HB5941 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB098 14300 NHT 48916 b

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.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning education.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The School Code is amended by adding Section 22-80 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/22-80 new)

Sec. 22-80. Rights of parents.

(a) For the purposes of this Section:

"Objection to any learning material or activity on the basis that the material or activity is harmful" means an objection to material or activity because of sexual content, violent content, or profane or vulgar language.

"Public educational institution" means any of the following:

(1) A public school.

(2) The Illinois School for the Deaf.

(3) The Illinois School for the Visually Impaired.

(b) A parent or guardian of a student in a public educational institution has the right to review learning materials and activities in advance. A parent or guardian who makes an objection to any learning material or activity on the basis that the material or activity is harmful may request to withdraw that student from the activity or from the class or program in which the material is used and request an alternative assignment.

(c) A charter school may require parents and guardians to waive the right to object to learning materials or activities under subsection (b) of this Section, as a condition of enrollment, if the charter school provides a complete list of books and materials to be used each school year before the student enrolls. If the charter school introduces books or materials that were not disclosed prior to enrollment, then the parent or guardian retains the right to object to those materials under subsection (b) of this Section.

A charter school may require that any request to review learning materials or activities or to withdraw the student from learning materials or activities under subsection (b) of this Section be made in writing.

(d) A public educational institution shall 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.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1, 2014.