Trial Engrossment of Amendment A00278 to House Bill 0297 P.N. 0270, Regular Session 2019-2020

A00278

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

No.

297

Session of

2019

INTRODUCED BY MAKO, BERNSTINE, DUNBAR, HICKERNELL, HAHN, FEE,

SCHLOSSBERG, IRVIN, MURT, ROTHMAN, REESE, FREEMAN, STAATS,

KEEFER, GROVE, SIMMONS, KAUFFMAN, BARRAR, HELM, SAYLOR,

DeLUCA AND ZIMMERMAN, JANUARY 30, 2019

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, JANUARY 30, 2019

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 preliminary provisions, providing

for career information and recruitment.

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 128. Career Information and Recruitment.--(a)

Subject to subsection (c), a school entity shall offer

representatives of skilled trades, high-priority occupations,

area vocational-technical schools, community colleges operating

under Article XIX-A , and institutions of higher education ,

business, industry, charitable institutions and other employers

with equal access to the opportunity to participate in the

following:

(1) Delivery of information regarding employment, employment

training or education opportunities to students enrolled in the

school entity.

(2) Recruitment of students enrolled in the school entity.

(b) Each school entity receiving assistance under the Every

Student Succeeds Act (Public Law 114-95, 129 Stat. 1802) shall

provide military recruiters the same access to students as

provided under subsection (a).

(1) Provide each of the representatives under subsections

(a) and (b) with the following:

(i) Equal access to the school entity's employment,

placement or guidance services.

(ii) At least one opportunity during the school year to

provide age-appropriate information to all students in grades

four through twelve regarding educational opportunities,

employment training or career opportunities, individually or in

a group setting, through making a presentation at a school

assembly, hosting students for a visit to an area vocational-

technical school, community college, institution of higher

education or place of employment or any other method of speaking

directly to students.

(2) Document annually the following in the plan developed

under 22 Pa. Code § 339.31 (relating to plan):

(i) The school entity's compliance with this section for the

immediately preceding school year.

(ii) The school entity's plan to provide students with

access to informational materials and career presenters as

required under this section in the following school year.

(3) Post the plan on the school entity's publicly accessible

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Internet website.

(d) A school entity may not discourage students from

pursuing any educational or career path and shall ensure that

each student enrolled in the school entity has access to the

information and activities required to be provided under this

section.

(e) The Department of Education, in collaboration with the

Department of Labor and Industry, shall develop standard

informational materials which include, but are not limited to, a

summary of regional workforce needs produced biennially by the

Department of Labor and Industry , career cluster occupations,

high-priority occupations, training opportunities and future

earning potential. The materials shall be reviewed and updated

annually. Each school entity shall ensure such materials are

distributed to that all students in grades four through twelve

are provided access to the materials during the school year and

are also made available at any scheduled educational or career

fair.

(f) 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:

"High-priority occupation." A profession that:

(1) Is high-wage and high-skill for which there is excess

employer demand as identified in the Department of Labor and

Industry's current year's high-priority or in-demand occupations

list or the State System of Higher Education's workforce needs

assessment.

(2) Requires a credential, certification, licensing,

postsecondary training, associate's degree, bachelor's degree,

master's degree or doctoral or first professional degree.

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"Institution of higher education." An accredited entity

which is any of the following:

(1) A university within the State System of Higher Education

under Article XX-A .

(2) The Pennsylvania State University, the University of

Pittsburgh, Temple University, Lincoln University or any other

institution designated as State-related by the Commonwealth.

(3) The Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.

(4) A college established under Article XIX-G.

(5) An institution of higher education located in and

incorporated or chartered by the Commonwealth and entitled to

confer degrees as specified in 24 Pa.C.S. § 6505 (relating to

power to confer degrees) and as provided for by the standards

and qualifications prescribed by the State Board of Education

under 24 Pa.C.S. Ch. 65 (relating to private colleges,

universities and seminaries).

(6) A private school licensed under the act of December 15,

1986 (P.L.1585, No.174), known as the Private Licensed Schools

Act.

(7) A foreign corporation approved to operate an educational

enterprise under 22 Pa. Code Ch. 36 (relating to foreign

corporation standards).

"School entity." An area vocational-technical school, school

district, intermediate unit, cyber charter school, charter

school or regional charter school.

Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.

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