Bill Text: IL HB0160 | 2021-2022 | 102nd General Assembly | Chaptered


Bill Title: Amends the School Code. Provides that a pupil shall be excused from engaging in a physical education course during a period of religious fasting if the pupil's parent or guardian notifies the school principal in writing that the pupil is participating in religious fasting. Effective immediately.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 16-0)

Status: (Passed) 2021-08-19 - Public Act . . . . . . . . . 102-0405 [HB0160 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2021-HB0160-Chaptered.html



Public Act 102-0405
HB0160 EnrolledLRB102 05150 CMG 15171 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 Section
27-6 as follows:
(105 ILCS 5/27-6) (from Ch. 122, par. 27-6)
Sec. 27-6. Courses in physical education required; special
activities.
(a) Pupils enrolled in the public schools and State
universities engaged in preparing teachers shall be required
to engage during the school day, except on block scheduled
days for those public schools engaged in block scheduling, in
courses of physical education for such periods as are
compatible with the optimum growth and developmental needs of
individuals at the various age levels except when appropriate
excuses are submitted to the school by a pupil's parent or
guardian or by a person licensed under the Medical Practice
Act of 1987 and except as provided in subsection (b) of this
Section. A school board may determine the schedule or
frequency of physical education courses, provided that a pupil
engages in a course of physical education for a minimum of 3
days per 5-day week.
Special activities in physical education shall be provided
for pupils whose physical or emotional condition, as
determined by a person licensed under the Medical Practice Act
of 1987, prevents their participation in the courses provided
for normal children.
(b) A school board is authorized to excuse pupils enrolled
in grades 11 and 12 from engaging in physical education
courses if those pupils request to be excused for any of the
following reasons: (1) for ongoing participation in an
interscholastic athletic program; (2) to enroll in academic
classes which are required for admission to an institution of
higher learning, provided that failure to take such classes
will result in the pupil being denied admission to the
institution of his or her choice; or (3) to enroll in academic
classes which are required for graduation from high school,
provided that failure to take such classes will result in the
pupil being unable to graduate. A school board may also excuse
pupils in grades 9 through 12 enrolled in a marching band
program for credit from engaging in physical education courses
if those pupils request to be excused for ongoing
participation in such marching band program. A school board
may also, on a case-by-case basis, excuse pupils in grades 7
through 12 who participate in an interscholastic or
extracurricular athletic program from engaging in physical
education courses. In addition, a pupil in any of grades 3
through 12 who is eligible for special education may be
excused if the pupil's parent or guardian agrees that the
pupil must utilize the time set aside for physical education
to receive special education support and services or, if there
is no agreement, the individualized education program team for
the pupil determines that the pupil must utilize the time set
aside for physical education to receive special education
support and services, which agreement or determination must be
made a part of the individualized education program. However,
a pupil requiring adapted physical education must receive that
service in accordance with the individualized education
program developed for the pupil. If requested, a school board
is authorized to excuse a pupil from engaging in a physical
education course if the pupil has an individualized
educational program under Article 14 of this Code, is
participating in an adaptive athletic program outside of the
school setting, and documents such participation as determined
by the school board. A school board may also excuse pupils in
grades 9 through 12 enrolled in a Reserve Officer's Training
Corps (ROTC) program sponsored by the school district from
engaging in physical education courses. School boards which
choose to exercise this authority shall establish a policy to
excuse pupils on an individual basis.
(b-5) A pupil shall be excused from engaging in any
physical activity components of a physical education course
during a period of religious fasting if the pupil's parent or
guardian notifies the school principal in writing that the
pupil is participating in religious fasting.
(c) The provisions of this Section are subject to the
provisions of Section 27-22.05.
(Source: P.A. 100-465, eff. 8-31-17.)
Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
becoming law.
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