HB2673 Summary

• Requires school districts to provide instruction and training in violence prevention and conflict resolution education as part of social-emotional learning standards for all students in grades pre-kindergarten through 8, aligned with plans developed under the Children's Mental Health Act of 2003.

• Mandates peer mediation programs for grades 4 through 12 instead of previous instruction-only requirement for grades 4-12.

• Requires schools maintaining kindergarten through 8 to provide numerical and narrative evaluation of student progress in violence prevention skills as part of annual school report cards.

• Defines violence prevention curriculum to include consequences of violent behavior, causes of violent reactions, conflict resolution techniques (empathy, anger management, impulse control, problem-solving, and decision-making), and the relationship between drugs, alcohol, and violence.

• Authorizes the State Board of Education to design and fund 50 pilot projects annually (subject to appropriation) until all programs comply, with funding tied to cost of living adjustments and potentially shared from Positive Behavior Intervention System (PBIS) and Illinois Children's Mental Health Partnership (ICMHP) funds.