As a constituent committed to protecting youth in our state, I urge you to support and co-sponsor HB 4966 when it is considered. HB 4966 addresses those youth who are under the care of DCFS, including youth placed outside the state. Some of these youth live with relatives or foster parents within or outside Illinois, and some reside in larger institutions.
HB 4966 makes sure that these young people don’t face discriminatory conduct and get access to health care and services that are lawful in Illinois, even if they reside in another state. We know that many states – including states immediately adjacent to Illinois – have barred access to particular types of health care (like reproductive care) and allow discrimination on the basis of LGBTQ+ status or gender identity.
This bill calls on DCFS to make certain that all young people in DCFS care -- regardless of placement location -- are not experiencing this discrimination or being deprived of lawful health care– including a requirement that an Illinois-based worker have contact with out of state youth on a regular basis. We need this measure to protect these youth.
No one under DCFS care should lose access to lawful health care or be subject to discrimination. Please support HB 4966.