Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for HB1358

Amends the School Code. Creates the Waiver Process Task Force. Sets forth provisions concerning membership, meetings, and support services. Provides that the purposes of the Task Force are to examine the current waiver response process and make recommendations on a more equitable and fair waiver response at the elementary and secondary school levels in this State; develop and use metrics to access the viability of waiver requests and the impact of such requests on students in kindergarten through grade 12; promote training and professional development on creating waiver requests that include accountability measures for teachers and other community stakeholders across this State; identify and seek local, State, and national resources to support an equitable and fair waiver process; and complete such other strategies as may be identified by the Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall make recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly on how waivers should be requested, how waivers should be reviewed for approval, and how to demonstrate the ability to fulfill accountability measures proposed in requested waivers. Requires the Task Force to file a report with the Governor and the General Assembly on or before December 31, 2025. Effective immediately.

Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the School Code with respect to the waiver or modification of mandates provisions. Requires the notice of public hearing to be published on all social media accounts maintained and operated by a school district (rather than in a newspaper of general circulation). Provides that if no social media account exists, the notice of public hearing must be published in a newspaper of general circulation. Changes references from "published notice" to "public notice". Removes the requirement that local State legislators be notified. Provides that if an eligible applicant does not have a collective bargaining agreement with a collective bargaining unit, the notification requirement is waived. Provides that no waiver of the right to notification of the collective bargaining unit representing the eligible applicant's territory is permitted. Requires verification of the publication of the notice of hearing that is posted on an applicant's website to include an image or screen shot of the post with the date, time and URL present, and provides that if the notice of hearing was published in a newspaper, the applicant must provide a copy of the newspaper posting or certificate of publication provided by the newspaper. Provides that if the General Assembly fails to take action on any waiver request that was disapproved (rather than fails to disapprove any waiver request) or appealed request within a 60-day period, the waiver or modification shall be deemed denied (rather than granted). Makes changes concerning renewing, changing, and rescinding approved waivers and modifications and physical education mandates.

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