SB3718 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 19614 LNS 33063 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB3718

Introduced 2/5/2026, by Sen. Adriane Johnson

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

105 ILCS 5/27-215
105 ILCS 5/27-234 new

Amends the Critical Health Problems and Comprehensive Health Education Act of the School Code. Requires the program to include instruction on gambling and gambling disorders. Provides that instruction on gambling and gambling disorders shall include classroom instruction in grades 5 through 12, and include, at a minimum: the nature and addictive potential of gambling; the risks associated with digital gaming mechanics; the identification of gaming disorders and their impact on mental and physical health; and information on how and where to find specialized treatment and resources in the State for gambling disorders. Effective July 1, 2026.

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 27-215 and by adding Section 27-234 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/27-215)

Sec. 27-215. Comprehensive health education program.

(a) In this subsection (a):

"Age and developmentally appropriate" means suitable to particular ages or age groups of children or adolescents, based on the developing cognitive, emotional, and behavioral capacity typical for the age or age group.

"Consent" means an affirmative, knowing, conscious, ongoing, and voluntary agreement to engage in interpersonal, physical, or sexual activity, which can be revoked at any point, including during the course of interpersonal, physical, or sexual activity.

The program established under this Act shall include, but not be limited to, the following major educational areas as a basis for curricula in all elementary and secondary schools in this State, with applicable Illinois Learning Standards adopted by the State Board of Education guiding the instruction in the program:

(1) human ecology, health, growth, development, personal health habits, and nutrition, consistent with the Illinois Learning Standards adopted by the State Board of Education;

(2) the emotional, psychological, physiological, hygienic, and social responsibilities of family life, including evidence-based and medically accurate information regarding sexual abstinence;

(3) the prevention and control of disease, including instruction in grades 6 through 12 on the prevention, transmission, and spread of AIDS;

(4) age and developmentally appropriate sexual abuse, consistent with Section 10-23.13 of this Code, abuse during pregnancy, and assault awareness and prevention education in grades prekindergarten through 12;

(5) public health, environmental health, disaster preparedness education, and safety education;

(6) mental health and illness;

(7) dental health;

(8) cancer education that includes the types of cancer, signs and symptoms, risk factors, the importance of early prevention and detection, and information on where to get help and treatment for cancer; and

(9) age and developmentally appropriate consent education; and

(10) gambling and gambling disorders.

The instruction on mental health and illness must evaluate the multiple dimensions of health by reviewing the relationship between physical and mental health to enhance student understanding, attitudes, and behaviors that promote health, well-being, and human dignity and must include how and where to find mental health resources and specialized treatment in the State. The program shall also provide course material and instruction to advise pupils of the Abandoned Newborn Infant Protection Act.

Consent education must be age and developmentally appropriate, and the instruction on age and developmentally appropriate consent shall require only instruction aligning with consent as defined in this Section.

(b) Notwithstanding the educational areas under subsection (a), the following areas may also be included as a basis for curricula in all elementary and secondary schools in this State: basic first aid (including, but not limited to, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the Heimlich maneuver), heart disease, diabetes, stroke, the prevention of child abuse, neglect, and suicide, and teen dating violence in grades 7 through 12.

(c) The State Superintendent of Education, in cooperation with the Department of Children and Family Services, shall prepare and disseminate to all public schools and nonpublic schools information on instructional materials and programs about child sexual abuse, which may be used by such schools for their own or community programs. Such information may also be disseminated by such schools to parents.

(d) No pupil shall be required to take or participate in any class or course on AIDS or family life instruction or to receive training on how to properly administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation or how to use an automated external defibrillator if his or her parent or guardian submits written objection thereto, and refusal to take or participate in the course or program or the training shall not be reason for suspension or expulsion of the pupil.

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

(105 ILCS 5/27-234 new)

Sec. 27-234. Gaming and gaming disorders curriculum. Curricula developed under programs established in accordance with Section 27-215 in the major educational area of gambling and gambling disorders shall include classroom instruction in grades 5 through 12. The instruction shall include, at a minimum:

(1) the nature and addictive potential of gambling;

(2) the risks associated with digital gaming mechanics, including, but not limited to, loot boxes and social casino games;

(3) the identification of gaming disorders and their impact on mental and physical health; and

(4) information on how and where to find specialized treatment and resources in the State for gambling disorders.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect July 1, 2026.