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PRINTER'S NO. 1524
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1415
Session of
2021
INTRODUCED BY SIMS, DALEY, SCHLOSSBERG, HILL-EVANS, HOHENSTEIN,
ISAACSON, SANCHEZ, BURGOS, MADDEN, FIEDLER, ROZZI, LEE,
SCHWEYER, KENYATTA, INNAMORATO, O'MARA AND BRIGGS,
MAY 14, 2021
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, 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," in terms and courses of study,
providing for LGBTQ+ history 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 1555. LGBTQ+ History Instruction.--(a) Beginning
with the school year 2022-2023, each school entity shall offer
instruction on LGBTQ+ history and the social, political and
economic contributions of members of the LGBTQ+ community. This
instruction shall be integrated within the social studies and
language arts course of studies required in accordance with
State Board of Education regulations. Instruction may also be
integrated into other appropriate courses of study.
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(b) The instruction under subsection (a) shall:
(1) Be age appropriate.
(2) Be sequential in method of study.
(3) Communicate the principles of social equality and the
history of the struggle against discrimination and for LGBTQ+
rights.
(c) School entities may utilize appropriate public or
private resources to develop and implement the program of
instruction under this section. The department shall distribute
information about appropriate curriculum materials to each
school entity. School entities may utilize any curriculum that
complies with the requirements of this section.
(d) The department shall work in consultation with
organizations and individuals that advocate for the equality and
rights of LGBTQ+ people to develop curriculum guidelines within
twelve (12) months after the effective date of this section. The
guidelines shall state the minimum amount of instruction
necessary to adequately educate students on LGBTQ+ history and
the social, political and economic contributions of LGBTQ+
people.
(e) Beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, the department
shall make available, to all school entities, in-service
training programs based on the instruction provided for by this
section for all instructors whose teaching responsibilities
include courses of study in which instruction concerning LGBTQ+
history and the social, political and economic contributions of
LGBTQ+ people is integrated. School entities may utilize
department programs or alternative training programs approved by
the department.
(f) The department shall provide guidelines, training and
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other materials necessary for the program of instruction under
this section to nonpublic schools within the Commonwealth upon
the request of a nonpublic school.
(g) The department shall promulgate regulations necessary
for the implementation of this section.
(h) 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.
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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