Rep. Chris Welch

Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. Provides that subject to availability of appropriations, the Department of Children and Family Services shall establish and maintain a database on the safety of consumer products and other products or substances regulated by the Department that is: (1) publicly available; (2) searchable; and (3) accessible through the Internet website of the Department. Amends the Children's Product Safety Act. Provides that "children's product" means a product that is designed or intended for the care of, or use by, any child under the age of 12 (rather than 9).

Amends the Courses of Study Article of the School Code. In provisions relating to bullying prevention and the definition of "policy on bullying", provides that bullying shall also include bullying based on physical appearance, socioeconomic status, academic status, pregnancy, parenting status, homelessness. Provides that a bullying prevention policy must include procedures for informing parents or guardians of all students involved in the alleged incident of bullying within 24 hours after the school's administration is made aware of the incident (instead of procedures for promptly informing parents or guardians of all students involved in the alleged incident of bullying). Provides that the bullying prevention policy shall also require all individual instances of bullying, as well as all threats, suggestions, or instances of self-harm to be reported to the parents or legal guardians of those involved under the guidelines provided. Provides that the State Board of Education shall develop a template for a model bullying prevention policy. Provides that schools shall develop the bullying prevention policy for the school based on the model provided by the State Board of Education. Provides that school districts shall collect, maintain, and submit to the State Board of Education non-identifiable data regarding allegations and instances of bullying within the school district. Provides that upon the request of a parent or legal guardian of a child enrolled in a school district within the State, the State Board of Education must provide non-identifiable data of the number of bullying allegations and incidents in a given year at the school district to the requesting parent or legal guardian. Amends the State Finance Act to make a conforming change. Makes other changes.

Amends the School Code. Provides that, when hiring physical education, music, and visual arts educators, school districts must prioritize the hiring of educators who hold a teaching license and endorsement in those content areas. Provides that, if a school district is unable to hire a qualified candidate, the district may then hire a candidate who holds a valid professional educator license on a short-term basis. Provides that the professional educator license applicant must pass the content area test for which they are assigned to teach within one calendar year of the employment start date. Provides that, in order to retain employment for subsequent school years, the employee must complete 18 hours of course work in the content area in which they are teaching within 3 calendar years of their employment start date. Provides that in case of a reduction in force, districts may follow their local contract language for filling positions.

Amends the Prevailing Wage Act. Provides that any laborer, worker, or mechanic who is employed by the contractor or by any lower tier sub-contractor and is paid for services in a sum less than the prevailing wage rates for work performed on a project shall have a right of action for whatever difference there may be between the amount so paid and the prevailing rates required to be paid for work performed on the project. Makes other changes.

Amends the State Designations Act. Provides that the soybean is designated as the official State bean of the State of Illinois.

Amends the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Amends the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois. Makes a technical change in a Section concerning the short title.

Commends Justin Cox on his service as Chief Counsel to the Speaker and on his over 13 years of service to the House of Representatives and the State of Illinois. Wishes him the best in his future endeavors.

Amends the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act. Provides that the Commission on Equity and Inclusion shall establish goals based on the types of communities served by businesses. Amends the Business Corporation Act of 1983. Requires a corporation that is a publicly held domestic or foreign corporation with its principal executive office located in Illinois to provide in its annual report the percentage of professional services procurements from business enterprises owned by minority persons, women, or persons with disabilities as those terms are defined in the Business Enterprise for Minorities, Women, and Persons with Disabilities Act. Provides that the Secretary of State shall establish a publicly accessible and searchable database of the information in each annual report.

Recognizes the 2023 Alpha Phi Alpha Day held at the Illinois State Capitol and welcomes the members of Alpha Phi Alpha to the Capitol. Declares April 19, 2023 as Alpha Phi Alpha Day.