Bill > HB2995

This bill amends the School Code to enhance procedures for investigating and addressing sexual misconduct allegations in schools. It requires school districts, charter schools, and nonpublic schools to implement new notification and investigation protocols when sexual misconduct is alleged. The bill mandates that when an allegation is made, the school must provide notification not only to the student's parents, but also to the employee, agent, or contractor who is the subject of the allegation. The investigation must be conducted within 60 days (with a possible 30-day extension), and must include direct contact with the alleged victim, the accused, and any available witnesses. The investigation must result in a determination of either substantiated, unsubstantiated, or indeterminable. If an allegation is substantiated, the accused employee has the right to appeal through a due process hearing before an independent hearing officer. The bill also addresses how previous adverse determinations will be handled, stipulating that determinations for events before the bill's effective date can be nullified if investigations by regulatory entities found the allegation to be false, unfounded, or unsubstantiated. Additionally, the bill requires that any adverse determination and related documents be removed from personnel records within 14 business days after written notice if the allegation is found to be unsubstantiated.

Education

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=2995&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB&SessionID=114&GA=104