SB0274enr 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB0274 Enrolled LRB097 04074 RLJ 44113 b

AN ACT concerning State government.

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

Section 5. The Disabled Persons Rehabilitation Act is amended by changing Section 10a as follows:

(20 ILCS 2405/10a)

Sec. 10a. Financial Participation of Students Attending the Illinois School for the Deaf and the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired.

(a) General. The Illinois School for the Deaf and the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired are required to provide eligible students with disabilities with a free and appropriate public education as required by Article 14 of the Illinois School Code. As part of the admission process to either school, the Department shall complete a financial analysis on each student attending the Illinois School for the Deaf or the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired and shall ask parents or guardians to participate, if applicable, in the cost of identified services or activities that are not education related.

(b) Financial Participation. The Department shall promulgate rules concerning fees for activities or services at the schools with input from (i) the superintendent of each school and (ii) Directors of Special Education from selected Local Education Agencies who place students at the schools. Parents or guardians of students attending the Illinois School for the Deaf or the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired may be asked to financially participate in the following fees for services or activities provided at the schools:

(1) Registration.

(2) Books, labs, and supplies (fees may vary depending on the classes in which a student participates).

(3) Athletic or extracurricular activities (students participating in multiple activities will not be required to pay for more than 2 activities).

(4) Driver's education (if applicable).

(5) Graduation.

(6) Yearbook (optional).

(7) Activities (trips or leisure activities not associated with classroom curriculum).

(8) Other activities or services identified by the Department, pursuant to rule.

Exceptions may be granted to parents or guardians who are unable to meet the financial participation obligations. The Department shall promulgate rules concerning requests for exception to the financial participation at the schools.

Any fees collected for activities or services identified in (1) through (8) under this subsection (b) shall be held locally by the school and used exclusively for the purpose for which the fee was assessed. A separate locally held fund shall be established by the Illinois School for the Deaf and the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired for this purpose.

Completion of financial analysis. Prior to admission, and annually thereafter, a financial analysis shall be completed on each student attending the Illinois School for the Deaf or the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired. If at any time there is reason to believe there is a change in the student's financial situation that will affect their financial participation, a new financial analysis shall be completed.

(1) In completing the student's financial analysis, the income of the student's family shall be used. Proof of income must be provided and retained for each parent or guardian.

(2) Any funds that have been established on behalf of the student for completion of their primary or secondary education shall be considered when completing the financial analysis.

(3) Falsification of information used to complete the financial analysis may result in the Department taking action to recoup monies previously expended by the Department in providing services to the student.

(c) (Blank). Financial Participation. Utilizing a sliding scale based on income standards developed by rule by the Department with input from the superintendent of each school, parents or guardians of students attending the Illinois School for the Deaf or the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired may be asked to financially participate in the following fees for services or activities provided at the schools:

(1) Registration.

(2) Books, labs, and supplies (fees may vary depending on the classes in which a student participates).

(3) Room and board for residential students.

(4) Meals for day students.

(5) Athletic or extracurricular activities (students participating in multiple activities will not be required to pay for more than 2 activities).

(6) Driver's education (if applicable).

(7) Graduation.

(8) Yearbook (optional).

(9) Activities (field trips or other leisure activities).

(10) Other activities or services identified by the Department.

Students, parents, or guardians who are receiving Medicaid or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) shall not be required to financially participate in the fees established in this subsection (c).

Exceptions may be granted to parents or guardians who are unable to meet the financial participation obligations due to extenuating circumstances. Requests for exceptions must be made in writing and must be submitted to the superintendent for initial recommendation with a final determination by the Director of the Division of Rehabilitation Services.

Any fees collected under this subsection (c) shall be held locally by the school and used exclusively for the purpose for which the fee was assessed.

(Source: P.A. 97-74, eff. 6-30-11.)

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