HB0299 Summary

• Amends Illinois School Code Section 27-23.7 to expand the definition of bullying to include "digital replicas" (synthetic voice, image, or likeness created using AI or other technology) beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.

• Adds definitions for "artificial intelligence" and "generative artificial intelligence" to the bullying prevention statute, clarifying that AI-generated content can constitute cyber-bullying.

• Adds "posting or distributing sexually explicit images" to the list of bullying conduct forms.

• Includes a free expression protection clause (subsection a-5) stating the bullying policy does not infringe on First Amendment rights or religious freedom protections.

• Requires schools to collect and submit non-identifiable bullying data to the State Board of Education annually from 2024-2025 through 2030-2031 school year, and authorizes grants for anti-bullying programs through the Illinois Bullying and Cyberbullying Prevention Fund.