The committee advanced HB 4 31, a bill to authorize one-time transition stipends for kinship caregivers who accept children into their homes. Representative Acton, the bill sponsor, described situations where grandparents or other relatives were unable to accept all children because of one-time costs such as clothing, beds, diapers and short-term childcare.

"This stipend is optional," Acton said, describing the payment as a tool to allow families to provide stable, kinship placements. "Some kinship families may not need it or want it and of course would not have to accept it. For others, it could be a deciding factor in whether or not they can accept the child."

Representative Gracious, who moved the bill, asked the sponsor and DCFS staff to make clear that the stipend would be optional and not automatically paid in all cases. She also asked about an upper limit for large sibling groups; the sponsor agreed to discuss a limit and to work with DCFS on the logistics. Committee members emphasized the bill is intended to reduce family separations when relatives are willing to assume care but lack the immediate resources to do so.

The committee adopted the first substitute and passed the bill with a favorable recommendation. Supporters said administrative rules could be used to set payment amounts and procedural details, and the sponsor indicated willingness to refine limits and procurement/administration language.

Ending: HB 4 31 passed out of committee with a favorable recommendation; sponsor and committee members asked DCFS to help define operational details and potential limits on total payments per household.