SB3842 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB101 19945 NHT 70474 b

101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2019 and 2020
SB3842

Introduced 2/14/2020, by Sen. Jacqueline Y. Collins

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

105 ILCS 5/22-89 new
105 ILCS 5/26-13	from Ch. 122, par. 26-13

Amends the School Code. Requires that every school district, charter school, alternative school, or any school receiving public funds develop an absenteeism and truancy policy to be communicated to students and their parent or guardian on an annual basis. Sets forth the minimum criteria that must be included in the policy. Requires each school to update and file the absenteeism and truancy policy with the State Board of Education every 2 years. Effective July 1, 2020.

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 22-89 and by changing Section 26-13 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/22-89 new)

Sec. 22-89. Biennial absenteeism and truancy policy.

(a) Every school district, charter school, alternative school, or any school receiving public funds shall develop and communicate to its students and their parent or guardian on an annual basis an absenteeism and truancy policy, including at least the following elements:

(1) A definition of a valid cause for absence in accordance with Section 26-2a of this Code.

(2) A description of diagnostic procedures to be used for identifying the causes of unexcused student absenteeism, that shall, at a minimum, include interviews with the student, his or her parents or guardians, and any school officials who may have information about the reasons for the student's attendance problem.

(3) The identification of supportive services to be made available to truant or chronically truant students. These services shall include, but need not be limited to, parent conferences, student counseling, family counseling, and information about existing community services that are available to truant and chronically truant students and relevant to their needs.

(4) Incorporation of the provisions relating to chronic absenteeism in accordance with Section 26-18 of this Code.

(b) The absenteeism and truancy policy must be updated every 2 years and filed with the State Board of Education.

(105 ILCS 5/26-13) (from Ch. 122, par. 26-13)

Sec. 26-13. Absenteeism and truancy policies. School districts shall adopt policies, consistent with rules adopted by the State Board of Education and Section 22-89, which identify the appropriate supportive services and available resources which are provided for truants and chronic truants.

(Source: P.A. 84-1420.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1, 2020.