THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

INTRODUCED BY CURRY, BURNS, CARROLL, FRANKEL, KESSLER, KORTZ, KULA, MAHONEY, MUNDY, M. O'BRIEN, PASHINSKI, PAYTON, REICHLEY, SIPTROTH, K. SMITH, VULAKOVICH, WAGNER, WILLIAMS, YUDICHAK AND MURT, MARCH 24, 2009

AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, MARCH 10, 2010   

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 intermediate units, providing for

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school social work services; and, in professional employees,

further providing for definitions; and providing for school

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social workers.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1.  The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known

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as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a

section to read:

Section 923.3–A.  School Social Work Services.--(a)

Intermediate units or school districts may offer a program of

school social work services as part of the offering of pupil

personnel services.

(b)  Definitions.  As used in this section:

"School social worker" shall mean a certified employe who

provides social work services and support to students and their

families and who holds a license in good standing as a licensed

social worker or a licensed clinical social worker under the act

of July 9, 1987 (P.L.220, No.39), known as the "Social Workers,

Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors Act."

"School social work services" shall mean social work services

provided in the setting of an educational agency by a school

social worker. The term includes:

(1)  Prevention and intervention services. This paragraph

includes strengthening school systems and fostering healthy

climates.

(2)  Assessments. This paragraph includes special education

evaluations, functional behavior, manifestation determinations,

behavior interventions and mental health recommendations.

(3)  Counseling services. This paragraph includes individual

counseling, group counseling, family counseling and alcohol and

drug counseling.

(4)  Consultation. This paragraph includes classroom

observations, teacher consultations, case conferences and

consultation with administration on program needs.

(5)  Parent and community liaison. This paragraph includes

home-school-community liaison, engaging community in student

success and home visits.

(6)  Violence reduction. This paragraph includes child abuse

recognition and reporting, crisis intervention, peer mediation,

anger management and bully proofing.

(7)  Referrals and collaboration. This paragraph includes

linking students to community resources and collaborating with

outside agencies.

(8)  Assuring compliance with Federal mandates.

(9)  School involvement. This paragraph includes classroom

presentations, school-wide assembly presentations and

participation in school committees.

(10)  Training. This paragraph includes social skills,

parenting skills, staff in-service and parent-teacher

organization training.

Section 2.  Section 1101 of the act, amended November 30,

1971 (P.L.546, No.144), is amended to read:

Section 1.  Section 1101(1) of the act of March 10, 1949

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(P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949,

amended November 30, 1971 (P.L.546, No.144), is amended to read:

Section 1101.  Definitions.--As used in this article,

(1)  The term "professional employe" shall include those who

are certificated as teachers, supervisors, supervising

principals, principals, assistant principals, vice-principals,

directors of vocational education, dental hygienists, visiting

teachers, home and school visitors, school social workers, 

school counselors, child nutrition program specialists, school

librarians, school secretaries the selection of whom is on the

basis of merit as determined by eligibility lists and school

nurses.

(2)  The term "substitute" shall mean any individual who has

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been employed to perform the duties of a regular professional

employe during such period of time as the regular professional

employe is absent on sabbatical leave or for other legal cause

authorized and approved by the board of school directors or to

perform the duties of a temporary professional employe who is

absent.

(3)  The term "temporary professional employe" shall mean any

individual who has been employed to perform, for a limited time,

the duties of a newly created position or of a regular

professional employe whose services have been terminated by

death, resignation, suspension or removal.

(4)  The term "school social worker" shall have the meaning

given in section 923.3-A(b).

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Section 2.  The act is amended by adding a section to read:

Section 1107.1.  School Social Workers.--(a)  An individual

employed by a school entity as a school social worker must hold

a school social worker certificate issued by the Department of

Education.

(b)  The requirements of subsection (a) shall not apply to an

individual who:

(1)  meets the exception for school social workers stated in

section 3 of the act of July 9, 1987 (P.L.220, No.39), known as

the "Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and

Professional Counselors Act"; or

(2)  is employed as a school social worker by a school entity

or private school in this Commonwealth prior to the development

of a social worker certificate by the Department of Education.

(c)  A social worker performing services in a school entity

may work under the supervision of a superintendent, assistant

superintendent or other school administrator or employe as

determined by the school entity.

(d)  The Department of Education shall develop a school

social worker certificate no later than sixty (60) days after

the effective date of this section.

(e)  For the purposes of this section, the term "school

entity" shall mean any public school district, intermediate

unit, charter school or area vocational-technical school.

Section 3.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.