103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB3681
 
Introduced 2/17/2023, by Rep. Harry Benton and Diane Blair-Sherlock
 
SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 

 
105 ILCS 5/2-3.196 new

     Amends the State Board of Education Article of the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education to create an Equity for Autistic Students Commission to research, recommend, and review policies that affect autistic students to ensure fair access to resources, therapies, education, and equity with a focused lens on historically marginalized groups. Provides that the Commission shall review different therapies and practices used or recommended for autistic students and, with the help of experts appointed to the Commission, decide if those therapies and  practices are still the best therapies and practices. Provides that the Commission shall consist of members appointed by the State Board of Education and shall include experts in the field of  autism in children and students. Provides that at least one member appointed to the Commission by the State Board of Education shall have autism. Provides that the State Board of Education shall provide administrative assistance and necessary staff support services. Provides for meetings and reporting.
  


LRB103 30466 DTM 56899 b

 
 
A BILL FOR
 

  
HB3681LRB103 30466 DTM 56899 b


  
1    AN ACT concerning education.
  
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
 
3represented in the General Assembly:
  
 
 
4    Section 5. The School Code is amended  by adding Section 
52-3.196 as follows:
 
6    (105 ILCS 5/2-3.196 new)
7    Sec. 2-3.196. Equity for Autistic Students Commission.
8    (a) The State Board of Education shall create an Equity 
9for Autistic Students Commission. The purpose of the 
10Commission shall be to research, recommend, and review 
11policies that affect autistic students to ensure fair access 
12to resources, therapies, education, and equity with a focused 
13lens on historically marginalized groups, such as persons who 
14are considered Black, Indigenous, or people of color, girls, 
15low-income, or English learners. The Commission shall review 
16different therapies and practices used or recommended for 
17autistic students and, with the help of experts appointed to 
18the Commission, decide if those therapies and practices are 
19still the best therapies and practices.
20    (b) The Commission shall consist of members appointed by 
21the State Board of Education and shall include experts in the 
22field of  autism in children and students. At least one member 
23appointed to the Commission by the State Board of Education 
 
 
HB3681- 2 -LRB103 30466 DTM 56899 b

1shall have autism.
2    Members of the Commission shall serve without 
3compensation.
4    (c) The State Board of Education shall provide 
5administrative assistance and necessary staff support 
6services.
7    (d) The Commission shall meet at the call of the State 
8Board of Education and shall report its findings and 
9recommendations to the State Board of Education.