PRINTER'S NO. 1664
No. 1271 Session of 2002
INTRODUCED BY HELFRICK, KITCHEN, ERICKSON, CONTI AND
C. WILLIAMS, JANUARY 23, 2002
REFERRED TO EDUCATION, JANUARY 23, 2002
AN ACT
1 Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
2 act relating to the public school system, including certain
3 provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
4 schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
5 laws relating thereto," further providing for the authority
6 of teachers, vice principals and principals over pupils.
7 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
8 hereby enacts as follows:
9 Section 1. Section 1317 of the act of March 10, 1949
10 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949,
11 amended July 25, 1963 (P.L.315, No.169), is amended to read:
12 Section 1317. Authority of Teachers, Vice Principals and
13 Principals over Pupils.--(a) Every teacher, vice principal and
14 principal in the public schools shall have the right to exercise
15 the same authority as to conduct and behavior over the pupils
16 attending his school, during the time they are in attendance,
17 including the time required in going to and from their homes, as
18 the parents, guardians or persons in parental relation to such
19 pupils may exercise over them[.], except that corporal
1 punishment shall not be allowed.
2 (b) Reasonable force may be used by teachers, vice
3 principals, principals and school authorities under the
4 following circumstances:
5 (1) To quell a disturbance.
6 (2) To obtain possession of weapons or other dangerous
7 objects.
8 (3) For the purpose of self-defense.
9 (4) For the protection of persons and property.
10 (c) As used in this section, "corporal punishment" shall
11 mean the physical punishment of a pupil for an offense.
12 Section 2. The provisions of 22 Pa. Code § 12.5 are
13 abrogated insofar as they are inconsistent with this act.
14 Section 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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