Public Act 096-1229
 
HB4755 EnrolledLRB096 16498 MJR 31768 b

    AN ACT concerning education.
 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
 
    Section 5. The Education for Homeless Children Act is
amended by adding Section 1-50 as follows:
 
    (105 ILCS 45/1-50 new)
    Sec. 1-50. Education of Homeless Children and Youth State
Grant Program.
    (a) It is the purpose and intent of this Section to
establish a State grant program that parallels and supplements,
but operates independently of, the federal grant program
allocating funds for assistance under Subtitle B of Title VII
of the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42
U.S.C. 11431 et seq.) and to establish a State grant program to
support school districts throughout this State in facilitating
the enrollment, attendance, and success of homeless children
and youth.
    (b) Subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education
shall award competitive grants under an Education of Homeless
Children and Youth State Grant Program to applicant school
districts in accordance with this Section. Services provided by
school districts through the use of grant funds may not replace
the regular academic program and must be designed to expand
upon or improve services provided for homeless students as part
of the school's regular academic program.
    (c) A school district that desires to receive a grant under
this Section shall submit an application to the State Board of
Education at such time, in such manner, and containing or
accompanied by such information as the State Board of Education
may reasonably require.
    (d) Grants must be awarded on the basis of the need of the
school district for assistance under this Section and the
quality of the applications submitted.
        (1) In determining need under this subsection (d), the
    State Board of Education may consider the number of
    homeless children and youths enrolled in preschool,
    elementary school, and secondary school within the school
    district and shall consider the needs of such children and
    youths and the ability of the district to meet such needs.
    The State Board of Education may also consider the
    following:
            (A) The extent to which the proposed use of funds
        will facilitate the enrollment, retention, and
        educational success of homeless children and youths.
            (B) The extent to which the application (i)
        reflects coordination with other local and State
        agencies that serve homeless children and youths and
        (ii) describes how the applicant will meet the
        requirements of this Act and the federal
        McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance
        Improvements Act of 2001.
            (C) The extent to which the applicant exhibits in
        the application and in current practice a commitment to
        education for all homeless children and youths.
            (D) Such other criteria as the State Board
        determines is appropriate.
        (2) In determining the quality of applications under
    this subsection (d), the State Board of Education shall
    consider the following:
            (A) The applicant's assessment of needs and the
        likelihood that the services presented in the
        application will meet such needs.
            (B) The types, intensity, and coordination of the
        services to be provided.
            (C) The involvement of parents or guardians of
        homeless children or youths in the education of these
        children.
            (D) The extent to which homeless children and
        youths are effectively integrated within the regular
        education program.
            (E) The quality of the applicant's evaluation plan
        for the services.
            (F) The extent to which services provided will be
        coordinated with other services available to homeless
        children and youths and their families.
            (G) Such other measures as the State Board
        considers indicative of high-quality services, such as
        the extent to which the school district will provide
        case management or related services to unaccompanied
        youths.
    (e) Grants awarded under this Section shall be for terms
not to exceed 3 years, but are subject to annual appropriation
for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth State Grant
Program. School districts shall use funds awarded under this
Section only for those activities set forth in Section 723(d)
of Subtitle B of Title VII of the McKinney-Vento Homeless
Assistance Act of 1987 (42 U.S.C. 11433(d)).
    (f) The State Board of Education may use up to 5% of the
funds appropriated for the purposes of this Section for
administrative costs, including the hiring of positions for the
implementation and administration of the grant program,
provided that if no appropriation is made to the State Board of
Education for a given fiscal year for the purposes of the grant
program, then the State Board of Education is not required to
make any expenditures in support of the program during that
fiscal year.