94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2005 and 2006
HB0924

 

Introduced 2/2/2005, by Rep. Robert W. Churchill

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
105 ILCS 5/2-3.137 new
30 ILCS 805/8.29 new

    Amends the School Code. Provides that on or before July 1, 2006, the State Board of Education shall adopt maximum weight standards for textbooks used by pupils in elementary and secondary schools. Amends the State Mandates Act to require implementation without reimbursement.


LRB094 07613 NHT 37785 b

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY
STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT

 

 

A BILL FOR

 

HB0924 LRB094 07613 NHT 37785 b

1     AN ACT concerning education.
 
2     Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3 represented in the General Assembly:
 
4     Section 5. The School Code is amended by adding Section
5 2-3.137 as follows:
 
6     (105 ILCS 5/2-3.137 new)
7     Sec. 2-3.137. Textbook weight standards.
8     (a) The General Assembly finds and declares all of the
9 following:
10         (1) Backpacks of elementary and secondary school
11     pupils often contain textbooks, binders, calculators,
12     personal computers, lunches, a change of clothing, sports
13     equipment, and more.
14         (2) Elementary and secondary school pupils are
15     carrying backpacks weighing as much as 40 pounds.
16         (3) Chiropractors, physical therapists, and
17     pediatricians are seeing an increased number of children
18     for spinal column injuries, nontraumatic back pain, and
19     significant postural changes from overloaded backpacks.
20         (4) Chiropractors and pediatricians recommend that
21     backpacks not exceed more than 15% of a pupil's body
22     weight.
23         (5) In 1999, more than 3,400 pupils between 5 and 14
24     years of age, inclusive, sought treatment in hospital
25     emergency rooms for injuries related to backpacks or book
26     bags according to the United States Consumer Product Safety
27     Commission.
28     (b) On or before July 1, 2006, the State Board of Education
29 shall adopt maximum weight standards for textbooks used by
30 pupils in elementary and secondary schools. The weight
31 standards shall take into consideration the health risks to
32 pupils who transport textbooks to and from school each day.
 

 

 

HB0924 - 2 - LRB094 07613 NHT 37785 b

1     Section 90. The State Mandates Act is amended by adding
2 Section 8.29 as follows:
 
3     (30 ILCS 805/8.29 new)
4     Sec. 8.29. Exempt mandate. Notwithstanding Sections 6 and 8
5 of this Act, no reimbursement by the State is required for the
6 implementation of any mandate created by this amendatory Act of
7 the 94th General Assembly.