PRINTER'S NO. 1067
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
936
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY ORTITAY, TOPPER AND DIAMOND, MARCH 25, 2019
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MARCH 25, 2019
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 preliminary provisions, providing
for Defining a New Future for Pennsylvania Commission.
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 128. Defining a New Future for Pennsylvania
Commission.--(a) The Defining a New Future for Pennsylvania
Commission is established.
(b) The commission shall review and make findings and
recommendations related to the Commonwealth's education system
for grades kindergarten through twelve.
(c) The commission shall consist of the following members:
(1) The Governor or a designee.
(2) The Auditor General or a designee.
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(3) The Attorney General or a designee.
(4) The Chancellor of the State System of Higher Education
or a designee.
(5) The Commissioner of Pennsylvania State Police or a
designee.
(6) The Executive Director of Pennsylvania Commission on
Crime and Delinquency or a designee.
(7) The President of the Pennsylvania Commission for
Community Colleges or a designee.
(8) The President pro tempore of the Senate or a designee.
(9) The Minority Leader of the Senate or a designee.
(10) The Speaker of the House of Representatives or a
designee.
(11) The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives or
a designee.
(12) Two students of a public school in this Commonwealth,
who are appointed by the Governor and whose term shall expire
upon the student's graduation, separation from the public school
or failure to maintain good academic standards at the public
school.
(13) A representative from a nonprofit organization that
represents a private elementary or secondary school in this
Commonwealth, who is appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives.
(14) A representative from each of the following:
(i) The Pennsylvania School Boards Association.
(ii) The Pennsylvania State Education Association.
(iii) The Pennsylvania Coalition of Public Charter Schools.
(iv) The Pennsylvania Principals Association.
(v) The Pennsylvania Association of School Administrators.
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(vi) The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry.
(vii) The Pennsylvania Association of Career and Technical
Administrators.
(viii) The Pennsylvania State Building and Construction
Trades Council, AFL-CIO.
(d) The commission shall hold its first meeting within sixty
(60) days of the effective date of this subsection regardless of
whether all of the commission members have been appointed to the
commission.
(e) The commission shall appoint a member to serve as
chairperson of the commission.
(f) The commission shall hold meetings at the call of the
chairperson.
(g) The members may not receive compensation for their
services but shall be reimbursed for all necessary travel and
other reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the
performance of their duties as members of the commission.
(h) The General Assembly shall provide administrative
support, meeting space and other assistance required by the
commission to carry out its duties under this section.
(i) The Department of Education shall provide the commission
with data, research and other information upon request.
(j) The commission shall issue a report containing findings
and recommendations not later than May 15, 2021, to the
following:
(1) The Governor.
(2) The President pro tempore of the Senate.
(3) The Majority Leader and Minority Leader of the Senate.
(4) The Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(5) The Majority Leader and Minority Leader of the House of
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Representatives.
(6) The Appropriations Committee of the Senate.
(7) The Appropriations Committee of the House of
Representatives.
(8) The Education Committee of the Senate.
(9) The Education Committee of the House of Representatives.
(k) As used in this section, the following words and phrases
shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless
the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Commission." The Defining a New Future for Pennsylvania
Commission established under this section.
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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