See other bills
under the
same topic
PRINTER'S NO. 2669
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1902
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY D. MILLER, McNEILL, HILL-EVANS, SCHLOSSBERG,
YOUNGBLOOD, ULLMAN, ROEBUCK, CALTAGIRONE, FRANKEL, KIM,
HOWARD, McCLINTON, JOHNSON-HARRELL AND GALLOWAY,
OCTOBER 15, 2019
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, OCTOBER 15, 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 pupils and attendance, further
providing for definitions and for excuses from attending
school.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The definition of "unexcused absence" in section
1326 of the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the
Public School Code of 1949, is amended to read:
Section 1326. Definitions.--When used in this article, the
following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:
* * *
"Unexcused absence" shall mean an absence from school which
is not permitted by the provisions of section 1329 and for which
an approved explanation has not been submitted within the time
period and in the manner prescribed by the governing body. An
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
out-of-school suspension and an absence related to a medical
condition that is explained by a valid medical excuse from a
licensed practitioner of the healing arts in any state,
commonwealth or territory may not be considered an unexcused
absence.
Section 2. Section 1329(a) of the act is amended and the
section is amended by adding subsections to read:
Section 1329. Excuses from Attending School.--(a) The board
of school directors of any school district [may] shall, upon
certification by any licensed practitioner of the healing arts
or upon any other satisfactory evidence being furnished to it,
showing that any child or children are prevented from attending
school, or from application to study, on account of any mental,
physical, or other urgent reasons, excuse such child or children
from attending school as required by the provisions of this
act[, but the term "urgent reasons" shall be strictly construed
and shall not permit of irregular attendance. In every such
case, such action by the board of school directors shall not be
final until the approval of the Department of Education has been
obtained. Every principal or teacher in any public, private, or
other school may, for reasons enumerated above, excuse any child
for non-attendance during temporary periods].
* * *
(a.3) The board of school directors of any school district
may excuse a child or children from attending school as required
by the provisions of this act for urgent reasons, but the term
"urgent reasons" shall be strictly construed and shall not
permit irregular attendance. In every such case, such action by
the board of school directors shall not be final until the
approval of the Department of Education has been obtained.
20190HB1902PN2669 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
(a.4) Every principal or teacher in a public, private or
other school may, for reasons enumerated in subsections (a) and
(a.3), excuse a child for nonattendance during temporary
periods.
* * *
Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
20190HB1902PN2669 - 3 -
1
2
3
4
5
6