HB1149eng 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB1149 Engrossed LRB104 03154 LNS 13175 b

AN ACT concerning education.

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

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Educational Credit for Firefighting Experience Act.

Section 5. Definitions. In this Act:

"Firefighter" means either a career or volunteer firefighter.

"Institution of higher education" means the University of Illinois, Southern Illinois University, Chicago State University, Eastern Illinois University, Governors State University, Illinois State University, Northeastern Illinois University, Northern Illinois University, Western Illinois University, a public community college that is included in the definition of "Community Colleges" under Section 1-2 of the Public Community College Act, and any institution that receives funds under Section 35 of the Higher Education Student Assistance Act.

Section 10. Policies and procedures.

(a) Before June 1, 2027, each institution of higher education with an applicable program that offers at least one course for credit hours recommended for equivalency by a national higher education association that provides credit recommendations for firefighting training courses and programs shall adopt a policy regarding its awarding of academic credit for firefighter training considered applicable to the requirements of a student's certificate or degree program. The policy shall apply to any individual who is enrolled in the institution of higher education and who has successfully completed a firefighting training course or program as part of his or her firefighting service that is:

(1) recommended for credit by a national higher education association that provides credit recommendations for firefighting training courses and programs; or

(2) otherwise documented as firefighting training or experience.

(b) Each institution of higher education shall develop a procedure for receiving the necessary documentation to identify and verify the firefighting training course or program that an individual is claiming for academic credit.

(c) Each institution of higher education shall provide a copy of its policy for awarding academic credit for firefighter training to any applicant who listed prior or present firefighting service in his or her admission application.

(d) Each institution of higher education shall develop and maintain a list of firefighting training courses and programs that have qualified for academic credit.

Section 15. Annual policy submission. Each institution of higher education shall submit its policy for awarding academic credit for firefighter training to the Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board, if applicable, by March 31, 2027 and by March 31 of each year thereafter for the policy that is effective in the subsequent fall semester. The policy shall be incorporated into the institution's credit for prior learning policies required to be submitted pursuant to the Credit for Prior Learning Act.