HB 1357

Abstract

Amends the School Code. Each school year, beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, requires a school board and charter school to collect data on student referrals to law enforcement and school-related arrests of students and on the reason for referring students to law enforcement and school-related arrests of students and submit that data annually to the State Board of Education. Requires the State Board to prepare a report (to be posted on the State Board's website) on student referrals to law enforcement and school-related arrests of students in all school districts and charter schools in this State for each school year, beginning with the 2023-2024 school year. Sets forth what the report must include. Provides that, before July 1 following the posting of a report, the State Board of Education shall identify those public schools and charter schools that are within the top 20% of schools with respect to the number of student referrals to law enforcement and school-related arrests of students and require each of the identified schools to submit a referral and arrest improvement plan identifying the strategies the school will implement to reduce the use of student referrals to law enforcement and school-related arrests of students. Provides for a progress report to be submitted. Effective immediately.