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HB 3743

SCH CD-RAILROAD SAFETY

104th Regular Session Introduced by Dee Avelar and 23 co-sponsors

Requires Illinois K-12 districts to include railroad safety messages in student handbooks; districts may opt out; standardizes safety info for students and families.

Sent to the Governor
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Bill Summary · HB 3743

Summary — HB 3743 (SCH CD‑RAILROAD SAFETY)

Status: Re‑referred to Assignments (Rule 3‑9(a)) — introduced Mar 4, 2025; received in Senate Apr 10, 2025.
If enacted, effective date: July 1, 2026.
Statute amended: School Code — adds new Section 22‑101 (105 ILCS 5/22‑101).

Main purpose

Require Illinois school districts to include specified railroad safety messaging in student handbooks for grades kindergarten through 12, with a local opt‑out option by school board vote.

Key provisions

  • Adds Section 22‑101 to the School Code directing each school district to include the following railroad safety messages in K–12 student handbooks:
    1. Cross tracks only at designated pedestrian or roadway crossings and obey warning signs and signals.
    2. Never walk on train tracks — it is illegal and dangerous; by the time a locomotive engineer sees a trespasser or vehicle on the tracks it is typically too late to stop even with emergency brakes.
    3. The only safe place to cross is a designated public crossing (crossbucks, flashing red lights, or gates); crossing elsewhere is trespassing and may result in a ticket/fine.
    4. Do not cross immediately after a train passes — another train may be approaching from either direction; wait until both directions can be clearly observed.
    5. Flashing red lights (and lowered gates) indicate rail equipment is approaching; do not walk around or stop between lowered gates; do not cross until the lights stop flashing and it is safe.
    6. “Rails and recreation do not mix.” (warning against recreational use of tracks)
  • Local opt‑out: a school district may opt out if the district board determines the messaging is unnecessary based on local context or curriculum alignment.

Who is affected

  • All public school districts in Illinois (K–12) are required to include the messaging in student handbooks unless the district’s board votes to opt out.
  • Students, parents/guardians, school administrators, and local school boards will be the primary parties implementing/receiving the messaging.
  • No new funding, enforcement penalties, or programmatic requirements (beyond handbook inclusion) are specified in the bill text.

Legislative and procedural notes

  • Introduced by Rep. Matt Hanson; multiple House and Senate sponsors listed.
  • House Floor Amendment No. 1 was adopted; the bill passed the House (recorded 112‑0 on April 9, 2025) and was sent to the Senate where it has been assigned to committees and, as of June 2, 2025, re‑referred to Assignments under Rule 3‑9(a).
  • Effective date set by the bill: July 1, 2026 (if enacted).

Practical impact and considerations

  • Likely low administrative cost: adding content to existing handbooks and communications.
  • Intended public‑safety benefit: consistent, statewide railroad safety messages to K–12 students and families.
  • Local control preserved via board opt‑out; the bill does not specify oversight, reporting, or penalties for non‑inclusion.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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