Illinois legislature approves Deuter's bill expanding caregiver abuse and neglect statutes

A bill recently passed by the Illinois General Assembly, sponsored by State Rep. Martha Deuter, seeks to clarify and expand criminal statutes regarding abuse and neglect by caregivers of elderly individuals and people with disabilities. The legislation updates definitions and widens legal protections, the Illinois General Assembly reports.

The measure gained support in the House with 67 Democrats and 31 Republicans voting yes, and one Republican voting no.

In the Senate, the bill saw approval from 40 Democrats and 19 Republicans.

Deuter presented the bill in the Illinois House on Jan. 29, 2026, during the 104th session.

Labeled HB4676, the lawmaker's measure passed on May 21, 2026, during the 104th General Assembly session.

The Illinois General Assembly summarized the bill’s changes as follows on its website: "Amends the Criminal Code of 2012. Provides that a caregiver also commits criminal abuse or neglect of an elderly person or person with a disability when he or she knowingly: (1) performs acts that create the substantial likelihood that the person's life will be endangered, health will be injured, or pre-existing physical or mental condition will deteriorate; or (2) fails to perform acts that he or she knows or reasonably should know are necessary to maintain or preserve the life or health of the person and that failure creates a substantial likelihood that the person's life will be endangered, health will be injured, or pre-existing physical or mental condition will deteriorate. Provides that a violation is a Class A misdemeanor. Defines "voluntarily assumed the responsibilities for care". Changes the definition of "caregiver". In the statute concerning financial exploitation of an elderly person or a person with a disability, defines "undue influence"."

Below is a summary based on the plain language of the official bill text, with interpretive notes for added clarity.

This legislation adds to the definition of criminal abuse and neglect for caregivers, extending it to any act that knowingly creates a substantial likelihood of endangering the recipient’s life or health, or aggravates any pre-existing physical or mental conditions, either through direct actions or failure to provide required care. The new provisions make such violations a Class A misdemeanor. The bill also refines and expands the definition of caregiver to include anyone who voluntarily assumes significant care responsibilities, and provides a statutory definition of that term. Additionally, it introduces the definition of “undue influence” for cases involving financial exploitation of elderly people and persons with disabilities.

Rep. Dan Ugaste (Republican-65th District), Rep. Janet Yang Rohr (Democrat-41st District), Sen. Jason Plummer (Republican-55th District), and three additional legislators served as sponsors for the bill.

Legislation in Illinois must pass through a rigorous multi-step legislative process, starting with introduction, followed by committee consideration, floor discussion, and approval in both the House and Senate before reaching the governor. The General Assembly sessions are biennial; while many bills are proposed, only a small portion are enacted into law after finishing the process.

For further information about bills and measures under consideration, visit this Illinois General Assembly resource.

Deuter received her BSW from Ohio University in 1995.

The Democratic lawmaker represents Illinois' 45th House District, having been elected in 2025 and succeeding Jenn Ladisch Douglass.

Some members in each chamber recorded as "Not Voting" were present but refrained from voting, while others were noted as "Absent" or had an "Excused Absence" for personal or health reasons.