More than 200 new Illinois laws scheduled to take effect on Jan. 1. Here are the new laws governing Schools and Education:
Boundary Change Article of the School Code (SB 224/PA 99-0475): Adds new rules that regional boards of schools trustees must follow when considering a territory’s detachment from a school district. Also makes changes to the bonded indebtedness tax rate for detached or attachment of a territory.
Career and Technical Education Teacher Certification (HB 1790/PA 99-0035 – Sen. Kyle McCarter): States that for individuals who were issued the career and technical educator endorsement on an Educator License with Stipulations or a part-time or provisional career and technical educator license on or after Jan. 1, 2015, the license may be renewed if the individual passes a test of basic skills.
Career and Workforce Transition Act (SB 760/PA 99-0468): Requires a community college to accept up to 30 credit hours from an approved non-degree granting institution if a student has completed one of the following programs at the institution: Medical Assisting; Medical Coding; Dental Assisting; HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning); Welding; and Pharmacy Technician. The Illinois Board of Higher Education must approve the non-degree granting institution as an institution that a student is allowed to transfer credit from.
Civics Course Requirement (HB 4025/PA 99-0434): Mandates that of the required two years of social studies at least one semester must be civics. The civics course shall focus on government institutions, the discussion of current and controversial issues, service learning, and simulations of the democratic process. School districts may utilize private funding available for the purposes of offering civics education.
College Entrance Exams (SB 1455/PA 99-0185): Requires that one of the assessments administered by the Illinois State Board of Education shall be accepted by this State’s public institutions of higher education, as defined in the Board of Higher Education Act, for the purpose of student application or admissions consideration.
Education Standards Ban on Basis of Race (HB 163/PA 99-0084): Prohibits the Illinois State Board of Education from establishing different performance standards based on race or ethnicity.
Exoneration Education (SB 223/PA 99-0199): Entitles individuals who have been exonerated by the Governor on the grounds of innocence, or those who have received a certificate of innocence from a circuit court, to payment for the course of study and the tests needed to obtain a high school equivalency certificate, or eight semesters or 12 quarters, of full payment of tuition and mandatory fees for higher education.
Higher Ed Student Mental Health (HB 3599/PA 99-0278): Requires all institutions of higher learning to create a policy and supporting procedures to ensure that every new student is given the opportunity to complete and submit the authorization form to disclose private mental health information. The institution may disclose that mental health information if a physical, clinical psychologist or qualified examiner makes a determination that the student poses a clear danger to himself or others.
Medical Assistant Grants (HB 3577/PA 99-0359): Requires, subject to appropriation, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to receive and consider applications for grant assistance from anyone who is enrolled or has been accepted for enrollment in a medical assistant program at a public community college that will lead to certification to work as a medical assistant.
PUNS Awareness (SB 226/PA 99-0144): Requires the Department of Human Services and the State Board of Education to develop and implement an online training program for at least one designated employee in every public school in this state to educate him or her about the Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services (PUNS) database.
Rural Transition Program (SB 813/PA 99-0027): Establishes that the Cooperative Extension of the University of Illinois may establish a Rural Transition Program, rather than mandating it.
School Board Elections (SB 82/PA 99-0091): Provides that for community unit school districts formed before Jan. 1, 1975, and combined school districts formed before July 1, 1983, a proposition to change to an at large school board without restriction by area of residence can be approved by either 1) a majority of those voting in each congressional township in the area comprising the school district or 2) by two-thirds of those voting in the election.
School CO Detector Requirement (HB 152/PA 99-0470): Requires schools to be equipped with approved carbon monoxide alarms or detectors.
Student Teacher Background Checks (SB 706/PA 99-0021): Student teacher applicants must submit to a finger print analysis that is performed by the Illinois State Police and FBI. Additionally, school districts must verify that the applicant is not on the sex offender, child murderer or violent offender against youth registries. The requirements apply to all non-profit, for-profit and regular elementary and secondary school districts.
Student Transfer Achievement (SB 806/PA 99-0316): Creates the Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act which would allow a community college student to be eligible for transfer into a baccalaureate program of an Illinois public university, with junior status, if the student meets certain requirements.
University Civil Service Act Changes (HB 3102/PA 99-0072): With regard to appointments and promotions at state universities, this legislation states that if a position needs to be filled, or if a superior position in the promotional line needs to be filled, the Executive Director will certify to the employer the names and addresses of the persons with the three highest scores on the appropriate register, instead of three persons standing highest upon the appropriate promotional register.
Check Out More New Illinois Laws in 2016
Review ALL 237 new laws that take effect on Jan. 1:
