94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2005 and 2006
HB0924


 
Introduced 2/2/2005, by Rep. Robert W. Churchill
 
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 		














105 ILCS 5/2-3.137 new






30 ILCS 805/8.29 new









    Amends the School Code. Provides that on or before July 1, 2006, the State Board of Education shall adopt maximum weight standards for textbooks used by pupils in elementary and secondary schools. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement. 
















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FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY


STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT
















 


 


A BILL FOR









 











HB0924

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    AN ACT concerning education.

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


 
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    Section 5. The School Code is amended  by adding Section 
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2-3.137 as follows:
 
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    (105 ILCS 5/2-3.137  new)
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    Sec. 2-3.137. Textbook weight standards.
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    (a) The General Assembly finds and declares all of the

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following:
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        (1) Backpacks of elementary and secondary school 
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    pupils often contain textbooks, binders, calculators, 
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    personal computers,
lunches, a change of clothing, sports 
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    equipment, and more.
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        (2) Elementary and secondary school pupils are 
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    carrying
backpacks weighing as much as 40 pounds.
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        (3) Chiropractors, physical therapists, and 
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    pediatricians are
seeing an increased number of children 
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    for spinal column
injuries, nontraumatic back pain, and 
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    significant postural
changes from overloaded backpacks.
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        (4) Chiropractors and pediatricians recommend that 
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    backpacks not exceed more than 15% of a pupil's body 
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    weight.
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        (5) In 1999, more than 3,400 pupils between 5 and 14 
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    years of age, inclusive, sought treatment in hospital 
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    emergency rooms for
injuries related to backpacks or book 
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    bags according to the
United States Consumer Product Safety 
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    Commission.
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    (b) On or before July 1, 2006, the State Board of
Education 
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shall adopt maximum weight standards for textbooks
used by 
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pupils in elementary and secondary schools. The weight

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standards shall take into consideration the health risks to

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pupils who transport textbooks to and from school each day.

 
 


 






HB0924
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    Section 90. The State Mandates Act is amended by adding 
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Section 8.29 as
follows:


 
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    (30 ILCS 805/8.29 new)

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    Sec. 8.29. Exempt mandate. Notwithstanding Sections 6 and 8 
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of this
Act, no reimbursement by the State is required for the 
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implementation of
any mandate created by this amendatory Act of 
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the 94th General Assembly.