# Illinois HB4966: DCFS-SECURE ACT Illinois HB4966, DCFS-SECURE ACT, is a 104th General Assembly (2025–2026) House bill sponsored by no sponsor on record; status signed, last action 2026-07-10 (Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0559) (as of 2026-11-01). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB4966-2025-2026 - As of: 2026-11-01 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Bill: Illinois HB4966 - State: Illinois - Session: 104th General Assembly (2025–2026) - Title: DCFS-SECURE ACT - Status: signed - Chamber: House - Introduced: 2026-02-04 - Last action: 2026-07-10, Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0559 - Sponsors: no sponsor on record - Cosponsors: 0 - Subjects: adoption & child welfare, assignments, judiciary - Touches household money: no - Roll calls: 7 (211 yes, 108 no in all) - Economic provisions PRIA read: 9 ## Summary Provides that the Act may be referred to as the Safeguards to Ensure Continuity and Uphold Rights and Equity (SECURE) Act. Sets forth several legislative findings, including that (i) Illinois retains a non-delegable duty to safeguard the safety, health, dignity, and well-being of all youth in the care or custody of the Department of Children and Family Services, and (ii) the Department must respect and meaningfully consider a youth's expressed preferences in placement options while conducting transparent, individualized risk assessments. Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Adds provisions concerning case plans for youth in care and the specific tasks and responsibilities a caregiver must complete to ensure each youth is provided with safe, proper, and supportive care based on the youth's needs and best interests, including, but not limited to, the youth's protected characteristics as defined under the Illinois Human Rights Act. Contains provisions concerning requirements for interstate placements of youth age 8 or older, including, but not limited to: protecting a youth's access to lawful health care and civil immunities for Department employees who protect a youth's access to lawful health care; individualized assessments on the suitability and risks of the proposed interstate placement; ongoing Illinois-based case worker contact and monitoring; and a prohibition on consent to conversion therapy. Contains provisions on youth requested in-state or out-of-state placement and other related matters; annual Department reports on out-of-state placements; performance audits; private right of action; and other matters. Amends the Child Care Act of 1969 by adding provisions on supportive care for youth in care; youth-directed placement rights; licensure and contractual compliance. Amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Adds provisions on the appointment of an attorney for a youth in care with special needs; required Department attestations on caregiver conduct when a youth is placed in an out-of-state residential treatment center; assessments and monitoring for minors in out-of-state placements; and other matters. Effective July 1, 2027. ## Bill overview: provisions PRIA read - More court review for out-of-state placements: benefit, medium. Beginning January 1, 2028, DCFS must report to the court about qualifying out-of-state placements for youth age 8 or older, including why the placement is needed and the youth’s views. Reports are due 5 days before a compact request, 60 days after a youth in a covered placement turns 8, or near cer… - More family placements for children in care: benefit, medium. Beginning January 1, 2028, DCFS must favor safe, suitable relative placements when they serve a child’s best interests and generally place siblings together. DCFS must search for adult relatives, notify them about care and contact options, and explain how relatives can challenge a placement denial.… - More privacy for youth in care: benefit, medium. Beginning January 1, 2028, DCFS must tell youth when sensitive identity information may be shared and explain this before or during relevant conversations. If a youth shares the information first, DCFS must explain within 14 days. DCFS must generally keep the information out of family summaries and… - Safer out-of-state placements for youth: benefit, medium. Beginning January 1, 2028, DCFS must assess out-of-state placements for youth age 8 or older and consider their needs, views, and safety risks. Illinois caseworkers must speak privately with each youth at least monthly and visit foster or relative homes twice a year, or residential homes every thre… - Stronger rights for youth in care: benefit, medium. Beginning January 1, 2028, DCFS, providers, and caregivers must support each youth’s safety, dignity, and case plan. They cannot discriminate against, harass, or retaliate against youth for protected traits, or block services in the plan for those reasons. DCFS must give youth an accessible written… - Safer out-of-state placements for youth: benefit, medium. For youth age 8 or older, DCFS must decline an out-of-state placement when it finds an unmanageable risk of harm and the youth does not support the placement. DCFS cannot tell the placement that the youth withheld support. Courts must review whether out-of-state placements remain right for the yout… - More family details in permanency reviews: benefit, low. Permanency reports must describe ongoing efforts to find family and involve relatives. Reports must include a minor’s placement preferences. When certain permanency goals are not in the minor’s best interests, reports must also cover discussions of guardianship and adoption and identify people who… - Payments for relative caregiver homes: benefit, low. Beginning January 1, 2028, relative caregiver homes receive payments under the Act. The law removes the July 1, 2025 payment deadline, but does not state payment amounts or a new payment schedule. - More court oversight of child placements: benefit, low. Courts must consider qualifying relative homes when choosing certain permanency goals. They must review family-finding plans and order changes when a plan is not in the child’s best interest. Reports must identify people who can provide guardianship or adoption, or describe family-finding efforts i… ## Sponsors and cosponsors - (none) ## Roll call votes | Date | Chamber | Motion | Result | Yes | No | Other | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2026-05-31 | House | Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 House Concurs | pass | 75 | 40 | | | 2026-05-30 | House | Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Recommends Be Adopted Adoption & Child Welfare Committee; | pass | 8 | 4 | | | 2026-05-29 | Senate | Third Reading - Passed; | pass | 35 | 19 | | | 2026-05-13 | Senate | Do Pass as Amended Judiciary; | pass | 6 | 3 | | | 2026-04-16 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be Adopted Adoption & Child Welfare Committee; | pass | 8 | 4 | | | 2026-04-16 | House | Third Reading - Standard Debate - Passed | pass | 71 | 34 | | | 2026-03-24 | House | Do Pass / Short Debate Adoption & Child Welfare Committee; | pass | 8 | 4 | | ## Actions (106) - 2026-07-10: Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0559 (House) - 2026-07-10: Effective Date July 10, 2026 (House) - 2026-07-10: Governor Approved (House) - 2026-06-26: Sent to the Governor (House) - 2026-06-01: Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Elgie R. Sims, Jr. (Senate) - 2026-05-31: Passed Both Houses (House) - 2026-05-31: House Concurs (House) - 2026-05-31: Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 House Concurs 075-040-000 (House) - 2026-05-31: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Debbie Meyers-Martin (House) - 2026-05-30: Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Recommends Be Adopted Adoption & Child Welfare Committee; 008-004-000 (House) - 2026-05-29: Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Adriane L. Johnson (Senate) - 2026-05-29: Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Mary Edly-Allen (Senate) - 2026-05-29: Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Rules Referred to Adoption & Child Welfare Committee (House) - 2026-05-29: Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion to Concur Referred to Rules Committee (House) - 2026-05-29: Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Motion Filed Concur Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy (House) - 2026-05-29: Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Javier L. Cervantes (Senate) - 2026-05-29: Placed on Calendar Order of Concurrence Senate Amendment(s) 1 (House) - 2026-05-29: Arrived in House (House) - 2026-05-29: Added as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Sara Feigenholtz (Senate) - 2026-05-29: Third Reading - Passed; 035-019-000 (Senate) - 2026-05-22: Rule 2-10 Third Reading Deadline Established As May 31, 2026 (Senate) - 2026-05-21: Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Karina Villa (Senate) - 2026-05-20: Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Kimberly A. Lightford (Senate) - 2026-05-19: Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Emil Jones, III (Senate) - 2026-05-19: Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Laura M. Murphy (Senate) - 2026-05-15: Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Mike Porfirio (Senate) - 2026-05-14: Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. David Koehler (Senate) - 2026-05-14: Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Mike Simmons (Senate) - 2026-05-14: Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 18, 2026 (Senate) - 2026-05-14: Second Reading (Senate) - 2026-05-14: Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Mattie Hunter (Senate) - 2026-05-13: Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 14, 2026 (Senate) - 2026-05-13: Do Pass as Amended Judiciary; 006-003-000 (Senate) - 2026-05-13: Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted (Senate) - 2026-05-13: Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Judiciary (Senate) - 2026-05-12: Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Sara Feigenholtz (Senate) - 2026-05-12: Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments (Senate) - 2026-05-12: Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Celina Villanueva (Senate) - 2026-05-08: Rule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As May 15, 2026 (Senate) - 2026-04-30: Added as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Rachel Ventura (Senate) - 2026-04-28: Added as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Lakesia Collins (Senate) - 2026-04-28: Assigned to Judiciary (Senate) - 2026-04-21: Referred to Assignments (Senate) - 2026-04-21: First Reading (Senate) - 2026-04-21: Chief Senate Sponsor Sen. Celina Villanueva (Senate) - 2026-04-21: Placed on Calendar Order of First Reading (Senate) - 2026-04-21: Arrive in Senate (Senate) - 2026-04-16: Third Reading - Standard Debate - Passed 071-034-000 (House) - 2026-04-16: Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Standard Debate (House) - 2026-04-16: Chair Rules Standard Debate (House) - 2026-04-16: Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate (House) - 2026-04-16: House Floor Amendment No. 1 Adopted (House) - 2026-04-16: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Norma Hernandez (House) - 2026-04-16: House Floor Amendment No. 1 Recommends Be Adopted Adoption & Child Welfare Committee; 008-004-000 (House) - 2026-04-15: House Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Adoption & Child Welfare Committee (House) - 2026-04-15: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado (House) - 2026-04-15: House Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee (House) - 2026-04-15: House Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy (House) - 2026-04-10: Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate (House) - 2026-04-10: Second Reading - Short Debate (House) - 2026-04-09: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Jawaharial Williams (House) - 2026-04-09: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Ann M. Williams (House) - 2026-04-09: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Maurice A. West, II (House) - 2026-04-09: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Curtis J. Tarver, II (House) - 2026-04-09: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Justin Slaughter (House) - 2026-04-09: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Robert "Bob" Rita (House) - 2026-04-09: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Aarón M. Ortíz (House) - 2026-04-09: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Suzanne M. Ness (House) - 2026-04-09: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Yolonda Morris (House) - 2026-04-09: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Bob Morgan (House) - 2026-04-09: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Rita Mayfield (House) - 2026-04-09: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Theresa Mah (House) - 2026-04-09: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Camille Y. Lilly (House) - 2026-04-09: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Stephanie A. Kifowit (House) - 2026-04-09: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl (House) - 2026-04-09: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Sonya M. Harper (House) - 2026-04-09: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Will Guzzardi (House) - 2026-04-09: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Angelica Guerrero-Cuellar (House) - 2026-04-09: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Nicolle Grasse (House) - 2026-04-09: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth (House) - 2026-04-09: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Laura Faver Dias (House) - 2026-04-09: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Daniel Didech (House) - 2026-04-09: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Margaret A. DeLaRosa (House) - 2026-04-09: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Lisa Davis (House) - 2026-04-09: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Michael Crawford (House) - 2026-04-09: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Sharon Chung (House) - 2026-04-09: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Amy Briel (House) - 2026-04-09: Removed Co-Sponsor Rep. Dagmara Avelar (House) - 2026-04-09: Removed Co-Sponsor Rep. Edgar González, Jr. (House) - 2026-04-09: Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Edgar González, Jr. (House) - 2026-04-09: Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (House) - 2026-04-09: Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Mary Beth Canty (House) - 2026-04-09: Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Dagmara Avelar (House) - 2026-04-09: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Dagmara Avelar (House) - 2026-04-09: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Michelle Mussman (House) - 2026-04-09: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Anne Stava (House) - 2026-04-09: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Carol Ammons (House) - 2026-04-09: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Maura Hirschauer (House) - 2026-03-26: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Edgar González, Jr. (House) - 2026-03-26: Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Anna Moeller (House) - 2026-03-25: Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate (House) - 2026-03-24: Do Pass / Short Debate Adoption & Child Welfare Committee; 008-004-000 (House) - 2026-03-18: Assigned to Adoption & Child Welfare Committee (House) - 2026-02-06: Referred to Rules Committee (House) - 2026-02-06: First Reading (House) - 2026-02-04: Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy (House) ## Bill text - Engrossed: [PDF](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/HB/PDF/10400HB4966eng.pdf) - Enrolled: [PDF](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/HB/PDF/10400HB4966enr.pdf) - House Amendment 1: [PDF](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/HB/PDF/10400HB4966ham001.pdf) - Introduced: [PDF](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/HB/PDF/10400HB4966.pdf) - Senate Amendment 1: [PDF](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/HB/PDF/10400HB4966sam001.pdf) ## Related bills - HB5198: AFFORDABLE HOUSING-CILAS (passed house) - SB1937: PENSION CODE-VARIOUS (passed senate) - HB2563: CONDO-RESERVE STUDY (in committee) - HB4701: LIMITATIONS FACILITY FEES ACT (in committee) - SB3008: DHS-ABLE PROGRAM INFO MATERIAL (passed senate) - SB3484: VEH CD-PLATES-REGISTRATION (signed) ## Sources - [Engrossed (PDF)](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/HB/PDF/10400HB4966eng.pdf) - [Enrolled (PDF)](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/HB/PDF/10400HB4966enr.pdf) - [House Amendment 1 (PDF)](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/HB/PDF/10400HB4966ham001.pdf) - [Introduced (PDF)](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/HB/PDF/10400HB4966.pdf) - [Senate Amendment 1 (PDF)](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/HB/PDF/10400HB4966sam001.pdf) ## Related - [HB5198: AFFORDABLE HOUSING-CILAS](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB5198-2025-2026) - [SB1937: PENSION CODE-VARIOUS](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB1937-2025-2026) - [HB2563: CONDO-RESERVE STUDY](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB2563-2025-2026) - [HB4701: LIMITATIONS FACILITY FEES ACT](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB4701-2025-2026) - [SB3008: DHS-ABLE PROGRAM INFO MATERIAL](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB3008-2025-2026) - [SB3484: VEH CD-PLATES-REGISTRATION](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB3484-2025-2026) - [Illinois bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/illinois/bills) - [Illinois state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/illinois) - [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB4966-2025-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).