SB0565 Summary

• Amends the School Code to require age-appropriate developmental screening and social and emotional screening as part of health examinations for students, with screening completion by October 15th of each school year.

• Specifies that for social and emotional screening, only whether the screening was completed must be recorded, not detailed results, and confidentiality is governed by applicable statutes and professional ethics.

• Allows qualified school support personnel to offer the developmental and social and emotional screening to students with parental consent if not completed by October 15th, without excluding students from school for non-compliance.

• Requires the Department of Public Health to develop rules for the screenings in conjunction with school boards, pediatricians, educators, mental health experts, school principals, and other state agencies, considering American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations and State Board of Education social and emotional learning standards.

• Clarifies that charter schools must comply with Section 27-8.1 health examination requirements, including the new screening provisions.