A bill introduced by State Rep. Amy Elik (R-Fosterburg) was signed into law on May 13, which will improve the safety of transportation for foster children.
“At a minimum, kids under state care should expect and receive a safe ride home,” Elik stated. “This new law will ensure commonsense safety measures are required for all drivers providing transportation to children under state care and that no child will be forgotten. There are many ongoing failures at DCFS that need to be fixed, this is one of many that will be made right.”
The legislation was sponsored by Elik on behalf of a local foster parent who expressed concerns about the safety of children under the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).
“I knew something had to be done when a constituent shared with me that foster children were either not being picked up on time or not being picked up at all by transportation providers,” Elik stated. “Children under state care depend on transportation providers that will pick them up on time. There is no excuse for our youth in care to be left without a ride home.”
Public Act 102-795 requires that transportation services assisting children and families in the foster care system must comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations.
Drivers must submit to a fingerprint-based criminal background check and must possess a valid driver’s license and an adequate driving record. Additionally, proof of insurance and proper vehicle maintenance is required.
The legislation also includes proper training for drivers on the installation and operation of a child car seat,
Furthermore, the transportation agency must provide specified information for the purposes of communication during the scheduled transport to make sure a child always has a ride home.