HB5526 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 25359 NLB 34639 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB5526

Introduced 1/31/2022, by Rep. Nicholas K. Smith

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

110 ILCS 947/22 new

Amends the Higher Education Student Assistance Act. Requires the Illinois Student Assistance Commission to annually include information about the Child Care Assistance Program and the federal dependent care allowance in the language that schools are required to provide to students eligible for Monetary Award Program grants. Specifies the information that must be included. Provides that an institution of higher learning that participates in the Monetary Award Program shall provide, at a minimum, the information to all students who are enrolled, or who are accepted for enrollment and are intending to enroll, and who have been identified by the Commission as Monetary Award Program-eligible at the institution. Provides that an institution of higher learning shall also provide the information to any student identified by the institution of higher learning as a student with dependents. Provides that an institution of higher learning may designate a public benefits liaison or single point person to assist students in taking the necessary steps to obtain public benefits if eligible. Requires the Commission to adopt rules to implement the provisions on or before October 1, 2022. Effective immediately.

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 Higher Education Student Assistance Act is amended by adding Section 22 as follows:

(110 ILCS 947/22 new)

Sec. 22. Child care resources eligibility notification; college students.

(a) To complement student financial assistance programs and to enhance their effectiveness for students with dependents, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission shall annually include information about the Child Care Assistance Program and the federal dependent care allowance in the language that institutions are required to provide to students eligible for Monetary Award Program grants. The language shall, at a minimum, include information about program eligibility and how to apply. The language shall also direct students to the Department of Human Services for additional information about the Child Care Assistance Program and to the institution's financial aid office for additional information about the federal dependent care allowance.

(b) An institution of higher learning that participates in the Monetary Award Program shall provide, at a minimum, the notice described in subsection (a) to all students who are enrolled, or who are accepted for enrollment and are intending to enroll, and who have been identified by the Commission as Monetary Award Program-eligible at the institution. An institution of higher learning shall also provide, at a minimum, the notice described in subsection (a) to any student identified by the institution as a student with dependents.

(c) An institution may provide additional information about benefits and resources the institution or community offers to the students identified in subsection (b). If possible, the institution may designate a public benefits liaison or single point person to assist students in taking the necessary steps to obtain public benefits if eligible.

(d) The Commission shall adopt any rules necessary to implement this Section on or before October 1, 2022.

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