SB 167

Abstract

Amends the School Code. Requires each school board to provide for a program by which both halal and kosher food options are offered in public school cafeterias by request. Provides further requirements concerning the provision of halal and kosher food in public schools. Amends the Halal Food Act. Defines "State-owned or State-operated facility". Provides that any State-owned or State-operated facility that provides food services or cafeteria services for which food products are provided or offered for sale also shall offer, upon request provided with reasonable notice, halal food options at the State-owned or State-operated facility. Provides that any halal food product offered shall be certified as halal by a State-approved organization or purchased from a State-approved halal-certified vendor. Provides that any person, organization, or vendor falsely representing a food product it provides as halal or falsely representing itself as a halal-certified vendor shall be subject to penalties under the Act. Provides for the adoption of rules. Provides that the amendatory provisions shall not infringe upon or affect any obligation in a contract entered into and in effect on or before the amendatory Act's effective date. Amends the Kosher Food Act. Makes substantially similar changes as to kosher food options at State facilities, defines "kosher", and provides that a violation of the provisions concerning State facility kosher food services is a Class C misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class A misdemeanor for the second and each subsequent offense. Effective June 1, 2024. Senate Committee Amendment No. 1 Adds reference to: 410 ILCS 645/1 from Ch. 56 1/2, par. 288.1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the contents of the introduced bill with the following changes. In provisions concerning the School Code, provides that halal and kosher lunch options shall be available as lunch options as part of a school board's lunch program to a student who submits a request at the time of registration (instead of having a halal or kosher food service program). Provides that the school board shall make accommodations to provide a halal or kosher lunch option upon finding a vendor or the school district itself is able to provide the lunch option. Removes provisions regarding certification of a vendor. Sets forth requirements for selecting a vendor, reimbursement, and compliance. In provisions concerning the Halal Food Act, provides that after an individual submits a request for a halal or kosher option, the state-owned or state-operated facility shall make accommodations for the request as soon as the state-owned or state-operated facility is able to provide the meals. Removes provisions regarding State-certification. Amends the Kosher Food Act. Makes substantially similar changes as to kosher food options at State facilities. Moves the definition of "kosher".