PRINTER'S NO. 1453
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
992
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY SCHWANK, KEARNEY, COSTA, LEACH, TARTAGLIONE AND
HAYWOOD, JANUARY 15, 2020
REFERRED TO EDUCATION, JANUARY 15, 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 professional employees, further
providing for qualifications; and, in certification of
teachers, further providing for State certificates.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Sections 1109(a) and 1202 of the act of March 10,
1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949,
are amended to read:
Section 1109. Qualifications.--(a) Every teacher employed
to teach in the public schools of this Commonwealth must be a
person of good moral character, must be at least eighteen years
of age, and must be a citizen of the United States: Provided,
That citizenship may be waived:
(1) in the case of exchange teachers not permanently
employed, and teachers employed for the purpose of teaching
foreign languages, including special teachers who speak the
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idiomatic or colloquial language of immigrants residing in the
school district, and employed for the purpose of easing the
transition period of such immigrants[.]; or
(2) if the individual holds a valid immigrant visa, work
visa or a valid employment authorization document which allows
the individual to work in the United States.
* * *
Section 1202. State Certificates.--State certificates shall
be issued as herein provided. Each such certificate shall set
forth the branches which its holder is entitled to teach. No
teacher shall teach, in any public school, any branch which he
has not been properly certificated to teach.
A certificate to teach shall not be granted or issued to any
person not a citizen of the United States, except in the case of
exchange teachers not permanently employed and teachers employed
for the purpose of teaching foreign languages[.
In the case of a resident foreign national holding an
immigrant visa who has declared, in writing, to the Department
of Public Instruction the intention of becoming a citizen of the
United States, such person shall be eligible for a provisional
college certificate.] or an individual who holds a valid
immigrant visa, work visa or a valid employment authorization
document which allows the individual to work in the United
States.
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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