A06896
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
2787
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY REESE, JONES, BARRAR, BERNSTINE, BOROWICZ, CAUSER,
COX, SCHLEGEL CULVER, DAVANZO, DAY, DELOZIER, DOWLING,
DUNBAR, DUSH, ECKER, EMRICK, EVERETT, FEE, GABLER, GLEIM,
GROVE, HEFFLEY, HICKERNELL, IRVIN, JOZWIAK, KAUFFMAN, KEEFER,
KLUNK, KNOWLES, KORTZ, LEWIS, MACKENZIE, MARSHALL, METCALFE,
METZGAR, MILLARD, B. MILLER, MIZGORSKI, MOUL, NEILSON,
NELSON, OBERLANDER, OWLETT, PEIFER, PICKETT, POLINCHOCK,
READSHAW, RIGBY, ROAE, ROTHMAN, ROWE, RYAN, SANKEY, SAYLOR,
SCHMITT, SONNEY, STAATS, THOMAS, TOPPER, WARNER, ZIMMERMAN,
STRUZZI, LONGIETTI AND SAINATO, AUGUST 18, 2020
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, AUGUST 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 sports and extracurricular activities during
COVID-19 pandemic.
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 1501.10. Sports and Extracurricular Activities
During COVID-19 Pandemic.-- (a) Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, the governing authority of a school entity or
nonpublic school shall have the exclusive authority to determine
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whether to hold school sports activities, including
competitions, intramural play and scrimmages, and other in-
person extracurricular activities during the 2020-2021 school
year.
(b) A school entity shall develop an athletic, health and
safety plan addressing school sports and other in-person
extracurricular activities during the 2020-2021 school year. A
school entity shall determine and include the following in the
plan:
(1) Safety protocols for permitting visitors and spectators
to attend sports and in-person extracurricular activities.
(2) Limits on gatherings for indoor and outdoor sports and
in-person extracurricular activities to ensure social
distancing.
(3) Protocols for sports consistent with the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention Considerations for Youth Sports.
(4) Methods of ensuring that social distancing and other
safety measures are in place for students, staff and spectators.
(c) A school entity shall post the athletic, health and
safety plan on its publicly accessible Internet website and
submit the plan to the Department of Education. A school entity
may amend the athletic, health and safety plan as needed.
(d) A nonpublic school may develop an athletic, health and
safety plan.
(e) The immunities, defenses, indemnification privileges and
limitations on damages made available to local agencies and
officials of the agencies under 42 Pa.C.S. Ch. 85, Subch. C
(relating to actions against local parties) shall not apply in
legal actions relating to COVID-19 for activities entered into
under subsection (a).
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(e) (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:
"School entity." A school district, intermediate unit, area
career and technical school, charter school, regional charter
school or cyber charter school.
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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