HB4240 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 16700 LNS 30104 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB4240

Introduced 1/14/2026, by Rep. Jed Davis

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the College Meal Plan Medical Exemption Act. Allows a student to submit to a postsecondary institution a medical exemption statement from a medical provider indicating that the student has a medical condition, allergy, dietary restriction, or other health-related need inconsistent with participation in a mandatory meal plan. Sets forth provisions concerning the submission of the medical exemption. Provides that a student who submits a medical exemption may not be charged any portion of a mandatory meal plan. Prohibits an institution from imposing other requirements, charges, or fees. Allows the student to voluntarily purchase an optional meal plan if offered by the institution. Sets forth certain housing protections, and prohibits certain institutional practices. Requires each institution to publish its medical exemption process prominently on its website; sets forth what information must be published. Provides for refunds and penalties for violations of the Act. Allows the Board of Higher Education to adopt rules. Contains a severability clause. Effective June 1, 2027.

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 College Meal Plan Medical Exemption Act.

Section 5. Purpose. The purpose of this Act is to protect students from mandatory meal plan charges if a medical condition prevents safe participation in a college or university meal program. This Act ensures full exemption from such charges and prohibits postsecondary institutions from imposing additional fees, housing surcharges, or other financial conditions to circumvent the exemption.

Section 10. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Institution" means a public or private college, university, or other postsecondary institution operating in this State that requires a meal plan for some or all of its residential students.

"Mandatory meal plan" means a meal plan required as a condition of enrollment, housing, or participation in campus residential life, regardless of label, pricing tier, or structure.

"Medical exemption" means a written statement from a medical provider indicating that a student has a medical condition, allergy, dietary restriction, or other health-related need that is inconsistent with participation in a mandatory meal plan.

"Medical provider" means a licensed physician, physician assistant, or advanced practice registered nurse.

"Student" means an individual subject to a mandatory meal plan at an institution.

Section 15. Submission of medical exemption.

(a) An institution shall process a student's medical exemption within 10 business days after submission of the medical exemption to the institution.

(b) A medical exemption may not be denied, limited, or conditioned by an institution.

(c) An institution may not request that additional documentation be submitted beyond the medical exemption submission.

(d) A submitted medical exemption remains valid for one academic year, unless the medical provider indicates that the medical exemption is permanent.

Section 20. Full exemption from charges; voluntary purchase.

(a) A student who submits a medical exemption may not be charged any portion of a mandatory meal plan.

(b) An institution may not impose any of the following on a student who submits a medical exemption:

(1) Minimum meal requirements.

(2) Partial or prorated meal plan charges.

(3) Administrative fees.

(4) Access fees.

(5) Service fees.

(6) Wellness or nutrition fees.

(7) Infrastructure or dining facility fees.

(8) Any other fee or financial obligation, however labeled, that has the effect of charging a student for meal plan participation following the submission of a medical exemption.

(c) A student with a submitted medical exemption may voluntarily purchase an optional meal plan if offered by an institution, but no institution may condition housing access or enrollment on voluntary purchase.

Section 25. Housing protections.

(a) An institution may not increase housing charges for a student, impose additional housing fees on a student, or require a student to reside in a different or more expensive housing assignment due to receipt of a medical exemption from the student.

(b) No student may be penalized in housing priority, placement, or availability due to the student's medical exemption.

Section 30. Prohibited practices. No institution may:

(1) bundle meal plan costs with housing charges for a student with a submitted medical exemption;

(2) delay processing of a student's medical exemption beyond 10 business days;

(3) condition a medical exemption submission on disability classification, federal Section 504 eligibility, institutional approval, or additional institutional review;

(4) deny housing to a student with a submitted medical exemption; or

(5) impose academic, residential, or enrollment restrictions on a student due to the student's submitted medical exemption.

Section 35. Transparency requirements.

(a) Each institution shall publish its medical exemption process prominently on its website.

(b) The information required to be published under subsection (a) must include:

(1) how to request a medical exemption;

(2) expected processing timelines; and

(3) contact information for assistance.

(c) An institution shall provide a student with written confirmation once the student submits a medical exemption.

Section 40. Refund requirement. An institution that charges a student in violation of this Act shall issue a full refund of the improper charges within 30 days after discovery by the institution or notification by the student.

Section 45. Penalty for violation.

(a) Any institution that violates this Act is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $5,000 per violation, to be imposed by the Board of Higher Education after an administrative proceeding is held as determined by rule.

(b) Each student affected by a violation of this Act constitutes a separate violation of this Act.

(c) The Attorney General may bring an action in circuit court to enforce the collection of any monetary penalty imposed under this Section.

(d) A student may file a complaint with the Board of Higher Education for a violation of this Act.

Section 50. Act construction. Nothing in this Act prohibits an institution from offering an optional meal plan or dining service to a student who voluntarily elects to purchase an optional meal plan or dining service.

Section 90. Rulemaking. The Board of Higher Education may adopt any rules necessary to implement and administer this Act.

Section 97. Severability. The provisions of this Act are severable under Section 1.31 of the Statute on Statutes.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect June 1, 2027.