Faith’s Law Guidance - FAQ - Sexual Misconduct Notification Requirements - Employee Code of Professional Conduct Policy

Oct 10, 2026

Faith’s Law guidance outlines what Faith’s Law is and what changes it introduces for schools, including required actions and implementation dates. The FAQ explains definitions related to sexual misconduct, notification duties to DCFS, local law enforcement, parents/guardians, and students, and how determinations are made regarding qualifying conduct. It also covers the employee code of professional conduct policy requirements, communications, adoption, violations, and the procedures for notice during allegations and investigations, including governance notification obligations.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

FormatPDF

Pages30

Reading Time1 h 16 min

AccessFree to download

What is Faith’s Law?

What changes or new requirements were made as a result of Faith’s Law?

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Sexual Misconduct

Sexual Misconduct Allegation Notification Requirements

Employee Code of Professional Conduct Policy

Sexual Misconduct Allegation Notification Requirements

Employment History Review Requirements

Contents What is Faith’s Law?..................................................................................................................................... 7 What changes or new requirements were made as a result of Faith’s Law and what are their effective/implementation dates?................................................................................................................ 8 Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Sexual Misconduct .................................................................... 11 Q-1. Is “sexual misconduct” the same thing as “grooming” or “sexual abuse”? .......................... 11 Q-2. Do I notify the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)? When? ........... 11 Q-3. Do I notify local law enforcement? When? ........................................................................... 11 Q-4. Do I notify the parents/guardians? When? ........................................................................... 11 Q-5. How is it determined and by whom that an employee committed an act of sexual misconduct that would trigger Faith’s Law requirements?................................................... 12 Employee Code of Professional Conduct Policy ........................................................................................ 13 The Basics ................................................................................................................................................ 13 Q-6. When does the employee code of professional conduct policy have to be adopted by a school? ................................................................................................................................... 13 Q-7. What entities are required to implement the employee code of professional conduct policy? .................................................................................................................................... 13 Q-8. What must the employee code of professional conduct policy include? ............................. 13 Q-9. How must the employee code of professional conduct policy be communicated? ............. 13 Q-10. What happens if an employee violates the employee code of professional conduct policy?............................................................................................................................................... 14 Sexual Misconduct Allegation Notification Requirements ....................................................................... 15 The Basics ................................................................................................................................................ 15 Q-11. What must a school district, charter school, or nonpublic school do if an allegation of sexual misconduct is made? ............................................................................................................. 15 Q-12. What are the specific notice requirements when there is an allegation of sexual misconduct?........................................................................................................................... 15 Q-13. What are the notice requirements when formal action has been taken due to allegations of sexual misconduct?................................................................................................................ 16 Q-14. Does a school need to follow the notification procedures in every instance of alleged sexual misconduct involving a student and an employee, agent of the school, or contractor? ...... 17 Q-15. Must notice always be provided to the parents or guardians of the student regarding the allegations of sexual misconduct and whether formal action has been taken? ................... 17 Q-16. Must notice always be provided to the student prior to the parents or guardians regarding the allegations of sexual misconduct and whether formal action has been taken? ............. 17 Frequently Asked Quest

FAQs

What is “sexual misconduct” under Faith’s Law, and how does it relate to grooming or sexual abuse?

The FAQ addresses whether “sexual misconduct” is the same as “grooming” or “sexual abuse,” clarifying the covered concept for Faith’s Law purposes.

Who must be notified under the sexual misconduct allegation notification requirements, and when?

Schools must follow notice duties to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), local law enforcement, parents/guardians, and students, with timing described for each notice step.

What requirements apply to the employee code of professional conduct policy?

The guidance explains when the policy must be adopted by a school, which entities must implement it, what it must include, how it must be communicated, and what happens if an employee violates it.

Oct 10, 2026

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