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HB 2802

SCH CD-STEAM ABSENCE EXEMPTION

104th Regular Session Introduced by Christopher Belt and 10 co-sponsors

Allows one excused school day per year for eligible female students (grades 6–12) to participate in STEAM externships/volunteer placements in-state.

Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0250
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Bill Summary · HB 2802

Summary — HB 2802 (Public Act 104‑0250)

Status: Enacted (Public Act 104‑0250)
Introduced: Feb 13, 2025 — Effective: January 1, 2026
Statutory change: Amends the School Code — 105 ILCS 5/26‑1 (Compulsory Attendance)

Purpose / Intent

The act creates a narrowly targeted attendance exemption intended to encourage female student participation in hands‑on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) experiences by allowing a single excused school‑day absence for qualifying externships or volunteer placements.

Key provisions

  • Adds an exemption to the Compulsory Attendance law (105 ILCS 5/26‑1) for:
    • A female student in grades 6 through 12 who is participating in an educational externship or volunteer opportunity with an Illinois organization in the fields of science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM).
  • Permits a school board to allow one school‑day‑long, excused absence per school year for this purpose.
  • Authorizes the school board to require:
    • Reasonable advance notice of the intended absence to the appropriate school administrator.
    • Documentation of the student’s participation in the externship or volunteer opportunity.
  • Requires that the program participation be subject to guidelines established by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISEA).

Who is affected

  • Directly affected: female students in grades 6–12 enrolled in Illinois public schools who participate in qualifying STEAM externships or volunteer placements.
  • Indirectly affected: school districts and school boards (administrative/verification responsibilities), participating Illinois organizations offering externships/volunteer opportunities, and families of eligible students.

Practical impact and considerations

  • Scope is limited: one excused day per school year per eligible female student; absence does not override other attendance/accounting requirements unless schools approve and document it as excused.
  • Administrative impact: districts may need to adopt or update local policies and procedures for notification and documentation and follow ISEA guidelines once issued.
  • Policy implications: the exemption is gender‑specific (applies only to female students) and limited to in‑state STEAM placements; fiscal impact is likely minimal given the single‑day limit but could slightly affect attendance reporting and make‑up work procedures.
  • Sponsors & related legislation: chief sponsor Rep. Janeen Connolly; co‑sponsors listed; companion bill SB 2162.

For implementation details and any guidance on documentation and program eligibility, school districts should watch for guidelines issued by the Illinois State Board of Education after the law’s effective date.

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

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