IL HB3743

Requires all Illinois school districts to include railroad safety messaging in student handbooks for grades kindergarten through 12

Mandates specific safety warnings including: cross only at designated crossings, never walk on train tracks (illegal and dangerous), watch for additional trains after one passes, and obey flashing red lights and crossing gates

Warns students that trespassing on railroad tracks can result in tickets and fines, and that trains cannot stop in time once an engineer sees someone on the tracks

Allows school boards to opt out of the requirement if they determine the messaging is unnecessary based on local context or curriculum alignment

Takes effect July 1, 2026