Public Act 0966 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB5016 Enrolled LRB102 20092 RJT 34451 b

Public Act 102-0966

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 changing Section 13B-20.5 and by adding Section 34-18.78 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/13B-20.5)

Sec. 13B-20.5. Eligible activities and services. Alternative learning opportunities programs may include, without limitation, evening high school, in-school tutoring and mentoring programs, in-school suspension programs, high school completion programs to assist high school dropouts in completing their education, high school completion programs to allow students eligible for remote learning under Section 34-18.78 to complete their education while incarcerated in an institution or facility of the Department of Corrections, support services, parental involvement programs, and programs to develop, enhance, or extend the transition for students transferring back to the regular school program, an adult education program, or a post-secondary education program.

(Source: P.A. 92-42, eff. 1-1-02.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-18.78 new)

Sec. 34-18.78. Pilot program for remote learning for students in the custody of the Department of Corrections. The board may offer the option of remote learning to allow a student who is in the custody of the Department of Corrections to successfully complete the course requirements necessary to graduate from high school and receive a high school diploma. The school district may offer a remote learning option to a student if the student:

(1) is enrolled at Consuella B. York Alternative High School at the time the student is transferred to a Department of Corrections facility or institution or had been enrolled at Consuella B. York Alternative High School within the 6 months prior to being transferred to a Department of Corrections facility or institution; and

(2) is within 2 school years of completing all of the course requirements necessary to graduate from high school and receive a high school diploma.

The Department of Corrections educators and security staff shall be involved in assisting and supervising students participating in the pilot program. The Department of Corrections shall negotiate with all bargaining units involved to ensure that the implementation of the pilot program is consistent with collective bargaining agreements.

The school district may continue to offer the option of remote learning to the student for up to one school year following the student's release from the custody of the Department of Corrections to allow the student to complete any remaining course requirements necessary to graduate from high school and receive a high school diploma.

The establishment of the pilot program described in this Section is contingent upon there being provided to the Department of Corrections sufficient appropriations to implement and administer the program.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.