SCHOOL-PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY

Amends the Department of Public Health Powers and Duties Law of the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. If the Governor has declared a disaster due to a public health emergency, requires the Department of Public Health to establish metrics for school districts and public institutions of higher education to use during the public health emergency in determining if the district or institution may safely conduct in-person instruction or if the district or institution must implement remote learning or blended remote learning to keep students and staff safe. Provides that the metrics shall be enforced by the Department, in cooperation with the State Board of Education and the Board of Higher Education. Requires the Department, the State Board of Education, and the Board of Higher Education to follow all guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States Department of Health and Human Services as it pertains to schools and institutions of higher education during the public health emergency. Provides that the Department shall be responsible for providing rapid COVID-19 testing in public schools and public institutions of higher education. Amends the School Code and the Board of Higher Education Act. Requires school districts and public institutions of higher education to grant paid sick leave to their employees if they contract the illness for which the public health emergency was declared. Effective immediately.