House Bill 18—Lang.  Amends the School Code. Provides that, beginning 180 days after the effective date of the amendatory Act, each school district shall create and maintain a policy on bullying, which policy must be filed with the State Board of Education. Provides that the policy must be updated every 2 years and filed with the State Board after being updated. Provides that the State Board shall monitor the implementation of these policies. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Requires each school district to communicate its policy on bullying to its students and their parent or guardian on an annual basis.  Passed both Houses.

House Bill 38—Cross.  Provides that the gross disobedience or misconduct for which a school board may expel pupils includes that perpetuated by electronic means. Provides that the board may suspend or by regulation authorize the superintendent of the district or the principal, assistant principal, or dean of students of any school to suspend a student (now, the board may by regulation authorize the specified officials to suspend a student) for a certain period of time or may expel a student for a definite period of time if (i) that student has been determined to have made an explicit threat on an Internet web site against a school employee, a student, or any school-related personnel, (ii) the Internet web site through which the threat was made is a site that was accessible within the school at the time the threat was made or was available to third parties who worked or studied within the school grounds at the time the threat was made, or (instead of and) (iii) the threat could be reasonably interpreted as bearing a reasonable relationship to the safety and security of the threatened individual because of his or her duties or employment status or status as a student (instead of educational status) inside the school.  Passed House. Third Reading Senate.

House Bill 121—Saviano.  Amends the Illinois Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Practice Act. Replaces "Department of Professional Regulation" with "Department of Financial and Professional Regulation" and "Director of the Department of Professional Regulation" with "Secretary of Financial and Professional Regulation" throughout the Act. Makes changes in provisions concerning the Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, the requirement of licensure, qualifications for licensure, the roster of licensees, expiration, renewal, and restoration of licenses, licensing of applicants from other states, refusal, revocation, or suspension of licenses, and administrative procedure. Adds provisions concerning rehearings ordered by the Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology and by the Secretary and certifications of the record and costs. Makes other changes. Repeals a Section concerning confidential information and disclosure. Provides that a licensee requesting restoration from inactive status shall be required to demonstrate that he or she has completed a minimum of 20 hours of continuing education and met any additional continuing education requirements established by the Department by rule (rather than demonstrate that he or she has completed continuing education as established by rule). Provides that an applicant for a license to practice audiology shall present satisfactory evidence of having received a master's or doctoral degree in audiology from a program approved by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, but that an applicant whose degree was conferred on or after January 1, 2008, must present satisfactory evidence of having received a doctoral degree in audiology from a program approved by the Department (instead of providing that when applying for an initial license as an audiologist prior to January 1, 2008, an applicant must present satisfactory evidence of receiving a master's or doctoral degree in audiology from an approved program and that if applying for initial licensure on or after January 1, 2008, an applicant must present satisfactory evidence of a doctoral degree in audiology from an approved program). Passed both Houses.

House Bill 223—Lindner.  Amends the Educational Partnership Act. Provides that public and private institutions of higher education that have approved teacher education programs may engage pre-service teacher candidates in the tutorial services provided for in the Act. Allows these students to receive compensation for such tutorial services while also receiving academic or clinical experience credit or both.  Has an immediate effective date. Passed both Houses.

House Bill 250—Franks.  Amends the Missing Children Records Act. Provides that a particular public or private preschool educational program, public or private child care facility, or day care home or group day care home in which a child is enrolled for the first time shall notify in writing the person enrolling the child that within 30 days he must provide either (i) a certified copy of the child's birth certificate or (ii) other reliable proof, as determined by the Department of State Police, of the child's identity and age and an affidavit explaining the inability to produce a copy of the birth certificate. Provides that a preschool educational program, child care facility, or day care home or group day care home must take other actions in relation to children's records.  Passed both Houses.

House Bill 258—Michael Smith.  Amends the Critical Health Problems and Comprehensive Health Education Act. Requires the State Board of Education to establish and administer a matching grant program to pay for half of the cost that a school district incurs in training those teachers and other school personnel who express an interest in becoming qualified to administer emergency cardiopulmonary resuscitation or in learning how to use an automated external defibrillator.  Passed both Houses.

House Bill 438—Pritchard.  Amends the School Code. In a Section concerning bullying prevention education, provides that, in addition to providing for instruction in bullying prevention, each school district may make suitable provisions for instruction in gang resistance education and training in all grades and include such instruction in the courses of study regularly taught therein. Provides that, for purposes of gang resistance education and training, a school board must collaborate with State and local law enforcement agencies. Allows the State Board of Education to assist in the development of instructional materials and teacher training in relation to gang resistance education and training.  Passed both Houses.

House Bill 816—Coulson.  Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that when a child who is eligible for special education reaches the majority age of 18 years, rights accorded to the child's parents transfer to the child. Provides that rights shall not transfer from the parents to the child if the child has been determined to be incompetent under State law or the child has not been determined to be incompetent, but does not have the ability to provide informed consent with respect to the child's educational program. Requires the State Board of Education to adopt rules establishing criteria for school districts to determine if a child lacks the ability to provide informed consent and uniform procedures for allowing the parents of the child, another adult caregiver, or another responsible adult to exercise rights on behalf of the child. House Amendment #1 makes the following changes. Changes references from "child" to "student" and "educational program" to "individualized education program". Provides that the school district must notify the student and the student's parents of the transfer of rights in writing at a meeting convened to review the student's individualized education program during the school year in which the student turns 17 years of age. Requires the district to also explain to the student and the student's parents the significance of the transfer of parental rights at the majority age of 18. Provides that at that time, the district must provide the student with a copy of the Delegation of Rights form. Provides that rights shall not transfer from the parents to the student if the student has been adjudged (instead of determined to be) incompetent under State law or the student has not been adjudged (instead of determined to be) incompetent, but the student has executed a Delegation of Rights to make educational decisions for the purpose of appointing the student's parent or other adult to represent the educational interests of the student (instead of but the student does not have the ability to provide informed consent with respect to the child's educational program). Allows a student to terminate the Delegation of Rights at any time and assume the right to make decisions regarding his or her education. Sets forth requirements for the Delegation of Rights, including the form. Deletes the provision requiring the State Board of Education to adopt rules establishing criteria for school districts to determine if a child lacks the ability to provide informed consent and uniform procedures for allowing the parents of the child, another adult caregiver, or another responsible adult to exercise rights on behalf of the child. Senate Committee Amendment #1 reinserts the contents of the bill as engrossed, with the following changes. Removes a provision that requires the school district to explain to the student and the student's parents the significance of the transfer of parental rights. Requires the school district to mail the notice of the transfer of rights and a copy of the Delegation of Rights form to the student and to the student's parents if they do not attend the meeting to review the student's individualized education program. Provides that the Declaration of Rights shall include a declaration that the student will notify the school district immediately if the student terminates the Delegation of Rights; makes a related change.Adds an immediate effective date. Passed House. Passed Senate.  Now is back in House for Concurrence on Senate Committee Amendment #1.

House Bill 817—Coulson.  Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. In the definition of "children with disabilities", provides that an eligible student who requires continued public school educational experience to facilitate his or her successful transition and integration into adult life is eligible for special education services through age 21, inclusive, which, for purposes of the Article, means the day before the student's 22nd birthday. Effective immediately.  Passed both Houses.  Sent to the Governor 5-24-07.

House Bill 895—May. Requires a school to establish a green cleaning policy and purchase and use environmentally-sensitive cleaning products only when it is economically feasible. Provides that adopting a green cleaning policy is not economically feasible if such adoption would result in an increase in the cleaning costs of the school. Provides that if adopting a green cleaning policy is not economically feasible, then the school must provide annual written notification to the Illinois Green Government Coordinating Council (IGGCC) that the development and implementation of a green cleaning policy is not economically feasible until such time that it is economically feasible. Requires the IGGCC to provide multiple avenues by which cleaning products may be determined to be environmentally-sensitive under its guidelines.Provides that only elementary and secondary non-public schools with 50 or more students (instead of all elementary and secondary non-public schools) shall establish a green cleaning policy and exclusively purchase and use environmentally-sensitive cleaning products; makes related changes.  Passed both Houses.

House Bill 1030—Pihos.  Amends the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education to issue an annual report (on or before May 1) to the General Assembly and Governor identifying each school district's special education expenditures; receipts received from State, federal, and local sources; and net special education expenditures over receipts received, if applicable. Provides that expenditures and receipts shall be calculated in a manner specified by the State Board using data obtained from the Annual Financial Report, the Funding and Child Tracking System, and district enrollment information. Effective July 1, 2007. Passed House.  Passed Senate.  Now back in House for Concurrence with Senate Amendment.  

House Bill 1347—Hannig.  Amends the School Code. Provides that a board of education may enter into a contract with a third party for non-instructional services currently performed by an employee or bargaining unit member or lay off those educational support personnel employees upon 90 (instead of 30) days written notice. Adds conditions on the entering of such a contract, including providing that: (1) a contract must not be entered into during the term of a collective bargaining agreement; (2) any third party that submits a bid to perform the services shall provide comparable liability insurance, a comparable benefits package, a list of the number of employees who will provide the services and the wages the third party will pay those employees, a minimum 3-year cost projection, and information about the criminal and disciplinary records of the employees; (3) a contract must not be entered into unless the school board provides a cost comparison; (4) a minimum of 2 public hearings to discuss the school board's proposal to contract with a third party must be held; (5) a contract shall contain provisions requiring the contractor to offer available employee positions pursuant to the contract to qualified school district employees whose employment is terminated because of the contract; and (6) a contract shall contain provisions requiring the contractor to comply with a policy of nondiscrimination and equal employment opportunity. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Makes changes concerning the conditions for allowing a board of education to enter into a contract with a third party for non-instructional services currently performed by an employee or bargaining unit member or to lay off those educational support personnel employees, including providing that a contract must not become effective during the term of a collective bargaining agreement, providing that a contract may only take effect upon the expiration of an existing collective bargaining agreement (instead of at the beginning of a fiscal year), changing what a third party that submits a bid to perform the non-instructional services must provide, providing for an exception to the requirement that the review and consideration of bids take place in open session of a regularly scheduled school board meeting, providing for a minimum of one hearing (instead of 2) to discuss the school board's proposal to contract with a third party to perform the non-instructional services, and changing when the notice of the hearing must be provided. Provides that a board of education may enter into a contract, of no longer than 3 months in duration, with a third party for non-instructional services currently performed by an employee or bargaining unit member for the purpose of augmenting the current workforce in an emergency situation that threatens the safety or health of the school district's students or staff. Provides that the changes made by the amendatory Act are not applicable to non-instructional services of a school district that on the effective date of the amendatory Act are performed for the school district by a third party. Passed both Houses.

House Bill 1363—Brauer.  Amends the School Code. Provides that, subject to appropriations for this purpose, the State Board of Education shall provide grants to the Illinois School Psychology Internship Consortium for aid in providing training programs and facilitating interns to improve the educational and mental health services of children in this State.  Passed both Houses.

House Bill 1466—Rita.  Amends the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education shall have the necessary powers to promote sound academic management and to continue operation of the public schools. Provides that the State Board, after proper investigation of the school or school district's academic condition, may certify that a school or district is in academic difficulty if (i) the school or district has been placed on academic early warning status and has failed to make adequate yearly progress for a third consecutive year; (ii) the school or district has been placed on academic watch status; (iii) the district has failed to produce an acceptable school improvement plan following placement of the school or district on academic early warning status or academic watch status; (iv) the school or district has failed to provide the required percentage of highly qualified teachers to its students for 2 consecutive years and is determined to be in need of intervention by the State Board; or (v) the school or district has been engaged in documented and substantiated acts of mismanagement in regard to hiring practices that has placed the academic integrity of the school or district in question or has placed students in physical danger and that is determined to be in need of intervention by the State Board. Under certain circumstances, provides for the development of an academic improvement plan, the appointment of an academic oversight panel, and the establishment of a school or district academic authority panel. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Provides that nothing in the provisions concerning the powers of the State Board of Education in assisting schools and districts deemed in academic difficulties shall be construed to alter or otherwise affect the rights, remedies, and procedures afforded school district or school employees under federal, State, or local law (including applicable rules, regulations, or court orders) or under the terms of any collective bargaining agreements, memoranda of understanding, or other agreements between school employees and their employers.  Third Reading House.

House Bill 1647—Pihos. Amends the School Code. Provides that school service personnel certificates are renewable every 5 years. Sets forth the requirements and procedures for renewal, including requiring the completion of at least 80 hours of continuing professional development (with exceptions). Effective July 1, 2008.  Back in House—Placed on Calendar Order of Concurrence for Senate Amendments.

House Bill 1839—Joyce.  Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning the waiver or modification of mandates within the School Code and administrative rules, provides that an approved waiver from or modification to a physical education mandate may remain in effect for a period not to exceed 2 (instead of 5) school years and may be renewed no more than 2 times upon application by the eligible applicant (now there is no limit on the number of renewals).  Passed both Houses.

House Bill 1847—Phelps. Amends the School Code. With respect to the deactivation of school facilities, sets forth how the positions at the school facilities being deactivated that are held by educational support personnel employees at the time of the deactivation are to be transferred to the control of the board or boards that will be receiving the district's students. With respect to the formation of a new school district or districts, a school district or districts that annex all of the territory of one or more entire other school districts, or a school district receiving students from a deactivated school facility, provides that lists of the educational support personnel employed in the individual districts for the school year immediately prior to the effective date of the new district or districts, annexation, or deactivation shall be combined for the districts forming the new district or districts, for the annexed and annexing districts, or for the deactivating and receiving districts, as the case may be. Provides that if there are more full-time educational support personnel employees on the combined list than there are available positions in the new, annexing, or receiving school district, then the employing school board shall first remove or dismiss those educational support personnel employees with the shorter length of continuing service within the respective category of position, and the employment and position of each educational support personnel employee on the combined list not so removed or dismissed shall be transferred to the new, annexing, or receiving school board. With respect to a school district conversion or multi-unit conversion, sets forth how the positions held by educational support personnel employees are to be transferred. Makes other related changes. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective immediately.Passed both Houses.

House Bill 1910—Pritchard.  Amends the School Code. For State aid purposes, provides that if, during a school day, a school district has provided at least one clock hour of instruction but must dismiss students from one or more recognized school buildings due to a condition beyond the control of the school district, then the partial day of attendance may be counted as a full day of attendance. Effective July 1, 2007. Passed both Houses.

House Bill 1926—Stephens.  Amends the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education, in cooperation with the Department of State Police, to develop a weapons safety program designed to protect children from the risk of gun-related death and injury. Provides that the program must be designed to teach children to follow an effective safety procedure when they are exposed to a gun and shall specifically warn children that contact with guns can result in serious injury or death. Provides that a school district may incorporate the weapons safety program into its curriculum. Requires the State Board of Education to submit a report to the Governor and the General Assembly as to the status of the program no later than January 1, 2009. Provides that the development of the weapons safety program is subject to appropriation. Requires the State Board of Education to seek the guidance of a national organization offering gun safety courses and materials in developing the weapons safety program.  Passed House. Third Reading Senate.

House Bill 2007—Smith. With respect to the Alternative Teacher Certification Program, provides that on July 1, 2007, candidates completing the one-year teaching assignment under a provisional alternative teaching certificate shall receive an initial teaching certificate valid for 4 years of teaching. Provides that on July 1, 2007, the State Board of Education, in consultation with the State Teacher Certification Board, shall discontinue the Alternative Teacher Certification Program and the Alternative Route to Teacher Certification Program and shall establish and implement an Alternative Route to Teacher Certification, whereby persons who meet the requirements of and successfully complete the program shall be issued an initial teaching certificate. Includes provisions concerning who may offer the program, the program course of study, the phases of the program, the issuance of a provisional alternative teaching certificate and an initial teaching certificate, and an annual report to the State Board. Provides that each person who was issued a standard alternative teaching certificate under the Alternative Teacher Certification Program may apply, on the same basis as holders of an initial teaching certificate, for a standard teaching certificate. Provides that an individual who continues to hold a standard alternative teaching certificate is eligible to teach only in schools situated in the Chicago school district. Provides that the Alternative Route to an Administrative Certificate for National Board Certified Teachers program shall be established and implemented as an alternative route to administrative certification (instead of an alternative route to administrative certification for teacher leaders); makes related changes. Provides that the program shall be comprised of components instead of phases. Adds a 2 years of teaching experience component, makes changes concerning the coursework component, and requires passage of applicable certification tests (instead of a passing score on the Illinois Administrator Assessment). With respect to a teacher leader endorsement, provides that teacher leadership courses shall articulate to a master's degree in educational administration at the same institution of higher learning. Effective July 1, 2007.  Passed House.  Now in Senate Rules.

House Bill 2013—Smith and Eddy. Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. In a Section concerning personnel reimbursement, provides that when a school district operates a school or program for a number of days in excess of the adopted school calendar but not to exceed 235 school days, reimbursement shall be increased by 1/180 (instead of 1/185) of the amount or rate paid under the reimbursement provisions for each day the school is operated in excess of 180 (instead of 185) days per calendar year. Effective July 1, 2007.  Passed House. Now in Senate Rules.

House Bill 2787—Davis.  Amends the School Code. Subject to appropriation, provides that funding for civic education professional development for high school teachers must be provided by line item appropriation made to the State Board of Education for that purpose. Requires the State Board of Education to provide this funding to each regional superintendent of schools based on high school enrollment as reported on the State Board of Education's most recent fall enrollment and housing report, except provides that 20% of each annual appropriation must be reserved for the Chicago school district. Provides that in order to establish eligibility for one or more of its schools to receive funding, a school district shall submit to its regional superintendent an application, accompanied by a completed civic audit, for each school. Provides that a regional superintendent shall award funds to a district based on the number of teachers identified by the district to receive professional development multiplied by $250. Provides that the civic audit form and its content must be designed and updated as deemed necessary by the Illinois Civic Mission Coalition, data from completed civic audits must be processed by the Illinois Civic Mission Coalition, and the civic audit must be made available by the Illinois Civic Mission Coalition and must be designed to provide teachers and principals with a blueprint to better understand how current curriculum, service learning, and extracurricular activities are providing civic learning experiences for their students. Effective immediately.  Passed both Houses.

House Billl 3730—Cross. Amends the School Code. Provides that teachers (not just school authorities) may inspect and search places and areas owned or controlled by the school, as well as personal effects left in those places and areas by students, without notice to or the consent of the student and without a search warrant. House Amendment #1 makes the following changes. Provides that school authorities and teachers must be acting on a reasonable suspicion based on professional experience and judgment in performing inspections and searches. Provides that school authorities and teachers have the authority to perform an inspection or search if the inspection or search is conducted to ensure that classrooms, school buildings, school property, and students remain free from the threat of illegal drugs, weapons, or other illegal or dangerous substances or materials. Provides that the measures used to conduct an inspection or search must be reasonably related to the inspection's or search's objectives, without being excessively intrusive in light of the student's age, sex, and the nature of the offense. Makes a change concerning a reference to these provisions. Senate Amendment #1  provides that "reasonable suspicion" shall be construed using the reasonable person standard, in which a person in the same circumstances could reasonably believe another person has been, is, or is about to be engaged in a prohibited activity. Effective immediately. Passed House.  Placed on Calendar Order of Concurrence.

HJR 1—Meyer and Fortner.  Creates a Joint Task Force on Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education Options.  House Amendment #1 replaces everything with substantially similar provisions, except: (1) changes the entities who will appoint the non-legislative members of the task force; and (2) provides that the Illinois State Board of Education, the Illinois Department of Human Services, and the Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission shall collectively administer and prepare all reports deemed necessary in conjunction with the task force actively.  Passed House.  Adopted by Both Houses.

HR 396—Nekritz and Eddy.Urges the United States Congress to address certain concerns when considering the reauthorization of the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.  Placed on House Calendar Order of Resolutions.

Senate Bill 51—Garrett.  Amends the Department of Human Services Act and the Illinois Public Aid Code. Provides that, for purposes of the Department of Human Services' disability database, "developmental disabilities" include autism spectrum disorders. In connection with Medicaid, provides that a person diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder shall be considered a person with a "developmental disability" or a "person with a related condition" for purposes of determining eligibility for services under Home and Community-Based Services Waivers for persons with developmental disabilities, without regard to whether that person is also diagnosed with mental retardation and without regard to that person's IQ level, so long as the person otherwise meets applicable level-of-care criteria under those waivers.  Makes "autism spectrum disorders" a separate category of conditions to be included in the Department of Human Services' disability database, instead of being included with developmental disabilities. Replaces provisions amending the Illinois Public Aid Code with substantially similar provisions amending the Developmental Disability and Mental Disability Services Act, except provides that a person diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder may be assessed for eligibility for services under Home and Community-Based Services Waivers for persons with developmental disabilities (instead of shall be considered a person with a "developmental disability" or a "person with a related condition" for purposes of determining such eligibility), without regard to whether that person is also diagnosed with mental retardation (eliminates a reference to the person's IQ level), so long as the person otherwise meets applicable level-of-care criteria under those waivers.  Passed both Houses.

Senate Bill 79—Garrett.  Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that, in the development of the individualized education program for a student who has a disability on the autism spectrum, the IEP team shall consider and shall specifically address certain factors. Provides that consideration of these factors shall result in the clarification of a school district's responsibility to deliver appropriate educational services for children with disabilities on the autism spectrum, but shall not be construed to require or mandate any specific services. Senate Committee Amendment #1 removes language that requires the IEP team to specifically address certain factors in the development of the individualized education program for a student who has a disability on the autism spectrum. Removes language providing that consideration of these factors shall result in the clarification of a school district's responsibility to deliver appropriate educational services for children with disabilities on the autism spectrum, but must not be construed to require or mandate any specific services.  Passed both Houses.

Senate Bill 122—Garrett.  Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Adds school counselor and school counselor intern to the list of professions included in the definition of "professional worker". Effective immediately.  Passed both Houses.

Senate Bill 198—Garrett.  Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Increases the reimbursement amount to school districts for certificated employees who work with or on behalf of students with disabilities full time (instead of teachers, professional workers, directors, school psychologists, and readers) and non-certified employees by a specified amount each school year through the 2011-2012 school year. For each school year thereafter, provides that the reimbursement amount shall equal the amount from the previous school year increased by a percentage increase equal to the percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for all items. Senate Committee Amendment #1 restores current law with respect to the reimbursement for teachers, except provides that the reimbursement is for staff working on behalf of certain children (instead of for those children) and provides for a specified increase in the reimbursement amount each school year through the 2011-2012 school year. For each school year thereafter, provides that the reimbursement amount shall equal the amount from the previous school year increased by a percentage increase equal to the percentage increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for all items.  Passed Senate.  Re-referred to House Rules.

Senate Bill 266—Crotty.  Amends the School Code. In a Section concerning reimbursement for special education classes for children from orphanages, foster family homes, children's homes, or State housing units, provides that if a child who was eligible to receive services under that Section (i) is eligible for the subsidized adoption program available through the Department of Children and Family Services or is under subsidized guardianship and (ii) continues to receive support services from the Department of Children and Family Services, then the child shall continue to be eligible to receive services under the Section and the school district shall continue to be reimbursed under the Section. Provides that this provision applies only to children who are eligible for the subsidized adoption program or who are under subsidized guardianship on or after the effective date of the amendatory Act. Provides that the child's program costs must exceed 4 times the school district's per capita tuition rate in order for the child to continue to be eligible to receive services and the school district to continue to be reimbursed.  Passed Senate.  Third Reading House.  Short Debate.

Senate Bill 284—Crotty. Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Department of Human Services, Developmental Disabilities Division, shall provide for the establishment of 3 children's group homes for adolescents who have been diagnosed with autism and featuring maximum family involvement. Provides that an eligible service provider: (i) must have a minimum of 5 years experience serving individuals with autism residentially and have successfully supported individuals with challenging behaviors; (ii) must demonstrate that staff have equal experience in this regard; and (iii) must have a full-time Board-Certified Behavior Analyst on staff. Provides that the homes shall provide therapeutic and other support services to the adolescents being served there. Provides that an agreeable rate shall be established by the Department of Children and Family Services and the Department of Human Services, Developmental Disabilities Division. Effective July 1, 2007.  Passed both Houses.

Senate Bill 306—Link.  Amends the School Code. With respect to the Alternative Teacher Certification program, provides that a provisional alternative teaching certificate may be issued to an applicant who has attained at least a cumulative grade average of a "B" if the individual is assigned either to a school district that has not met the annual measurable objective for highly qualified teachers required by the Illinois Revised Highly Qualified Teachers (HQT) Plan or to a school district whose data filed with the State Board of Education indicates that the district's poor and minority students are taught by teachers who are not highly qualified at a higher rate than other students (instead of just if the applicant has been employed for a period of at least 5 years in an area requiring application of the individual's education).Senate Floor Amendment 1 Provides that assignment may be made only if the district superintendent and the exclusive bargaining representative, if any, jointly agree to permit the assignment.  Senate Floor Amendment 2 reinserts the contents of the bill as amended by Senate Amendment No. 1, with the following changes. Provides that assignment may be made only if the district superintendent and the exclusive bargaining representative of the district's teachers (rather than just the exclusive bargaining representative), if any, jointly agree to permit the assignment. Effective immediately. Passed both Houses.

Senate Bill 396—Demuzio.  Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that when a child who is eligible for special education reaches the majority age of 18 years, rights accorded to the child's parents transfer to the child. Provides that rights shall not transfer from the parents to the child if the child has been determined to be incompetent under State law or the child has not been determined to be incompetent, but does not have the ability to provide informed consent with respect to the child's educational program. Requires the State Board of Education to adopt rules establishing criteria for school districts to determine if a child lacks the ability to provide informed consent and uniform procedures for allowing the parents of the child, another adult caregiver, or another responsible adult to exercise rights on behalf of the child. Senate Committee Amendment #1 makes the following changes. Changes references from "child" to "student" and "educational program" to "individualized education program". Provides that the school district must notify the student and the student's parents of the transfer of rights in writing at a meeting convened to review the student's individualized education program during the school year in which the student turns 17 years of age. Requires the district to also explain to the student and the student's parents the significance of the transfer of parental rights at the majority age of 18. Provides that at that time, the district must provide the student with a copy of the Delegation of Rights form. Provides that rights shall not transfer from the parents to the student if the student has been adjudged (instead of determined to be) incompetent under State law or the student has not been adjudged (instead of determined to be) incompetent, but the student has executed a Delegation of Rights to make educational decisions for the purpose of appointing the student's parent or other adult to represent the educational interests of the student (instead of but the student does not have the ability to provide informed consent with respect to the child's educational program). Allows a student to terminate the Delegation of Rights at any time and assume the right to make decisions regarding his or her education. Sets forth requirements for the Delegation of Rights, including the form. Deletes the provision requiring the State Board of Education to adopt rules establishing criteria for school districts to determine if a child lacks the ability to provide informed consent and uniform procedures for allowing the parents of the child, another adult caregiver, or another responsible adult to exercise rights on behalf of the child. Removes the immediate effective date. Senate Floor Amendment 2 reinserts the contents of the bill as amended by Senate Amendment No. 1, with the following changes. Removes a provision that requires the school district to explain to the student and the student's parents the significance of the transfer of parental rights. Requires the school district to mail the notice of the transfer of rights and a copy of the Delegation of Rights form to the student and to the student's parents if they do not attend the meeting to review the student's individualized education program. Provides that the Declaration of Rights shall include a declaration that the student will notify the school district immediately if the student terminates the Delegation of Rights; makes a related change. Adds an immediate effective date.  Passed both Houses.

Senate Bill 397—Demuzio.  Amends the School Code. In a Section concerning personnel reimbursement in the Children with Disabilities Article, provides that when a school district operates a school or program for a number of days in excess of the adopted school calendar but not to exceed 235 school days, reimbursement shall be increased by 1/180 (instead of 1/185) of the amount or rate paid under the reimbursement provisions for each day the school is operated in excess of 180 (instead of 185) days per calendar year. Provides that the State Board of Education shall require the publisher of a printed textbook (instead of a textbook) that is listed for use by the State Board of Education or that is furnished at public expense and is first published after July 19, 2006 (instead of furnished at public expense or provided by loan free of charge to a student) to furnish an accessible electronic file set of contracted print material to the National Instructional Materials Access Center, which shall then be available to the State Board of Education or its authorized user for the purpose of conversion to an accessible format for use by a child with a print disability and for distribution to local education agencies (instead of requiring a publisher to furnish to the State Board computer diskettes from which Braille versions of the textbook can be produced and a copy of the textbook to duplicate into Braille, large print, or tape). Effective July 1, 2007.  Passed both Houses.

Senate Bill 398—Demuzio. Amends the School Code with respect to special education classes for children from orphanages, foster family homes, children's homes, or in-State housing units. In a provision that allows reimbursement for the costs of educating a disabled student who is placed residentially by a State agency or the courts for care or custody, welfare, medical or mental health treatment, rehabilitation, and protection, provides that it is the intent of that provision that school districts be reimbursed for the eligible costs of educating all disabled students residentially placed by a State agency or the courts or placed and paid for by a State agency for any of the reasons listed. Provides that reimbursements under the provision shall first be provided for claims made for the 2007-2008 school year payable in fiscal year 2008. Senate Floor Amendment 1 provides that subject to appropriation, school districts shall be reimbursed (instead of it is the intent of certain provisions that school districts be reimbursed) for the eligible costs of educating disabled students residentially placed by a State agency or the courts or placed and paid for by a State agency. Passed both Houses.

Senate Bill 424—Delgado and Cronin.  Amends the School Code. Provides that the school board of a school district that maintains any of grades 9 through 12 is authorized to adopt a policy under which a student enrolled in grade 7 or 8 who is enrolled in the unit school district or would be enrolled in the high school district upon completion of elementary school, whichever is applicable, may enroll in a high school course required to receive a high school diploma under certain conditions. Provides that a school board that adopts such a policy must grant academic credit to an elementary school student who successfully completes the high school course, and that credit shall satisfy the high school graduation requirements. Contains provisions concerning transferring students. Provides that a student's grade in any course successfully completed under these provisions must be included in his or her grade point average in accordance with the school board's policy for making that calculation. Effective immediately.  Passed both Houses.

Senate Bill 446—Martinez.  Amends the Grow Your Own Teacher Education Act. Makes changes concerning the Act's purpose and the definition of "hard-to-staff school". Changes certain references from target schools to eligible schools. Provides that in any fiscal year in which an appropriation for the Grow Your Own Teacher Education Initiative is made, the consortium shall guarantee that support will be available to an admitted cohort for the cohort's training for that fiscal year (instead of providing that the consortium shall guarantee that support will be available to an admitted cohort through the cohort's full period of training). Makes changes concerning expenditures under the Initiative with regard to requests for waivers or deferrals of the teaching obligation, the way grants are awarded to provide the required support for a cohort of candidates, and what a program budget must include. Provides that grant funds may be used by any member of a consortium to offset the costs of child care and other indirect expenses that are necessary to permit candidates to maintain their class schedules. Makes other changes.  Provides that indirect expenses required to be included in program budgets include transportation, tutoring, technology, and technology support. Passed both Houses.

Senate Bill 543—Raoul. Amends the School Code. Requires a person having custody or control of a child who is below the compulsory school age and who is enrolled in kindergarten in a public school to cause the child to attend the public school. Effective June 30, 2007..Passed Senate.  Senate Floor Amendment #1 removes the provision changing the definition of drop out.  Passed both Houses.

Senate Bill 715—Trotter.  Creates the School Health Center Act. Requires the Department of Human Services to initiate 20 new school health centers over a 5-year period beginning July 1, 2007, and build capacity with existing school health centers in the State. Provides that the requirement that the Illinois Department of Human Services shall initiate 20 new school health centers shall be subject to appropriation. Provides that all students in the school under the age of 18 are eligible for services if they have obtained written parental consent or if they are otherwise permitted under Illinois law to consent on their own behalf to such care. Provides that all students 18 years of age or older are eligible for the services. Provides that the school health center shall provide a list of the health care services available, and provides for a consent form containing a statement that a parent, legal guardian, or student who is permitted under Illinois law to consent on his or her own behalf has a right to refuse any health care services.  Passed both Houses.

Senate Bill 1560—Demuzio.  Amends the School Code. In a Section concerning educational support personnel employees, provides that if the hours the employee works are reduced for certain reasons, then written notice must be given to the employee. Provides that if a reduction in hours is due to an unforeseen reduction in the student population, then the written notice must be mailed and given to the employee at least 5 days (instead of 30 days) before the hours are reduced. With respect to educational support personnel employees removed or dismissed for certain reasons, provides that if a school board has any vacancies for the following school term or within one calendar year from the beginning of the following school term, the positions thereby becoming available within a specific category of position shall be tendered to the employees who were removed or dismissed from that category or any other category of position (now, just from that category), so far as they are qualified to hold the positions. Effective immediately.  Passed both Houses.

Senate Bill 1702—Amends the School Code. Sets forth policy requirements for school districts that collect biometric information, including providing for written permission; the discontinuation of use of the information; the destruction of the information following the discontinuation of use; allowed use of the information; a prohibition on the sale, lease, or other disclosure of the information; and the storage, transmittal, and protection of the information. Provides that the failure to provide written consent for the collection of biometric information shall not be the basis for refusal of any services otherwise available to the student. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. Effective August 1, 2007.  Passed both Houses.

SJR 15—Althoff.  Creates a Task Force to study special education funding. Directs the task force to report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by January 1, 2008. Provides that the task force shall be facilitated by the State Board of Education.  Senate Rules.

SJR 26—Garrett. Reconstitutes the Joint Task Force on Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education Options created under House Joint Resolution 43 of the 94th General Assembly. Requires the Joint Task Force to submit a report to the General Assembly no later than December 31, 2008.  Placed on House Calendar of Resolutions.