HB5873 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 42363 RJT 75587 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB5873

Introduced 11/12/2024, by Rep. Dan Swanson

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Educational Credit for Firefighting Experience Act. Provides that before June 1, 2026, each institution of higher education shall adopt a policy regarding its awarding of academic credit for firefighter training considered applicable to the requirements of a student's certificate or degree program. Requires the policy to apply to any individual who is enrolled in the institution of higher education and who has completed a firefighting training course or program that meets certain requirements. Provides that each institution of higher education shall develop a procedure for receiving the necessary documentation, provide a copy of its policy to certain applicants, and develop and maintain a list of qualifying firefighting training courses and programs. Provides that each institution of higher education shall submit its policy for awarding academic credit to the Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board, if applicable, before June 30, 2026 and before June 30 of each year thereafter. Provides that the Board of Higher Education shall collect data in the Illinois Higher Education Information System on students who are firefighters to assess enrollment and completion outcomes.

STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning education.

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

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Educational Credit for Firefighting Experience Act.

Section 5. Definitions. In this Act:

"Firefighter" means either a career or volunteer firefighter.

"Institution of higher education" means the University of Illinois, Southern Illinois University, Chicago State University, Eastern Illinois University, Governors State University, Illinois State University, Northeastern Illinois University, Northern Illinois University, Western Illinois University, a public community college that is included in the definition of "Community Colleges" under Section 1-2 of the Public Community College Act, and any institution that receives funds under Section 35 of the Higher Education Student Assistance Act.

Section 10. Policies and procedures.

(a) Before June 1, 2026, each institution of higher education shall adopt a policy regarding its awarding of academic credit for firefighter training considered applicable to the requirements of a student's certificate or degree program. The policy shall apply to any individual who is enrolled in the institution of higher education and who has successfully completed a firefighting training course or program as part of his or her firefighting service that is:

(1) recommended for credit by a national higher education association that provides credit recommendations for firefighting training courses and programs; or

(2) otherwise documented as firefighting training or experience.

(b) Each institution of higher education shall develop a procedure for receiving the necessary documentation to identify and verify the firefighting training course or program that an individual is claiming for academic credit.

(c) Each institution of higher education shall provide a copy of its policy for awarding academic credit for firefighter training to any applicant who listed prior or present firefighting service in his or her admission application.

(d) Each institution of higher education shall develop and maintain a list of firefighting training courses and programs that have qualified for academic credit.

Section 15. Annual policy submission; assessment.

(a) Each institution of higher education shall submit its policy for awarding academic credit for firefighter training to the Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board, if applicable, before June 30, 2026 and before June 30 of each year thereafter.

(b) The Board of Higher Education shall collect data in the Illinois Higher Education Information System on students who are firefighters to assess enrollment and completion outcomes.