THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE BILL

INTRODUCED BY WAUGH, FONTANA AND EICHELBERGER, MARCH 30, 2011

REFERRED TO EDUCATION, MARCH 30, 2011  

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 professional employees, further

providing for definitions; and providing for school social

workers.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1.  Section 1101(1) of the act of March 10, 1949

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

amended November 30, 1971 (P.L.546, No.144), is amended to read:

Section 1101.  Definitions.--As used in this article,

(1)  The term "professional employe" shall include those who

are certificated as teachers, supervisors, supervising

principals, principals, assistant principals, vice-principals,

directors of vocational education, dental hygienists, visiting

teachers, home and school visitors, school social workers, 

school counselors, child nutrition program specialists, school

librarians, school secretaries the selection of whom is on the

basis of merit as determined by eligibility lists and school

nurses.

* * *

Section 2.  The act is amended by adding a section to read:

Section 1107.1.  School Social Workers.--(a)  A school entity

that employs a school social worker must employ a person who

holds a current license issued by the Department of State as a

licensed social worker or licensed clinical social worker and

who holds an educational specialist certificate for a school

social worker issued by the Department of Education.

(b)  The requirements of subsection (a) shall not apply when

the individual:

(1)  meets the exception for a school social worker as set

forth in section 20 of the act of July 9, 1987 (P.L.220, No.39),

known as the "Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and

Professional Counselors Act"; or

(2)  is employed as a school social worker in a public or

private school in this Commonwealth prior to 120 days after the

effective date of this section.

(c)  A certified school social worker performing services in

a school entity may work under the supervision of a

superintendent, assistant superintendent or other school

administrator or employe as determined by the school entity.

(d)  The Department of Education shall develop a school

social worker category within the educational specialist

certificate no later than 120 days after the effective date of

this section.

Section 3.  This act shall take effect in 90 days.