(105 ILCS 5/27-23.12)

Sec. 27-23.12. Emotional Intelligence and Social and Emotional Learning Task Force. The Emotional Intelligence and Social and Emotional Learning Task Force is created to develop assessment guidelines and best practices on emotional intelligence and social and emotional learning, including strategies and instruction to address the needs of students with anger management issues. The Task Force shall consist of the State Superintendent of Education or his or her designee and all of the following members, appointed by the State Superintendent:

(1) A representative of a school district organized under Article 34 of this Code.

(2) A representative of a statewide organization representing school boards.

(3) A representative of a statewide organization representing individuals holding professional educator licenses with school support personnel endorsements under Article 21B of this Code, including school social workers, school psychologists, and school nurses.

(4) A representative of a statewide organization representing children's mental health experts.

(5) A representative of a statewide organization representing school principals.

(6) An employee of a school under Article 13A of this Code.

(7) A school psychologist employed by a school district in Cook County.

(8) Representatives of other appropriate State agencies, as determined by the State Superintendent.

Members appointed by the State Superintendent shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for their reasonable and necessary expenses from funds appropriated to the State Board of Education for that purpose, including travel, subject to the rules of the appropriate travel control board. The Task Force shall meet at the call of the State Superintendent. The State Board of Education shall provide administrative and other support to the Task Force.

The Task Force shall develop age-appropriate, emotional intelligence and social and emotional learning assessment guidelines and best practices for elementary schools and high schools. The guidelines shall, at a minimum, include teaching how to recognize, direct, and positively express emotions. The Task Force must also make recommendations on the funding of appropriate services and the availability of sources of funding, including, but not limited to, federal funding, to address social and emotional learning. The Task Force shall complete the guidelines and recommendations on or before March 1, 2020. Upon completion of the guidelines and recommendations the Task Force is dissolved.

(Source: P.A. 101-81, eff. 7-12-19; 101-498, eff. 6-1-20; 102-894, eff. 5-20-22.)