Public Act 098-0620
 
SB0853 EnrolledLRB098 05087 JDS 35118 b



    AN ACT concerning safety.

 
    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, 
represented in the General Assembly: 


 
    Section 5. The Wildlife Code is amended  by adding Section 
3.1-9 as follows:
 
    (520 ILCS 5/3.1-9 new)
    Sec. 3.1-9. Youth Hunting License.
    Any resident youth age 16 and under may apply to the 
Department for a Youth Hunting License, which extends limited 
hunting privileges. The Youth Hunting License shall be a 
renewable license that shall expire on the March 31 following 
the date of issuance.
    For youth age 16 and under, the Youth Hunting License shall 
entitle the licensee to hunt while supervised  by a parent, 
grandparent, or guardian who is 21 years of age or older and 
has a valid Illinois hunting license.  Possession of a Youth 
Hunting License shall serve in lieu of a valid hunting license, 
but does not exempt the licensee from compliance with the 
requirements of this Code and any rules adopted under this 
Code.
    A youth licensed under this Section shall not hunt or carry 
a hunting device, including, but not limited to, a firearm, bow 
and arrow, or crossbow unless the youth is accompanied by and 
under the close personal supervision of a parent, grandparent, 
or guardian who is 21 years of age or older and has a valid 
Illinois hunting license.
    At age 17 years or when the youth chooses to hunt by 
themselves, they are required to successfully complete a hunter 
safety course approved by the Department prior to being able to 
obtain a full hunting license and subsequently hunt by 
themselves.
    In order to be approved for the Youth Hunting License, the 
applicant must request a Youth Hunting License from the 
Department and submit a $7 fee, which shall be separate from 
and additional to any other stamp, permit, tag, or license fee 
that may be required for hunting under this Code. The 
Department shall adopt rules for the administration of the 
program, but shall not require any certificate of competency or 
other hunting education as a condition of the Youth Hunting 
License.
 

    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon 
becoming law.