HB3034 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 07535 LNS 17579 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB3034

Introduced 2/6/2025, by Rep. Janet Yang Rohr

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

105 ILCS 5/14-19 new

Amends the Children with Disabilities Article of the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education shall create appropriate guidelines for students enrolled in peer-support courses, which shall include, but not be limited to: (i) education on common cognitive and physical disabilities and the associated accommodations as defined in the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; (ii) the skills and knowledge required to support fellow students, including skills and knowledge in a specific course or disciplinary area; (iii) possible methods educators can use to assess the proficiency of student aides; (iv) relevant learning standards and expectations required of student aides; (v) basic classroom management strategies and protocols; (vi) best practices and ethics associated with peer support; (vii) the appropriate etiquette that student aides should follow while interacting and supporting special education students; and (viii) appropriate learning standards that apply to all students enrolled as student aides in peer-support courses.

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 adding Section 14-19 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/14-19 new)

Sec. 14-19. Student aides to children with disabilities.

(a) In this Section:

"Student aide" means (i) a student who is enrolled in a course for the specific purpose of providing support, help, or assistance to an educator or paraprofessional or (ii) a student who is enrolled in a course for the specific purpose of providing mentorship, guidance, support, or assistance to student peers. "Student aide" includes, but is not limited to, a student who acts as a teaching assistant, peer, helper, or peer tutor.

"Peer-support course" means a course that requires one or more students to serve as a student aide for a fellow student or child not yet eligible for school enrollment.

(b) The State Board of Education shall create appropriate guidelines for students enrolled in peer-support courses, which shall include, but not be limited to:

(1) education on common cognitive and physical disabilities and associated accommodations as defined in the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990;

(2) the skills and knowledge required to support fellow students, including skills and knowledge in a specific course or disciplinary area;

(3) possible methods educators can use to assess the proficiency of student aides;

(4) relevant learning standards and expectations required of student aides;

(5) basic classroom management strategies and protocols;

(6) best practices and ethics associated with peer support;

(7) the appropriate etiquette that student aides should follow while interacting and supporting special education students; and

(8) appropriate learning standards that apply to all students enrolled as student aides in peer-support courses.