authorize a criminal background investigation, which involves submitting fingerprints to the Illinois State Police for checks against state and federal criminal history databases. The bill also outlines procedures for handling conviction information, allowing for probationary hiring under certain conditions, and makes conforming changes to existing laws.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Senate Education Committee Hearing (14:30:00 3/3/2026 Room 212) (on 03/03/2026)
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