SB2427 - 104th General Assembly
SCH CD-WIRELESS COMM DEVICE
Senate Sponsors
Sen. Cristina Castro - Meg Loughran Cappel - David Koehler - Kimberly A. Lightford - Mary Edly-Allen, Christopher Belt, Ram Villivalam, Adriane Johnson, Li Arellano, Jr., Jason Plummer, Willie Preston, Suzy Glowiak Hilton, Laura M. Murphy and Julie A. Morrison
House Sponsors
(Rep. Michelle Mussman - Fred Crespo - Margaret Croke - Anthony DeLuca, Katie Stuart, Janet Yang Rohr, Martha Deuter, Gregg Johnson, Stephanie A. Kifowit and Camille Y. Lilly)
Statutes Amended In Order of Appearance
105 ILCS 5/10-20.88 new
105 ILCS 5/27A-5-3 new
105 ILCS 5/34-18.88 new
Synopsis As Introduced
Amends the School Code. Provides that, on or before the 2026-2027 school year, each school board shall adopt and implement a wireless communication device policy that: (1) prohibits a student from using a wireless communication device during instructional time, except as otherwise provided; and (2) includes guidance for secure and accessible storage of wireless devices during instructional time. Provides that the policy may not prohibit a student from using a wireless communication device during instructional time: (1) when a teacher or instructor has authorized the student to use a wireless communication device for educational purposes; (2) in an emergency or in response to an imminent threat to the health or safety of an individual; (3) when a licensed physician determines that the possession or use of a wireless communication device is necessary for the health or well-being of the student; or (4) to fulfill an Individualized Education Plan or a Section 504 plan developed under Section 504; or (5) when the wireless communication device is necessary for students who are English learners to access learning materials. Prohibits a district from enforcing the policy through fees, fines, the deployment of a School Resource Officer, or local law enforcement officer. Requires each school board to review the effectiveness of its wireless communication device policy at least every 3 years.
Senate Committee Amendment No. 1
Deletes reference to:
105 ILCS 5/27A-5-3 new
105 ILCS 5/34-18.88 new
Adds reference to:
105 ILCS 5/27A-5.3 new
105 ILCS 5/34-18.14a new
Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the School Code. Provides that, on or before the 2026-2027 school year, each school board (and each charter school beginning with the 2026-2027 school year) shall adopt and implement a wireless communication device policy that (i) at a minimum, prohibits a student from using a wireless communication device during instructional time, except as otherwise provided, and (ii) incorporates guidance for secure and accessible storage of wireless devices during instructional time or directs the school district superintendent or his or her designee to provide such guidance. Provides that the policy may not prohibit a student from using a wireless communication device during instructional time (i) if a licensed physician determines that the possession or use of a wireless communication device is necessary for the health or well-being of the student and the student uses the wireless communication device as prescribed by the licensed physician, (ii) to fulfill an individualized education program or a plan developed under the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or (iii) if the wireless communication device is necessary for students who are English learners to access learning materials. Provides that the policy may allow for certain exceptions. Prohibits a school district or charter school from enforcing the policy through fees, fines, or the deployment of a school resource officer or local law enforcement officer. Requires a school board or charter school to review its policy at least once every 3 years and make any necessary and appropriate revisions to the policy. Provides that a school district or charter school shall publicly post the policy on its website. Provides that if the school district or charter school does not operate a website, then the school district or charter school shall provide a copy of the policy to the parents or guardians of every enrolled student.
House Committee Amendment No. 1
Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the engrossed bill, and makes the following changes: Provides that the wireless communication device policy shall incorporate guidance for secure and accessible storage of wireless devices within a school building (instead of wireless devices) during instructional time. Allows a licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner (instead of just a licensed physician) to determine that the possession or use of a wireless communication device is necessary for the management of a student's health care (instead of for the health and well-being of a student). Allows a student to use a wireless communication device to fulfill an individualized education program, a federal Section 504 plan, the student's health care provider's medical orders, or another written accommodation plan (instead of just an individualized education program or federal Section 504 plan).
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Action |
|---|---|---|
| 2/07/2025 | Senate | Filed with Secretary by Sen. Cristina Castro |
| 2/07/2025 | Senate | First Reading |
| 2/07/2025 | Senate | Referred to Assignments |
| 2/18/2025 | Senate | Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel |
| 2/20/2025 | Senate | Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. David Koehler |
| 2/20/2025 | Senate | Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Kimberly A. Lightford |
| 2/20/2025 | Senate | Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Mary Edly-Allen |
| 3/04/2025 | Senate | Assigned to Education |
| 3/13/2025 | Senate | Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Christopher Belt |
| 3/14/2025 | Senate | Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Secretary by Sen. Cristina Castro |
| 3/14/2025 | Senate | Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Assignments |
| 3/17/2025 | Senate | Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Ram Villivalam |
| 3/18/2025 | Senate | Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Assignments Refers to Education |
| 3/18/2025 | Senate | Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted |
| 3/19/2025 | Senate | Do Pass as Amended Education; 014-000-000 |
| 3/19/2025 | Senate | Placed on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading March 20, 2025 |
| 3/27/2025 | Senate | Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Adriane Johnson |
| 4/03/2025 | Senate | Second Reading |
| 4/03/2025 | Senate | Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading April 4, 2025 |
| 4/09/2025 | Senate | Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Li Arellano, Jr. |
| 4/09/2025 | Senate | Third Reading - Passed; 055-000-000 |
| 4/09/2025 | Senate | Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Jason Plummer |
| 4/09/2025 | Senate | Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Willie Preston |
| 4/09/2025 | Senate | Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton |
| 4/09/2025 | Senate | Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Laura M. Murphy |
| 4/09/2025 | House | Arrived in House |
| 4/09/2025 | House | Chief House Sponsor Rep. Laura Faver Dias |
| 4/09/2025 | House | First Reading |
| 4/09/2025 | House | Referred to Rules Committee |
| 4/11/2025 | House | Alternate Chief Sponsor Changed to Rep. Michelle Mussman |
| 4/11/2025 | Senate | Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Julie A. Morrison |
| 4/17/2025 | House | Assigned to Education Policy Committee |
| 4/21/2025 | House | Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Katie Stuart |
| 4/22/2025 | House | Added Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Fred Crespo |
| 4/22/2025 | House | Added Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Margaret Croke |
| 4/23/2025 | House | Added Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Anthony DeLuca |
| 4/23/2025 | House | Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Changed to Rep. Anthony DeLuca |
| 4/29/2025 | House | Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Janet Yang Rohr |
| 4/30/2025 | House | House Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Michelle Mussman |
| 4/30/2025 | House | House Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee |
| 5/06/2025 | House | House Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Education Policy Committee |
| 5/07/2025 | House | House Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted in Education Policy Committee; by Voice Vote |
| 5/07/2025 | House | Do Pass as Amended / Short Debate Education Policy Committee; 010-001-001 |
| 5/07/2025 | House | Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Martha Deuter |
| 5/07/2025 | House | Placed on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate |
| 5/12/2025 | House | Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Gregg Johnson |
| 5/16/2025 | House | Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Stephanie A. Kifowit |
| 5/16/2025 | House | Second Reading - Short Debate |
| 5/16/2025 | House | Held on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate |
| 5/23/2025 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 2 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Michelle Mussman |
| 5/23/2025 | House | House Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred to Rules Committee |
| 5/23/2025 | House | Third Reading/Final Action Deadline Extended-9(b) May 31, 2025 |
| 5/29/2025 | House | Added Alternate Co-Sponsor Rep. Camille Y. Lilly |
| 5/31/2025 | House | Third Reading/Final Action Deadline Extended-9(b) June 1, 2025 |
| 6/01/2025 | House | Rule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee |