PRINTER'S NO. 1426
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
979
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY DINNIMAN, BREWSTER, COSTA, HUGHES, TARTAGLIONE,
KILLION, BROWNE AND STEFANO, DECEMBER 12, 2019
REFERRED TO EDUCATION, DECEMBER 12, 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 school health services, providing
for seizure recognition and related first aid training.
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 1414.11. Seizure Recognition and Related First Aid
Training.--Beginning with the school year 2021-2022 and each
year thereafter:
(1) A school nurse shall complete a Department of Health
approved online or in-person course of instruction for school
nurses regarding management of a student with seizures that
includes information about seizure recognition, a seizure action
plan and related first aid.
(2) A professional employe of a school entity, other than a
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school nurse, whose duties at the school entity include regular
contact with students shall complete a Department of Health
online or in-person course of instruction regarding awareness of
a student with seizures that includes information about seizure
recognition and related first aid.
(3) The training required under this section shall be
credited toward a professional educator's continuing
professional education requirement under section 1205.2, any
staff development requirements for paraprofessionals under 22
Pa. Code ยง 14.105 (relating to personnel) and a school or system
leader's continuing professional education requirement under
section 1205.5.
(4) The Department of Health may identify, develop or
approve an online or in-person course of instruction provided by
a nonprofit national foundation that supports the welfare of
individuals with epilepsy and seizure disorders to satisfy the
training required under this section.
(5) The Department of Health, in consultation with the
Department of Education, shall adopt guidelines to administer
this section.
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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