HB2964 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 11885 LNS 21976 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB2964

Introduced 2/6/2025, by Rep. Tracy Katz Muhl

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

105 ILCS 5/10-20.28	from Ch. 122, par. 10-20.28
105 ILCS 5/34-18.14	from Ch. 122, par. 34-18.14

Amends the School Code. Provides that a school board shall establish appropriate rules and disciplinary procedures governing the use or possession of cellular radio telecommunication devices by a student, including rules that restrict the use of cellular radio telecommunication devices during instructional time (instead of providing that the school board may establish appropriate rules and disciplinary procedures governing the use or possession of cellular radio telecommunication devices by a student). Provides that a school board may create exceptions to these rules, including exceptions for school-based emergencies, individual student and family emergencies, and individualized education program and federal Section 504 plan accommodations and to allow for teacher discretion.

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 5. The School Code is amended by changing Sections 10-20.28 and 34-18.14 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/10-20.28) (from Ch. 122, par. 10-20.28)

Sec. 10-20.28. Cellular radio telecommunication devices.

(a) The General Assembly finds and declares that the educational development of all persons to the limits of their capacities is a fundamental goal of the people of this State and that to achieve such goal it is essential to provide a safe and secure learning environment within the public schools. While recognizing that cellular radio telecommunication devices may be used for inappropriate activities during school hours and on school property and may, on occasion, cause disruption to the classroom environment, the General Assembly also recognizes that the use of cellular radio telecommunication devices can decrease the response time of officials to emergency situations. In addition, cellular radio telecommunication devices allow parents an additional and timely method of contacting their children should an emergency situation arise. Therefore, it is the purpose and intention of the General Assembly in enacting this legislation to (i) reduce the occurrence of inappropriate and disruptive activities during school hours and on school property occurring through the use of cellular radio telecommunication devices and (ii) increase the safety of students and school personnel during school hours and on school property.

(b) A The school board shall may establish appropriate rules and disciplinary procedures governing the use or possession of cellular radio telecommunication devices by a student while in a school or on school property, during regular school hours, or at any other time, including, but not limited to, rules that restrict the use of cellular radio telecommunication devices during instructional time. The school board may create exceptions to these rules, including, but not limited to, exceptions for school-based emergencies, individual student and family emergencies, and individualized education program and federal Section 504 plan accommodations and to allow for teacher discretion.

(Source: P.A. 92-793, eff. 8-9-02.)

(105 ILCS 5/34-18.14) (from Ch. 122, par. 34-18.14)

Sec. 34-18.14. Cellular radio telecommunication devices.

(a) The General Assembly finds and declares that the educational development of all persons to the limits of their capacities is a fundamental goal of the people of this State and that to achieve such goal it is essential to provide a safe and secure learning environment within the public schools. While recognizing that cellular radio telecommunication devices may be used for inappropriate activities during school hours and on school property and may, on occasion, cause disruption to the classroom environment, the General Assembly also recognizes that the use of cellular radio telecommunication devices can decrease the response time of officials to emergency situations. In addition, cellular radio telecommunication devices allow parents an additional and timely method of contacting their children should an emergency situation arise. Therefore, it is the purpose and intention of the General Assembly in enacting this legislation to (i) reduce the occurrence of inappropriate and disruptive activities during school hours and on school property occurring through the use of cellular radio telecommunication devices and (ii) increase the safety of students and school personnel during school hours and on school property.

(b) The board shall may establish appropriate rules and disciplinary procedures governing the use or possession of cellular radio telecommunication devices by a student while in a school or on school property, during regular school hours, or at any other time, including, but not limited to, rules that restrict the use of cellular radio telecommunication devices during instructional time. The board may create exceptions to these rules, including, but not limited to, exceptions for school-based emergencies, individual student and family emergencies, and individualized education program and federal Section 504 plan accommodations and to allow for teacher discretion.

(Source: P.A. 92-793, eff. 8-9-02.)