NASW-Illinois Chapter membership helps us to push for legislation that benefit Illinois social workers. As the largest membership association in Illinois advocating on behalf of social workers, consider adding your voice to our efforts and join/renew your NASW membership today.
SPRINGFIELD—Illinois State Representative Maura Hirschauer pushed forth legislation today that would amend the current School Safety Drill Act to allow for necessary reforms to better protect Illinois students.
Sponsored by Illinois State Representative Maura Hirschauer and co-sponsored by State Representative Terra Costa Howard, House Bill 2400 would reform Illinois' current active shooter drills in school by enacting the following:
Eliminate live action simulation drills while students are present
Require walkthrough lockdown drills be trauma-informed, age appropriate, and utilize mental health staff in planning and implementation
Require schools to notify parents of a law enforcement drill and create an opt-out for any reason.
Require schools to announce drills beforehand and allow students to ask questions throughout.
This NASW-Illinois Chapter initiative has passed the Illinois House of Representatives and now moves to the Senate.
Thank you to State Representative Maura Hirschauer and State Rep. Terra Costa Howard for their leadership in getting this bill through the Illinois House.
For more advocacy-related news from the NASW-Illinois Chapter, visit the "Advocacy" sub-tab on our "News" page.
The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world, with over 120,000 members. The NASW-Illinois Chapter is one of the association's largest chapters representing over 20.000 licensed Illinois social workers and school social workers, with over 5,000 active members. NASW strives to advance social work careers, grow social work businesses, and protect the profession.
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