PRINTER'S NO. 1521
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1412
Session of
2021
INTRODUCED BY ROZZI, HILL-EVANS, KINSEY, SANCHEZ, MERSKI, SIMS
AND PISCIOTTANO, MAY 14, 2021
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND INDUSTRY, MAY 14, 2021
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," providing for COVID-19 school
employee bonus.
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 an
article to read:
ARTICLE XXVI-L
COVID-19 SCHOOL EMPLOYEE BONUS
Section 2601-L. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this article
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"COVID-19." The novel coronavirus as identified in the
proclamation of disaster emergency issued by the Governor on
March 6, 2020, published at 50 Pa.B. 1644 (March 21, 2020), and
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any renewal of the state of disaster emergency.
"Department." The Department of Education of the
Commonwealth.
"Eligible period." The period beginning March 6, 2020, to
the latest emergency date ordered by the Governor.
"Eligible school employee." Includes, but is not limited to,
teachers, paraprofessionals, school counselors, school
psychologists, school nurses, custodians, bus drivers, school
nutrition staff, media specialists, clerical staff,
instructional coaches and therapists who worked at or for a
public school within this Commonwealth during the eligible
period.
"Program." The COVID-19 School Employee Bonus Program
established under section 2602-L(a).
Section 2602-L. COVID-19 School Employee Bonus Program.
(a) Establishment.--The COVID-19 School Employee Bonus
Program is established within the department to assist school
employees who worked during the COVID-19 pandemic. The start
date for the program shall commence on the date that the
department posts the application form on the department's
publicly accessible Internet website under subsection (c)(1).
(b) Appropriation.--From Federal amounts received by the
Commonwealth under Title IX, Subtitle M, Section 9901 of the
American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Public Law 117-2, 135 Stat.
4), the sum of $150,000,000 shall be distributed to the program.
(c) Applications.--The following shall apply:
(1) The department shall develop an application for
participation in the program and post the application form on
the department's publicly accessible Internet website. An
applicant shall verify the following information on the
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application:
(i) The applicant's place of employment.
(ii) Whether the applicant worked full-time or part-
time during the eligible period.
(iii) Any other information required by the
department.
(2) In order to receive a direct payment under
subsection (e), an applicant must submit the application
under paragraph (1) to the department within 90 days of the
program's start date as specified under subsection (a).
(d) Verification.--The department shall verify with an
applicant's employer that the applicant worked during the
eligible period and the applicant's full-time or part-time work
status.
(e) Direct payments.--The following shall apply:
(1) Upon review and approval of the application
submitted under subsection (c) and any other documentation
required by the department, the department shall provide a
one-time direct payment to eligible school employees as
determined under paragraph (2).
(2) Upon the expiration of the application period under
subsection (c)(2), the department shall determine, using a
formula developed by the department, the amount of the direct
payments for full-time eligible school employees and for
part-time eligible school employees. The amount of the direct
payment for part-time eligible school employees may not
exceed 50% of the amount of the direct payment for full-time
eligible school employees.
(3) The department shall provide a direct payment to an
eligible school employee via mail or electronic deposit.
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(f) Regulations.--The department may promulgate any
regulations necessary to implement the program.
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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