PRINTER'S NO. 4316
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
2750
Session of
2018
INTRODUCED BY TALLMAN, OCTOBER 31, 2018
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, OCTOBER 31, 2018
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 duties and powers of boards of
school directors, providing for code of ethics and
professional responsibility for teachers.
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 529. Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility
for Teachers.--(a) Each board of school directors shall
establish a code of ethics and professional responsibility for
teachers which provides that no public elementary or secondary
school teacher, regardless of continuing contract status, is
permitted during class time or while otherwise operating within
the scope of employment as a teacher to do the following:
(1) endorse, support or oppose any Federal, State or local
legislation or regulation, regardless of whether the legislation
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
or regulation is pending, proposed or enacted;
(2) endorse, support or oppose a Federal, State or local
court case or judicial action, regardless of whether the court
case or judicial action is pending, proposed or decided;
(3) endorse, support or oppose a pending, proposed or final
executive action by a Federal, State or local executive branch
agency;
(4) endorse, support or engage in activities that hamper or
impede the lawful access of military recruiters to school
property; or
(5) endorse, support or engage in activities that hamper or
impede the actions of a Federal, State or local law enforcement
agency.
(b) A code of ethics and professional responsibility for
teachers established under subsection (a) shall contain
provisions for enforcement and penalties for a violation of the
prohibitions in the code of ethics and professional
responsibility, up to and including termination of employment.
(c) Each board of school directors shall provide the
following:
(1) Written notification of the code of ethics and
professional responsibility for teachers that is established
under subsection (a) to all public elementary and secondary
school teachers and enrolled students and parents of enrolled
students.
(2) At least one hour of annual continuing teacher education
instruction regarding a teacher's responsibilities under a code
of ethics and professional responsibility.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
20180HB2750PN4316 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29