PRINTER'S NO. 4277
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
2814
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY KNOWLES, TOPPER, MILLARD, BERNSTINE, HERSHEY AND
COX, AUGUST 21, 2020
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, AUGUST 21, 2020
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 school health services, providing
for face coverings for certain students.
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 1425. Face Coverings for Certain Students.--(a)
Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, for the 2020-2021
school year, the governing authority of a school entity shall
determine whether a face covering is required for students in
pre-kindergarten through fifth grade.
(b) If the governing authority of a school entity determines
that a face covering is required under subsection (a), the
governing authority of the school entity shall develop a policy
including the circumstances students may remove their face
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coverings.
(c) As used in this section, the following words and phrases
shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection:
"Face covering" means a covering of the nose and mouth that
is secured to the head with ties, straps or loops over the ears
or is wrapped around the lower face or a face shield.
"Private academic nursery school" means a nursery school
licensed or exempt from licensure under the act of January 28,
1988 (P.L.24, No.11), known as the "Private Academic Schools
Act."
"School entity" means a school district, intermediate unit,
career and technical center, charter school, regional charter
school, cyber charter school, nonpublic or private school, Pre-K
Counts program, Head Start program, early intervention program
or private academic nursery school.
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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