Rep. Amy L. Grant supports HB4534 to broaden 'abused child' definition in grooming incidents

Rep. Amy L. Grant (R-47th) supported HB4534, legislation aimed at expanding the definition of an abused child in grooming situations, during the 104th General Assembly on May 31, 2026. The measure received unanimous approval in the House with a 117-0 vote, according to the Illinois House.

The bill text presents the legislation as "DCFS-ABUSED CHILD-GROOMING."

The summary provided below is an interpretive overview of the bill’s language to clarify its main points.

This legislation updates the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act by expanding the criteria for an “abused child” to encompass cases where a parent, relative, caregiver, household member or a parent’s significant other grooms a child with the intention or attempt to initiate a romantic or sexual relationship—even if such behavior does not amount to the criminal offense of grooming under the Criminal Code of 2012. The changes are intended to make it easier for child welfare officials to respond based solely on grooming actions. The legislation takes effect immediately once signed into law.

The action recorded for HB4534 was 'Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 House Concurs'.

Grant obtained her BS from the University of Pittsburgh in 1980.

A Republican, Grant was elected to the Illinois House in 2023 for the 47th District, succeeding Deanne Mazzochi as state representative.

In Illinois, proposed legislation goes through a multi-step legislative process, starting with introduction in one of the chambers, then committee consideration, floor discussions, and votes in both the House and Senate. After that, bills move to the governor, who can sign or veto them. The General Assembly follows a biennial cycle, and while thousands of pieces of legislation are filed every session, only some advance to become law.