HB4997 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 17820 LNS 31254 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB4997

Introduced , by Rep. Robyn Gabel

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

105 ILCS 5/27-270

was 105 ILCS 5/27-1040

Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. Provides that school districts shall (rather than may) provide instruction in parenting education for grades 6 through 12 and include such instruction in the courses of study regularly taught therein. Provides that school districts shall (rather than may) give regular school credit for satisfactory completion by the student of parenting education courses. Makes related changes.

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 renumbering and changing Section 27-1040 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/27-270) (was 105 ILCS 5/27-1040)

Sec. 27-270 27-1040. Parenting education.

(a) The State Board of Education must assist each school district that offers an evidence-based parenting education model. School districts shall may provide instruction in parenting education for grades 6 through 12 and include such instruction in the courses of study regularly taught therein. School districts shall may give regular school credit for satisfactory completion by the student of such courses.

As used in this subsection (a), "parenting education" means and includes instruction in the following:

(1) Child growth and development, including prenatal development.

(2) Childbirth and child care.

(3) Family structure, function, and management.

(4) Prenatal and postnatal care for mothers and infants.

(5) Prevention of child abuse.

(6) The physical, mental, emotional, social, economic, and psychological aspects of interpersonal and family relationships.

(7) Parenting skill development.

The State Board of Education shall assist those districts offering parenting education instruction, upon request, in developing instructional materials, training teachers, and establishing appropriate time allotments for each of the areas included in parenting education such instruction.

School districts may offer parenting education courses during that period of the day which is not part of the regular school day. Residents of the school district may enroll in such courses. The school board may establish fees and collect such charges as may be necessary for attendance at such courses in an amount not to exceed the per capita cost of the operation thereof, except that the board may waive all or part of such charges if it determines that the individual is indigent or that the educational needs of the individual requires his or her attendance at such courses.

(b) Beginning with the 2019-2020 school year, from appropriations made for the purposes of this Section, the State Board of Education shall implement and administer a 7-year pilot program supporting the health and wellness student-learning requirement by utilizing a unit of instruction on parenting education in participating school districts that maintain grades 9 through 12, to be determined by the participating school districts. The program is encouraged to include, but is not limited to, instruction on (i) family structure, function, and management, (ii) the prevention of child abuse, (iii) the physical, mental, emotional, social, economic, and psychological aspects of interpersonal and family relationships, and (iv) parenting education competency development that is aligned to the social and emotional learning standards of the student's grade level. Instruction under this subsection (b) may be included in the comprehensive health education program set forth under Section 22-115 of this Code. The State Board of Education is authorized to make grants to school districts that apply to participate in the pilot program under this subsection (b). The provisions of this subsection (b), other than this sentence, are inoperative at the conclusion of the pilot program.

(Source: P.A. 103-8, eff. 6-7-23; 103-175, eff. 6-30-23; 103-605, eff. 7-1-24; 104-391, eff. 8-15-25.)