HB 5552

Abstract

Amends the School Code. Provides that a school district operating one or more high schools, a charter school, or a private secondary school shall not make or enforce a rule subjecting a high school student to disciplinary sanctions solely on the basis of conduct that is speech or other communication that, when engaged in outside of the campus, is protected from governmental restriction by the United States Constitution or the Illinois Constitution. Provides that a student who is enrolled in a school at the time that the school has made or enforced a rule that the student would be protected from may commence a civil action to obtain appropriate injunctive and declaratory relief as determined by the court. Provides that the new provisions do not apply to a private secondary school that is controlled by a religious organization to the extent that the application would not be consistent with the religious tenets of the organization. Provides that an employee shall not be dismissed, suspended, disciplined, reassigned, transferred, or otherwise retaliated against solely for acting to protect a student engaged in conduct authorized under the new provisions, or refusing to infringe upon conduct that is protected.