Illinois lawmakers are reintroducing legislation aimed at strengthening consequences for sexual assaults in schools.

The measure is sponsored by Steve McClure, Jil Tracy, and C.D. Davidsmeyer. It would require a minimum one-year expulsion for any student who commits sexual assault or attempted sexual assault on school grounds or at school-related activities.

McClure says lawmakers continue to hear troubling reports of schools failing to properly respond to sexual violence.

The proposal, known as Senate Bill 2991, is modeled after existing Illinois law that mandates a one-year expulsion for students who bring weapons into schools.

Davidsmeyer says the goal is to protect victims and create clear standards for administrators.

The legislation was introduced following an incident in McClure’s district, where a young girl was sexually assaulted at school, but the attacker was not expelled. The victim’s mother, Ashley Peden, says her family repeatedly sought court orders of protection to keep their daughter safe.

Supporters say similar cases have occurred elsewhere, including Cook County, where another family says their daughter had to continue seeing her alleged attacker at school.

The bill has received backing from the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault, which says the measure would help schools better support survivors and hold offenders accountable.

Senate Bill 2991 is currently assigned to the Senate Criminal Law Committee.