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IL HB2827

IL HB2827
HOMESCHOOL ACT


summary

Introduced
02/05/2025
In Committee
04/11/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

104th General Assembly

Bill Summary

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.

AI Summary

This bill creates the Homeschool Act, which establishes a comprehensive framework for homeschooling in Illinois. The bill requires parents or guardians who homeschool their children to submit a notification form to the regional office of education before September 1st each year, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year. The form must include basic information about the student and the homeschool administrator, such as name, birthdate, contact information, and the administrator's education level. The State Board of Education will create and publish this form by June 1, 2026. The legislation aims to address concerns about potential abuse of homeschooling by requiring notification while protecting the rights of families who homeschool in good faith. The bill includes provisions for truancy investigations, requires homeschools to provide education that meets minimum state standards, and allows truant officers to request educational portfolios. For children under the custody of the Department of Children and Family Services, consent must be obtained from the Guardian Administrator before submitting a homeschool notification form. The bill also amends several existing laws to incorporate these new homeschooling regulations, including the Freedom of Information Act, the School Code, and the Illinois School Student Records Act, with the primary goal of protecting vulnerable students while recognizing homeschooling as a viable alternative to traditional education.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (17)

Last Action

Fiscal Note Filed (on 04/16/2025)

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