98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2013 and 2014
HB5941

 

Introduced , by Rep. Dwight Kay

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
105 ILCS 5/22-80 new

    Amends the School Code. Provides that each parent or guardian of a student in a public educational institution has the right to review learning materials and activities in advance. Provides that each parent or guardian who makes an objection to any learning material or activity on the basis that the material or activity is harmful may withdraw that student from the activity or from the class or program in which the material is used and request an alternative assignment. Authorizes a charter school, under certain circumstances, to require parents and guardians of students to waive these rights as a condition of enrollment. Requires a public educational institution to obtain signed, written consent from a student's parent or guardian before using video, audio, or electronic materials that may be inappropriate for the age of the student. Effective July 1, 2014.


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FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY
STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

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1    AN ACT concerning education.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The School Code is amended by adding Section
522-80 as follows:
 
6    (105 ILCS 5/22-80 new)
7    Sec. 22-80. Rights of parents.
8    (a) For the purposes of this Section:
9        "Objection to any learning material or activity on the
10    basis that the material or activity is harmful" means an
11    objection to material or activity because of sexual
12    content, violent content, or profane or vulgar language.
13        "Public educational institution" means any of the
14    following:
15            (1) A public school.
16            (2) The Illinois School for the Deaf.
17            (3) The Illinois School for the Visually Impaired.
18    (b) A parent or guardian of a student in a public
19educational institution has the right to review learning
20materials and activities in advance. A parent or guardian who
21makes an objection to any learning material or activity on the
22basis that the material or activity is harmful may request to
23withdraw that student from the activity or from the class or

 

 

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1program in which the material is used and request an
2alternative assignment.
3    (c) A charter school may require parents and guardians to
4waive the right to object to learning materials or activities
5under subsection (b) of this Section, as a condition of
6enrollment, if the charter school provides a complete list of
7books and materials to be used each school year before the
8student enrolls. If the charter school introduces books or
9materials that were not disclosed prior to enrollment, then the
10parent or guardian retains the right to object to those
11materials under subsection (b) of this Section.
12    A charter school may require that any request to review
13learning materials or activities or to withdraw the student
14from learning materials or activities under subsection (b) of
15this Section be made in writing.
16    (d) A public educational institution shall obtain signed,
17written consent from a student's parent or guardian before
18using video, audio, or electronic materials that may be
19inappropriate for the age of the student.
 
20    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1,
212014.