SB0090 Summary: Racism-Free Schools Law

• Requires school districts, charter schools, and nonpublic schools to adopt and implement written policies prohibiting discrimination and harassment based on race, color, and national origin, and prohibiting retaliation; policies must include complaint procedures, remedies, and legal recourse information.

• Mandates schools establish procedures for responding to discrimination and harassment complaints that reduce reporting barriers, permit support persons and anonymous reporting, and prohibit adverse consequences for reporters and victims.

• Requires schools to collect and report data on allegations of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation to the State Board of Education beginning August 1 following system implementation; State Board must publish annual aggregated reports by July 1 with individual school data protected from public disclosure.

• Amends the Illinois Human Rights Act to expand protections against harassment and discrimination in elementary and secondary education based on race, color, and national origin; requires schools to implement prevention training programs meeting state standards for all employees at least every 2 years.

• Takes effect August 1, 2024; data submitted by schools to comply with reporting requirements is confidential and exempt from Freedom of Information Act disclosure; reporting requirements expire July 1, 2029.