HB5398 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 16440 LNS 29832 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB5398

Introduced 2/10/2026, by Rep. Daniel Didech

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

105 ILCS 5/27-545

was 105 ILCS 5/27-23.8

Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. In the provisions concerning disability history and awareness, requires a school district to also provide instruction on disability awareness and inclusion education. Provides that the instruction on disability history and awareness shall include: (1) grade-appropriate content on understanding different disabilities and accessible practices; (2) peer inclusion training and collaborative classroom projects promoting interaction between students with and without disabilities; (3) hands-on workshops; (4) school-wide programming during March; and (5) recognition systems for students, classes, and schools demonstrating exemplary inclusion practices.

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 Section 27-545 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/27-545) (was 105 ILCS 5/27-23.8)

Sec. 27-545. Disability history and awareness.

(a) A school district shall provide instruction on disability history, people with disabilities, and the disability rights movement and disability awareness and inclusion education that equips all students with practical skills for peer support and interaction. Instruction may be included in those courses that the school district chooses. This instruction must be founded on the principle that all students, including students with disabilities, have the right to exercise self-determination. When possible, individuals with disabilities should be incorporated into the development and delivery of this instruction. This instruction may be supplemented by knowledgeable guest speakers from the disability community. A school board may collaborate with community-based organizations, such as centers for independent living, parent training and information centers, and other consumer-driven groups, and disability membership organizations in creating this instruction.

(a-5) Instruction under this Section shall include:

(1) grade-appropriate content on understanding different disabilities and accessible practices;

(2) peer inclusion training and collaborative classroom projects promoting interaction between students with and without disabilities;

(3) hands-on workshops, including simulation activities, assistive technology demonstrations, and peer interaction exercises;

(4) school-wide programming during March, the National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, featuring student presentations, guest speakers, and family engagement; and

(5) recognition systems for students, classes, and schools demonstrating exemplary inclusion practices.

(b) The State Board of Education may prepare and make available to all school boards resource materials that may be used as guidelines for the development of instruction for disability history and awareness under this Section.

(c) Each school board shall determine the minimum amount of instructional time required under this Section.

(d) The regional superintendent of schools shall monitor a school district's compliance with this Section's curricular requirement during his or her annual compliance visit.

(Source: P.A. 104-391, eff. 8-15-25.)