IllinoisHB4534104th General Assembly (2025–2026)HouseWALLET

DCFS-ABUSED CHILD-GROOMING

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Became Law

Summary

Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. In the definition of "abused child", provides that an abused child means a child whose parent or immediate family member, or any person responsible for the child's welfare, or any individual residing in the same home as the child, or a paramour of the child's parent commits the act of grooming a child for the purpose of establishing or attempting to establish a romantic or sexual relationship (rather than commits the offense of grooming, as defined in the Criminal Code of 2012). Effective immediately.

adoption & child welfareassignmentseducation

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

No gag deals on school misconduct

Beginning July 1, 2023, schools and contractors cannot use contracts to hide sexual‑misconduct probes or stop reports to authorities. They also cannot make deals that erase allegations or findings, unless an investigation found them false, unfounded, or unsubstantiated. Any agreement after that date that breaks these rules is void.

Clear conduct rules for school staff

Beginning July 1, 2022, every Illinois school adopts a staff code of conduct. The code defines sexual misconduct and sets rules on student transport, photos, and contact outside school roles. Schools must post the code and reporting steps on their website and in handbooks. Staff who break the code or fail to report a violation can be disciplined or fired.

Contractors face child-safety hiring rules

Beginning August 15, 2025, contractors that supply staff to schools must complete employment‑history reviews before assigning workers to child‑contact roles. Contractors must keep these records, share them with schools on request, and tell schools about known allegations or discipline, unless later found false or unfounded. A contractor cannot assign a worker if the school objects. A review stays valid while the worker remains with the same contractor.

Pre-hire checks for child-contact jobs

Beginning August 15, 2025, schools and contractors must run an employment‑history review before hiring anyone for jobs with direct contact with children. Applicants must swear they are not disqualified, list prior child‑contact employers, authorize records, and disclose any sexual‑misconduct allegations, discipline, or license actions. Reviewers must contact those employers, who must answer on the state template within 20 days; good‑faith disclosures are legally protected. The information is not a public record and can be shared with licensing, police, and child services. Schools and contractors may not hire if the applicant does not provide the required information. The State Board of Education provides the standard forms.

Shared reviews for substitute teachers

Beginning August 15, 2025, schools must complete the employment‑history review before hiring or listing a substitute. Regional offices may collect and, at a substitute’s request, share the review with districts. The review stays valid while the substitute works for the same school or within the same region, with updates shared as needed.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

  • Darby A. Hills

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Fred Crespo

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Jackie Haas

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Jennifer Sanalitro

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Lakesia Collins

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Li Arellano, Jr.

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Michael J. Coffey, Jr.

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Michelle Mussman

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Nicole La Ha

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Norine K. Hammond

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Sally J. Turner

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Stephanie A. Kifowit

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Steve McClure

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Tony M. McCombie

    Affiliation unavailable

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 342 • No: 1

House vote 5/31/2026

Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 House Concurs

Yes: 117 • No: 0

House vote 5/30/2026

Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Recommends Be Adopted Adoption & Child Welfare Committee;

Yes: 12 • No: 0

Senate vote 5/29/2026

Third Reading - Passed;

Yes: 56 • No: 0

Senate vote 5/26/2026

Do Pass as Amended Education;

Yes: 13 • No: 0

House vote 4/15/2026

Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed

Yes: 110 • No: 0

House vote 4/14/2026

House Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommends Be Adopted Adoption & Child Welfare Committee;

Yes: 12 • No: 0

House vote 4/9/2026

House Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be Adopted Adoption & Child Welfare Committee;

Yes: 11 • No: 0

House vote 3/18/2026

Do Pass / Short Debate Adoption & Child Welfare Committee;

Yes: 11 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0831

    8/10/2026House
  2. Effective Date January 1, 2027

    8/10/2026House
  3. Governor Approved

    8/10/2026House
  4. Sent to the Governor

    6/26/2026House
  5. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Jackie Haas

    5/31/2026House
  6. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Michael J. Coffey, Jr.

    5/31/2026House
  7. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Nicole La Ha

    5/31/2026House
  8. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Norine K. Hammond

    5/31/2026House
  9. Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Tony M. McCombie

    5/31/2026House
  10. Passed Both Houses

    5/31/2026House
  11. House Concurs

    5/31/2026House
  12. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 House Concurs 117-000-000

    5/31/2026House
  13. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Recommends Be Adopted Adoption & Child Welfare Committee; 012-000-000

    5/30/2026House
  14. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Rules Referred to Adoption & Child Welfare Committee

    5/29/2026House
  15. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Referred to Rules Committee

    5/29/2026House
  16. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion Filed Concur Rep. Michelle Mussman

    5/29/2026House
  17. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Li Arellano, Jr.

    5/29/2026Senate
  18. Placed on Calendar Order of Concurrence Senate Amendment(s) 1

    5/29/2026House
  19. Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Darby A. Hills

    5/29/2026Senate
  20. Arrived in House

    5/29/2026House
  21. Added as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Steve McClure

    5/29/2026Senate
  22. Added as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Sally J. Turner

    5/29/2026Senate
  23. Third Reading - Passed; 056-000-000

    5/29/2026Senate
  24. Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 29, 2026

    5/28/2026Senate
  25. Second Reading

    5/28/2026Senate

Bill Text

  • Engrossed

  • Enrolled

  • House Amendment 1

  • House Amendment 2

  • Introduced

  • Senate Amendment 1

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