Legislative Update

April 30, 2010

The following bills related to juvenile justice are moving this session in the General Assembly:

Juvenile Parole Reform

House Bill 5914 – Rep. Collins/Sen. Raoul – Provides that the Juvenile Justice Commission shall develop recommendations regarding due process protections during release decision-making processes, including parole and parole revocation proceedings.  The bill also clarifies that the Prisoner Review Board has options for juvenile parolees.   The bill passed the House on March 25, 2010, and the Senate on April 29, 2010.

Juvenile Confidentiality

House Bill 6129 – Rep. Burns/Sen. Delgado - Provides that the statement, admission, confession, or incriminating information relating to the instant offense, as part of any behavioral health screening, assessment, evaluation, or treatment, shall not be admissible as evidence against the minor on the issue of guilt only in the instant juvenile court proceeding.  The bill passed the House on March 25, 2010, and the Senate on April 29, 2010.

Department of Juvenile Justice

House Bill 5007 – Rep. Turner/Sen. Link –Creates the Department of Juvenile Justice Mortality Review Team Act to review deaths of youth in DJJ custody.  The bill passed the House on March 26, 2010, and is in the Senate.

House Bill 5913 – Rep. Collins/Sen. Hunter – Removes the requirement that the Department of Juvenile Justice share administrative services with the Department of Corrections.  Encourages collaboration with “child-serving agencies.”  The bill passed the House on March 12, 2010, and the Senate on April 29, 2010.

Raising the Juvenile Court Age

Senate Bill 3085 – Sen. Raoul/Rep. Burns – Provides that the Illinois Juvenile Justice Commission shall  study the impact of, develop timelines, and propose a funding structure to accommodate the expansion of the jurisdiction of the Illinois Juvenile Court to include youth age 17 under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Provides that the Commission shall submit a report by December 31, 2011 to the General Assembly with recommendations on extending juvenile court jurisdiction to youth age 17 charged with felony offenses.  Bill passed the Senate on March 17, 2010, and the House on April 28, 2010.

Sexting

House Bill 4583 – Rep. Senger/ Sen. Silverstein – Provides that a minor who distributes indecent visual depictions of another minor may be subject to a petition for adjudication and adjudged a minor in need of supervision.  If found in need of supervision, the minor may be ordered to obtain counseling or other supportive services, or required to perform community service.  Bill passed the House on March 11, 2010, and the Senate on April 27, 2010.

Convention on the Rights of the Child

House Resolution 1143 - Rep. Currie-Coulson-Jakobsson-Flowers-Collins and Feigenholtz -Urges the United States Senate to ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child and state agencies in Illinois to ensure that policies and programs comply with the Convention on the Rights of the Child.  Resolution is on the House floor for consideration.