PRINTER'S NO. 1967
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
1329
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY DINNIMAN, LANGERHOLC, MENSCH, PITTMAN, ARGALL,
BOSCOLA, FARNESE, BLAKE, AUMENT AND SCHWANK,
SEPTEMBER 18, 2020
REFERRED TO EDUCATION, SEPTEMBER 18, 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 terms and courses of study,
providing for pandemic instruction.
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 1529. Pandemic Instruction.--(a) Beginning with the
2020-2021 school year and each school year thereafter, each
public school student shall receive mandatory instruction on the
types of pandemics, the impact of a pandemic and the aftermath
of a pandemic, in grades kindergarten through twelve.
(b) Each school entity shall:
(1) Develop age-appropriate pandemic instruction and
integrate the instruction into the school entity's existing
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courses of study for students in grades kindergarten through
twelve. The instruction developed by the school entity shall
include the requirements of pandemic instruction under
subsections (e) and (f).
(2) Include training in pandemic instruction in the
professional development plan submitted by the school entity to
the secretary for approval in accordance with section 1205.1.
The training included in the school entity's plan for an employe
required to complete continuing professional education shall
provide up to four (4) hours every five (5) years toward the
continuing professional education requirements.
(c) In consultation with at least one (1) organization
knowledgeable on different types of pandemics and the long-term
and sustained changes that occur in a population from the impact
of a pandemic, the department shall:
(1) Develop age-appropriate model curriculum for instruction
on pandemics for each grade from kindergarten through twelve,
which curriculum may include materials already publicly
available, no later than twelve (12) months after the effective
date of this subsection.
(2) Make available the model curriculum and other age-
appropriate materials to a school entity and post the model
curriculum on the publicly accessible Internet website of the
department.
(3) Recommend guidelines and educational materials for the
training provided under subsection (b)(2), which may include
materials already publicly available, not later than twelve (12)
months after the effective date of this subsection.
(4) Revise the model curriculum and guidelines on pandemics
as necessary to ensure the use of the most current information
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and universally accepted social policies related to pandemics,
the impact of a pandemic and the aftermath of a pandemic.
(d) In developing model curriculum under subsection (c), as
appropriate, the department shall include:
(1) Requirements for pandemic instruction under subsection
(f).
(2) Actions to take during a pandemic and how to maintain a
healthy well-being throughout a pandemic.
(3) Pandemic preparedness.
(4) Plans and essentials for pandemics.
(5) Efforts for the prevention of harm and the spread of
harm throughout a pandemic.
(6) Impacts of severe economic hardship that a pandemic can
have around the world.
(7) Policies that could be implemented to mitigate the
impacts and damage of a pandemic.
(e) In developing and implementing the instruction in
accordance with subsection (b)(1), a school entity may utilize:
(1) Appropriate public or private materials, personnel and
other resources.
(2) Model curriculum developed by the department in
accordance with subsection (c).
(3) Other published curriculum that complies with the
requirements of this section.
(f) Pandemic instruction shall:
(1) Be age appropriate.
(2) Be sequential in method of study.
(3) Communicate that the occurrence of a pandemic is a
concern with widespread consequences without creating an
atmosphere of fear or despair and with sensitivity to student
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fears and anxieties.
(4) Communicate the impact of failing to maintain healthy
well-being throughout a pandemic.
(g) The State Board of Education shall promulgate or revise
regulations subject to the act of June 25, 1982 (P.L.633,
No.181), known as the "Regulatory Review Act," necessary to
implement this section.
(h) Until the completion of model curriculum under
subsection (c), a school entity shall, to the extent
practicable, provide teachers with resources on how they can, in
meaningful and age-appropriate language, engage in discussions
with students on the subject of pandemics.
(i) 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:
"Department." The Department of Education of the
Commonwealth.
"School entity." A school district, charter school, regional
charter school, cyber charter school, intermediate unit or area
career and technical school.
"Secretary." The Secretary of Education of the Commonwealth.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 30 days.
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