Bill Text: IL HB2396 | 2023-2024 | 103rd General Assembly | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

---

Bill Title: Reinserts the contents of the introduced bill with the following changes. Provides that, beginning with the 2027-2028 school year (instead of the 2023-2024 school year), each school board must establish a kindergarten with full-day attendance. Provides that the full-day kindergarten should be developmentally appropriate and provide opportunities for play-based learning. Provides that an elementary or unit school district that does not offer full-day kindergarten as of October 1, 2022, may, by action of the State Board of Education, apply for an extension of the 2027-2028 school year implementation deadline for 2 additional years if one of the specified criteria are met. Creates the Full-Day Kindergarten Task Force. Provides that the Task Force shall conduct a statewide audit to inform the planning and implementation of full-day kindergarten in the State and shall, at a minimum, collect, analyze, and report specified criteria. Provides that the Task Force may recommend for an additional criterion that the State Board of Education may consider in granting a waiver to establish a full-day kindergarten. Sets forth the members of the Task Force and requirements to be a member. Provides that the Task Force shall meet at the call of the State Superintendent of Education or their designee, who shall serve as the chairperson. Provides that the State Board of Education shall provide administrative and other support to the Task Force. Provides that members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation. Provides that the Task Force shall issue an interim report by April 15, 2024 and a final report to the General Assembly and Governor's Office no later than November 15, 2024. Provides that upon issuing the final report, the Task Force is dissolved.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 75-2)

Status: (Passed) 2023-08-02 - Public Act . . . . . . . . . 103-0410 [HB2396 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2023-HB2396-Introduced.html

---

103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2023 and 2024 HB2396 Introduced , by Rep. Mary Beth Canty SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
105 ILCS 5/10-20.19a from Ch. 122, par. 10-20.19a
105 ILCS 5/10-22.18 from Ch. 122, par. 10-22.18
Amends the School Code. In a Section concerning kindergartens, provides that, beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, each school board must establish a kindergarten with full-day attendance (instead of allowing a school board to establish a kindergarten with half-day attendance or with full-day attendance); makes related changes. Repeals another Section concerning kindergartens on July 1, 2023. Effective immediately.
LRB103 30800 RJT 57293 b
STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT MAY APPLY
A BILL FOR
HB2396 LRB103 30800 RJT 57293 b
AN ACT concerning education.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The School Code is amended by changing Sections
10-20.19a and 10-22.18 as follows:
(105 ILCS 5/10-20.19a) (from Ch. 122, par. 10-20.19a)
Sec. 10-20.19a. Kindergartens. After July 1, 1970, to
establish and maintain kindergartens for the instruction of
children in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed
by the State Board of Education. Such kindergartens may
provide for either a 1/2 day or a full day of attendance for
pupils enrolled therein.
This Section is repealed on July 1, 2023.
(Source: P.A. 84-18.)
(105 ILCS 5/10-22.18) (from Ch. 122, par. 10-22.18)
Sec. 10-22.18. Kindergartens. To establish kindergartens
for the instruction of children between the ages of 4 and 6
years, if in their judgment the public interest requires it,
and to pay the necessary expenses thereof out of the school
funds of the district. Until the 2023-2024 school year, upon
Upon petition of at least 50 parents or guardians of children
between the ages of 4 and 6, residing within any school

HB2396 - 2 - LRB103 30800 RJT 57293 b
district and within one mile of the public school where such
kindergarten is proposed to be established, the board of
directors shall, if funds are available, establish a
kindergarten in connection with the public school designated
in the petition and maintain it as long as the annual average
daily attendance therein is not less than 15. Until the
2023-2024 school year, the The board may establish a
kindergarten with half-day attendance or with full-day
attendance; however, if . If the board establishes full-day
kindergarten, it shall also establish half-day kindergarten.
Beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, each school board
must establish a kindergarten with full-day attendance. No one
shall be employed to teach in a kindergarten who does not hold
a license as provided by law.
(Source: P.A. 102-894, eff. 5-20-22.)
Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
becoming law.