THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

INTRODUCED BY GRUCELA, DiGIROLAMO, PAYTON, SOLOBAY, BEYER, BRIGGS, CALTAGIRONE, DALLY, DeLUCA, FAIRCHILD, FLECK, GEIST, GOODMAN, HARHAI, HARKINS, KORTZ, KULA, MOUL, MUNDY, READSHAW, SIPTROTH, FABRIZIO AND HORNAMAN, NOVEMBER 17, 2009

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, NOVEMBER 17, 2009  

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 interscholastic athletics

accountability, further providing for council recommendations

and standards and for the Pennsylvania Athletic Oversight

Committee.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1.  Section 1604-A(b) of the act of March 10, 1949

(P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, is

amended by adding a paragraph to read:

Section 1604-A.  Council Recommendations and Standards.--* *

*

(b)  The association shall take all steps necessary to comply

with the following standards:

* * *

(14)  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for a

period of five (5) years from the effective date of this

paragraph, the association shall be exempt from the requirements

of the act of February 14, 2008 (P.L.6, No.3), known as the

"Right-to-Know Law," but shall, nevertheless, adopt and adhere

to a policy satisfactory to the Pennsylvania Athletic Oversight

Committee providing for access to its records consistent with

the purpose of the "Right-to-Know Law" for disclosure of

records, taking into account the association's status as a

voluntary membership, nonprofit corporation and its role in

addressing issues relating to juveniles.

Section 2.  Section 1605-A(c) of the act, added July 4, 2004

(P.L.536, No.70), is amended to read:

Section 1605-A.  Pennsylvania Athletic Oversight Committee.--

* * *

(c)  The committee shall meet at least once each year for the

purpose of reviewing the association's continued compliance with

the criteria listed in section 1604-A(a) and (b) and responding

to issues related to the activities of the association referred

to the committee. The committee shall issue an annual report of

its findings to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the

Speaker of the House of Representatives. It shall be the duty of

the committee to recommend to the General Assembly whether or

not to extend the exemption under section 1604-A(b)(14) for an

additional five (5) years. An extension of the exemption under

this section shall require an act of the General Assembly.

Section 3.  This act shall take effect immediately.