HB4578 - 104th General Assembly (2025-2026)

ENDANGERING CHILD & EVIDENCE
Last Action

2/03/2026 - House: Referred to Rules Committee
House Sponsors

Rep. Michelle Mussman
Statutes Amended In Order of Appearance

Synopsis As Introduced

Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a second or subsequent violation of endangering the life or health of a child or a similar statute of this State or any other state of an offense that is substantially equivalent to the offense of endangering the life or health of a child is a Class 3 felony. Provides that in addition to any other penalty provided by law, upon conviction for endangering the life or health of a child, the court may order the convicted person to undergo a psychological or psychiatric evaluation and to undergo any treatment at the convicted person's expense that the court determines to be appropriate after due consideration of the evaluation. Provides that the special probation provisions are not applicable to a person convicted of a second or subsequent violation of endangering the life or health of a child or child abandonment or similar statutes of other states. Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that in a prosecution for a physical or sexual act perpetrated upon or against a youth who is a victim of trafficking in persons, involuntary servitude, and related offenses, provides for the admission of certain evidence as an exception to the hearsay rule. Amends the Bill of Rights for Children. Provides that a child reported to the Department of Children and Family Services or law enforcement to be a victim of a physical act or a youth who is a victim of trafficking in persons, involuntary servitude, and related offenses, whose case is accepted by either agency for investigation has the right to have that child's forensic interview conducted by a forensic interviewer from a children's advocacy center accredited according to the Children's Advocacy Center Act and serving the child's area or jurisdiction where the incident occurred, when such service is accessible based on the children's advocacy center's available resources. Amends the Privacy of Child Victims of Criminal Sexual Offenses Act. In a prosecution or investigation of sexual abuse against children under 18 years of age, permits disclosure to a multidisciplinary team member, as defined in the Children's Advocacy Center Act, and to a nonoffending parent or guardian of the identity of any child who is a victim of such criminal sexual offense or alleged criminal sexual offense. Defines "child" and "youth".
Actions

DateChamberAction
1/23/2026HouseFiled with the Clerk by Rep. Michelle Mussman
2/03/2026HouseFirst Reading
2/03/2026HouseReferred to Rules Committee