HB 5405

Amends the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. Creates a process for one parent to file a petition to terminate the parental rights of the other parent in a proceeding for dissolution of marriage, legal separation, declaration of invalidity of marriage, or any proceeding in which parental responsibilities are allocated under the Act or in a proceeding under the Illinois Parentage Act of 2015. Provides that a court may terminate parental rights if the petitioning parent proves by clear and convincing evidence that the respondent parent has abandoned the child; or engaged in a prolonged failure, without good cause, to provide reasonable financial support for or to maintain meaningful contact or visitation with the child, although able to do so. Provides defenses if the court finds that the failure to support or maintain contact or visitation was due to interference or obstruction by the petitioning parent; a court-ordered limitation, restriction, or suspension of parenting time; or other good cause beyond the respondent parent's control. Provides that an order of termination does not extinguish any child support arrearages accrued before termination unless expressly ordered by the court.