PRINTER'S NO. 2534
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1844
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY WATSON, CONKLIN, MILLARD, ROZZI, STEPHENS, WARD,
V. BROWN, DRISCOLL, MURT, PASHINSKI AND PICKETT,
OCTOBER 3, 2017
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, OCTOBER 3, 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 terms and courses of study,
further providing for child exploitation awareness education.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 1527(a) and (c) of the act of March 10,
1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949,
are amended and the section is amended by adding a subsection to
read:
Section 1527. Child Exploitation Awareness Education.--(a)
Beginning with the [2015-2016] 2018-2019 school year, each
school entity [may] shall:
(1) Develop an age-appropriate child exploitation awareness
education program and incorporate such program into the school
entity's existing curriculum for students in kindergarten
through grade eight. In developing the program, the school
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entity may use the model curriculum developed by the department
under subsection (b)(2).
(2) Include training in child exploitation awareness in the
professional development plan submitted by the school entity to
the secretary for approval pursuant to section 1205.1; provided
that a school entity shall provide four (4) hours of such
training every five (5) years for professional educators
assigned to teach courses into which child exploitation
awareness education has been incorporated under paragraph (1).
Training under this paragraph may be used to satisfy a
professional educator's continuing professional education
requirement under section 1205.2. A school entity may use the
materials made available by the department under subsection (b)
(1) to conduct such training.
* * *
(b.1) If a school entity determines that the school entity
does not have sufficient resources to develop and incorporate a
child exploitation awareness education program into the school
entity's curriculum as required under subsection (a), the school
entity shall work in conjunction with a community organization
to develop and incorporate a child exploitation awareness
education program at no cost to the school entity.
(c) 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:
"Community organization." An entity approved by the Child
Advocacy Center Advisory Committee to develop and provide child
exploitation awareness education in a school entity.
"Department." The Department of Education of the
Commonwealth.
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"Nonpublic school." A nonprofit school, other than a school
entity, wherein a resident of this Commonwealth may legally
fulfill the compulsory school attendance requirements of this
act and which meets the requirements of Title VI of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964 (Public Law 88-352, 78 Stat. 241).
"Professional educator." As defined in section 1205.2(o).
"School entity." A school district, joint school district,
charter school, regional charter school, cyber charter school,
intermediate unit or area vocational-technical school.
"Secretary." The Secretary of Education of the Commonwealth.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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