1Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
2act relating to the public school system, including certain
3provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
4schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
5laws relating thereto," in charter schools, further providing
6for school staff.

7The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
8hereby enacts as follows:

9Section 1. Section 1724-A(a) of the act of March 10, 1949
10(P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, added
11June 19, 1997 (P.L.225, No.22), is amended to read:

12Section 1724-A. School Staff.--(a) (1) The board of
13trustees shall determine the level of compensation and all terms
14and conditions of employment of the staff except as may
15otherwise be provided in this article. [At] Subject to the 
16provisions of paragraph (2), at least seventy-five per centum of
17the professional staff members of a charter school shall hold
18appropriate State certification.

19(2) (i) Professional staff members of a charter school who
20are employed on the effective date of this paragraph and who do

1not possess appropriate State certification as of the effective
2date of this paragraph shall not be required to obtain
3appropriate State certification.

4(ii) Professional staff members of a charter school who
5commence employment after the effective date of this paragraph
6shall hold appropriate State certification.

7(3) Employes of a charter school may organize under the act
8of July 23, 1970 (P.L.563, No.195), known as the "Public Employe
9Relations Act." The board of trustees of a charter school shall
10be considered an employer for the purposes of Article XI-A. Upon
11formation of one or more collective bargaining units at the
12school, the board of trustees shall bargain with the employes
13based on the provisions of this article, Article XI-A and the
14"Public Employe Relations Act." Collective bargaining units at a
15charter school shall be separate from any collective bargaining
16unit of the school district in which the charter school is
17located and shall be separate from any other collective
18bargaining unit. A charter school shall be considered a school
19entity as provided for in section 1161-A for the purpose of the
20secretary seeking an injunction requiring the charter school to
21meet the minimum requirements for instruction as provided for in
22this article.

23* * *

24Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.