HB3691, titled the School Radon Protection Act, amends the Illinois School Code to make radon testing and mitigation requirements for school buildings mandatory rather than merely recommended. It requires every occupied or soon-to-be-occupied school building to be tested for radon by January 1, 2029 and retested every five years thereafter. The bill also requires new school construction to use radon-resistant building techniques consistent with the ANSI/AARST CC-1000 standard or a successor standard.
The bill tightens the rules on who may conduct radon screening and follow-up work. It removes the ability for unlicensed persons to perform radon screening tests unless they qualify for an exemption from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency and Office of Homeland Security, and it requires school districts to use licensed radon professionals when no exemption is granted. If screening results are at or above 4.0 pCi/L, the district must hire a licensed professional for confirmatory measurements, and the bill adds mitigation requirements for affected areas, with limited exceptions for buildings slated for decommissioning or renovation.
HB3691 also requires school districts to report test results to the State Board of Education, which must compile a biennial report for the General Assembly and Governor. Districts may make results available to the public and notify parents and faculty. The bill authorizes use of life safety funds, if available, for radon testing and mitigation, and it expressly preempts home rule authority so local governments cannot weaken the state standards.
The overall sentiment reflected by the bill text is protective and public-health oriented, with the stated purpose of protecting children, teachers, staff, administrators, and visitors from radioactive radon. Because there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes provided, there is no direct evidence of support or opposition in the available record. The structure of the bill suggests a policy preference for stronger statewide standards and more enforceable compliance obligations.
The main points of potential contention are likely to be cost, administrative burden, and licensing requirements. School districts may face expenses for repeated testing, professional services, and mitigation work, although the bill allows use of life safety funds when available. Another possible issue is the shift from permissive to mandatory language and the preemption of home rule powers, which limits local flexibility in how school radon issues are handled.
HB3691 would amend Sections 10-20.48 and 34-18.39 of the School Code to convert existing radon-related recommendations into enforceable duties for school districts, including testing deadlines, recurring retesting, licensed-professional involvement, mitigation requirements, reporting obligations, and construction standards for new schools. It would also limit local home-rule authority over school radon regulation and allow districts to use life safety funds for compliance.
The bill’s stated purpose and structure indicate strong support for public health and school safety, with a clear emphasis on reducing radon exposure in schools. No committee discussion or vote history is available, so there is no recorded legislative debate to gauge bipartisan support or opposition. Based on the text alone, the measure appears to be framed as a preventive safety bill rather than a controversial policy change.
Likely areas of contention include the cost of mandatory testing and mitigation, the requirement to use licensed radon professionals, and the bill’s preemption of home rule authority. School districts may object to the added compliance burden and potential capital costs, while supporters would likely argue that the health risks justify statewide minimum standards and mandatory action when elevated radon is found.