HB0242 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2017 and 2018
HB0242

Introduced , by Rep. Mary E. Flowers

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the College Admission Inquiries Act. Provides that during the admission decision-making process, a college (defined as an institution of higher education authorized to confer degrees in this State and work-study programs offered by institutions of higher education) may not inquire about arrests that did not result in a criminal conviction and criminal convictions that have been sealed or expunged or make any inquiry or consider information about any arrest or criminal accusation of an individual that was followed by a termination of that criminal action or proceeding in favor of the individual. Provides that a college may not make any inquiry or consider information about an individual's past criminal conviction or convictions at any time during the admission decision-making process. Provides that after an individual has been admitted as a student, a college may make inquiries about and consider information about the individual's past criminal conviction history for the purpose of offering support counseling and services. Provides that a college may also make inquiries about and consider information about the individual's past criminal conviction history for the purpose of making decisions about participation in activities and aspects of campus life associated with the individual's status as a student. Provides that a college may not use the information to rescind an offer of admission. Provides that a college is not required to make inquiries into or consider an individual's criminal conviction history for any reason.

A BILL FOR

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 College Admission Inquiries Act.

Section 5. Definitions. In this Section:

"Admission decision-making process" means the submission of a college application and all aspects of the college application process through admission.

"College" means an institution of higher education authorized to confer degrees in this State and includes a college, community college, university, professional school, or technical school. For the purposes of this definition, "college" includes any work-study programs offered by the institution of higher education.

Section 10. Inquiry on arrests prohibited. During the admission decision-making process, a college may not inquire about arrests that did not result in a criminal conviction and criminal convictions that have been sealed or expunged. At no time during the admission decision-making process may a college make any inquiry or consider information about any arrest or criminal accusation of an individual who is applying for admission that was followed by a termination of that criminal action or proceeding in favor of the individual.

Section 15. Inquiry on convictions prohibited. A college may not make any inquiry or consider information about an individual's past criminal conviction or convictions at any time during the admission decision-making process.

Section 20. Permitted inquiries.

(a) After an individual has been admitted as a student, a college may make inquiries about and consider information about the individual's past criminal conviction history for the purpose of offering support counseling and services. Subject to federal, State, or local law, a college may also make inquiries about and consider information about the individual's past criminal conviction history for the purpose of making decisions about participation in activities and aspects of campus life associated with the individual's status as a student, including, but not limited to, housing.

(b) A college may not use the information gathered in making an inquiry under this Section to rescind an offer of admission.

Section 25. Inquiries not required. A college is not required to make inquiries into or consider an individual's criminal conviction history for any reason.