HB1378 Summary

• Amends the School Code to allow school boards in districts with fewer than 200 students to contract with third parties for non-instructional services or lay off educational support personnel with 90 days written notice, without meeting the conditions required for larger districts.

• School boards in districts with at least 200 students must comply with eight conditions when contracting for non-instructional services, including liability insurance requirements, comparable benefits packages, cost projections, criminal background checks, and public hearings.

• Third-party contractors must provide evidence of liability insurance, employee benefits comparable to school district employees, staffing lists with job classifications and wages, a minimum 3-year cost projection, and criminal/disciplinary records information.

• School board must conduct a cost comparison using generally accepted accounting principles and hold at least one public hearing before entering into a contract, with notice provided at least 30 days prior or when bids are first solicited, whichever is longer.

• Contractors must offer available positions to displaced school district employees and comply with nondiscrimination and equal employment opportunity policies.