SB3856 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 24991 NLB 34247 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
SB3856

Introduced 1/21/2022, by Sen. Scott M. Bennett

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

110 ILCS 305/125 new
110 ILCS 520/105 new
110 ILCS 660/5-215 new
110 ILCS 665/5-215 new
110 ILCS 670/15-215 new
110 ILCS 675/20-220 new
110 ILCS 680/25-215 new
110 ILCS 685/30-225 new
110 ILCS 690/35-220 new
110 ILCS 805/3-29.21 new

Amends the University of Illinois Act, the Southern Illinois University Management Act, the Chicago State University Law, the Eastern Illinois University Law, the Governors State University Law, the Illinois State University Law, the Northeastern Illinois University Law, the Northern Illinois University Law, the Western Illinois University Law, and the Public Community College Act. Requires a university or community college to provide all necessary coursework materials for rental, free of charge to any student under this Section who meets all of the following qualifications: (a) the student is a resident of the State; (b) the student graduated from an approved high school in the State; (c) the student is enrolled for the upcoming semester or term at the university or community college; and (d) as applicable to a university, the student has not previously earned or received a bachelor's degree or attended 135 credit hours or equivalent of coursework or as applicable to a community college, the student has not previously earned or received an associate's degree or attended 60 credit hours or equivalent of coursework. Defines terms. Effective immediately.

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 University of Illinois Act is amended by adding Section 125 as follows:

(110 ILCS 305/125 new)

Sec. 125. Free course materials.

(a) For purposes of this Section, "coursework materials" means all digital or non-digital books, workbooks, and textbooks; required course software; computer disks; website access; and electronically distributed materials utilized for, or in conjunction with, a course in postsecondary education at the University.

(b) In order to make higher education more accessible and attainable for everyone in the State, beginning on July 1, 2023, the University shall provide all necessary coursework materials for rental, free of charge to any student under this Section who meets all of the following qualifications:

(1) The student is a resident of the State.

(2) The student graduated from an approved high school in the State.

(3) The student is enrolled for the upcoming semester or term at the University.

(4) The student has not previously earned or received a bachelor's degree or attended 135 credit hours or equivalent of coursework.

Section 10. The Southern Illinois University Management Act is amended by adding Section 105 as follows:

(110 ILCS 520/105 new)

Sec. 105. Free course materials.

(a) For purposes of this Section, "coursework materials" means all digital or non-digital books, workbooks, and textbooks; required course software; computer disks; website access; and electronically distributed materials utilized for, or in conjunction with, a course in postsecondary education at the University.

(b) In order to make higher education more accessible and attainable for everyone in the State, beginning on July 1, 2023, the University shall provide all necessary coursework materials for rental, free of charge to any student under this Section who meets all of the following qualifications:

(1) The student is a resident of the State.

(2) The student graduated from an approved high school in the State.

(3) The student is enrolled for the upcoming semester or term at the University.

(4) The student has not previously earned or received a bachelor's degree or attended 135 credit hours or equivalent of coursework.

Section 15. The Chicago State University Law is amended by adding Section 5-215 as follows:

(110 ILCS 660/5-215 new)

Sec. 5-215. Free course materials.

(a) For purposes of this Section, "coursework materials" means all digital or non-digital books, workbooks, and textbooks; required course software; computer disks; website access; and electronically distributed materials utilized for, or in conjunction with, a course in postsecondary education at the University.

(b) In order to make higher education more accessible and attainable for everyone in the State, beginning on July 1, 2023, the University shall provide all necessary coursework materials for rental, free of charge to any student under this Section who meets all of the following qualifications:

(1) The student is a resident of the State.

(2) The student graduated from an approved high school in the State.

(3) The student is enrolled for the upcoming semester or term at the University.

(4) The student has not previously earned or received a bachelor's degree or attended 135 credit hours or equivalent of coursework.

Section 20. The Eastern Illinois University Law is amended by adding Section 5-215 as follows:

(110 ILCS 665/5-215 new)

Sec. 5-215. Free course materials.

(a) For purposes of this Section, "coursework materials" means all digital or non-digital books, workbooks, and textbooks; required course software; computer disks; website access; and electronically distributed materials utilized for, or in conjunction with, a course in postsecondary education at the University.

(b) In order to make higher education more accessible and attainable for everyone in the State, beginning on July 1, 2023, the University shall provide all necessary coursework materials for rental, free of charge to any student under this Section who meets all of the following qualifications:

(1) The student is a resident of the State.

(2) The student graduated from an approved high school in the State.

(3) The student is enrolled for the upcoming semester or term at the University.

(4) The student has not previously earned or received a bachelor's degree or attended 135 credit hours or equivalent of coursework.

Section 25. The Governors State University Law is amended by adding Section 15-215 as follows:

(110 ILCS 670/15-215 new)

Sec. 15-215. Free course materials.

(a) For purposes of this Section, "coursework materials" means all digital or non-digital books, workbooks, and textbooks; required course software; computer disks; website access; and electronically distributed materials utilized for, or in conjunction with, a course in postsecondary education at the University.

(b) In order to make higher education more accessible and attainable for everyone in the State, beginning on July 1, 2023, the University shall provide all necessary coursework materials for rental, free of charge to any student under this Section who meets all of the following qualifications:

(1) The student is a resident of the State.

(2) The student graduated from an approved high school in the State.

(3) The student is enrolled for the upcoming semester or term at the University.

(4) The student has not previously earned or received a bachelor's degree or attended 135 credit hours or equivalent of coursework.

Section 30. The Illinois State University Law is amended by adding Section 20-220 as follows:

(110 ILCS 675/20-220 new)

Sec. 20-220. Free course materials.

(a) For purposes of this Section, "coursework materials" means all digital or non-digital books, workbooks, and textbooks; required course software; computer disks; website access; and electronically distributed materials utilized for, or in conjunction with, a course in postsecondary education at the University.

(b) In order to make higher education more accessible and attainable for everyone in the State, beginning on July 1, 2023, the University shall provide all necessary coursework materials for rental, free of charge to any student under this Section who meets all of the following qualifications:

(1) The student is a resident of the State.

(2) The student graduated from an approved high school in the State.

(3) The student is enrolled for the upcoming semester or term at the University.

(4) The student has not previously earned or received a bachelor's degree or attended 135 credit hours or equivalent of coursework.

Section 35. The Northeastern Illinois University Law is amended by adding Section 25-215 as follows:

(110 ILCS 680/25-215 new)

Sec. 25-215. Free course materials.

(a) For purposes of this Section, "coursework materials" means all digital or non-digital books, workbooks, and textbooks; required course software; computer disks; website access; and electronically distributed materials utilized for, or in conjunction with, a course in postsecondary education at the University.

(b) In order to make higher education more accessible and attainable for everyone in the State, beginning on July 1, 2023, the University shall provide all necessary coursework materials for rental, free of charge to any student under this Section who meets all of the following qualifications:

(1) The student is a resident of the State.

(2) The student graduated from an approved high school in the State.

(3) The student is enrolled for the upcoming semester or term at the University.

(4) The student has not previously earned or received a bachelor's degree or attended 135 credit hours or equivalent of coursework.

Section 40. The Northern Illinois University Law is amended by adding Section 30-225 as follows:

(110 ILCS 685/30-225 new)

Sec. 30-225. Free course materials.

(a) For purposes of this Section, "coursework materials" means all digital or non-digital books, workbooks, and textbooks; required course software; computer disks; website access; and electronically distributed materials utilized for, or in conjunction with, a course in postsecondary education at the University.

(b) In order to make higher education more accessible and attainable for everyone in the State, beginning on July 1, 2023, the University shall provide all necessary coursework materials for rental, free of charge to any student under this Section who meets all of the following qualifications:

(1) The student is a resident of the State.

(2) The student graduated from an approved high school in the State.

(3) The student is enrolled for the upcoming semester or term at the University.

(4) The student has not previously earned or received a bachelor's degree or attended 135 credit hours or equivalent of coursework.

Section 45. The Western Illinois University Law is amended by adding Section 35-220 as follows:

(110 ILCS 690/35-220 new)

Sec. 35-220. Free course materials.

(a) For purposes of this Section, "coursework materials" means all digital or non-digital books, workbooks, and textbooks; required course software; computer disks; website access; and electronically distributed materials utilized for, or in conjunction with, a course in postsecondary education at the University.

(b) In order to make higher education more accessible and attainable for everyone in the State, beginning on July 1, 2023, the University shall provide all necessary coursework materials for rental, free of charge to any student under this Section who meets all of the following qualifications:

(1) The student is a resident of the State.

(2) The student graduated from an approved high school in the State.

(3) The student is enrolled for the upcoming semester or term at the University.

(4) The student has not previously earned or received a bachelor's degree or attended 135 credit hours or equivalent of coursework.

Section 50. The Public Community College Act is amended by adding Section 3-29.21 as follows:

(110 ILCS 805/3-29.21 new)

Sec. 3-29.21. Free course materials.

(a) For purposes of this Section, "coursework materials" means all digital or non-digital books, workbooks, and textbooks; required course software; computer disks; website access; and electronically distributed materials utilized for, or in conjunction with, a course in postsecondary education at a community college.

(b) In order to make higher education more accessible and attainable for everyone in the State, beginning on July 1, 2023, each community college shall provide all necessary coursework materials for rental, free of charge to any student under this Section who meets all of the following qualifications:

(1) The student is a resident of the State.

(2) The student graduated from an approved high school in the State.

(3) The student is enrolled for the upcoming semester or term at the community college.

(4) The student has not previously earned or received an associate's degree or attended 60 credit hours or equivalent of coursework.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.