IL HB4011

Expands religious absence exemptions in Illinois School Code Section 26-1(5) to include observance of religious holidays and participation in religious instruction, in addition to days when religious tenets forbid secular activity.

Removes requirement for school boards to prescribe mandatory lists of religious holidays and eliminates mandatory excuse language, instead requiring district superintendents to develop and distribute procedures regarding religious absences to schools.

Allows school boards to require up to 5 days advance notice (rather than notice tied to religious holiday rules) from parents or guardians of students taking religious absences, and specifies students need not submit written excuses after returning to school.

Removes the condition in Section 26-2b that religious holiday absence protections only apply if school boards have complied with prior regulations, making those protections unconditional.

Students absent for religious reasons must be excused from examinations, assignments, and work requirements on those days and provided equivalent makeup opportunities without penalty or special fees.