PRINTER'S NO. 317
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
354
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY ISAACSON, CIRESI, GIRAL, GUENST, HILL-EVANS,
HOHENSTEIN, MADDEN, PARKER, PROBST AND SANCHEZ,
MARCH 13, 2023
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, MARCH 13, 2023
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 terms and courses of study,
providing for menstruation education.
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 1555. Menstruation Education.--(a) The following
apply regarding instruction on menstruation:
(1) Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, each school
entity may offer instruction on menstruation. The instruction
shall be integrated into appropriate courses of study in the
school entity.
(2) The instruction under paragraph (1) shall be:
(i) Age appropriate.
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(ii) Medically accurate.
(iii) Offered to all students, regardless of gender or
ability to menstruate.
(iv) Comprehensive and inclusive of all individuals.
(3) The following apply to informational materials:
(i) School entities may utilize any appropriate public or
private materials, personnel and other resources in developing
and implementing the program of instruction under paragraph (1).
(ii) The department shall distribute information about
appropriate curriculum materials to each school entity.
(iii) School entities may utilize any curriculum that
complies with the requirements of this subsection.
(b) The following apply to curriculum guidelines:
(1) The department shall develop curriculum guidelines no
later than twelve (12) months after the effective date of this
subsection.
(2) At a minimum, the curriculum guidelines shall include
the following subjects:
(i) Information on the menstrual cycle.
(ii) Premenstrual syndrome and pain management.
(iii) Menstrual hygiene management.
(iv) Menstrual disorders.
(v) Menstrual irregularities.
(vi) Menopause.
(vii) Any other relevant topic related to menstruation.
(3) The department shall consult with the State Board of
Education and organizations and individuals that provide
educational expertise and resources related to menstruation to
develop the curriculum guidelines.
(4) The curriculum guidelines shall state the minimum amount
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of instruction necessary to adequately educate students on
menstruation.
(c) Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, the department
shall make available to all school entities in-service training
programs based upon the instruction under subsection (a) and the
curriculum guidelines established under subsection (b).
(d) The following apply to professional education:
(1) Beginning with the 2024-2025 school year, each school
entity providing instruction under subsection (a) shall provide,
as part of its in-service training, programs on menstruation for
all instructors whose teaching responsibilities include courses
of study in which instruction concerning menstruation is
integrated. A school entity may utilize the programs made
available by the department or use alternative programs that are
consistent with the provisions of this section.
(2) Employes required to complete continuing professional
education under section 1205.2 shall receive credit toward the
continuing professional education requirements if the training
program provided under paragraph (1) has been approved by the
department.
(e) The department shall provide the guidelines, in-service
training and any other materials developed in accordance with
this section to any nonpublic school within this Commonwealth
upon receiving a request from the nonpublic school.
(f) The following words and phrases when used in this
section shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection
unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Department." The Department of Education of the
Commonwealth.
"Menstruation." The process of discharging blood and other
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materials from the lining of the uterus at intervals of about
each month from puberty until menopause, except during
pregnancy, which occurs in individuals who menstruate.
"School entity." A school district, charter school, regional
charter school, cyber charter school, intermediate unit or area
career and technical school.
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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