IL HB5265

Adds "school fees" definition to the School Code covering any monetary charge collected from students or parents as a prerequisite for participation in curricular or extracurricular programs.

Expands fee and fine waiver requirements to include homeless children and youth as defined under the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, in addition to students from households meeting free lunch/breakfast eligibility guidelines.

Changes fee waiver verification frequency from every 60 calendar days to once per academic year for school districts using independent eligibility processes separate from federal child nutrition program criteria.

Allows students to obtain fee and fine waivers at any point during the academic year, not just during scheduled verification periods.

Makes charter schools subject to the same fee and fine waiver requirements as traditional public schools under Sections 10-20.13, 28-19.2, and 34-21.6 of the School Code.