PRINTER'S NO. 30
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
51
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY GREENLEAF, AUMENT AND SCARNATI, JANUARY 14, 2015
REFERRED TO EDUCATION, JANUARY 14, 2015
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 terms and courses of study,
providing for guidelines on religious expression.
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
as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a
section to read:
Section 1516.2. Guidelines on Religious Expression.--(a)
Beginning with school year 2015-2016, the Secretary of Education
shall post on the Department of Education's publicly accessible
Internet website for informational purposes the entire "Guidance
on Constitutionally Protected Prayer in Public Elementary and
Secondary Schools" published by the United States Department of
Education, as updated from time to time.
(b) In addition to the information required under subsection
(a), the Secretary of Education may include on the Department of
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Education's publicly accessible Internet website any additional
information it deems relevant to religious activity in public
schools, including applicable Federal and State laws.
(c) School districts may post the guidelines under
subsection (a) and any other relevant information posted by the
department under subsection (b) on the school districts'
publicly accessible Internet websites for informational purposes
for school board members, district school superintendents,
school principals, teachers and the general public.
(d) School districts may annually, through normal
communications, inform public school employees and parents or
guardians of students of the information posted under this
section and how they may access it on the school districts'
publicly accessible Internet website.
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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