Bill Status of HB2827  104th General Assembly

Short Description:  HOMESCHOOL ACT

House Sponsors
Rep. Terra Costa Howard - Michelle Mussman, Kelly M. Cassidy, Katie Stuart, Mary Beth Canty, Janet Yang Rohr, Nicolle Grasse, Margaret Croke, Joyce Mason, Michael Crawford, Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, Lisa Davis, Kevin John Olickal, Will Guzzardi, Kam Buckner, Hoan Huynh and Anne Stava-Murray

Last Action
DateChamber Action
  4/11/2025HouseRule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee

Statutes Amended In Order of Appearance
New Act
5 ILCS 140/7.5
105 ILCS 5/2-3.25o
105 ILCS 5/26-1from Ch. 122, par. 26-1
105 ILCS 5/26-3afrom Ch. 122, par. 26-3a
105 ILCS 5/26-7from Ch. 122, par. 26-7
105 ILCS 5/26-16
105 ILCS 10/3from Ch. 122, par. 50-3


Synopsis As Introduced
Creates the Homeschool Act. Requires the State Board of Education to create a Homeschool Declaration Form to be used by a homeschool administrator to submit information indicating that a child is enrolled in a homeschool program to the principal of the public school or to the school district that the homeschooled child would otherwise attend. Provides that a student enrolled in a homeschool program in which the homeschool administrator has not notified the public school or school district with the Homeschool Declaration Form is considered truant, with penalties applying. Provides that if a child in a homeschool program seeks to enroll part time in a public school or participate in any public school activities taking place on or off of school grounds, the homeschool administrator must submit proof that the child has received all required immunizations and health examinations or a signed Certificate of Religious Exemption. Sets forth requirements for homeschool administrators and programs and reporting requirements. Makes conforming and other changes in the Freedom of Information Act, the School Code, and the Illinois School Student Records Act, including requiring (rather than allowing) nonpublic schools to register with the State Board of Education.

House Committee Amendment No. 1
Adds reference to:
105 ILCS 10/2from Ch. 122, par. 50-2
105 ILCS 10/6from Ch. 122, par. 50-6
105 ILCS 10/8.5 new

Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill, and makes the following changes. In the Homeschool Act: Requires proof of immunization and a health examination or an exemption only for regularly occurring, public-school-sponsored, public-school activities. Requires a homeschool administrator to have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent at a minimum. Requires the homeschool administrator to provide proof of, among other options, any degree obtained from an institution of higher education. Changes the reporting date for regional offices of education, intermediate service centers, and the Chicago school district from June 30 (beginning in 2027 and every year thereafter) to July 31; changes the reporting date for the State Board of Education from July 31 (previously beginning in 2027, but now beginning in 2028) to February 1; and makes other changes. Provides that nothing in the Act supersedes the Department of Children and Family Services Guardianship Administrator's authority to approve or deny whether a youth under the custody or guardianship of the Department of Children and Family Services Guardianship Administrator may participate in a homeschool program and that consent must be obtained from the Department of Children and Family Services Guardianship Administrator prior to the Homeschool Declaration Form being submitted for all youth under the custody or guardianship of the Department of Children and Family Services Guardianship Administrator. In the Freedom of Information Act: Provides that information and records held by any school district (rather than the Chicago school district) containing confidential information about a student, parent, or guardian under the Homeschool Act is exempt from copying and inspection. In the Illinois School Student Records Act: Provides that neither a "student permanent record" nor a "student temporary record" includes a Homeschool Declaration Form or any record that a homeschool administrator submits to a school district for proof of a homeschooled student's immunization and health examination. Provides that student records or information may be released, transferred, disclosed, or otherwise disseminated to the State Board of Education or a school or school district's regional office of education or intermediate service center or, in the case of the Chicago school district, the general superintendent of schools only for the purposes of transmitting a Homeschool Declaration Form to one of these entities in accordance with the Homeschool Act. Requires a regional office of education or intermediate service center or, in the case of the Chicago school district, the general superintendent that receives a Homeschool Declaration Form to maintain a copy of the Homeschool Declaration Form for not less than 5 years after receiving the Homeschool Declaration Form. Provides that a public school or school district is not required to maintain a Homeschool Declaration Form or a copy of a Homeschool Declaration Form, but may maintain a copy of a Homeschool Declaration Form as long as the public school or school district abides by all storage requirements and confidentiality requirements. Requires a public school or school district that receives proof of a homeschooled student's immunization and health examination to maintain a copy of those records for not less than 5 years after receipt.

 Pension Note (Government Forecasting & Accountability)
 HB 2827, as amended by HA 1, will not impact any public pension fund or retirement system in the State of Illinois.

 Fiscal Note, House Committee Amendment No. 1 (State Board of Education)
 This change would have a fiscal impact on the Illinois State Board of Education, with estimated costs of $1,574.16 for implementation. There may also be increased costs to school districts, regional offices of education, and public schools, but those amounts are currently unknown. The State Board of Education recommends that sponsors consult with relevant stakeholders to better understand the potential costs to districts.

House Floor Amendment No. 2
Deletes reference to:
105 ILCS 10/8.5 new
Adds reference to:
105 ILCS 5/26-5from Ch. 122, par. 26-5
325 ILCS 5/4.4d new

Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Homeschool Act. Requires the State Board of Education to create a homeschool notification form that a parent or guardian shall submit to the regional office of education, intermediate service center, or superintendent for the area in which the student resides. Requires the notification form to be published in a downloadable and printable format on the Board's website no later than June 1, 2026. Provides that beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, a parent or guardian who homeschools the parent's or guardian's student shall submit the notification form before September 1 of each year. Provides that a public school or school district shall only retain a copy of the notification form if the homeschool parent or guardian requests that the record be retained by the public school or school district, and if such record is retained, the regional office of education, intermediate service center, or superintendent shall retain the record for not less than 5 years. Provides that there exists a rebuttable presumption that a student is not truant if a homeschool notification form was submitted. Allows a homeschool administrator to have a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent. Provides that consent must be obtained from the Department of Children and Family Services' Guardian Administrator prior to a homeschool notification form being submitted for all youth under the custody and guardianship of the Department. Provides that homeschools shall provide every student enrolled in homeschool instruction sufficient content to satisfy certain requirements of the School Code. Allows a truant officer to request an educational portfolio as part of a truancy investigation, which must be produced by the homeschool no later than 10 days after the request is made. Allows the State Board of Education to adopt any rules necessary to implement and administer the Act. Makes other changes. Makes conforming changes in the Freedom of Information Act, the School Code, the Illinois School Student Records Act, and the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.

 Pension Note, House Committee Amendment No. 1 (Government Forecasting & Accountability)
 HB 2827, as amended by HA 1, will not impact any public pension fund or retirement system in the State of Illinois.

 Pension Note, House Floor Amendment No. 2 (Government Forecasting & Accountability)
 HB 2827, as amended by HA 2, will not impact any public pension fund or retirement system in the State of Illinois.

 State Debt Impact Note, House Floor Amendment No. 2 (Government Forecasting & Accountability)
 HB 2827, as amended by House Amendment 2, would not change the amount of authorization for any type of State-issued bond, and, therefore, would not affect the level of State indebtedness.

 State Debt Impact Note, House Committee Amendment No. 1 (Government Forecasting & Accountability)
 HB 2827, as amended by House Amendment 1, would not change the amount of authorization for any type of State-issued bond, and, therefore, would not affect the level of State indebtedness.

 Balanced Budget Note, House Committee Amendment No. 1 (Office of Management and Budget)
 Please be advised that the Balanced Budget Note Act does not apply to House Bill 2827, as amended by House Amendment 1, as it is not a supplemental appropriation that increases or decreases appropriations. Under the Act, a balanced budget note must be prepared only for bills that change a general funds appropriation for the fiscal year in which the new bill is enacted.

 Balanced Budget Note, House Floor Amendment No. 2 (Office of Management and Budget)
 Please be advised that the Balanced Budget Note Act does not apply to House Bill 2827, as amended by House Amendment 2, as it is not a supplemental appropriation that increases or decreases appropriations. Under the Act, a balanced budget note must be prepared only for bills that change a general funds appropriation for the fiscal year in which the new bill is enacted.

 Housing Affordability Impact Note, House Committee Amendment No. 1 (Housing Development Authority)
 HB 2827 (H-AM 1) will have no impact on the cost of constructing, purchasing, owning, or selling a single-family residence and will have no impact on the cost of producing, owning, renting, selling, or managing housing units in the State of Illinois.

 Housing Affordability Impact Note, House Floor Amendment No. 2 (Housing Development Authority)
 HB 2827 (H-AM 2) will have no impact on the cost of constructing, purchasing, owning, or selling a single-family residence and will have no impact on the cost of producing, owning, renting, selling, or managing housing units in the State of Illinois.

 Fiscal Note, House Committee Amendment No. 1 (State Board of Education,)
 This bill as amended would have a fiscal impact on the Illinois State Board of Education, with estimated costs of $1,574.16 for implementation. There may also be increased costs to school districts, regional offices of education, and public schools, but those amounts are currently unknown. The State Board of Education recommends that sponsors consult with relevant stakeholders to better understand the potential costs to these other parties.

 Fiscal Note, House Floor Amendment No. 2 (State Board of Education,)
 This bill as amended would have a fiscal impact on the Illinois State Board of Education, with estimated costs of $1,574.16 for implementation. There may also be increased costs to school districts, regional offices of education, and public schools, but those amounts are currently unknown. The State Board of Education recommends that sponsors consult with relevant stakeholders to better understand the potential costs to these other parties.

 Fiscal Note ()
 This bill as amended would have a fiscal impact on the Illinois State Board of Education, with estimated costs of $1,574.16 for implementation. There may also be increased costs to school districts, regional offices of education, and public schools, but those amounts are currently unknown. The State Board of Education recommends that sponsors consult with relevant stakeholders to better understand the potential costs to these other parties.

Actions 
DateChamber Action
  2/5/2025HouseFiled with the Clerk by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
  2/5/2025HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Michelle Mussman
  2/6/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy
  2/6/2025HouseFirst Reading
  2/6/2025HouseReferred to Rules Committee
  2/11/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Katie Stuart
  2/11/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Mary Beth Canty
  2/11/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Janet Yang Rohr
  2/11/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Nicolle Grasse
  2/11/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Margaret Croke
  2/13/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Joyce Mason
  2/21/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Michael Crawford
  2/24/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz
  2/24/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Lisa Davis
  2/26/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Kevin John Olickal
  2/26/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Will Guzzardi
  2/26/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Kam Buckner
  2/27/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Hoan Huynh
  3/4/2025HouseAssigned to Education Policy Committee
  3/13/2025HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
  3/13/2025HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
  3/18/2025HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Education Policy Committee
  3/19/2025HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Adopted in Education Policy Committee; by Voice Vote
  3/19/2025HouseDo Pass as Amended / Short Debate Education Policy Committee; 008-004-001
  3/19/2025HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate
  3/25/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Anne Stava-Murray
  3/25/2025HouseFiscal Note Requested by Rep. Amy Elik
  3/25/2025HousePension Note Requested by Rep. Amy Elik
  3/25/2025HouseState Mandates Fiscal Note Requested by Rep. Amy Elik
  3/26/2025HousePension Note Filed
  3/26/2025HouseSecond Reading - Short Debate
  3/26/2025HouseHeld on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate
  4/1/2025HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Fiscal Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
  4/1/2025HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Fiscal Note Filed as Amended
  4/8/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
  4/8/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred to Rules Committee
  4/8/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Rules Refers to Education Policy Committee
  4/9/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommends Be Adopted Education Policy Committee; 009-004-000
  4/9/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Fiscal Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Amy Elik
  4/9/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Judicial Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Amy Elik
  4/9/2025HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Balanced Budget Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
  4/9/2025HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Correctional Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
  4/9/2025HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Home Rule Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
  4/9/2025HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Housing Affordability Impact Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
  4/9/2025HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Land Conveyance Appraisal Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
  4/9/2025HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Pension Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
  4/9/2025HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Racial Impact Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
  4/9/2025HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 State Debt Impact Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
  4/9/2025HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 State Mandates Fiscal Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
  4/9/2025HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Judicial Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
  4/9/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Balanced Budget Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
  4/9/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Correctional Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
  4/9/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Home Rule Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
  4/9/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Housing Affordability Impact Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
  4/9/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Land Conveyance Appraisal Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
  4/9/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Pension Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
  4/9/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Racial Impact Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
  4/9/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 State Debt Impact Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
  4/9/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 State Mandates Fiscal Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Terra Costa Howard
  4/10/2025HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Pension Note Filed as Amended
  4/10/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Pension Note Filed as Amended
  4/10/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 State Debt Impact Note Filed as Amended
  4/10/2025HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 State Debt Impact Note Filed as Amended
  4/10/2025HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Balanced Budget Note Filed as Amended
  4/10/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Balanced Budget Note Filed as Amended
  4/11/2025HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Housing Affordability Impact Note Filed as Amended
  4/11/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Adopted
  4/11/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Housing Affordability Impact Note Filed as Amended
  4/11/2025HouseNote / Motion Filed - Note Act Does Not Apply Rep. Terra Costa Howard
  4/11/2025HouseMotion Prevailed 066-041-000
  4/11/2025HouseBalanced Budget Note Request is Inapplicable
  4/11/2025HouseCorrectional Note Request is Inapplicable
  4/11/2025HouseFiscal Note Request is Inapplicable
  4/11/2025HouseHome Rule Note Request is Inapplicable
  4/11/2025HouseHousing Affordability Impact Note Request is Inapplicable
  4/11/2025HouseJudicial Note Request is Inapplicable
  4/11/2025HouseLand Conveyance Appraisal Note Request is Inapplicable
  4/11/2025HousePension Note Request is Inapplicable
  4/11/2025HouseRacial Impact Note Request is Inapplicable
  4/11/2025HouseState Debt Impact Note Request is Inapplicable
  4/11/2025HouseState Mandates Fiscal Note Request is Inapplicable
  4/11/2025HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Short Debate
  4/11/2025HouseRule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
  4/16/2025HouseHouse Committee Amendment No. 1 Fiscal Note Filed as Amended
  4/16/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Fiscal Note Filed as Amended
  4/16/2025HouseFiscal Note Filed