103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
SB0183

 

Introduced 1/31/2023, by Sen. Laura M. Murphy

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
105 ILCS 5/10-22.6  from Ch. 122, par. 10-22.6
105 ILCS 5/13A-1

    Amends the School Code. Provides that school officials shall limit the number and duration of transfers to alternative schools in place of discipline. Requires a school district to create an Alternative School Bill of Rights by which a pupil who is offered a transfer to an alternative school in place of disciplinary action shall be provided with certain information by the appropriate administrator. Provides that the Alternative School Bill of Rights shall constitute a contract between the school board and the educational rights holder by requiring a signature from either a representative, assignee, or other designated member of the school board and the educational rights holder. Provides that in no event may a school board extend the duration of a pupil's transfer to an alternative school in place of discipline without written notice to the educational rights holder and an opportunity to be meaningfully heard before the school board. Makes related changes. Effective immediately.


LRB103 25977 RJT 52331 b

STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT
MAY APPLY

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

SB0183LRB103 25977 RJT 52331 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 Sections
510-22.6 and 13A-1 as follows:
 
6    (105 ILCS 5/10-22.6)  (from Ch. 122, par. 10-22.6)
7    (Text of Section before amendment by P.A. 102-466)
8    Sec. 10-22.6. Suspension, or expulsion, or transfer in
9place of disciplinary action of pupils; school searches.
10    (a) To expel pupils guilty of gross disobedience or
11misconduct, including gross disobedience or misconduct
12perpetuated by electronic means, pursuant to subsection (b-20)
13of this Section, and no action shall lie against them for such
14expulsion. Expulsion shall take place only after the parents
15have been requested to appear at a meeting of the board, or
16with a hearing officer appointed by it, to discuss their
17child's behavior. Such request shall be made by registered or
18certified mail and shall state the time, place and purpose of
19the meeting. The board, or a hearing officer appointed by it,
20at such meeting shall state the reasons for dismissal and the
21date on which the expulsion is to become effective. If a
22hearing officer is appointed by the board, he shall report to
23the board a written summary of the evidence heard at the

 

 

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1meeting and the board may take such action thereon as it finds
2appropriate. If the board acts to expel a pupil, the written
3expulsion decision shall detail the specific reasons why
4removing the pupil from the learning environment is in the
5best interest of the school. The expulsion decision shall also
6include a rationale as to the specific duration of the
7expulsion. An expelled pupil may be immediately transferred to
8an alternative program in the manner provided in Article 13A
9or 13B of this Code. A pupil must not be denied transfer
10because of the expulsion, except in cases in which such
11transfer is deemed to cause a threat to the safety of students
12or staff in the alternative program.
13    (b) To suspend or by policy to authorize the
14superintendent of the district or the principal, assistant
15principal, or dean of students of any school to suspend pupils
16guilty of gross disobedience or misconduct, or to suspend
17pupils guilty of gross disobedience or misconduct on the
18school bus from riding the school bus, pursuant to subsections
19(b-15) and (b-20) of this Section, and no action shall lie
20against them for such suspension. The board may by policy
21authorize the superintendent of the district or the principal,
22assistant principal, or dean of students of any school to
23suspend pupils guilty of such acts for a period not to exceed
2410 school days. If a pupil is suspended due to gross
25disobedience or misconduct on a school bus, the board may
26suspend the pupil in excess of 10 school days for safety

 

 

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1reasons.
2    Any suspension shall be reported immediately to the
3parents or guardian of a pupil along with a full statement of
4the reasons for such suspension and a notice of their right to
5a review. The school board must be given a summary of the
6notice, including the reason for the suspension and the
7suspension length. Upon request of the parents or guardian,
8the school board or a hearing officer appointed by it shall
9review such action of the superintendent or principal,
10assistant principal, or dean of students. At such review, the
11parents or guardian of the pupil may appear and discuss the
12suspension with the board or its hearing officer. If a hearing
13officer is appointed by the board, he shall report to the board
14a written summary of the evidence heard at the meeting. After
15its hearing or upon receipt of the written report of its
16hearing officer, the board may take such action as it finds
17appropriate. If a student is suspended pursuant to this
18subsection (b), the board shall, in the written suspension
19decision, detail the specific act of gross disobedience or
20misconduct resulting in the decision to suspend. The
21suspension decision shall also include a rationale as to the
22specific duration of the suspension. A pupil who is suspended
23in excess of 20 school days may be immediately transferred to
24an alternative program in the manner provided in Article 13A
25or 13B of this Code. A pupil must not be denied transfer
26because of the suspension, except in cases in which such

 

 

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1transfer is deemed to cause a threat to the safety of students
2or staff in the alternative program.
3    (b-5) Among the many possible disciplinary interventions
4and consequences available to school officials, school
5exclusions, such as out-of-school suspensions, transfers to
6alternative schools in place of discipline, and expulsions,
7are the most serious. School officials shall limit the number
8and duration of expulsions, transfers to alternative schools
9in place of discipline, and suspensions to the greatest extent
10practicable, and it is recommended that they use them only for
11legitimate educational purposes. To ensure that students are
12not excluded from school unnecessarily, it is recommended that
13school officials consider forms of non-exclusionary discipline
14prior to using out-of-school suspensions, transfers to
15alternative schools in place of discipline, or expulsions.
16    (b-10) Unless otherwise required by federal law or this
17Code, school boards may not institute zero-tolerance policies
18by which school administrators are required to suspend or
19expel students for particular behaviors.
20    (b-15) Out-of-school suspensions of 3 days or less may be
21used only if the student's continuing presence in school would
22pose a threat to school safety or a disruption to other
23students' learning opportunities. For purposes of this
24subsection (b-15), "threat to school safety or a disruption to
25other students' learning opportunities" shall be determined on
26a case-by-case basis by the school board or its designee.

 

 

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1School officials shall make all reasonable efforts to resolve
2such threats, address such disruptions, and minimize the
3length of suspensions to the greatest extent practicable.
4    (b-20) Unless otherwise required by this Code,
5out-of-school suspensions of longer than 3 days, expulsions,
6and disciplinary removals to alternative schools may be used
7only if other appropriate and available behavioral and
8disciplinary interventions have been exhausted and the
9student's continuing presence in school would either (i) pose
10a threat to the safety of other students, staff, or members of
11the school community or (ii) substantially disrupt, impede, or
12interfere with the operation of the school. For purposes of
13this subsection (b-20), "threat to the safety of other
14students, staff, or members of the school community" and
15"substantially disrupt, impede, or interfere with the
16operation of the school" shall be determined on a case-by-case
17basis by school officials. For purposes of this subsection
18(b-20), the determination of whether "appropriate and
19available behavioral and disciplinary interventions have been
20exhausted" shall be made by school officials. School officials
21shall make all reasonable efforts to resolve such threats,
22address such disruptions, and minimize the length of student
23exclusions to the greatest extent practicable. Within the
24suspension decision described in subsection (b) of this
25Section or the expulsion decision described in subsection (a)
26of this Section, it shall be documented whether other

 

 

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1interventions were attempted or whether it was determined that
2there were no other appropriate and available interventions.
3    (b-25) Students who are suspended out-of-school for longer
4than 4 school days shall be provided appropriate and available
5support services during the period of their suspension. For
6purposes of this subsection (b-25), "appropriate and available
7support services" shall be determined by school authorities.
8Within the suspension decision described in subsection (b) of
9this Section, it shall be documented whether such services are
10to be provided or whether it was determined that there are no
11such appropriate and available services.
12    A school district may refer students who are expelled to
13appropriate and available support services.
14    A school district shall create a policy to facilitate the
15re-engagement of students who are suspended out-of-school,
16expelled, or returning from an alternative school setting.
17    (b-30) A school district shall create a policy by which
18suspended pupils, including those pupils suspended from the
19school bus who do not have alternate transportation to school,
20shall have the opportunity to make up work for equivalent
21academic credit. It shall be the responsibility of a pupil's
22parent or guardian to notify school officials that a pupil
23suspended from the school bus does not have alternate
24transportation to school.
25    (c) A school board must invite a representative from a
26local mental health agency to consult with the board at the

 

 

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1meeting whenever there is evidence that mental illness may be
2the cause of a student's expulsion or suspension.
3    (c-5) School districts shall make reasonable efforts to
4provide ongoing professional development to teachers,
5administrators, school board members, school resource
6officers, and staff on the adverse consequences of school
7exclusion and justice-system involvement, effective classroom
8management strategies, culturally responsive discipline, the
9appropriate and available supportive services for the
10promotion of student attendance and engagement, and
11developmentally appropriate disciplinary methods that promote
12positive and healthy school climates.
13    (d) The board may expel a student for a definite period of
14time not to exceed 2 calendar years, as determined on a
15case-by-case basis. A student who is determined to have
16brought one of the following objects to school, any
17school-sponsored activity or event, or any activity or event
18that bears a reasonable relationship to school shall be
19expelled for a period of not less than one year:
20        (1) A firearm. For the purposes of this Section,
21    "firearm" means any gun, rifle, shotgun, weapon as defined
22    by Section 921 of Title 18 of the United States Code,
23    firearm as defined in Section 1.1 of the Firearm Owners
24    Identification Card Act, or firearm as defined in Section
25    24-1 of the Criminal Code of 2012. The expulsion period
26    under this subdivision (1) may be modified by the

 

 

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1    superintendent, and the superintendent's determination may
2    be modified by the board on a case-by-case basis.
3        (2) A knife, brass knuckles or other knuckle weapon
4    regardless of its composition, a billy club, or any other
5    object if used or attempted to be used to cause bodily
6    harm, including "look alikes" of any firearm as defined in
7    subdivision (1) of this subsection (d). The expulsion
8    requirement under this subdivision (2) may be modified by
9    the superintendent, and the superintendent's determination
10    may be modified by the board on a case-by-case basis.
11Expulsion or suspension shall be construed in a manner
12consistent with the federal Individuals with Disabilities
13Education Act. A student who is subject to suspension or
14expulsion as provided in this Section may be eligible for a
15transfer to an alternative school program in accordance with
16Article 13A of the School Code.
17    (d-5) The board may suspend or by regulation authorize the
18superintendent of the district or the principal, assistant
19principal, or dean of students of any school to suspend a
20student for a period not to exceed 10 school days or may expel
21a student for a definite period of time not to exceed 2
22calendar years, as determined on a case-by-case basis, if (i)
23that student has been determined to have made an explicit
24threat on an Internet website against a school employee, a
25student, or any school-related personnel, (ii) the Internet
26website through which the threat was made is a site that was

 

 

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1accessible within the school at the time the threat was made or
2was available to third parties who worked or studied within
3the school grounds at the time the threat was made, and (iii)
4the threat could be reasonably interpreted as threatening to
5the safety and security of the threatened individual because
6of his or her duties or employment status or status as a
7student inside the school.
8    (d-10) A school district shall create an Alternative
9School Bill of Rights by which a pupil who is offered a
10transfer to an alternative school in place of disciplinary
11action shall be informed, at a minimum, by the appropriate
12administrator in writing:
13        (1) that the educational rights holder of the pupil
14    has a right to a hearing before a transfer to an
15    alternative school in place of discipline occurs as set
16    forth in subsection (a);
17        (2) of the risks and benefits of transferring to an
18    alternative school in place of disciplinary action,
19    including, but not limited to, the alternative school's
20    graduation rates compared to the sending school's
21    graduation rates, the alternative school's disciplinary
22    procedures if they differ from the sending school's
23    procedures, and the average amount of time a pupil spends
24    at an alternative school before returning to the sending
25    school;
26        (3) that the pupil may opt for a suspension or an

 

 

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1    expulsion instead of a transfer in place of disciplinary
2    action;
3        (4) of the exact duration of school days that the
4    pupil shall be assigned to the alternative school in place
5    of discipline;
6        (5) of the specific nature of the curriculum offered
7    by the alternative school; and
8        (6) of the specific nature of the extracurricular
9    activities that the pupil shall be allowed to participate
10    in and shall be prohibited from participating in.
11    The Alternative School Bill of Rights shall constitute a
12contract between the school board and the educational rights
13holder by requiring a signature from either a representative,
14assignee, or other designated member of the school board and
15the educational rights holder. In no event may the school
16board extend the duration of a pupil's transfer to an
17alternative school in place of discipline without written
18notice to the educational rights holder and an opportunity to
19be meaningfully heard before the school board.
20    (e) To maintain order and security in the schools, school
21authorities may inspect and search places and areas such as
22lockers, desks, parking lots, and other school property and
23equipment owned or controlled by the school, as well as
24personal effects left in those places and areas by students,
25without notice to or the consent of the student, and without a
26search warrant. As a matter of public policy, the General

 

 

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1Assembly finds that students have no reasonable expectation of
2privacy in these places and areas or in their personal effects
3left in these places and areas. School authorities may request
4the assistance of law enforcement officials for the purpose of
5conducting inspections and searches of lockers, desks, parking
6lots, and other school property and equipment owned or
7controlled by the school for illegal drugs, weapons, or other
8illegal or dangerous substances or materials, including
9searches conducted through the use of specially trained dogs.
10If a search conducted in accordance with this Section produces
11evidence that the student has violated or is violating either
12the law, local ordinance, or the school's policies or rules,
13such evidence may be seized by school authorities, and
14disciplinary action may be taken. School authorities may also
15turn over such evidence to law enforcement authorities.
16    (f) Suspension or expulsion may include suspension or
17expulsion from school and all school activities and a
18prohibition from being present on school grounds.
19    (g) A school district may adopt a policy, subject to
20subsection (d-10), providing that if a student is suspended or
21expelled for any reason from any public or private school in
22this or any other state, the student must complete the entire
23term of the suspension or expulsion in an alternative school
24program under Article 13A of this Code or an alternative
25learning opportunities program under Article 13B of this Code
26before being admitted into the school district if there is no

 

 

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1threat to the safety of students or staff in the alternative
2program.
3    (h) School officials shall not advise or encourage
4students to drop out voluntarily due to behavioral or academic
5difficulties.
6    (i) A student may not be issued a monetary fine or fee as a
7disciplinary consequence, though this shall not preclude
8requiring a student to provide restitution for lost, stolen,
9or damaged property.
10    (j) Subsections (a) through (i) of this Section shall
11apply to elementary and secondary schools, charter schools,
12special charter districts, and school districts organized
13under Article 34 of this Code.
14    (k) The expulsion of children enrolled in programs funded
15under Section 1C-2 of this Code is subject to the requirements
16under paragraph (7) of subsection (a) of Section 2-3.71 of
17this Code.
18    (l) Beginning with the 2018-2019 school year, an in-school
19suspension program provided by a school district for any
20students in kindergarten through grade 12 may focus on
21promoting non-violent conflict resolution and positive
22interaction with other students and school personnel. A school
23district may employ a school social worker or a licensed
24mental health professional to oversee an in-school suspension
25program in kindergarten through grade 12.
26(Source: P.A. 101-81, eff. 7-12-19; 102-539, eff. 8-20-21;

 

 

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1102-813, eff. 5-13-22.)
 
2    (Text of Section after amendment by P.A. 102-466)
3    Sec. 10-22.6. Suspension, or expulsion, or transfer in
4place of disciplinary action of pupils; school searches.
5    (a) To expel pupils guilty of gross disobedience or
6misconduct, including gross disobedience or misconduct
7perpetuated by electronic means, pursuant to subsection (b-20)
8of this Section, and no action shall lie against them for such
9expulsion. Expulsion shall take place only after the parents
10or guardians have been requested to appear at a meeting of the
11board, or with a hearing officer appointed by it, to discuss
12their child's behavior. Such request shall be made by
13registered or certified mail and shall state the time, place
14and purpose of the meeting. The board, or a hearing officer
15appointed by it, at such meeting shall state the reasons for
16dismissal and the date on which the expulsion is to become
17effective. If a hearing officer is appointed by the board, he
18shall report to the board a written summary of the evidence
19heard at the meeting and the board may take such action thereon
20as it finds appropriate. If the board acts to expel a pupil,
21the written expulsion decision shall detail the specific
22reasons why removing the pupil from the learning environment
23is in the best interest of the school. The expulsion decision
24shall also include a rationale as to the specific duration of
25the expulsion. An expelled pupil may be immediately

 

 

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1transferred to an alternative program in the manner provided
2in Article 13A or 13B of this Code. A pupil must not be denied
3transfer because of the expulsion, except in cases in which
4such transfer is deemed to cause a threat to the safety of
5students or staff in the alternative program.
6    (b) To suspend or by policy to authorize the
7superintendent of the district or the principal, assistant
8principal, or dean of students of any school to suspend pupils
9guilty of gross disobedience or misconduct, or to suspend
10pupils guilty of gross disobedience or misconduct on the
11school bus from riding the school bus, pursuant to subsections
12(b-15) and (b-20) of this Section, and no action shall lie
13against them for such suspension. The board may by policy
14authorize the superintendent of the district or the principal,
15assistant principal, or dean of students of any school to
16suspend pupils guilty of such acts for a period not to exceed
1710 school days. If a pupil is suspended due to gross
18disobedience or misconduct on a school bus, the board may
19suspend the pupil in excess of 10 school days for safety
20reasons.
21    Any suspension shall be reported immediately to the
22parents or guardians of a pupil along with a full statement of
23the reasons for such suspension and a notice of their right to
24a review. The school board must be given a summary of the
25notice, including the reason for the suspension and the
26suspension length. Upon request of the parents or guardians,

 

 

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1the school board or a hearing officer appointed by it shall
2review such action of the superintendent or principal,
3assistant principal, or dean of students. At such review, the
4parents or guardians of the pupil may appear and discuss the
5suspension with the board or its hearing officer. If a hearing
6officer is appointed by the board, he shall report to the board
7a written summary of the evidence heard at the meeting. After
8its hearing or upon receipt of the written report of its
9hearing officer, the board may take such action as it finds
10appropriate. If a student is suspended pursuant to this
11subsection (b), the board shall, in the written suspension
12decision, detail the specific act of gross disobedience or
13misconduct resulting in the decision to suspend. The
14suspension decision shall also include a rationale as to the
15specific duration of the suspension. A pupil who is suspended
16in excess of 20 school days may be immediately transferred to
17an alternative program in the manner provided in Article 13A
18or 13B of this Code. A pupil must not be denied transfer
19because of the suspension, except in cases in which such
20transfer is deemed to cause a threat to the safety of students
21or staff in the alternative program.
22    (b-5) Among the many possible disciplinary interventions
23and consequences available to school officials, school
24exclusions, such as out-of-school suspensions, transfers to
25alternative schools in place of discipline, and expulsions,
26are the most serious. School officials shall limit the number

 

 

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1and duration of expulsions, transfers to alternative schools
2in place of discipline, and suspensions to the greatest extent
3practicable, and it is recommended that they use them only for
4legitimate educational purposes. To ensure that students are
5not excluded from school unnecessarily, it is recommended that
6school officials consider forms of non-exclusionary discipline
7prior to using out-of-school suspensions, transfers to
8alternative schools in place of discipline, or expulsions.
9    (b-10) Unless otherwise required by federal law or this
10Code, school boards may not institute zero-tolerance policies
11by which school administrators are required to suspend or
12expel students for particular behaviors.
13    (b-15) Out-of-school suspensions of 3 days or less may be
14used only if the student's continuing presence in school would
15pose a threat to school safety or a disruption to other
16students' learning opportunities. For purposes of this
17subsection (b-15), "threat to school safety or a disruption to
18other students' learning opportunities" shall be determined on
19a case-by-case basis by the school board or its designee.
20School officials shall make all reasonable efforts to resolve
21such threats, address such disruptions, and minimize the
22length of suspensions to the greatest extent practicable.
23    (b-20) Unless otherwise required by this Code,
24out-of-school suspensions of longer than 3 days, expulsions,
25and disciplinary removals to alternative schools may be used
26only if other appropriate and available behavioral and

 

 

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1disciplinary interventions have been exhausted and the
2student's continuing presence in school would either (i) pose
3a threat to the safety of other students, staff, or members of
4the school community or (ii) substantially disrupt, impede, or
5interfere with the operation of the school. For purposes of
6this subsection (b-20), "threat to the safety of other
7students, staff, or members of the school community" and
8"substantially disrupt, impede, or interfere with the
9operation of the school" shall be determined on a case-by-case
10basis by school officials. For purposes of this subsection
11(b-20), the determination of whether "appropriate and
12available behavioral and disciplinary interventions have been
13exhausted" shall be made by school officials. School officials
14shall make all reasonable efforts to resolve such threats,
15address such disruptions, and minimize the length of student
16exclusions to the greatest extent practicable. Within the
17suspension decision described in subsection (b) of this
18Section or the expulsion decision described in subsection (a)
19of this Section, it shall be documented whether other
20interventions were attempted or whether it was determined that
21there were no other appropriate and available interventions.
22    (b-25) Students who are suspended out-of-school for longer
23than 4 school days shall be provided appropriate and available
24support services during the period of their suspension. For
25purposes of this subsection (b-25), "appropriate and available
26support services" shall be determined by school authorities.

 

 

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1Within the suspension decision described in subsection (b) of
2this Section, it shall be documented whether such services are
3to be provided or whether it was determined that there are no
4such appropriate and available services.
5    A school district may refer students who are expelled to
6appropriate and available support services.
7    A school district shall create a policy to facilitate the
8re-engagement of students who are suspended out-of-school,
9expelled, or returning from an alternative school setting.
10    (b-30) A school district shall create a policy by which
11suspended pupils, including those pupils suspended from the
12school bus who do not have alternate transportation to school,
13shall have the opportunity to make up work for equivalent
14academic credit. It shall be the responsibility of a pupil's
15parents or guardians to notify school officials that a pupil
16suspended from the school bus does not have alternate
17transportation to school.
18    (b-35) In all suspension review hearings conducted under
19subsection (b) or expulsion hearings conducted under
20subsection (a), a student may disclose any factor to be
21considered in mitigation, including his or her status as a
22parent, expectant parent, or victim of domestic or sexual
23violence, as defined in Article 26A. A representative of the
24parent's or guardian's choice, or of the student's choice if
25emancipated, must be permitted to represent the student
26throughout the proceedings and to address the school board or

 

 

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1its appointed hearing officer. With the approval of the
2student's parent or guardian, or of the student if
3emancipated, a support person must be permitted to accompany
4the student to any disciplinary hearings or proceedings. The
5representative or support person must comply with any rules of
6the school district's hearing process. If the representative
7or support person violates the rules or engages in behavior or
8advocacy that harasses, abuses, or intimidates either party, a
9witness, or anyone else in attendance at the hearing, the
10representative or support person may be prohibited from
11further participation in the hearing or proceeding. A
12suspension or expulsion proceeding under this subsection
13(b-35) must be conducted independently from any ongoing
14criminal investigation or proceeding, and an absence of
15pending or possible criminal charges, criminal investigations,
16or proceedings may not be a factor in school disciplinary
17decisions.
18    (b-40) During a suspension review hearing conducted under
19subsection (b) or an expulsion hearing conducted under
20subsection (a) that involves allegations of sexual violence by
21the student who is subject to discipline, neither the student
22nor his or her representative shall directly question nor have
23direct contact with the alleged victim. The student who is
24subject to discipline or his or her representative may, at the
25discretion and direction of the school board or its appointed
26hearing officer, suggest questions to be posed by the school

 

 

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1board or its appointed hearing officer to the alleged victim.
2    (c) A school board must invite a representative from a
3local mental health agency to consult with the board at the
4meeting whenever there is evidence that mental illness may be
5the cause of a student's expulsion or suspension.
6    (c-5) School districts shall make reasonable efforts to
7provide ongoing professional development to teachers,
8administrators, school board members, school resource
9officers, and staff on the adverse consequences of school
10exclusion and justice-system involvement, effective classroom
11management strategies, culturally responsive discipline, the
12appropriate and available supportive services for the
13promotion of student attendance and engagement, and
14developmentally appropriate disciplinary methods that promote
15positive and healthy school climates.
16    (d) The board may expel a student for a definite period of
17time not to exceed 2 calendar years, as determined on a
18case-by-case basis. A student who is determined to have
19brought one of the following objects to school, any
20school-sponsored activity or event, or any activity or event
21that bears a reasonable relationship to school shall be
22expelled for a period of not less than one year:
23        (1) A firearm. For the purposes of this Section,
24    "firearm" means any gun, rifle, shotgun, weapon as defined
25    by Section 921 of Title 18 of the United States Code,
26    firearm as defined in Section 1.1 of the Firearm Owners

 

 

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1    Identification Card Act, or firearm as defined in Section
2    24-1 of the Criminal Code of 2012. The expulsion period
3    under this subdivision (1) may be modified by the
4    superintendent, and the superintendent's determination may
5    be modified by the board on a case-by-case basis.
6        (2) A knife, brass knuckles or other knuckle weapon
7    regardless of its composition, a billy club, or any other
8    object if used or attempted to be used to cause bodily
9    harm, including "look alikes" of any firearm as defined in
10    subdivision (1) of this subsection (d). The expulsion
11    requirement under this subdivision (2) may be modified by
12    the superintendent, and the superintendent's determination
13    may be modified by the board on a case-by-case basis.
14Expulsion or suspension shall be construed in a manner
15consistent with the federal Individuals with Disabilities
16Education Act. A student who is subject to suspension or
17expulsion as provided in this Section may be eligible for a
18transfer to an alternative school program in accordance with
19Article 13A of the School Code.
20    (d-5) The board may suspend or by regulation authorize the
21superintendent of the district or the principal, assistant
22principal, or dean of students of any school to suspend a
23student for a period not to exceed 10 school days or may expel
24a student for a definite period of time not to exceed 2
25calendar years, as determined on a case-by-case basis, if (i)
26that student has been determined to have made an explicit

 

 

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1threat on an Internet website against a school employee, a
2student, or any school-related personnel, (ii) the Internet
3website through which the threat was made is a site that was
4accessible within the school at the time the threat was made or
5was available to third parties who worked or studied within
6the school grounds at the time the threat was made, and (iii)
7the threat could be reasonably interpreted as threatening to
8the safety and security of the threatened individual because
9of his or her duties or employment status or status as a
10student inside the school.
11    (d-10) A school district shall create an Alternative
12School Bill of Rights by which a pupil who is offered a
13transfer to an alternative school in place of disciplinary
14action shall be informed, at a minimum, by the appropriate
15administrator in writing:
16        (1) that the educational rights holder of the pupil
17    has a right to a hearing before a transfer to an
18    alternative school in place of discipline occurs as set
19    forth in subsection (a);
20        (2) of the risks and benefits of transferring to an
21    alternative school in place of disciplinary action,
22    including, but not limited to, the alternative school's
23    graduation rates compared to the sending school's
24    graduation rates, the alternative school's disciplinary
25    procedures if they differ from the sending school's
26    procedures, and the average amount of time a pupil spends

 

 

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1    at an alternative school before returning to the sending
2    school;
3        (3) that the pupil may opt for a suspension or an
4    expulsion instead of a transfer in place of disciplinary
5    action;
6        (4) of the exact duration of school days that the
7    pupil shall be assigned to the alternative school in place
8    of discipline;
9        (5) of the specific nature of the curriculum offered
10    by the alternative school; and
11        (6) of the specific nature of the extracurricular
12    activities that the pupil shall be allowed to participate
13    in and shall be prohibited from participating in.
14    The Alternative School Bill of Rights shall constitute a
15contract between the school board and the educational rights
16holder by requiring a signature from either a representative,
17assignee, or other designated member of the school board and
18the educational rights holder. In no event may the school
19board extend the duration of a pupil's transfer to an
20alternative school in place of discipline without written
21notice to the educational rights holder and an opportunity to
22be meaningfully heard before the school board.
23    (e) To maintain order and security in the schools, school
24authorities may inspect and search places and areas such as
25lockers, desks, parking lots, and other school property and
26equipment owned or controlled by the school, as well as

 

 

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1personal effects left in those places and areas by students,
2without notice to or the consent of the student, and without a
3search warrant. As a matter of public policy, the General
4Assembly finds that students have no reasonable expectation of
5privacy in these places and areas or in their personal effects
6left in these places and areas. School authorities may request
7the assistance of law enforcement officials for the purpose of
8conducting inspections and searches of lockers, desks, parking
9lots, and other school property and equipment owned or
10controlled by the school for illegal drugs, weapons, or other
11illegal or dangerous substances or materials, including
12searches conducted through the use of specially trained dogs.
13If a search conducted in accordance with this Section produces
14evidence that the student has violated or is violating either
15the law, local ordinance, or the school's policies or rules,
16such evidence may be seized by school authorities, and
17disciplinary action may be taken. School authorities may also
18turn over such evidence to law enforcement authorities.
19    (f) Suspension or expulsion may include suspension or
20expulsion from school and all school activities and a
21prohibition from being present on school grounds.
22    (g) A school district may adopt a policy, subject to
23subsection (d-10), providing that if a student is suspended or
24expelled for any reason from any public or private school in
25this or any other state, the student must complete the entire
26term of the suspension or expulsion in an alternative school

 

 

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1program under Article 13A of this Code or an alternative
2learning opportunities program under Article 13B of this Code
3before being admitted into the school district if there is no
4threat to the safety of students or staff in the alternative
5program. A school district that adopts a policy under this
6subsection (g) must include a provision allowing for
7consideration of any mitigating factors, including, but not
8limited to, a student's status as a parent, expectant parent,
9or victim of domestic or sexual violence, as defined in
10Article 26A.
11    (h) School officials shall not advise or encourage
12students to drop out voluntarily due to behavioral or academic
13difficulties.
14    (i) A student may not be issued a monetary fine or fee as a
15disciplinary consequence, though this shall not preclude
16requiring a student to provide restitution for lost, stolen,
17or damaged property.
18    (j) Subsections (a) through (i) of this Section shall
19apply to elementary and secondary schools, charter schools,
20special charter districts, and school districts organized
21under Article 34 of this Code.
22    (k) The expulsion of children enrolled in programs funded
23under Section 1C-2 of this Code is subject to the requirements
24under paragraph (7) of subsection (a) of Section 2-3.71 of
25this Code.
26    (l) Beginning with the 2018-2019 school year, an in-school

 

 

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1suspension program provided by a school district for any
2students in kindergarten through grade 12 may focus on
3promoting non-violent conflict resolution and positive
4interaction with other students and school personnel. A school
5district may employ a school social worker or a licensed
6mental health professional to oversee an in-school suspension
7program in kindergarten through grade 12.
8(Source: P.A. 101-81, eff. 7-12-19; 102-466, eff. 7-1-25;
9102-539, eff. 8-20-21; 102-813, eff. 5-13-22.)
 
10    (105 ILCS 5/13A-1)
11    Sec. 13A-1. Legislative declaration. The General Assembly
12finds and declares as follows:
13        (a) The children of this State constitute its most
14    important resource, and in order to enable those children
15    to reach their full potential, the State must provide them
16    the quality public education that the Constitution of the
17    State of Illinois mandates.
18        (b) The State cannot provide its children with the
19    education they deserve and require unless the environment
20    of the public schools is conducive to learning.
21        (c) That environment cannot be achieved unless an
22    atmosphere of safety prevails, assuring that the person of
23    each student, teacher, and staff member is respected, and
24    that none of those people are subjected to violence,
25    threats, harassment, intimidation, or otherwise

 

 

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1    confrontational or inappropriate behaviors that disrupt
2    the educational atmosphere.
3        (d) In most schools, although the disruptive students
4    who are the primary cause of inappropriate educational
5    environments comprise a small percentage of the total
6    student body, they nevertheless consume a substantial
7    amount of the time and resources of teachers and school
8    administrators who are required to address and contain
9    that disruptive behavior.
10        (e) Disruptive students typically derive little
11    benefit from traditional school programs and may benefit
12    substantially by being transferred from their current
13    school into an alternative public school program, where
14    their particular needs may be more appropriately and
15    individually addressed and where they may benefit from the
16    opportunity for a fresh start in a new educational
17    environment. At those alternative school programs,
18    innovative academic and school-to-work programs, including
19    but not limited to the techniques of work based learning
20    and technology delivered learning, can be utilized to best
21    help the students enrolled in those schools to become
22    productive citizens.
23        (f) Students need an appropriate, constructive
24    classroom atmosphere in order to benefit from the
25    teacher's presentations. Students cannot afford the
26    classroom disruptions and often become frustrated and

 

 

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1    angry at the inability of their teachers and schools to
2    control disruptive students. As a result, they drop out of
3    school too often. Furthermore, even if these students stay
4    in school and graduate, they have been deprived by their
5    disruptive classmates of the attention to their
6    educational needs that their teachers would otherwise have
7    provided, thereby diminishing their receiving the
8    education and skills necessary to secure good jobs and
9    become productive members of an increasingly competitive
10    economic environment.
11        (g) Parents of school children statewide have
12    expressed their rising anger and concern at the failure of
13    their local public schools to provide a safe and
14    appropriate educational environment for their children and
15    to deal appropriately with disruptive students, and the
16    General Assembly deems their concerns to be understandable
17    and justified.
18        (h) Every school district in the State shall do all it
19    can to ensure a safe and appropriate educational
20    environment for all of its students, and the first, but
21    not the only, step school districts must take to achieve
22    that goal is to administratively transfer disruptive
23    students from the schools they currently attend to the
24    alternative school programs created by this Article. Those
25    administrative transfers will also provide optional
26    educational programs to best fit the needs of the

 

 

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1    transferred students.
2        (h-5) Prior to an administrative transfer, a school
3    district shall create and provide an Alternative School
4    Bill of Rights under subsection (d-10) of Section 10-22.6.
5        (i) Administrative transfers may prove more productive
6    for dealing with disruptive students than out-of-school
7    suspensions or expulsions, which have been the subject of
8    much criticism.
9        (j) Because of the urgency of the problems described
10    in this Section, as well as their statewide impact, the
11    State of Illinois bears the responsibility to establish
12    and fully fund alternative schools as soon as possible,
13    thereby providing school districts with an option for
14    dealing with disruptive students that they do not now
15    possess.
16        (k) While school districts shall comply with all
17    applicable federal laws and regulations, they should do so
18    consistent with the goals and policies stated in this
19    Article. Further, this Article is intended to be
20    consistent with all applicable federal laws and
21    regulations.
22        (l) An alternative school program established under
23    this Article is subject to the other provisions of this
24    Code that apply generally in the public schools of this
25    State and to the rules and regulations promulgated
26    thereunder, except as otherwise provided in this Article.

 

 

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1        (m) The provisions of the Illinois Educational Labor
2    Relations Act apply to those alternative school programs
3    that are created on or after the effective date of this
4    amendatory Act of 1995.
5(Source: P.A. 89-383, eff. 8-18-95; 89-629, eff. 8-9-96.)
 
6    Section 95. No acceleration or delay. Where this Act makes
7changes in a statute that is represented in this Act by text
8that is not yet or no longer in effect (for example, a Section
9represented by multiple versions), the use of that text does
10not accelerate or delay the taking effect of (i) the changes
11made by this Act or (ii) provisions derived from any other
12Public Act.
 
13    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
14becoming law.