SB0590sam001 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Sen. Kimberly A. Lightford

Filed: 4/4/2014

09800SB0590sam001 LRB098 04785 NHT 58141 a

AMENDMENT TO SENATE BILL 590

AMENDMENT NO. ______. Amend Senate Bill 590 by replacing everything after the enacting clause with the following:

"Section 5. The School Code is amended by adding Section 27-17.5 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/27-17.5 new)

Sec. 27-17.5. Firearm safety education program.

(a) School boards may provide firearm safety education programs for students in the elementary school grades. To assist school boards electing to provide firearm safety education programs, the State Board of Education shall establish curriculum guidelines for a standardized program of firearm safety education in the public schools. The curriculum guidelines shall incorporate, among other principles of firearm safety, accident prevention and the rules upon which the Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program offered by the National Rifle Association of America is based. School boards electing to provide firearm safety education programs shall offer instruction pursuant to the State Board's curriculum guidelines and shall integrate firearm safety education into appropriate subject areas, if feasible, to ensure that every elementary school student completes the course of study in firearm safety education.

(b) The curriculum guidelines established by the State Board of Education under subsection (a) of this Section shall provide background information on gun use and the consequences from the misuse of guns in our country and in this State. This information is intended to enhance the instructor's understanding of the context for facilitating the curriculum lessons.

(c) The curriculum under this Section must be designed as a single unit of instruction for each grade. In developing the curriculum:

(1) Background information, lesson guidelines and plans, suggested scripts for teachers with discussion points, and student materials must be a part of each lesson.

(2) Lessons must be aligned with specific Illinois standards of learning for each grade.

(3) Instructors must be provided general suggestions for using teachable-moment opportunities. These suggestions may include expanding students' understanding of the difference and similarities between real and toy guns, unintended consequences, and an introduction to the student code of conduct and gun offenses.

(4) The consequences of gun violence and personal responsibility for gun safety in the community must be introduced.

(5) In each lesson, a character (to be created by local youth) must be present as a safety mascot. This character must be used to reinforce the message that if a student sees a gun, "leave it alone, leave the area, and let an adult know".

School boards shall develop procedures for instructors to assist students who may disclose sensitive information during a lesson.

In addition to what to do if a student were to find a gun, kindergarten through second-grade lessons shall assist students in recognizing professionals who use guns for safety reasons and individuals who safely use guns for sporting activities and third through fifth-grade lessons shall continue to focus on what to do if a student were to find a gun.".