PRINTER'S NO. 1343
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
1028
Session of
2022
INTRODUCED BY STEFANO, ROBINSON, AUMENT, BAKER, BARTOLOTTA,
DUSH, FONTANA, GORDNER, MASTRIANO, MENSCH, MUTH, PITTMAN,
TOMLINSON AND J. WARD, JANUARY 25, 2022
REFERRED TO VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS,
JANUARY 25, 2022
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 professional employees, providing
for Purple Star School Program.
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 1184. Purple Star School Program.--(a) The Purple
Star School Program is established within the department.
(b) The department shall designate a public school as a
purple star school if the public school applies and qualifies
for the designation under the program.
(c) In order to qualify for the designation as a purple star
school, a public school shall:
(1) Submit an application to the department certifying that
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the public school meets:
(i) the criteria under section 1183; and
(ii) the program qualifications under this section.
(2) Designate a staff member as a military liaison. The
military liaison shall have all of the following duties:
(i) Identify a military-connected student enrolled at the
public school.
(ii) Serve as the point of contact between the public school
and a military-connected student and the military-connected
student's parent or guardian.
(iii) Determine appropriate school services available to a
military-connected student.
(iv) Assist in coordinating school programs relevant to a
military-connected student.
(3) Maintain an easily accessible web page on the public
school's publicly accessible Internet website to provide
resources for a military-connected student and the military-
connected student's parent or guardian, including information
regarding:
(i) Relocation to the public school, enrollment at the
public school, registration at the public school and
transferring records to the public school.
(ii) Academic planning, course sequences and advanced
classes available at the public school.
(iii) Counseling and other support services available for a
military-connected student.
(4) Maintain a transition initiative led by students, when
appropriate, that assists a military-connected student in
transitioning into the public school.
(5) Offer professional development for staff members on
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issues related to military-connected students.
(6) Offer at least one of the following initiatives:
(i) A resolution showing support for military-connected
students and their parents or guardians.
(ii) A commemoration of each month honoring active-duty
military service members, including relevant events hosted by
the public school.
(iii) A partnership with a local military installation that
provides opportunities for active-duty military service members
to volunteer at the public school, speak at a school assembly or
host a school field trip.
(d) A public school may partner with another public school
to meet any program requirement.
(e) The department shall promulgate regulations as necessary
to administer this section.
(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:
"Department." The Department of Education of the
Commonwealth.
"Military-connected student." A school-aged child who is a
dependent of any of the following:
(1) An active or a former member of any of the following:
(i) The United States Armed Forces serving in the United
States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force or Coast
Guard on active duty.
(ii) The Pennsylvania National Guard.
(iii) A reserve force of the United States Armed Forces.
(2) A member specified under paragraph (1) who was killed in
the active line of duty.
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"Program." The Purple Star School Program established under
this section.
"Public school." A school district, charter school, regional
charter school or career and technical school.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 180 days.
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