THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

INTRODUCED BY SCHRODER, BAKER, BOYD, CLYMER, CREIGHTON, CUTLER, DENLINGER, FLECK, GEIST, GRELL, HORNAMAN, KORTZ, LONGIETTI, METCALFE, MILLARD, MILLER, MILNE, MURT, O'NEILL, PALLONE, PAYNE, PICKETT, PYLE, RAPP, READSHAW, REICHLEY, ROAE, ROCK, ROHRER, SAYLOR, SEIP, SIPTROTH, STERN AND J. TAYLOR, APRIL 7, 2009

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, APRIL 7, 2009  

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," further providing for display of

United States flag and development of patriotism.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1.  Section 771 of the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30,

No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by

adding a subsection to read:

Section 771.  Display of United States Flag; Development of

Patriotism.--* * *

(e)  (1)  No teacher or administrator in a public school

entity shall be prohibited from using or reading from, during

the course of educational instruction, or from posting in a

public school building, classroom or event, any of the following

or any excerpts or portions of the following:

(i)  The national motto.

(ii)  The national anthem.

(iii)  The Pledge of Allegiance.

(iv)  The Constitution of the United States and the

Constitution of Pennsylvania.

(v)  The Declaration of Independence.

(vi)  The writings, speeches, documents and proclamations of

the founders or Presidents of the United States or the founders

or Governors of Pennsylvania.

(vii)  Opinions of the United States Supreme Court and

Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

(viii)  Acts of the United States Congress and acts of the

Pennsylvania General Assembly.

(ix)  Other historically significant or venerated documents,

writings or records.

(2)  The use, reading or posting of the types of documents,

writings and records authorized by this section shall be

undertaken for educational purposes only and shall not be used,

read from or posted to promote or establish any religion or

religious belief.

(3)  No person may impose content-based censorship of an

American or Pennsylvania historical document, writing or record

based on any religious references contained in such document,

writing or record.

Section 2.  This act shall take effect immediately.