HB 4879

Amends the Children and Family Services Act. Requires the Department of Children and Family Services to maintain a public, searchable online portal that lists every individual employed by the Department or a purchase of service agency (POS) who holds a Child Welfare Employee License (CWEL) and performs investigations, casework, or supervisory functions. Requires the portal to contain certain employee information, including, but not limited to, each child welfare employee's full name, official job title, CWEL license number and date of issuance, employment and child welfare employee license status, an indication of whether the individual is authorized to conduct child welfare investigations, and any disciplinary actions taken under the Child and Protective Investigator and Child Welfare Specialist Certification Act of 1987. Prohibits the Department and POS agencies from assigning investigative or casework duties to any child welfare employee who is not listed on the portal, has a suspended or expired CWEL, or has been disciplined or disqualified. Provides that nothing in the amendatory Act shall be construed to alter, expand, or limit existing licensure, certification, training, experience, or assignment requirements under State law. Effective January 1, 2027.