THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

INTRODUCED BY B. BOYLE, BISHOP, K. BOYLE, BRADFORD, CALTAGIRONE, CLYMER, CURRY, CUTLER, DALEY, DAVIS, DENLINGER, FABRIZIO, FREEMAN, GOODMAN, HESS, MAHONEY, McGEEHAN, M. O'BRIEN, PAYTON, STURLA AND YOUNGBLOOD, MAY 21, 2012

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MAY 21, 2012  

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," providing for Holocaust, genocide and

human rights violations instruction.

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 1554.  Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights

Violations Instruction.--(a)  (1)  Beginning with school year

2014-2015, each public school student shall receive mandatory

instruction in the Holocaust, genocide and human rights

violations from grade six through grade twelve. The instruction

shall be integrated within the social studies and language arts

courses of study required in accordance with State Board of

Education regulations. Instruction may also be integrated into

other appropriate courses of study.

(2)  The Holocaust, genocide and human rights violations

instruction shall:

(i)  Be age appropriate.

(ii)  Be sequential in method of study.

(iii)  Communicate the connection between national, ethnic,

racial or religious intolerance and the subjects described in

subsection (b).

(iv)  Communicate the impact of personal responsibility,

civic engagement and societal response within the context of the

subjects described in subsection (b).

(3)  School districts may utilize any appropriate public or

private materials, personnel and other resources in developing

and implementing this program of instruction. The Department of

Education shall make available information about appropriate

curriculum materials upon request of a school district. School

districts may utilize any curriculum that complies with the

requirements of this subsection.

(b)  (1)  The Department of Education shall establish

curriculum guidelines no later than twelve (12) months after the

effective date of this section. The guidelines shall encourage

the inclusion of all of the following subjects where appropriate

in the instruction:

(i)  The breadth of the history of the Holocaust, including

the Third Reich dictatorship, concentration camp system,

persecution of Jews and non-Jews, Jewish and non-Jewish

resistance and post-World War II trials.

(ii)  The definition, history, response and actions taken in

the face of genocide.

(iii)  Human rights violations.

(iv)  Anti-Semitism, racism and the abridgment of civil

rights.

(2)  The Department of Education and school districts may

work in consultation with organizations that provide educational

resources related to the Holocaust, genocide and human rights

violations to develop the curriculum guidelines.

(c)  Beginning with the 2014-2015 school year, the Department

of Education shall make available, to all school districts and

intermediate units, in-service training programs based upon the

instruction requirements established under subsection (a) and

the curriculum guidelines established under subsection (b).

(d)  (1)  Beginning with the 2014-2015 school year, each

school district shall provide, as part of its in-service

training, programs on the Holocaust, genocide and human rights

violations for all instructors whose teaching responsibilities

include courses of study in which mandated instruction

concerning the Holocaust, genocide and human rights violations

is integrated. A school district may utilize the programs made

available by the Department of Education or use other

alternative programs.

(2)  Employes required to complete continuing professional

education under section 1205.2 shall receive credit toward the

continuing professional education requirements where the

training program has been approved by the Department of

Education.

(e)  The Department of Education shall provide the

guidelines, in-service training and any other materials

developed in accordance with this section to any nonpublic

school within this Commonwealth upon receiving a request from

the nonpublic school.

(f)  The State Board of Education shall adopt rules and

regulations necessary for the implementation of this section.

Section 2.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.