PRINTER'S NO. 1771
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1404
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY RAPP, D. MILLER, COX, IRVIN, BERNSTINE, WARD,
WHEELAND AND ORTITAY, MAY 19, 2017
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MAY 19, 2017
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 preliminary provisions, providing
for excusal from State assessments.
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 121.1. Excusal from State Assessments.--(a) A
parent or guardian may submit to the school a written request to
excuse the parent's or guardian's child from any or all parts of
an assessment based on a parent's or guardian's objection on
religious or philosophical grounds or due to health concerns for
the child. The health concerns may include stress and anxiety in
preparation for the assessment. A parent's or guardian's
objection on religious grounds shall follow the process under 22
Pa. Code ยง 4.4(d) (relating to general policies).
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Notwithstanding any provision of law, a parent's or guardian's
written request to school officials to excuse the parent's or
guardian's child from any or all parts of the assessments
administered under 22 Pa. Code Ch. 4 (relating to standards and
assessment) shall be granted. A public school entity shall not
be penalized because of a parent's or guardian's exercise of
this section.
(b) As used in this section, the following words and phrases
shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless
the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Assessment." The Pennsylvania System of School Assessment
test, the Keystone Exam, an equivalent local assessment or
another test established or approved by the State Board of
Education or the General Assembly to meet the requirements of
section 2603-B(d)(10)(i) and which is required under the Every
Student Succeeds Act (Public Law 114-95, 129 Stat. 1802) or its
successor statute.
"Public school entity." A school district, intermediate
unit, joint school, area vocational-technical school, charter
school or cyber charter school.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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