Public Act 099-0395
 
SB1457 EnrolledLRB099 07646 NHT 27777 b


  
    AN ACT concerning education.
  
 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
 
represented in the General Assembly:
  
 
 
    Section 5. The Board of Higher Education Act is amended  by 
adding Section 9.34 as follows:
 
    (110 ILCS 205/9.34 new)
    Sec. 9.34. Military Prior Learning Assessment Task Force.
    (a)  The Military Prior Learning Assessment Task Force is 
created within the Board of Higher Education.  The Task Force 
shall study and make recommendations on how to best effectuate 
the recognition of military learning for academic credit, 
industry-recognized credentials, and college degrees through 
the use of the Prior Learning Assessment.  The Task Force shall 
be comprised of all of  the following members:
        (1)  A representative from the Board of Higher 
    Education, who shall chair the Task Force, appointed by the 
    Board of Higher Education.
        (2)  A representative from the Illinois Community 
    College Board appointed by the Illinois Community College 
    Board.
        (3)  A representative from the Department of Veterans' 
    Affairs appointed by the Director of Veterans' Affairs.
        (4)  A representative from the Illinois Discharged 
    Servicemember Task Force appointed by the Illinois 
    Discharged Servicemember Task Force.
        (5) A representative from the Illinois Student 
    Assistance Commission appointed by the Illinois Student 
    Assistance Commission.
        (6)  A member of the General Assembly appointed by the 
    Speaker of the House of Representatives.
        (7)  A member of the General Assembly appointed by the 
    Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.
        (8)  A member of the General Assembly appointed by the 
    President of the Senate.
        (9)  A member of the General Assembly appointed by the 
    Minority Leader of the Senate.
        (10)  Three faculty representatives, one from a public 
    university, one from a public community college, and one 
    from a private institution, appointed by the Board of 
    Higher Education in consultation with the Illinois 
    Community College Board and their advisory groups.
        (11)  Two presidents of Illinois colleges and 
    universities appointed by the Board of Higher Education in 
    consultation with the Illinois Community College Board.
        (12)  A representative from the Illinois Joining Forces 
    Education Working Group appointed by the Illinois Joining 
    Forces Education Working Group.
        (13)  A representative of a nonprofit organization that 
    is recognized as having expertise in the area of the Prior 
    Learning Assessment appointed by the Board of Higher 
    Education.
        (14) A representative from the Office of the State Fire 
    Marshal appointed by the State Fire Marshal. 
    Members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation 
and may not be reimbursed for their expenses.
    The Board of Higher Education shall provide administrative 
and other support to the Task Force.
    (b)  The Task Force's study shall without limitation:
        (1)  Examine the history of the Prior Learning 
    Assessment and its impact on active military and student 
    veterans in today's educational landscape.
        (2)  Examine policies and practices in other states to 
    identify best practices in the Prior Learning Assessment 
    for active military and student veterans.
        (3)  Determine current policies and practices in this 
    State, including existing Prior Learning Assessment 
    methods being utilized among this State's public and 
    private colleges and universities in connection with 
    active military and student veterans.
        (4) Review the quality standards necessary to 
    adequately assess military learning based on experience 
    and non-credit education and training for purposes of 
    awarding academic credit.
        (5)  Consider alternative means to award academic 
    credit for active military and student veterans.
        (6)  Consider transferability of academic credit 
    awarded by the Prior Learning Assessment and student 
    mobility.
        (7)  Consider the importance of recognition of 
    industry-recognized credentials by colleges and 
    universities for the purpose of awarding academic credit.
        (8)  Consider the acceptance of industry-recognized 
    credentials and academic credit credentials or degrees by 
    licensing bodies. 
    (c)  The Task Force shall report its findings and 
recommendations to the Board of Higher Education, the Illinois 
Community College Board, the Illinois Student Assistance 
Commission, the State Board of Education, the Department of 
Veterans' Affairs, the Illinois Discharged Servicemember Task 
Force, the General Assembly, and the Governor on or before 
December 1, 2016.
    (d)  This Section is repealed on December 1, 2017. 
 
 
    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon 
becoming law.