HB4903 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 37277 RJT 67398 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB4903

Introduced 2/7/2024, by Rep. Laura Faver Dias

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

105 ILCS 5/22-100 new

Amends the School Code. Creates the Air Quality in Schools Task Force. Provides that the purpose of the task force is to study and make recommendations to the General Assembly on air quality goals for elementary, middle, and high schools, processes to assess current ventilation systems in schools, processes to improve ventilation after assessment, and potential State and federal funding sources to improve school air quality in this State. Sets forth the members of the task force. Provides that the State Board of Education shall provide administrative assistance and necessary staff support services. Provides that the task force shall meet at the call of the State Superintendent of Education and issue recommendations for elementary and secondary schools, in a report to the General Assembly, relating to best practices to better assess current ventilation systems in schools and to improve their overall maintenance, as well as identify potential infrastructure needs and funding sources.

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 adding Section 22-100 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/22-100 new)

Sec. 22-100. Air Quality in Schools Task Force.

(a) The Air Quality in Schools Task Force is created. The purpose of the task force is to study and make recommendations to the General Assembly on air quality goals for elementary, middle, and high schools, processes to assess current ventilation systems in schools, processes to improve ventilation after assessment, and potential State and federal funding sources to improve school air quality in this State.

The task force shall consist of all of the following members:

(1) One member of the State Board of Education, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

(2) One member appointed by the Director of the Environmental Protection Agency.

(3) One member from a group representing school boards in this State, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

(4) One member from a labor union that trains individuals to perform ventilation assessments and work on ventilation systems in large buildings, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

(5) One member from a labor union representing teachers in this State, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

(6) Two parents of students currently attending school, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

(7) One member appointed by the Director of Public Health.

(8) One member of a disability rights organization, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

Members of the task force shall serve without compensation.

(b) The State Board of Education shall provide administrative assistance and necessary staff support services.

(c) The task force shall meet at the call of the State Superintendent of Education and issue recommendations for elementary and secondary schools, in a report to the General Assembly, relating to best practices to better assess current ventilation systems in schools and to improve their overall maintenance, as well as identify potential infrastructure needs. The recommendations shall also identify potential State and federal funding sources to assist schools in improving identified infrastructure and ventilation needs.