Signed by Governor Bruce Rauner

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that requires evidence-based, gender-responsive practices in women's correctional centers.

Highlights:

• Defines “gender-responsive” as taking into account gender-specific differences that have been identified through research including, but not limited to (Sec. 5):

• Socialization;

• Psychological development; and

• Responses to to treatment intervention.

• Specifies that gender-responsive practices shall be implemented in a way that is considered relational, culturally competent, family-centered, holistic, strength-based, and trauma-informed (Sec. 5).

• Defines “trauma-informed practices” as practices incorporating gender-violence research in the design of implementation of policies that involve understanding, recognizing, and responding to the effects of trauma (Sec. 5).

• Requires the Department of Corrections to create a Women’s Division which shall have statewide authority and oversight for all women’s correctional centers (Sec. 5).

• Requires the Director of Corrections to appoint a Chief Administrator of the Women’s Divisions who shall have nationally recognized training in gender-responsive and trauma-informed practices (Sec. 5).

• Specifies that the Chief Administrator is responsible for duties including, but not limited to (Sec. 5):

• Management of Women’s Divisions personnel;

• Development and implementation of practices; and

• Development and implementation of a training program.

Full Bill Text