Education (Student Health)

Amends the School Code. Requires a school district to develop and implement a plan to provide additional instructional services, support, or special accommodations to students who suffer from trauma related to experiencing the death of a sibling, parent, guardian, or household member by suicide or homicide or suffer from trauma caused by domestic violence or abuse and whom the school has determined require additional instructional services, support, or special accommodations but do not qualify for an individualized education program or for services under Section 504 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Sets forth what the plan may include. Provides that the plan shall remain in place until the student (i) is no longer enrolled in the district or (ii) has made such significant and sustained academic progress that the student no longer requires the plan. In provisions relating to children with disabilities, provides that beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, the notice that a school board provides concerning who qualifies for services under Section 504 shall include that a child may qualify for those services if the child is a student who is at least 3 years old or older and under 22 years and who (i) has experienced the death of a sibling, parent, guardian, or household member by suicide or homicide or (ii) suffers from trauma caused by domestic violence or abuse. Effective immediately.

HB 2365 proposes to appropriate $67 million to the State Board of Education. This funding is specifically designated to cover the costs associated with the Healthy School Meals for All Program. The bill directly affects the State Board of Education by providing funds for program operations. Indirectly, it benefits students who participate in the Healthy School Meals for All Program by ensuring continued support for meal provisions. The bill is set to become effective on July 1, 2025.

Appropriates $340,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the State Board of Education to address shortages of school psychologists in this State through specified methods. Effective July 1, 2025.

Appropriates $209,000,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the State Board of Education for costs associated with the Healthy School Meals for All Program. Effective July 1, 2025.

Amends the School Boards Article of the School Code. Requires the adopted school board policy for a remote educational program to allow a student to apply to participate in the remote educational program if the student (i) provides an employee pay stub, (ii) has a medical need, including pregnancy, or (iii) needs to care for a family member, including the student's own child.

Appropriates $2,000,000 to the State Board of Education for grants, contracts, and administration expenses under the federal Farm to School State Formula Grant. Effective July 1, 2025.

Amends the State Board of Education Article of the School Code. Provides that the State Board shall use the State and federal programs, grants, and subsidies that are available to assist in paying for student teachers as appropriate funds are made available.

Amends the School Code. In provisions concerning student mental health screenings, requires the State Board of Education's model school district procedures to facilitate the implementation of mental health screenings to include the option to opt in (rather than opt out) and a minimum of 3 written notifications each school year about the use of mental health screenings, one of which must be delivered by first-class mail, to a student's parent or guardian. Effective January 1, 2026.

Amends the School Code. In provisions requiring the State Board of Education to develop model school district procedures to facilitate the implementation of mental health screenings for students, provides that the procedures shall include the option for parents to opt in (rather than opt out) of mental health screenings for their children. Effective January 1, 2026.

Appropriates $2,950,000 from the General Revenue Fund to the Board of Higher Education to address shortages of school psychologists in this State through specified methods. Effective July 1, 2025.