Substitute House Bill No. 7217 introduces significant revisions to education statutes, primarily aimed at enhancing financial transparency and accountability within local boards of education. Effective July 1, 2025, the bill requires superintendents to provide local boards with detailed financial information during the preparation of budget estimates, including original and actual amounts for the two preceding fiscal years and the current fiscal year. This new requirement is designed to improve clarity in budgetary processes by breaking down broad budget categories into specific line items. Additionally, the bill repeals and substitutes existing language in Section 10-222, emphasizing the need for detailed financial data in budget estimates submitted to municipal authorities, and modifies Section 10-51 to extend similar requirements to regional school districts.

The bill also addresses various aspects of student health assessments, school resource officer interactions, and student discipline. It mandates that health assessments for students be conducted with parental presence and notification, while also requiring annual vision screenings for specific grades. Furthermore, the bill establishes a memorandum of understanding between local boards of education and law enforcement regarding school resource officers, ensuring transparency in their roles. It modifies suspension regulations, limiting out-of-school suspensions for younger students and requiring immediate parental notification for physical restraint or seclusion incidents. Overall, sHB7217 aims to improve educational funding transparency, enhance student support services, and ensure compliance with updated educational standards, with an effective date set for July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 10-222, 10-233m, 10-153b, 10-206
ED Joint Favorable Substitute: 10-222, 10-233m, 10-153b, 10-206
File No. 648: 10-222, 10-233m, 10-153b, 10-206