- Published: 11 August 2015
SPRINGFIELD — With the goal of protecting youth, Majority Caucus Whip Iris Y. Martinez (D-Chicago) sponsored legislation in the Senate that would give child care facilities more authority when providing temporary residential services to children in the care of the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).
Martinez’s proposal was signed into law today.
“I sponsored this legislation because, as a result of many children being cared for in temporary facilities for longer periods of time, it is necessary to institute policies that will keep them safe and off the streets,” Martinez said.
Under the new law, any organization authorized by DCFS to provide temporary care to children will be required to establish and enforce curfews, maintain appropriate staffing levels and provide activities that engage the youth in its care.
Additionally, they will be responsible for coming up with a plan to locate and return youth to the facility if they run away.
House Bill 1530 ensures that temporary residential facilities are more responsible for the children in their care and have more power to protect their well-being.
The law will be effective Jan. 1, 2016.