HB4674eng 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB4674 Engrossed LRB096 15406 MJR 30569 b

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 Educational Opportunity for Military Children Act.

Section 5. Purpose. It is the purpose of this Act to remove barriers to educational success imposed on children of military families because of frequent moves and deployment of their parents by:

(1) facilitating the timely enrollment of children of military families and ensuring that they are not placed at a disadvantage due to difficulty in the transfer of educational records from the previous school district;

(2) facilitating the student placement process through which children of military families are not disadvantaged by variations in attendance requirements, scheduling, sequencing, or assessment;

(3) facilitating the qualification and eligibility for enrollment and educational programs;

(4) facilitating the on-time graduation of children of military families; and

(5) promoting flexibility and cooperation between the educational system, parents, and the student in order to achieve educational success for the student.

Section 10. Findings; authority to enter into compact. The General Assembly finds and declares that this State recognizes that there is created an Interstate Commission on Educational Opportunity for Military Children through the Council of State Governments, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Defense Office of Personnel and Readiness, for addressing the needs of students in transition. The Interstate Commission on Educational Opportunity for Military Children is a group of member states who have joined to create laws easing the transition of children of military families. The Governor of this State is authorized and directed to enter into a compact governed by this Act on behalf of this State with any of the United States legally joining therein.

Section 15. Applicability. This Act applies only if the member states of the Interstate Commission on Educational Opportunity for Military Children approve this State as a member state with this Act governing.

Section 20. Definitions. For purposes of this Act:

"Active duty military personnel" means active duty members of the uniformed military services, including any of the following:

(1) Members of the National Guard and Reserve that are on active duty pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 1209 and 10 U.S.C. 1211.

(2) Members or veterans of the uniformed services who are severely injured and medically discharged or retired for a period of one year after medical discharge or retirement.

(3) Members of the uniformed services who die on active duty for a period of one year after death.

"State Council" means the Illinois P-20 Council and additional representatives appointed by the Illinois P-20 Council as provided under Section 40 of this Act.

Section 25. Tuition for transfer students.

(a) For purposes of this Section, "non-custodial parent" means a person who has temporary custody of the child of active duty military personnel and who is responsible for making decisions for that child.

(b) If a student who is a child of active duty military personnel is (i) placed with a non-custodial parent and (ii) as a result of placement, must attend a non-resident school district, then the student must not be charged the tuition of the school that the student attends as a result of placement with the non-custodial parent and the student must be counted in the calculation of average daily attendance under Section 18-8.05 of the School Code.

Section 30. Power of attorney for children of active duty military personnel. A student who has a parent who is active duty military personnel who must place the student with a non-custodial parent may submit a special power of attorney to the school district that authorizes the student (i) to enroll in the district of the non-custodial parent and (ii) have decisions made by the non-custodial parent. If a special power of attorney created pursuant to this Section is filed with the school district, then the school district must follow the direction of the special power of attorney.

Section 35. Required courses for transfer students; pre-requisites; credit transfer; graduation.

(a) A student that transfers to a new school district may transfer into a comparable course to continue credit work for a course from which the student transferred out of only if the new school district offers the course and space is available. This subsection (a) includes courses offered for gifted and talented children pursuant to Article 14A of the School Code and courses for English as a Second Language program.

(b) The school district of a school may determine if courses taken by a transfer student at his or her old school satisfy the pre-requisite course requirements for any courses that the transfer student wishes to take at his or her current school. The school district may determine a current and future schedule that is appropriate for the student that satisfies any pre-requisite course requirements in order for that student to take any courses that he or she wishes to attend.

(c) The school district of a school may work with a transfer student to determine an appropriate schedule that ensures that a student will graduate, provided that the student has met the district's minimal graduation requirements, which may be modified provided that the modifications are a result of scheduling issues and not a result of the student's academic failure.

(d) If a student transfers to a new school district during his or her senior year and the receiving school district cannot make reasonable adjustments under this Section to ensure graduation, then the school district shall make every reasonable effort to ensure that the school district from where the student transfers issues the student a diploma.

Section 40. State coordination.

(a) Each member state of the Interstate Commission on Educational Opportunity for Military Children shall, through the creation of a State Council or use of an existing body or board, provide for the coordination among its agencies of government, local education agencies, and military installations concerning the State's participation in and compliance with the compact and Interstate Commission activities. In this State, the Illinois P-20 Council and representatives appointed by the Illinois P-20 Council from the 3 school districts in this State with the highest percentage of children from military families shall constitute the State Council.

(b) The compact commissioner responsible for the administration and management of the State's participation in the compact shall be appointed by the State Council.

Section 45. Interstate Commission on Educational Opportunity for Military Children.

(a) The member states hereby create the "Interstate Commission on Educational Opportunity for Military Children". The activities of the Interstate Commission are the formation of public policy and are a discretionary state function. The Interstate Commission shall:

(1) Be a body corporate and joint agency of the member states and shall have all the responsibilities, powers, and duties set forth herein, and such additional powers as may be conferred upon it by a subsequent concurrent action of the respective legislatures of the member states in accordance with the terms of the compact.

(2) Consist of one Interstate Commission voting representative from each member state who shall be that state's compact commissioner.

(A) Each member state represented at a meeting of the Interstate Commission is entitled to one vote.

(B) A majority of the total member states shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, unless a larger quorum is required by the bylaws of the Interstate Commission.

(C) A representative shall not delegate a vote to another member state. In the event the compact commissioner is unable to attend a meeting of the Interstate Commission, the State Council may delegate voting authority to another person from their state for a specified meeting.

(D) The bylaws may provide for meetings of the Interstate Commission to be conducted by telecommunication or electronic communication.

(3) Consist of ex-officio, non-voting representatives who are members of interested organizations. Such ex-officio members, as defined in the bylaws, may include, but not be limited to, members of the representative organizations of military family advocates, local education agency officials, parent and teacher groups, the U.S. Department of Defense, the Education Commission of the States, the Interstate Agreement on the Qualification of Educational Personnel, and other interstate compacts affecting the education of children of military members.

(4) Meet at least once each calendar year. The chairperson may call additional meetings and, upon the request of a simple majority of the member states, shall call additional meetings.

(5) Establish an executive committee, whose members shall include the officers of the Interstate Commission and such other members of the Interstate Commission as determined by the bylaws. Members of the executive committee shall serve a one-year term. Members of the executive committee shall be entitled to one vote each. The executive committee shall have the power to act on behalf of the Interstate Commission, with the exception of rulemaking, during periods when the Interstate Commission is not in session. The executive committee shall oversee the day-to-day activities of the administration of the compact, including enforcement and compliance with the provisions of the compact, its bylaws and rules, and other such duties as deemed necessary. The U.S. Department of Defense shall serve as an ex-officio, nonvoting member of the executive committee.

(6) Establish bylaws and rules that provide for conditions and procedures under which the Interstate Commission shall make its information and official records available to the public for inspection or copying. The Interstate Commission may exempt from disclosure information or official records to the extent they would adversely affect personal privacy rights or proprietary interests.

(7) Give public notice of all meetings, and all meetings shall be open to the public, except as set forth in the rules or as otherwise provided in the compact. The Interstate Commission and its committees may close a meeting, or portion thereof, where it determines by two-thirds vote that an open meeting would be likely to:

(A) relate solely to the Interstate Commission's internal personnel practices and procedures;

(B) disclose matters specifically exempted from disclosure by federal and state statute;

(C) disclose trade secrets or commercial or financial information which is privileged or confidential;

(D) involve accusing a person of a crime or formally censuring a person;

(E) disclose information of a personal nature where disclosure would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal privacy;

(F) disclose investigative records compiled for law enforcement purposes; or

(G) specifically relate to the Interstate Commission's participation in a civil action or other legal proceeding.

(8) Cause its legal counsel or designee to certify that a meeting may be closed and shall reference each relevant exemptible provision for any meeting, or portion of a meeting, which is closed pursuant to this provision. The Interstate Commission shall keep minutes, which shall fully and clearly describe all matters discussed in a meeting and shall provide a full and accurate summary of actions taken, and the reasons therefore, including a description of the views expressed and the record of a roll call vote. All documents considered in connection with an action shall be identified in such minutes. All minutes and documents of a closed meeting shall remain under seal, subject to release by a majority vote of the Interstate Commission.

(9) Collect standardized data concerning the educational transition of the children of military families under the compact as directed through its rules, which shall specify the data to be collected, the means of collection and data exchange and reporting requirements. Such methods of data collection, exchange, and reporting shall, in so far as is reasonably possible, conform to current technology and coordinate its information functions with the appropriate State custodian of educational records as identified in the rules.

(10) Create a process that permits military officials, education officials, and parents to inform the Interstate Commission if and when there are alleged violations of the compact or its rules or when issues subject to the jurisdiction of the compact or its rules are not addressed by the state or local education agency. This Section shall not be construed to create a private right of action against the Interstate Commission or any member state.

(b) The Interstate Commission shall have the following powers:

(1) To provide for dispute resolution among member states.

(2) To promulgate rules and take all necessary actions to effect the goals, purposes, and obligations as enumerated in the compact. The rules shall be binding in the compact states to the extent and in the manner provided in this Act. These rules are not effective or enforceable in this State until enacted into law in this State.

(3) To issue, upon request of a member state, advisory opinions concerning the meaning or interpretation of the interstate compact, its bylaws, rules, and actions.

(4) To enforce compliance with the compact provisions and the rules promulgated by the Interstate Commission using all necessary and proper means, including, but not limited to, the use of judicial process. These rules are not effective or enforceable in this State until enacted into law in this State.

(5) To establish and maintain offices, which shall be located within one or more of the member states.

(6) To purchase and maintain insurance and bonds.

(7) To borrow, accept, hire, or contract for services of personnel.

(8) To establish and appoint committees including, but not limited to, an executive committee as required by item (5) of subsection (a) of this Section, which shall have the power to act on behalf of the Interstate Commission in carrying out its powers and duties hereunder.

(9) To elect or appoint such officers, attorneys, employees, agents, or consultants; to fix their compensation, define their duties, and determine their qualifications; and to establish the Interstate Commission's personnel policies and programs relating to conflicts of interest, rates of compensation, and qualifications of personnel.

(10) To accept any and all donations and grants of money, equipment, supplies, materials, and services, and to receive, utilize, and dispose of it.

(11) To lease, purchase, accept contributions or donations of, or otherwise to own, hold, improve, or use any property, real, personal, or mixed.

(12) To sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, abandon, or otherwise dispose of any property, real, personal, or mixed.

(13) To establish a budget and make expenditures.

(14) To adopt a seal and bylaws governing the management and operation of the Interstate Commission.

(15) To report annually to the legislatures, governors, judiciary, and state councils of the member states concerning the activities of the Interstate Commission during the preceding year. Such reports shall also include any recommendations that may have been adopted by the Interstate Commission.

(16) To coordinate education, training, and public awareness regarding the compact, its implementation, and operation for officials and parents involved in such activity.

(17) To establish uniform standards for the reporting, collecting, and exchanging of data. These standards are not effective or enforceable in this State until enacted into law in this State.

(18) To maintain corporate books and records in accordance with the bylaws.

(19) To perform such functions as may be necessary or appropriate to achieve the purposes of the compact.

(20) To provide for the uniform collection and sharing of information between and among member states, schools, and military families under the compact. Provision for the collection and sharing of information is not effective or enforceable in this State until enacted into law in this State.

(c) The Interstate Commission shall, by a majority of the members present and voting, within 12 months after the first Interstate Commission meeting, adopt bylaws to govern its conduct as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of the compact, including, but not limited to:

(1) Establishing the fiscal year of the Interstate Commission.

(2) Establishing an executive committee and such other committees as may be necessary.

(3) Providing for the establishment of committees and for governing any general or specific delegation of authority or function of the Interstate Commission.

(4) Providing reasonable procedures for calling and conducting meetings of the Interstate Commission, and ensuring reasonable notice of each such meeting.

(5) Establishing the titles and responsibilities of the officers and staff of the Interstate Commission.

(6) Providing a mechanism for concluding the operations of the Interstate Commission and the return of surplus funds that may exist upon the termination of the compact after the payment and reserving of all of its debts and obligations.

(7) Providing "start-up" rules for initial administration of the compact. These rules are not effective or enforceable in this State until enacted into law in this State.

(d) The Interstate Commission shall, by a majority of the members, elect annually from among its members a chairperson, a vice-chairperson, and a treasurer, each of whom shall have such authority and duties as may be specified in the bylaws. The chairperson or, in the chairperson's absence or disability, the vice-chairperson, shall preside at all meetings of the Interstate Commission. The officers so elected shall serve without compensation or remuneration from the Interstate Commission, provided that, subject to the availability of budgeted funds, the officers shall be reimbursed for ordinary and necessary costs and expenses incurred by them in the performance of their responsibilities as officers of the Interstate Commission.

(e) The executive committee shall have such authority and duties as may be set forth in the bylaws, including, but not limited to:

(1) managing the affairs of the Interstate Commission in a manner consistent with the bylaws and purposes of the Interstate Commission;

(2) overseeing an organizational structure within and appropriate procedures for the Interstate Commission to provide for the creation of rules, operating procedures, and administrative and technical support functions; and

(3) planning, implementing, and coordinating communications and activities with other state, federal, and local government organizations in order to advance the goals of the Interstate Commission.

The executive committee may, subject to the approval of the Interstate Commission, appoint or retain an executive director for such period, upon such terms and conditions and for such compensation, as the Interstate Commission may deem appropriate. The executive director shall serve as secretary to the Interstate Commission, but shall not be a member of the Interstate Commission. The executive director shall hire and supervise such other persons as may be authorized by the Interstate Commission.

(f) The Interstate Commission's executive director and its employees shall be immune from suit and liability, either personally or in their official capacity, for a claim for damage to or loss of property or personal injury or other civil liability caused or arising out of or relating to an actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred, or that such person had a reasonable basis for believing occurred, within the scope of Interstate Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities; provided, that such person shall not be protected from suit or liability for damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by the intentional or willful and wanton misconduct of such person.

(g) The liability of the Interstate Commission's executive director and employees or Interstate Commission representatives, acting within the scope of such person's employment or duties, for acts, errors, or omissions occurring within such person's state may not exceed the limits of liability set forth under the Constitution and laws of that state for state officials, employees, and agents. The Interstate Commission is considered to be an instrumentality of the states for the purposes of any such action. Nothing in this subsection (g) shall be construed to protect such person from suit or liability for damage, loss, injury, or liability caused by the intentional or willful and wanton misconduct of such person.

(h) The Interstate Commission shall defend the executive director and its employees and, subject to the approval of the Attorney General or other appropriate legal counsel of the member state represented by an Interstate Commission representative, shall defend such Interstate Commission representative in any civil action seeking to impose liability arising out of an actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of Interstate Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that the defendant had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of Interstate Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, provided that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from intentional or willful and wanton misconduct on the part of such person.

(i) To the extent not covered by the state involved, member state, or the Interstate Commission, the representatives or employees of the Interstate Commission shall be held harmless in the amount of a settlement or judgment, including attorney's fees and costs, obtained against such persons arising out of an actual or alleged act, error, or omission that occurred within the scope of Interstate Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, or that such persons had a reasonable basis for believing occurred within the scope of Interstate Commission employment, duties, or responsibilities, provided that the actual or alleged act, error, or omission did not result from intentional or willful and wanton misconduct on the part of such persons.

Section 50. Rulemaking of the Interstate Commission. The Interstate Commission on Educational Opportunity for Military Children shall promulgate reasonable rules in order to effectively and efficiently achieve the purposes of the compact. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event the Interstate Commission exercises its rulemaking authority in a manner that is beyond the scope of the purposes of the compact, or the powers granted hereunder, then such an action by the Interstate Commission shall be invalid and have no force or effect. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section, no rule is effective or enforceable in this State until enacted into law in this State.

Rules shall be made pursuant to a rulemaking process that substantially conforms to the "Model State Administrative Procedure Act," of 1981 Act, Uniform Laws Annotated, Vol. 15, p.1 (2000) as amended, as may be appropriate to the operations of the Interstate Commission.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, no rule of the Interstate Commission has force and effect in this State unless and until the State Council reviews the rule and recommends to the General Assembly that the rule be enacted into law in this State and the rule is enacted into law in this State.

Section 55. Resolution of disputes. The Interstate Commission on Educational Opportunity for Military Children shall attempt, upon the request of a member state, to resolve disputes that are subject to the compact and that may arise among member states and between member and non-member states.

Section 60. Financing of the Interstate Commission.

(a) The Interstate Commission on Educational Opportunity for Military Children shall pay or provide for the payment of the reasonable expenses of its establishment, organization, and ongoing activities.

(b) The Interstate Commission may levy and collect an annual assessment of $1 per student who has a parent who is active duty military personnel.

(c) The Interstate Commission shall not incur obligations of any kind prior to securing the funds adequate to meet the same; nor shall the Interstate Commission pledge the credit of any of the member states, except by and with the authority of the member state.

(d) The Interstate Commission shall keep accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements. The receipts and disbursements of the Interstate Commission shall be subject to the audit and accounting procedures established under its bylaws. However, all receipts and disbursements of funds handled by the Interstate Commission shall be audited yearly by a certified or licensed public accountant, and the report of the audit shall be included in and become part of the annual report of the Interstate Commission.

Section 65. Withdrawal and dissolution of compact.

(a) Once effective, the compact shall continue in force and remain binding upon each and every member state, provided that a member state may withdraw from the compact by specifically repealing the statute that enacted the compact into law.

(b) Withdrawal from the compact shall be by the enactment of a statute repealing the same.

(c) The withdrawing state shall immediately notify the chairperson of the Interstate Commission on Educational Opportunity for Military Children in writing upon the introduction of legislation repealing the compact in the withdrawing state. The Interstate Commission shall notify the other member states of the withdrawing state's intent to withdraw within 60 days of its receipt thereof.

(d) The withdrawing state is responsible for all assessments, obligations, and liabilities incurred through the effective date of withdrawal.

(e) Reinstatement following withdrawal of a member state shall occur upon the withdrawing state reenacting the compact or upon such later date as determined by the Interstate Commission.

(f) The compact shall dissolve effective upon the date of the withdrawal or default of the member state that reduces the membership in the compact to one member state.

(g) Upon the dissolution of the compact, the compact becomes null and void and shall be of no further force or effect, and the business and affairs of the Interstate Commission shall be concluded and surplus funds shall be distributed in accordance with the bylaws.

Section 70. Severability and construction.

(a) The provisions of this Act are severable, and if any phrase, clause, sentence, or provision is deemed unenforceable, the remaining provisions of this Act are enforceable.

(b) The provisions of this Act shall be liberally construed to effectuate its purposes.

(c) Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit the applicability of other interstate compacts to which the states are members.

Section 75. Binding effect of Act and other laws.

(a) Nothing in this Act prevents the enforcement of any other law that is not inconsistent with this Act.

(b) All laws conflicting with this Act are superseded to the extent of the conflict.

(c) All agreements between the Interstate Commission on Educational Opportunity for Military Children and the member states are binding in accordance with their terms.

(d) In the event any provision of this Act exceeds the constitutional limits imposed on the legislature, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of the conflict with the constitutional provision in question.

Section 905. The School Code is amended by changing Section 27-8.1 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/27-8.1) (from Ch. 122, par. 27-8.1)

Sec. 27-8.1. Health examinations and immunizations.

(1) In compliance with rules and regulations which the Department of Public Health shall promulgate, and except as hereinafter provided, all children in Illinois shall have a health examination as follows: within one year prior to entering kindergarten or the first grade of any public, private, or parochial elementary school; upon entering the sixth and ninth grades of any public, private, or parochial school; prior to entrance into any public, private, or parochial nursery school; and, irrespective of grade, immediately prior to or upon entrance into any public, private, or parochial school or nursery school, each child shall present proof of having been examined in accordance with this Section and the rules and regulations promulgated hereunder. Any child who received a health examination within one year prior to entering the fifth grade for the 2007-2008 school year is not required to receive an additional health examination in order to comply with the provisions of Public Act 95-422 when he or she attends school for the 2008-2009 school year, unless the child is attending school for the first time as provided in this paragraph.

A tuberculosis skin test screening shall be included as a required part of each health examination included under this Section if the child resides in an area designated by the Department of Public Health as having a high incidence of tuberculosis. Additional health examinations of pupils, including eye examinations, may be required when deemed necessary by school authorities. Parents are encouraged to have their children undergo eye examinations at the same points in time required for health examinations.

(1.5) In compliance with rules adopted by the Department of Public Health and except as otherwise provided in this Section, all children in kindergarten and the second and sixth grades of any public, private, or parochial school shall have a dental examination. Each of these children shall present proof of having been examined by a dentist in accordance with this Section and rules adopted under this Section before May 15th of the school year. If a child in the second or sixth grade fails to present proof by May 15th, the school may hold the child's report card until one of the following occurs: (i) the child presents proof of a completed dental examination or (ii) the child presents proof that a dental examination will take place within 60 days after May 15th. The Department of Public Health shall establish, by rule, a waiver for children who show an undue burden or a lack of access to a dentist. Each public, private, and parochial school must give notice of this dental examination requirement to the parents and guardians of students at least 60 days before May 15th of each school year.

(1.10) Except as otherwise provided in this Section, all children enrolling in kindergarten in a public, private, or parochial school on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly and any student enrolling for the first time in a public, private, or parochial school on or after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly shall have an eye examination. Each of these children shall present proof of having been examined by a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches or a licensed optometrist within the previous year, in accordance with this Section and rules adopted under this Section, before October 15th of the school year. If the child fails to present proof by October 15th, the school may hold the child's report card until one of the following occurs: (i) the child presents proof of a completed eye examination or (ii) the child presents proof that an eye examination will take place within 60 days after October 15th. The Department of Public Health shall establish, by rule, a waiver for children who show an undue burden or a lack of access to a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches who provides eye examinations or to a licensed optometrist. Each public, private, and parochial school must give notice of this eye examination requirement to the parents and guardians of students in compliance with rules of the Department of Public Health. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to allow a school to exclude a child from attending because of a parent's or guardian's failure to obtain an eye examination for the child.

(2) The Department of Public Health shall promulgate rules and regulations specifying the examinations and procedures that constitute a health examination, which shall include the collection of data relating to obesity (including at a minimum, date of birth, gender, height, weight, blood pressure, and date of exam), and a dental examination and may recommend by rule that certain additional examinations be performed. The rules and regulations of the Department of Public Health shall specify that a tuberculosis skin test screening shall be included as a required part of each health examination included under this Section if the child resides in an area designated by the Department of Public Health as having a high incidence of tuberculosis. The Department of Public Health shall specify that a diabetes screening as defined by rule shall be included as a required part of each health examination. Diabetes testing is not required.

Physicians licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches, advanced practice nurses who have a written collaborative agreement with a collaborating physician which authorizes them to perform health examinations, or physician assistants who have been delegated the performance of health examinations by their supervising physician shall be responsible for the performance of the health examinations, other than dental examinations, eye examinations, and vision and hearing screening, and shall sign all report forms required by subsection (4) of this Section that pertain to those portions of the health examination for which the physician, advanced practice nurse, or physician assistant is responsible. If a registered nurse performs any part of a health examination, then a physician licensed to practice medicine in all of its branches must review and sign all required report forms. Licensed dentists shall perform all dental examinations and shall sign all report forms required by subsection (4) of this Section that pertain to the dental examinations. Physicians licensed to practice medicine in all its branches or licensed optometrists shall perform all eye examinations required by this Section and shall sign all report forms required by subsection (4) of this Section that pertain to the eye examination. For purposes of this Section, an eye examination shall at a minimum include history, visual acuity, subjective refraction to best visual acuity near and far, internal and external examination, and a glaucoma evaluation, as well as any other tests or observations that in the professional judgment of the doctor are necessary. Vision and hearing screening tests, which shall not be considered examinations as that term is used in this Section, shall be conducted in accordance with rules and regulations of the Department of Public Health, and by individuals whom the Department of Public Health has certified. In these rules and regulations, the Department of Public Health shall require that individuals conducting vision screening tests give a child's parent or guardian written notification, before the vision screening is conducted, that states, "Vision screening is not a substitute for a complete eye and vision evaluation by an eye doctor. Your child is not required to undergo this vision screening if an optometrist or ophthalmologist has completed and signed a report form indicating that an examination has been administered within the previous 12 months."

(3) Every child shall, at or about the same time as he or she receives a health examination required by subsection (1) of this Section, present to the local school proof of having received such immunizations against preventable communicable diseases as the Department of Public Health shall require by rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to this Section and the Communicable Disease Prevention Act.

(4) The individuals conducting the health examination, dental examination, or eye examination shall record the fact of having conducted the examination, and such additional information as required, including for a health examination data relating to obesity (including at a minimum, date of birth, gender, height, weight, blood pressure, and date of exam), on uniform forms which the Department of Public Health and the State Board of Education shall prescribe for statewide use. The examiner shall summarize on the report form any condition that he or she suspects indicates a need for special services, including for a health examination factors relating to obesity. The individuals confirming the administration of required immunizations shall record as indicated on the form that the immunizations were administered.

(5) If a child does not submit proof of having had either the health examination or the immunization as required, then the child shall be examined or receive the immunization, as the case may be, and present proof by October 15 of the current school year, or by an earlier date of the current school year established by a school district. To establish a date before October 15 of the current school year for the health examination or immunization as required, a school district must give notice of the requirements of this Section 60 days prior to the earlier established date. If for medical reasons one or more of the required immunizations must be given after October 15 of the current school year, or after an earlier established date of the current school year, then the child shall present, by October 15, or by the earlier established date, a schedule for the administration of the immunizations and a statement of the medical reasons causing the delay, both the schedule and the statement being issued by the physician, advanced practice nurse, physician assistant, registered nurse, or local health department that will be responsible for administration of the remaining required immunizations. If a child does not comply by October 15, or by the earlier established date of the current school year, with the requirements of this subsection, then the local school authority shall exclude that child from school until such time as the child presents proof of having had the health examination as required and presents proof of having received those required immunizations which are medically possible to receive immediately. During a child's exclusion from school for noncompliance with this subsection, the child's parents or legal guardian shall be considered in violation of Section 26-1 and subject to any penalty imposed by Section 26-10. This subsection (5) does not apply to dental examinations and eye examinations. Until June 30, 2012, if the student is an out-of-state transfer student and does not have the proof required under this subsection (5) before October 15 of the current year or whatever date is set by the school district, then he or she may only attend classes (i) if he or she has proof that an appointment for the required vaccinations has been scheduled with a party authorized to submit proof of the required vaccinations. If the proof of vaccination required under this subsection (5) is not submitted within 30 days after the student is permitted to attend classes, then the student is not to be permitted to attend classes until proof of the vaccinations has been properly submitted. No school district or employee of a school district shall be held liable for any injury or illness to another person that results from admitting an out-of-state transfer student to class that has an appointment scheduled pursuant to this subsection (5).

(6) Every school shall report to the State Board of Education by November 15, in the manner which that agency shall require, the number of children who have received the necessary immunizations and the health examination (other than a dental examination or eye examination) as required, indicating, of those who have not received the immunizations and examination as required, the number of children who are exempt from health examination and immunization requirements on religious or medical grounds as provided in subsection (8). Every school shall report to the State Board of Education by June 30, in the manner that the State Board requires, the number of children who have received the required dental examination, indicating, of those who have not received the required dental examination, the number of children who are exempt from the dental examination on religious grounds as provided in subsection (8) of this Section and the number of children who have received a waiver under subsection (1.5) of this Section. Every school shall report to the State Board of Education by June 30, in the manner that the State Board requires, the number of children who have received the required eye examination, indicating, of those who have not received the required eye examination, the number of children who are exempt from the eye examination as provided in subsection (8) of this Section, the number of children who have received a waiver under subsection (1.10) of this Section, and the total number of children in noncompliance with the eye examination requirement. This reported information shall be provided to the Department of Public Health by the State Board of Education.

(7) Upon determining that the number of pupils who are required to be in compliance with subsection (5) of this Section is below 90% of the number of pupils enrolled in the school district, 10% of each State aid payment made pursuant to Section 18-8.05 to the school district for such year may be withheld by the State Board of Education until the number of students in compliance with subsection (5) is the applicable specified percentage or higher.

(8) Parents or legal guardians who object to health, dental, or eye examinations or any part thereof, or to immunizations, on religious grounds shall not be required to submit their children or wards to the examinations or immunizations to which they so object if such parents or legal guardians present to the appropriate local school authority a signed statement of objection, detailing the grounds for the objection. If the physical condition of the child is such that any one or more of the immunizing agents should not be administered, the examining physician, advanced practice nurse, or physician assistant responsible for the performance of the health examination shall endorse that fact upon the health examination form. Exempting a child from the health, dental, or eye examination does not exempt the child from participation in the program of physical education training provided in Sections 27-5 through 27-7 of this Code.

(9) For the purposes of this Section, "nursery schools" means those nursery schools operated by elementary school systems or secondary level school units or institutions of higher learning.

(Source: P.A. 95-331, eff. 8-21-07; 95-422, eff. 8-24-07; 95-496, eff. 8-28-07; 95-671, eff. 1-1-08; 95-737, eff. 7-16-08; 95-876, eff. 8-21-08.)

Section 910. The Illinois School Student Records Act is amended by changing Section 8.1 as follows:

(105 ILCS 10/8.1) (from Ch. 122, par. 50-8.1)

Sec. 8.1. (a) No school may refuse to admit or enroll a student because of that student's failure to present his student permanent or temporary record from a school previously attended.

(b) When a new student applies for admission to a school and does not present his school student record, such school may notify the school or school district last attended by such student, requesting that the student's school student record be copied and sent to it; such request shall be honored within 10 days after it is received. Within 10 days after receiving a request from the Department of Children and Family Services, the school district last attended by the student shall send the student's school student record to the receiving school district.

(c) In the case of a transfer between school districts of a student who is eligible for special education and related services, when the parent or guardian of the student presents a copy of the student's then current individualized education program (IEP) to the new school, the student shall be placed in a special education program in accordance with that described in the student's IEP.

(d) Until June 30, 2012, out-of-state transfer students, including children of military personnel that transfer into this State, may use unofficial transcripts for admission to a school until official transcripts are obtained from his or her last school district.

(Source: P.A. 87-372.)

Section 995. Repealer. This Act is repealed on June 30, 2012.

Section 999. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.