HB3247 - 104th General Assembly (2025-2026)

SCH CD-PROHIBT DENIAL FREE ED
Last Action

08/15/2025 - House: Public Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0288
Statutes Amended In Order of Appearance

Synopsis As Introduced

Amends the School Code. Prohibits a child from being denied a free public education through secondary school while in the State based on the child's or associated person's perceived or actual citizenship or immigration status. Prohibits a school from excluding a child, or associated person, from participation in or denying a child, or associated person, the benefits of any program or activity on the grounds of that child's, or associated person's, actual or perceived citizenship or immigration status. Provides that a school must not use criteria, measures, or methods of administration that have the effect of excluding from participation or denying the benefits of any program or activity because of a child's, or associated person's, actual or perceived immigration status. Prohibits a school from threatening to disclose information regarding or relating to the actual or perceived citizenship or immigration status of a child, or associated person, or actually disclosing information based on perceived or unverified citizenship or immigration status, to any other person, entity, or any immigration or law enforcement agency. Provides that a school must not allow an immigration agent to enter a school site or school district facility for any purpose without providing valid identification, a written statement of purpose, and a valid judicial warrant, and, to the extent possible, receiving approval from the superintendent of the school district or the principal of the charter school, and their legal counsel. Provides that a school district or school must not detain any individual solely on the basis of any formal or informal request, or immigration detainer or civil immigration warrant from an immigration agent. Requires a school district or school to adopt a policy for complying with the amendatory Act. Allows any party aggrieved by a violation of the provisions to bring a civil lawsuit no later than 2 years after the violation occurred. Provides that if the court finds that a violation has occurred, the court may award to the plaintiff 3 times actual damages or $17,000, whichever is greater. Makes other changes.
Fiscal Note, House Floor Amendment No. 1 (State Board of Education)
HB 3247 (H-AM-1) amends the School Code to ensure that children are not denied a free public education or excluded from any school programs or activities based on their or an associated person's actual or perceived citizenship or immigration status. The bill prohibits schools from using criteria or methods that lead to such exclusion and from disclosing or threatening to disclose immigration status infonnation to immigration or law enforcement agencies. It also restricts immigration agents' access to school premises without proper documentation and approval, and prohibits schools from detaining individuals solely based on immigration detainers or warrants. Schools are required to adopt policies to comply with these provisions, and individuals aggrieved by violations can file a civil lawsuit within two years, with potential damages of three times actual damages or $17,000. This change would not have a fiscal impact to the State Board of Education. There could potentially be increased costs to school districts, public schools, charter schools, and nonpublic schools; however, the exact amount is unknown.
Fiscal Note, House Floor Amendment No. 2 (State Board of Education)
HB 3247 (H-AM-2) amends the School Code to ensure that children are not denied a free public education or excluded from any school programs or activities based on their or an associated person's actual or perceived citizenship or immigration status. The bill prohibits schools from using criteria or methods that lead to such exclusion and from disclosing or threatening to disclose immigration status infonnation to immigration or law enforcement agencies. It also restricts immigration agents' access to school premises without proper documentation and approval, and prohibits schools from detaining individuals solely based on immigration detainers or warrants. Schools are required to adopt policies to comply with these provisions, and individuals aggrieved by violations can file a civil lawsuit within two years, with potential damages of three times actual damages or $17,000. This change would not have a fiscal impact to the State Board of Education. There could potentially be increased costs to school districts, public schools, charter schools, and nonpublic schools; however, the exact amount is unknown.
Fiscal Note (State Board of Education)
HB 3247 amends the School Code to ensure that children are not denied a free public education or excluded from any school programs or activities based on their or an associated person's actual or perceived citizenship or immigration status. The bill prohibits schools from using criteria or methods that lead to such exclusion and from disclosing or threatening to disclose immigration status infonnation to immigration or law enforcement agencies. It also restricts immigration agents' access to school premises without proper documentation and approval, and prohibits schools from detaining individuals solely based on immigration detainers or warrants. Schools are required to adopt policies to comply with these provisions, and individuals aggrieved by violations can file a civil lawsuit within two years, with potential damages of three times actual damages or $17,000. This change would not have a fiscal impact to the State Board of Education. There could potentially be increased costs to school districts, public schools, charter schools, and nonpublic schools; however, the exact amount is unknown.

House Floor Amendment No. 3

Adds reference to:
Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Amends the School Code. Prohibits a child from being denied a free public education through secondary school while in the State based on the child's or the child's parent's or guardian's perceived or actual citizenship or immigration status. Prohibits a school (defined as a public school, school district, or governing body organized under the Code and its agents) from excluding a child from participation in or denying a child the benefits of any program or activity on the grounds of that child's perceived or actual immigration status or the child's parent's or guardian's actual or perceived citizenship or immigration status. Prohibits a school from using policies or procedures or engaging in practices that have the effect of excluding a child from participation in or denying the benefits of any program or activity or the effect of excluding participation of the child's parent or guardian from parental engagement activities or programs because of the child's perceived or actual immigration status or the child's parent's or guardian's actual or perceived immigration status. Prohibits a school from performing certain other actions. Requires a school to develop procedures for reviewing and authorizing requests from law enforcement agents attempting to enter a school or school facility by July 1, 2026. Requires a school to adopt a compliance policy. Allows any party aggrieved by a violation of specified provisions to bring a civil lawsuit no later than 2 years after the violation occurred. Provides that, if the court finds that a willful violation has occurred, the court may award actual damages. Makes other changes.
Actions

DateChamberAction
02/06/2025HouseFiled with the Clerk by Rep. Lilian Jiménez
02/18/2025HouseFirst Reading
02/18/2025HouseReferred to Rules Committee
02/21/2025HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Rita Mayfield
02/21/2025HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Laura Faver Dias
02/27/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Anna Moeller
02/27/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Lindsey LaPointe
02/27/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Jaime M. Andrade, Jr.
02/27/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Michelle Mussman
02/27/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Barbara Hernandez
03/05/2025HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Theresa Mah
03/11/2025HouseAssigned to Education Policy Committee
03/12/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Kevin John Olickal
03/12/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Dagmara Avelar
03/19/2025HouseDo Pass / Short Debate Education Policy Committee; 009-004-000
03/19/2025HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate
03/19/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Elizabeth "Lisa" Hernandez
03/19/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Hoan Huynh
03/19/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Aarón M. Ortíz
03/19/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Norma Hernandez
03/19/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Maura Hirschauer
03/19/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Sonya M. Harper
03/19/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Lilian Jiménez
03/19/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Referred to Rules Committee
03/20/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Rules Refers to Education Policy Committee
03/24/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Will Guzzardi
03/26/2025HouseSecond Reading - Short Debate
03/26/2025HouseHeld on Calendar Order of Second Reading - Short Debate
03/31/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Kelly M. Cassidy
04/04/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Michael Crawford
04/04/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Carol Ammons
04/08/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Lilian Jiménez
04/08/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Referred to Rules Committee
04/08/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Anne Stava-Murray
04/08/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Rules Refers to Education Policy Committee
04/09/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Fiscal Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Lilian Jiménez
04/09/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Fiscal Note Requested as Amended by Rep. Lilian Jiménez
04/09/2025HouseFiscal Note Requested by Rep. Lilian Jiménez
04/09/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommends Be Adopted Education Policy Committee; 009-004-000
04/09/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Nicolle Grasse
04/09/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Ann M. Williams
04/09/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Nabeela Syed
04/09/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Edgar González, Jr.
04/09/2025HouseBalanced Budget Note Requested by Rep. Lilian Jiménez
04/09/2025HouseFiscal Note Requested by Rep. Lilian Jiménez
04/09/2025HouseJudicial Note Requested by Rep. Lilian Jiménez
04/09/2025HouseState Debt Impact Note Requested by Rep. Lilian Jiménez
04/09/2025HouseState Mandates Fiscal Note Requested by Rep. Lilian Jiménez
04/11/2025HouseRule 19(a) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
04/11/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Rule 19(c) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
04/11/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Rule 19(c) / Re-referred to Rules Committee
04/14/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Emanuel "Chris" Welch
04/15/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Fiscal Note Filed as Amended
04/15/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Fiscal Note Filed as Amended
04/15/2025HouseFiscal Note Filed
05/05/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Robyn Gabel
05/16/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado
05/22/2025HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Kam Buckner
05/28/2025HouseApproved for Consideration Rules Committee; 005-000-000
05/28/2025HousePlaced on Calendar 2nd Reading - Short Debate
05/28/2025HouseThird Reading Deadline Extended-Rule May 31, 2025
05/28/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 3 Filed with Clerk by Rep. Lilian Jiménez
05/28/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 3 Referred to Rules Committee
05/28/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 3 Recommends Be Adopted Rules Committee; 005-000-000
05/28/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 3 Adopted
05/28/2025HouseState Mandates Fiscal Note Requested - Withdrawn by Rep. Lilian Jiménez
05/28/2025HouseBalanced Budget Note Requested - Withdrawn by Rep. Lilian Jiménez
05/28/2025HouseJudicial Note Requested - Withdrawn by Rep. Lilian Jiménez
05/28/2025HouseState Debt Impact Note Requested - Withdrawn by Rep. Lilian Jiménez
05/28/2025HouseChair Rules placed on Unlimited debate.
05/28/2025HousePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading - Unlimited Debate
05/28/2025HouseThird Reading - Unlimited Debate - Passed 070-040-001
05/28/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 1 Tabled
05/28/2025HouseHouse Floor Amendment No. 2 Tabled
05/28/2025SenateArrive in Senate
05/28/2025SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of First Reading
05/28/2025SenateChief Senate Sponsor Sen. Karina Villa
05/28/2025SenateFirst Reading
05/28/2025SenateReferred to Assignments
05/29/2025SenateAdded as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Mary Edly-Allen
05/29/2025SenateAdded as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Adriane Johnson
05/29/2025SenateAdded as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Rachel Ventura
05/29/2025SenateAdded as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Mark L. Walker
05/29/2025SenateRule 2-10 Committee Deadline Established As June 1, 2025
05/29/2025SenateAssigned to Executive
05/29/2025SenateAdded as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Graciela Guzmán
05/29/2025SenateAdded as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Sara Feigenholtz
05/29/2025SenateAdded as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Mike Simmons
05/29/2025SenateAdded as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Emil Jones, III
05/29/2025SenateAdded as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Javier L. Cervantes
05/29/2025SenateWaive Posting Notice
05/29/2025SenateAdded as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Celina Villanueva
05/29/2025SenateRule 2-10 Third Reading/Passage Deadline Established As June 1, 2025
05/29/2025SenateDo Pass Executive; 008-004-000
05/29/2025SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 2nd Reading May 30, 2025
05/29/2025SenateAdded as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Robert F. Martwick
05/30/2025SenateSecond Reading
05/30/2025SenatePlaced on Calendar Order of 3rd Reading May 31, 2025
05/31/2025SenateAdded as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Cristina Castro
05/31/2025SenateThird Reading - Passed; 032-020-000
05/31/2025HousePassed Both Houses
05/31/2025SenateAdded as Alternate Co-Sponsor Sen. Omar Aquino
05/31/2025SenateAdded as Alternate Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Graciela Guzmán
06/24/2025HouseSent to the Governor
08/15/2025HouseGovernor Approved
08/15/2025HouseEffective Date January 1, 2026
08/15/2025HousePublic Act . . . . . . . . . 104-0288