HB3555 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB103 29429 RJT 55820 b

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2023 and 2024
HB3555

Introduced 2/17/2023, by Rep. Mary Beth Canty

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

30 ILCS 105/5.990 new
105 ILCS 5/2-3.196 new

Amends the State Board of Education Article of the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education shall administer the School International Trips Program from the funds appropriated from the School International Trips Program Fund for the purpose of making international school trips available to low-income students in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Sets forth who will be able to receive grants and provisions concerning rulemaking. Amends the State Finance Act to make a conforming change.

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 State Finance Act is amended by adding Section 5.990 as follows:

(30 ILCS 105/5.990 new)

Sec. 5.990. The School International Trips Program Fund.

Section 10. The School Code is amended by adding Section 2-3.196 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.196 new)

Sec. 2-3.196. School International Trips Program.

(a) The State Board of Education shall administer the School International Trips Program from the funds appropriated from the School International Trips Program Fund for the purpose of making international school trips available to low-income students in disadvantaged neighborhoods. School International Trips grants shall be made available to public schools, charter schools, area vocational centers, and laboratory schools in which the percentage of students classified as low income exceeds the State average. Grant recipients shall use grant proceeds to conduct, or contract with a third party to conduct, programming that educates, encourages, and promotes obtaining skills and career opportunities in the fields of science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Priority shall be given to programs that provide hands-on experience and programs that focus on promoting young women to enter into the fields of science, technology, engineering, art, and math.

(b) The State Board of Education may adopt all rules necessary for the implementation and administration of the School International Trips Program, including, but not limited to, rules defining application procedures and prescribing a mechanism for disbursing grant funds if requests exceed available funds.

(c) There is created in the State treasury the School International Trips Program Fund. The State Board shall have the authority to make expenditures from the Fund pursuant to appropriations made for the purposes of this Section. There shall be deposited into the Fund such amounts, including, but not limited to, any appropriations, grants, or gifts made to the fund.