PRINTER'S NO. 259
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
285
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY PHILLIPS-HILL, MARTIN, J. WARD AND MASTRIANO,
JANUARY 31, 2023
REFERRED TO EDUCATION, JANUARY 31, 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 instruction in the events and significance of
September 11, 2001.
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. Instruction in the Events and Significance of
September 11, 2001.--(a) No later than twelve (12) months after
the effective date of this section, the Department of Education
shall establish a model curriculum for instruction in the events
and significance of September 11, 2001. The model curriculum
shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following
topics where appropriate:
(1) The historical context of terrorism.
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(2) The terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the
Pentagon and United Airlines Flight 93 which crashed in
Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
(3) American recovery and response to the attacks.
(4) Global challenges and consequences in a post-September
11 world.
(b) The Department of Education shall make available on the
department's publicly accessible Internet website curriculum
materials and other available resources regarding the events and
significance of September 11, 2001, for voluntary use by school
entities and nonpublic schools.
(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a
school entity or nonpublic school to implement, adopt or use the
curriculum, materials and other resources made available by the
Department of Education under this section.
(d) For purposes of this section, the term "school entity"
shall mean 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 in 60 days.
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