PRINTER'S NO. 534
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
571
Session of
2021
INTRODUCED BY DeLUCA, PISCIOTTANO AND McNEILL, FEBRUARY 22, 2021
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 22, 2021
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 grounds and buildings, further
providing for approval by department of plans, etc., of
buildings and exceptions.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 731 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 731. Approval by Department of Plans, etc., of
Buildings; Exceptions.--The Department of Education, with
respect to construction or reconstruction of public school
buildings, shall have the power and its duties shall be:
(1) To review all projects, plans and specifications for
school building construction or reconstruction, and to make
recommendations thereon to the General Assembly and the
Governor: Provided, however, That approval of the Department of
Education shall not be required for projects, plans and
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specifications for school construction projects for which
reimbursement from the Commonwealth is not requested[;].
(2) To assist school districts in preplanning construction
and reconstruction projects, and offer such architectural,
engineering and financial advice as will enable the project to
comply with the standards prescribed by the State Board of
Education[;].
(3) To hold hearings on any or all projects and subpoena
witnesses, administer oaths, take testimony and compel the
production of documents relevant to any investigation[;].
(4) To act as liaison between the public, local school
officials, the General Assembly, and the Governor on school
building construction and reconstruction projects[;].
(5) To receive and investigate complaints from the public or
other source concerning any school building construction or
reconstruction project[;].
(6) To conduct investigations on any phase of school
building construction or reconstruction projects.
(7) To stop a school building construction or reconstruction
project and require a referendum if a school district fails to
comply with the requirements under section 701.1.
The Department of Education shall employ engineers,
architects, financial advisors, and such other staff personnel
as may be necessary for the proper performance of the duties of
the Department with respect to construction or reconstruction of
public school buildings.
No public school building shall be contracted for,
constructed, or reconstructed, in any school district of the
second, third, or fourth class until the plans and
specifications therefor have been approved by the Department of
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Education.
When ordinary repairs are proposed, such as plastering,
painting, replacement of floors, improvement of school grounds,
repairing or providing walks, roadways or retaining walls, the
cost of which in districts of the second class or in districts
of the third and fourth class will not exceed fifteen thousand
dollars ($15,000) per building, no approval shall be required.
Where any structural change is involved, such as moving or
adding doors, windows, partitions, making additions or any
excavations, or any work which may affect the safety or health
of the pupils, or any work which comes under the jurisdiction of
another department of the Commonwealth, approval of the
Department of Education shall be required regardless of the cost
of such structural change.
No school building shall be purchased by any school district
until such purchase shall have been approved by the Department
of Education. Such approval shall not be given unless the school
building to be purchased and any approved structural changes or
renovations meet the standards required to operate public school
buildings of a similar age currently in use in the Commonwealth.
A school district which submits an unsworn falsification to
the Department of Education to receive approval under this
section shall be subject to 18 Pa.C.S. ยง 4904 (relating to
unsworn falsification to authorities).
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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