Legislative Findings

Legislative Findings. The General Assembly recognizes that: (a) Mental illnesses among children and adolescents can be severely debilitating and, if untreated, can have a negative effect on their education, their families and communities, and their future lives as productive citizens of Illinois. (b) Psychotropic medications, when used carefully and appropriately, can be safe and effective treatments for children with serious mental illnesses. (c) Psychotropic medications, like most other medications, may pose serious risks and side effects, particularly if their use is not carefully monitored. (d) Under Illinois law, minors cannot give consent to medical treatment, including psychotropic medications. (e) Under Illinois law, in the absence of an emergency, medical treatment, including the administration of psychotropic medications, may only be provided to a minor with the consent of a parent, a guardian, or some other person authorized by law to give consent. (f) The Department of Children and Family Services has responsibility for providing informed consent for medical treatment, including the administration of psychotropic medications, for thousands of children and adolescents. (g) The health, safety, and well-being of children and adolescents who are the legal responsibility of the Department depend on the existence and enforcement of appropriate standards and procedures through which the Department may determine when the use of psychotropic medications is appropriate for these children and adolescents. (Source: P.A. 97-245, eff. 8-4-11.)