(20 ILCS 527/1) Sec. 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Department of Children and Family Services Statewide Youth Advisory Board Act. (Source: P.A. 98-806, eff. 1-1-15.)

(20 ILCS 527/5) Sec. 5. Statewide Youth Advisory Board; regional youth advisory boards. The Department of Children and Family Services shall convene and maintain a Statewide Youth Advisory Board and regional youth advisory boards. Each regional youth advisory board shall work with the Department or its designee to determine how to best provide services to current and former youth in foster care living within each of the regions. The Statewide Youth Advisory Board shall advise the Department and the General Assembly with respect to all matters involving or affecting current and former youth in foster care. Responsibilities of the Statewide Youth Advisory Board shall include:(1) providing the Department and the General Assembly

with the perspective of youth under the care of the Department;

(2) identifying, analyzing, and recommending

solutions to any issues concerning adoption and guardianship and youth in foster care;

(3) reviewing and advising the Department on proposed

or pending legislation, primarily as it concerns current and former youth in foster care; and

(4) reviewing and making recommendations on

Department foster care and child welfare service delivery policies, guidelines, procedures, and training.

(Source: P.A. 98-806, eff. 1-1-15.)

(20 ILCS 527/10) Sec. 10. Membership.(a) The Statewide Youth Advisory Board shall consist of executive regional board members elected to represent the regional youth advisory boards.(b) The Statewide Youth Advisory Board and each regional youth advisory board shall be composed of youth 14 to 21 years of age who are former or current youth in foster care appointed by the Department of Children and Family Services or its designee. (Source: P.A. 98-806, eff. 1-1-15.)

(20 ILCS 527/15) Sec. 15. Meetings.(a) Regular meetings of the regional youth advisory boards shall be held monthly.(b) Regular meetings of the Statewide Youth Advisory Board shall be held at least 5 times per year.(c) The Director of the Department or his or her designee shall meet with the Statewide Youth Advisory Board at least quarterly in order to discuss the issues and concerns of youth in foster care.(d) All meetings shall take place at locations, dates, and times determined by the Department or its designee in accordance with the bylaws for the Statewide Youth Advisory Board and the regional youth advisory boards. (Source: P.A. 98-806, eff. 1-1-15.)

(20 ILCS 527/20) Sec. 20. Operations. The Department or its designee shall manage each board, facilitate meetings, and develop further necessary procedures, including, but not limited to, bylaws for the Statewide Youth Advisory Board and the regional youth advisory boards. The Department shall provide funding necessary to maintain the operations of each board. The Department shall not provide a Statewide Youth Advisory Board or a regional youth advisory board with any records or information that a public body may withhold or redact pursuant to Section 7 of the Freedom of Information Act. (Source: P.A. 98-806, eff. 1-1-15.)

(20 ILCS 527/25) Sec. 25. Reporting. The Statewide Youth Advisory Board shall report annually to the General Assembly on issues concerning adoption and guardianship and youth in foster care, and make recommendations regarding legislation, policies, guidelines, procedures, and training. (Source: P.A. 98-806, eff. 1-1-15.)

(20 ILCS 527/30) Sec. 30. Public access to information. (a) Meetings of the Statewide Youth Advisory Board and each regional youth advisory board shall be closed to the public. Meetings of the Statewide Youth Advisory Board and each regional youth advisory board shall not be subject to the Open Meetings Act.(b) Records and information produced by the Statewide Youth Advisory Board and each regional youth advisory board, except a report submitted to the General Assembly pursuant to Section 25 of this Act, shall be confidential and not subject to the Freedom of Information Act. (Source: P.A. 98-806, eff. 1-1-15.)

(20 ILCS 527/35) Sec. 35. (Amendatory provisions; text omitted). (Source: P.A. 98-806, eff. 1-1-15; text omitted.)

(20 ILCS 527/40) Sec. 40. (Amendatory provisions; text omitted). (Source: P.A. 98-806, eff. 1-1-15; text omitted.)