Kendall County Times

In a recent development, House Bill 5434, introduced by State Representative Jed Davis (R-Yorkville), successfully cleared the Elementary & Secondary Education: School Curriculum & Policies Committee with a unanimous vote of 15-0. Representative Davis expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, stating, "Yesterday’s committee passage of House Bill 5434 was a huge win for children across Illinois.”

The newly passed House Bill 5434 aims to enhance student protection by mandating schools to await official documentation of a student enrolling at another institution before removing them from their roster. Rep. Davis emphasized the significance of this requirement in ensuring the continuity of education and preventing vulnerable students from being exposed to risks such as human trafficking. He stated, “This bill will protect kids by ensuring no student falls through the cracks of our education system.”

Furthermore, Rep. Davis highlighted the current practice where schools rely solely on the word of a parent or guardian when deregistering students, emphasizing the need for greater accountability towards the students. He added, “This bill will hold everyone accountable to these students, ensuring no child is left behind.” Representative Davis acknowledged the contribution of Plano Community Unit School District 88 Assistant Principal Faith Skinner, who initially brought this crucial initiative to his attention. Looking ahead, Rep. Davis expressed optimism in garnering bipartisan support for the bill during its presentation on the House floor.

House Bill 5434 is part of a comprehensive legislative package, named Protecting Kids, consisting of five bills introduced by Representative Davis. For further details about Representative Jed Davis and his initiatives, interested individuals can visit RepJedDavis.com.