Prohibitions; burden of proof

Prohibitions; burden of proof. (a) A person's blindness shall not serve as a basis for denial or restriction of parenting time or the allocation of parental responsibilities if the parenting time or the allocation of parental responsibilities is determined to be otherwise in the best interests of the child. (b) A person's blindness shall not serve as a basis for denial of participation in public or private adoption when the adoption is determined to be otherwise in the best interests of the child. (c) A person's blindness shall not serve as a basis for denial of foster care or guardianship when the appointment is determined to be otherwise in the best interests of the child. (d) The Department of Children and Family Services shall develop and implement procedures that ensure and provide equal access to child welfare services, programs, and activities in a nondiscriminatory manner. Services, programs, and activities include, but are not limited to, investigations, assessments, provision of in-home services, out-of-home placements, case planning and service planning, visitation, guardianship, adoption, foster care, and reunification services. Such services, programs, and activities may also extend to proceedings under the Juvenile Court Act of 1987 and proceedings to terminate parental rights. The Department of Children and Family Services shall provide training to child welfare investigators and caseworkers on these procedures. (e) If the court determines that the right of a person with blindness to the allocation of parental responsibilities, parenting time, foster care, guardianship, or adoption should be denied or limited in any manner, the court shall make specific written findings stating the basis for such a determination and why supportive parenting services cannot prevent the denial or limitation. (Source: P.A. 100-75, eff. 1-1-18; 101-81, eff. 7-12-19.)