Amends the School Code. Provides that, no Later than July 1, 2026, the State Board of Education shall create educational materials that shall be posted publicly on its website and distributed to all school districts in the State that serve any grades kindergarten through 8 on the implementation of American Sign Language instruction into a school's curriculum. Includes a list of educational materials. Allows the State Board to receive assistance from outside organizations, State agencies, or individuals with expertise in American Sign Language that the State Board deems appropriate to assist with the creation of the education materials.
Senate Committee Amendment No. 2: Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the School Code. Provides that, no later than July 1, 2026, the State Board of Education shall encourage districts to collect teaching resources to support American Sign Language programs. Provides that the teaching resources may include, but need not be limited to, (i) the importance and benefits of American Sign Language instruction for early ages and the prevalence of American Sign Language in the United States, (ii) information on ways to implement American Sign Language instruction into kindergarten through grade 8 curriculum, and (iii) information on how to properly administer American Sign Language instruction for students in kindergarten through grade 8.
House Floor Amendment No. 2: Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the School Code. Requires the State Board of Education to develop statewide guidance for school districts and educators on the use of artificial intelligence in elementary and secondary education. Requires, no later than July 1, 2026, the State Board of Education to encourage school districts to collect teaching resources to support American Sign Language programs. With respect to educator licensure, provides that, on or before July 1, 2026, the State Board of Education shall post publicly on its website the process by which the State Board or any entity designated by the State Board evaluates content area knowledge tests to determine content validity, an absence of bias, or the scores required to pass such tests. With respect to the recommendation that an age-appropriate unit of Internet safety instruction include recognizing and reporting online harassment and cyber-bullying, adds that this includes the creation and distribution of false representations of individuals created by artificial intelligence, including, but not limited to, sexually explicit images and videos.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 105 ILCS 5/2
Engrossed: 105 ILCS 5/2
Enrolled: 105 ILCS 5/2, 105 ILCS 5/21, 105 ILCS 5/27