HB 4298

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Provides that the purpose of the amendatory Act is to ensure that individuals with felony convictions are not assigned to child protective investigations or issued a Child Welfare Employee License (CWEL). Prohibits persons with a felony conviction from holding a CWEL, performing child protection investigations, or supervising investigation staff. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services and every purchase of service agency that contracts with the Department to require all child welfare employees to undergo a fingerprint-based background check, a statewide criminal history search, and a Federal Bureau of Investigation national criminal history background check every 3 years during the term of employment. Requires the Department to revoke a child welfare employee's CWEL immediately upon discovery that the employee has a felony conviction. Prohibits POS agencies that contract with the Department from employing any person convicted of a felony to work as a child welfare employee and sets forth certain penalties for violations of the prohibition. Effective January 1, 2027.