1Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
2act relating to the public school system, including certain
3provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
4schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
5laws relating thereto," in duties and powers of boards of
6school directors, further providing for kindergartens.

7The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
8hereby enacts as follows:

9Section 1. Section 503 of the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30,
10No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, amended
11September 21, 1959 (P.L.925, No.373) and October 21, 1965
12(P.L.601, No.312), is amended to read:

13Section 503. Kindergartens.--(a) The board of school
14directors in any school district may establish and maintain
15kindergartens for children between the ages of [four] three and
16six years. When established, the kindergartens shall be an
17integral part of the elementary school system of the district,
18and be kept open for not less than two and one-half hours each
19day for the full school term as provided in section 1501.

20(b) The number of kindergartens in any one district shall be

1fixed by the board of school directors, and shall be open during
2the school year. When established, kindergartens shall be 
3available to all children residing in the school district who 
4are of the age fixed under subsection (a) of this section.

5[If the average attendance in any one kindergarten in any
6district is ten or less for the school year, the school
7directors shall, at the close of the school year, discontinue
8the same.]

9(c) The board of school directors shall appoint and assign a
10sufficient number of teachers to such kindergartens, who shall
11be certified in accordance with the rules and regulations
12prescribed by the [Council of Basic Education] State Board of 
13Education.

14Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2013, or
15immediately, whichever is later.