Senate Bill 1560 | Grades 3–12 | Starts 2027–2028 School Year
What is this new law? Starting in the 2027–2028 school year, every Illinois public school district must offer a mental health screening to all students in grades 3–12 at least once a year.
Does my child have to take the screening? No. It’s voluntary. You will be told when it’s happening and you can opt out.
What’s the purpose? To catch mental health concerns early and connect students to help and resources — before problems grow.
Who will screen my child? Screenings will be self-administered, using developmentally appropriate language to ask about things like sadness, stress, and worry.
Who makes the rules for schools?
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) must give all schools:
Model policies
Resource materials
Guidance for carrying out the screenings
This will be ready by September 1, 2026.
How much will this cost districts?
The screenings will be required once the necessary tools and technology are made available to districts free of charge by the State.
How will my child’s information be stored?
The screening results will be treated as confidential student records under Illinois and federal law (FERPA).
They are not part of your child’s public academic transcript.
Schools must keep them in secure systems with restricted access.
How long will the results be kept?
The law doesn’t set a specific time yet — ISBE’s 2026 guidance will spell that out. Typically, student health-related records are kept only as long as needed to support the student, and then securely destroyed.
Who can see the results?
Only:
You (the parent/caregiver)
Your child (if age-appropriate)
Licensed school or healthcare professionals who need the info to help your child
No one else can access them without your written consent, unless required by law in a crisis situation.
What will be done with the information?
The results may be used to:
Recommend follow-up with a counselor, social worker, or outside provider
Share resources with your family
Track school-wide trends only in de-identified form (no names attached) for planning programs and supports
Can I review the screening before my child takes it?
Yes. You can request to see the exact questions and process.
How will I be notified?
Schools must tell you:
When the screening will happen
What it involves
How to opt out
Key Dates to Remember:
-
September 1, 2026 – ISBE issues policies & guidance
- 2027–2028 school year – Screenings begin statewide
