102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB0160

 

Introduced 1/22/2021, by Rep. Daniel Didech

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
105 ILCS 5/27-6  from Ch. 122, par. 27-6

    Amends the School Code. Provides that a pupil shall be excused from engaging in a physical education course during a period of religious fasting if the pupil's parent or guardian notifies the school principal in writing that the pupil is participating in religious fasting. Effective immediately.


LRB102 05150 CMG 15171 b

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB0160LRB102 05150 CMG 15171 b

1    AN ACT concerning education.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The School Code is amended by changing Section
527-6 as follows:
 
6    (105 ILCS 5/27-6)  (from Ch. 122, par. 27-6)
7    Sec. 27-6. Courses in physical education required; special
8activities.
9    (a) Pupils enrolled in the public schools and State
10universities engaged in preparing teachers shall be required
11to engage during the school day, except on block scheduled
12days for those public schools engaged in block scheduling, in
13courses of physical education for such periods as are
14compatible with the optimum growth and developmental needs of
15individuals at the various age levels except when appropriate
16excuses are submitted to the school by a pupil's parent or
17guardian or by a person licensed under the Medical Practice
18Act of 1987 and except as provided in subsection (b) of this
19Section. A school board may determine the schedule or
20frequency of physical education courses, provided that a pupil
21engages in a course of physical education for a minimum of 3
22days per 5-day week.
23    Special activities in physical education shall be provided

 

 

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1for pupils whose physical or emotional condition, as
2determined by a person licensed under the Medical Practice Act
3of 1987, prevents their participation in the courses provided
4for normal children.
5    (b) A school board is authorized to excuse pupils enrolled
6in grades 11 and 12 from engaging in physical education
7courses if those pupils request to be excused for any of the
8following reasons: (1) for ongoing participation in an
9interscholastic athletic program; (2) to enroll in academic
10classes which are required for admission to an institution of
11higher learning, provided that failure to take such classes
12will result in the pupil being denied admission to the
13institution of his or her choice; or (3) to enroll in academic
14classes which are required for graduation from high school,
15provided that failure to take such classes will result in the
16pupil being unable to graduate. A school board may also excuse
17pupils in grades 9 through 12 enrolled in a marching band
18program for credit from engaging in physical education courses
19if those pupils request to be excused for ongoing
20participation in such marching band program. A school board
21may also, on a case-by-case basis, excuse pupils in grades 7
22through 12 who participate in an interscholastic or
23extracurricular athletic program from engaging in physical
24education courses. In addition, a pupil in any of grades 3
25through 12 who is eligible for special education may be
26excused if the pupil's parent or guardian agrees that the

 

 

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1pupil must utilize the time set aside for physical education
2to receive special education support and services or, if there
3is no agreement, the individualized education program team for
4the pupil determines that the pupil must utilize the time set
5aside for physical education to receive special education
6support and services, which agreement or determination must be
7made a part of the individualized education program. However,
8a pupil requiring adapted physical education must receive that
9service in accordance with the individualized education
10program developed for the pupil. If requested, a school board
11is authorized to excuse a pupil from engaging in a physical
12education course if the pupil has an individualized
13educational program under Article 14 of this Code, is
14participating in an adaptive athletic program outside of the
15school setting, and documents such participation as determined
16by the school board. A school board may also excuse pupils in
17grades 9 through 12 enrolled in a Reserve Officer's Training
18Corps (ROTC) program sponsored by the school district from
19engaging in physical education courses. School boards which
20choose to exercise this authority shall establish a policy to
21excuse pupils on an individual basis.
22    (b-5) A pupil shall be excused from engaging in a physical
23education course during a period of religious fasting if the
24pupil's parent or guardian notifies the school principal in
25writing that the pupil is participating in religious fasting.
26    (c) The provisions of this Section are subject to the

 

 

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1provisions of Section 27-22.05.
2(Source: P.A. 100-465, eff. 8-31-17.)
 
3    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
4becoming law.