Which New Illinois Laws in Effect in 2025 Will Impact Parents?

 Posted on January 09, 2025 in Family Law

Many parents struggle to ensure their children have safe, affordable daycare options. Other parents face family law issues, including divorce, spousal support, the division of marital assets, parenting time, and the allocation of parental responsibilities and child support.

The new laws set to take effect in 2025 in the state are meant to make life a little easier for parents. If you have questions about these new laws, or need legal assistance with any family law issue you are facing, speaking to a Wheaton, IL family law attorney from Mirabella, Kincaid, Frederick & Mirabella, LLC can be beneficial.  

New Laws Set to Take Effect in 2025

There are several new Illinois laws that went into effect on January 1st that could potentially impact families. These include:

Drug-Addicted Mothers Who Give Birth to Babies with Positive Toxicology Screens Can Maintain Parental Rights

Senate Bill 3136 allows mothers with drug problems whose babies are born with a positive toxicology screen to maintain parental rights. While opponents of the bill claimed it would "subvert accountability," proponents claimed the bill was in the best interests of the child and the mother and is meant to motivate the mom with drug addiction to get better.

Newborns are routinely given toxicology screens at birth to determine whether medical intervention is required. Until this new law went into effect, mothers whose newborns tested positive would automatically have their parental rights taken away and could also face arrest and criminal prosecution. The new law prevents the automatic removal of the mother’s parental rights but does require the mother to show she is a fit parent.  

Training and Resources Necessary to Ensure Foster Children Receive "Culturally Competent" Hair Care

House Bill 5097 now requires the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to provide caregivers with the resources necessary to provide culturally competent hair care to foster children. While advocates say hair care is important to a child’s self-worth and identity, opponents claim the new law will only result in greater expense for taxpayers and foster parents. Not all foster parents may be aware of cultural issues related to a child’s hair.

Seventeen-Year-Olds May Now Donate Blood Without Parental Permission

Under House Bill 4271, a seventeen-year-old can now donate blood without providing permission from his or her parents. This issue had no opponents, passing with 100 percent agreement. Five states currently allow a 16-year-old to donate blood without parental permission, and Illinois now joins most other states that allow 17-year-olds to donate blood without parental permission.

Hospitals Must Now Provide Parents Who Relinquish Newborns with Contact Information for the Child Welfare Agency

Senate Bill 3232 gives parents who relinquish a newborn a 30-day window to obtain agency contact information. Proponents of the bill say that few parents abandon an infant unless they are in a crisis situation. This 30-day timeframe allows those parents an opportunity to handle the crisis and regain custody of the child.

Daycare Centers May Operate for 24 Hours

Under Senate Bill 3207, Illinois daycare centers may now operate for 24 hours or longer, providing care for a child up to a period of 12 hours. This benefits parents whose jobs require shift work. Many years ago, a study done in Illinois found that 42 percent of parents in the state work non-traditional hours, which makes flexible daycare crucial.

Contact a DuPage County, IL Family Law Attorney

Family law issues are typically fraught with emotion. It can be advantageous to have a Wheaton, IL family law attorney who can help you through these difficult times with the best possible outcome. MKFM Law serves family law clients at its offices in Kane County, DuPage County, and DeKalb County. Contact Mirabella, Kincaid, Frederick & Mirabella, LLC at 630-665-7300 to schedule an initial attorney meeting.