PRINTER'S NO. 1664
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1478
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY CEPHAS, FEE, MADDEN, HILL-EVANS, GUENST, PARKER,
SANCHEZ, M. JONES, GIRAL, GALLAGHER, CIRESI, HADDOCK, CURRY
AND DONAHUE, JUNE 21, 2023
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, JUNE 21, 2023
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
act relating to the public school system, including certain
provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto," in school health services, further
providing for dental examinations and dental hygiene
services.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 1403 of the act of March 10, 1949
(P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, is
amended to read:
Section 1403. Dental [Examinations] Screenings and Dental
Hygiene Services.--(a) All children of school age in the
Commonwealth, (i) upon original entry into the school, (ii)
while in the third grade, and (iii) while in the seventh grade,
shall be given a dental [examination] screening by a school
dentist or public health dental hygiene practitioner: Provided,
however, That this requirement shall not apply to those school
districts or joint school boards which have instituted a program
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of dental hygiene services as provided in subsection (b) of this
section.
(b) Any school district or joint school board may institute
a program of dental hygiene services for children of school age,
which program shall be approved by the Secretary of Health, and
for that purpose may employ dental hygienists.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a school
district or joint school board that has not instituted a program
of dental hygiene services as provided under subsection (b) may
use a public health dental hygiene practitioner to satisfy the
requirements under this section.
(d) As used in this section, the term "public health dental
hygiene practitioner" shall have the same meaning given to that
term in section 2 of the act of May 1, 1933 (P.L.216, No.76),
known as "The Dental Law."
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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