HB1243 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 05769 RJT 50789 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB1243

Introduced 1/31/2023, by Rep. Jonathan Carroll

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

105 ILCS 5/27-23.17 new

Amends the Course of Study Article of the School Code. Requires each public school to provide a separate course of study on mental health that instructs students on how to recognize the signs of anxiety, depression, and other forms of mental illness. Provides that all students in grades kindergarten through 12 must take the course each school year, beginning with the 2024-2025 school year. Provides that the course length must be at least one semester or its equivalent but that the school board shall determine the minimum amount of instructional time required for the course. Requires the State Board of Education to prepare and make available to school boards resource materials on mental illness that must be used as guidelines for the development of the course.

STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT MAY APPLY

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 27-23.17 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/27-23.17 new)

Sec. 27-23.17. Mental health course of study.

(a) In addition to the mental health and illness instruction required under the Critical Health Problems and Comprehensive Health Education Act, each public school shall provide a separate course of study on mental health that instructs students on how to recognize the signs of anxiety, depression, and other forms of mental illness. All students in grades kindergarten through 12 must take the course each school year, beginning with the 2024-2025 school year.

(b) The course length under this Section must be at least one semester or its equivalent; however, the school board shall determine the minimum amount of instructional time required for the course.

(c) The State Board of Education shall prepare and make available to school boards resource materials on mental illness that must be used as guidelines for the development of a course under this Section.