summary
Introduced
02/04/2026
02/04/2026
In Committee
03/04/2026
03/04/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Reinserts the provisions of the introduced bill with the following change. In provisions concerning the registration and recognition of non-public elementary and secondary schools, provides that a non-public, sectarian school that has registered or seeks to register or that has obtained or seeks to obtain recognition status is not subject to the requirements of the provisions that restrict a school's ability to adopt, enforce, or apply policies regarding religious hairstyles, hair-related religious practices, or facial hair worn in accordance with a student's or employee's sincerely held religious beliefs, observance, or practice. Effective immediately.
AI Summary
This bill, also known as the Religious Hair and Facial Hair Protections Act or Jett Hawkins Law, amends the School Code to ensure that nonpublic elementary and secondary schools, when registering or seeking recognition from the State Board of Education, must guarantee they will not prohibit religious hairstyles, hair-related religious practices, or facial hair worn in accordance with a student's or employee's sincerely held religious beliefs, observance, or practice. This means that school uniform or dress code policies adopted by school boards or local school councils cannot include or apply to these religious expressions, with a clarification that schools can still require hair or facial hair to be secured or covered during specific activities if necessary for safety, as long as it doesn't require permanent alteration.
Committee Categories
Education
Sponsors (4)
Last Action
Placed on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading April 14, 2026 (on 03/26/2026)
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