Faith's Law

Faith’s Law is named after prevention advocate and child sexual abuse survivor Faith Colson, who graduated from an Illinois high school in the early 2000s.

Faith’s Law was passed by the 102nd General Assembly as two separate pieces of legislation. The first, Public Act 102-0676, took effect December 3, 2021, and, for the first time, established the definition of "sexual misconduct” within School Code. The new legislation:

• Requires school districts to develop an employee code of professional conduct policy that addresses "grooming" and other forms of sexual misconduct.
• Expands protections for students by expanding the definition of “grooming” to include acts performed in-person, through direct communication or a third party, or written communication
• Requires the Illinois State Board of Education to develop a resource guide.
• Clarifies mandated reporters must report suspected “grooming” to DCFS under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act.
• Adds training opportunities for educators on the physical and mental health needs of students, student safety, educator ethics, professional conducts, and other topics regarding students' well-being.

The second legislation, Public Act 102-0702, focuses on the prevention of “sexual misconduct” by school employees, substitute employees, and employees of contractors. The ultimate goals are to:

• Protect students from acts of sexual misconduct by school employees, substitute employees, and employees of contractors.
• Give parents/guardians notice regarding allegations of sexual misconduct that involve their student.
• Equip schools with better information regarding the employment history of an applicant or employee of a contractor to make well-informed decisions about who they are employing/contracting with.