On December 3, 2021, Governor Pritzker signed Faith’s Law, P.A. 102-0676 (HB 1976), into law. Faith’s Law expands the criminal definition of grooming beyond electronic communications to include written communications and acts committed in person or by conduct through a third party. The law also makes it clear that mandated reporters must report suspected grooming to DCFS under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.  

In accordance with Illinois School Code (105 ILCS 5/22-85.5) pertaining to sexual misconduct in schools, beginning July 1, 2022, all school districts, charter schools, and nonpublic schools must have employee code of professional conduct policy that addresses the following:

• Incorporate the Code of Ethics for Illinois Educators;

• Incorporate the statutory definition of “sexual misconduct” in Section 22-85.5;

• Identify expectations for maintaining professional relationships with students and appropriate staff-student boundaries, recognizing the age and developmental level of the students served, and establish guidelines for the following situations: (1) transporting a student, (2) taking or possessing a photo or a video of a student, and (3) meeting with a student or contacting a student outside of the employee’s or agent’s professional role;

• Reference employee reporting requirements under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act and Title IX; and 

• Reference required employee training related to child abuse and educator ethics applicable under State or federal law.