HB 3524

Abstract

Amends the State Board of Education Article of the School Code. Creates the Air Quality in Schools Task Force. Provides that the purpose of the task force is to study and make recommendations to the General Assembly on air quality goals for elementary, middle and high schools, processes to assess current ventilation systems in schools, processes to improve ventilation after assessment, and potential State and federal funding sources to improve school school air quality in the State. Sets forth members of the task force. Provides that the State Board shall provide administrative assistance and necessary staff support services. Provides that the task force shall issue a report on air quality goals for elementary, middle and high schools, processes to assess current ventilation systems in schools, processes to improve ventilation after assessment, and potential State and federal funding sources to improve school air quality in the State. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the contents of the engrossed bill with the following changes. Adds members to the task force. Provides that the task force shall issue recommendations for elementary and secondary schools relating to best practices to better assess current ventilation systems in schools and to improve their overall maintenance, as well as identify potential infrastructure needs (instead of issuing a report on air quality goals for elementary, middle, and high schools, processes to assess current ventilation systems in schools, processes to improve ventilation after assessment, and potential State and federal funding sources to improve school air quality in the State). Corrects grammatical and typographical errors. Senate Floor Amendment No. 2 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the State Board of Education Article of the School Code. Provides that the State Board of Education shall form an Air Quality in Schools Working Group to compile resources for elementary and secondary schools relating to indoor air quality in schools, including best practices for assessing and maintaining ventilation systems and information on any potential State or federal funding sources that may assist a school in identifying ventilation needs. Provides that the working group shall include representatives from the Department of Public Health, local public health professionals, ventilation professionals affiliated with a Department of Labor apprenticeship program, licensed design professionals, representatives from regional offices of education, school district administrators, teachers, and any other relevant professionals, stakeholders, or representatives of State agencies. Provides that the State Board shall implement an outreach plan to make the compiled resources available to elementary and secondary schools, including publication of the compiled resources on the State Board's website on or before August 1, 2024. Provides that the working group shall be dissolved upon the publication of the compiled resources. Provides that the State Board may, in consultation with the Department of Public Health or any other relevant stakeholders, update the compiled resources as necessary.