PRINTER'S NO. 616
No. 571 Session of 2007
INTRODUCED BY GREENLEAF, RHOADES, COSTA, WAUGH, WOZNIAK AND
WONDERLING, MARCH 20, 2007
REFERRED TO EDUCATION, MARCH 20, 2007
AN ACT
1 Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
2 act relating to the public school system, including certain
3 provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
4 schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
5 laws relating thereto," further providing for excuses from
6 attending school; and making an editorial change.
7 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
8 hereby enacts as follows:
9 Section 1. Section 1329 of the act of March 10, 1949
10 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949,
11 amended June 22, 2001 (P.L.530, No.35), is amended to read:
12 Section 1329. Excuses from Attending School.--(a) The board
13 of school directors of any school district may, upon
14 certification by any licensed practitioner of the healing arts
15 or upon any other satisfactory evidence being furnished to it,
16 showing that any child or children are prevented from attending
17 school, or from application to study, on account of any mental,
18 physical, educational or other urgent reasons, excuse such child
19 or children from attending school as required by the provisions
1 of this act, but the term "urgent reasons" shall be strictly
2 construed and shall not permit of irregular attendance. In every
3 such case, such action by the board of school directors shall
4 not be final until the approval of the [Department of Public
5 Instruction] Department of Education has been obtained. Every
6 principal or teacher in any public, private, or other school
7 may, for reasons enumerated above, excuse any child for non-
8 attendance during temporary periods.
9 (b) Pursuant to the requirements of 22 Pa. Code § 11.41
10 (relating to school district policies and rules), the board of
11 school directors shall formally adopt, as part of its written
12 rules governing pupil absences and excusals, a policy permitting
13 a student to be excused for participation in a project sponsored
14 by an organization that is eligible to apply for a grant under
15 section 5(3) of the act of July 8, 1986 (P.L.437, No.92), known
16 as the "Pennsylvania Agricultural Fair Act."
17 Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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