Faith's Law

Faith’s Law is named after a prevention advocate and child sexual abuse survivor from Illinois who pushed for change to state laws related to educator sexual misconduct in K-12 schools. Legislation was passed in 2021 and 2023 that establishes a definition of sexual misconduct and outlines a number of prevention requirements for schools. 

The ultimate goals are to:

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

Definition

Sexual misconduct is defined as, "Any act, including, but not limited to, any verbal, nonverbal, written, or electronic communication or physical activity, by an employee or agent of the school district, charter school or nonpublic school with direct contact with a student that is directed toward or with a student to establish a romantic or sexual relationship with the student. Such an act includes, but is not limited to, any of the following:

  • A sexual or romantic invitation. 
  • Dating or soliciting a date. 
  • Engaging in sexualized or romantic dialog.
  • Making sexually suggestive comments that are directed toward or with a student.
  • Self-disclosure or physical exposure of a sexual, romantic, or erotic nature.
  • A sexual, indecent, romantic, or erotic contact with a student."

Faith's Law Resource Guide

ISBE has developed and maintains the Faith’s Law Resource Guide that includes guidance for pupils, parents/guardians, and teachers about sexual abuse responses and prevention resources available in their community, including the contact information of entities that provide services for victims of child sexual abuse and their families.

District 97 Employee Ethics/Code of Professional Conduct Policy

Oak Park Elementary School District 97 has developed and implemented an employee code of professional conduct policy, 5:120 Employee Ethics; Code of Professional Conduct; and Conflict of Interest in compliance with Faith’s Law.

For more information about Faith’s Law, please visit ISBE’s Faith’s Law webpage.