PRINTER'S NO. 2922
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
2477
Session of
2022
INTRODUCED BY CRUZ AND GUENST, APRIL 4, 2022
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, APRIL 4, 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 safe schools, providing for policy
relating to clear backpacks.
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 1303.2-A. Policy Relating to Clear Backpacks.--(a)
No later than January 1, 2023, the governing board of a school
entity or nonpublic school shall adopt a policy or amend its
existing policy to mandate the use of clear backpacks by
students attending middle and high schools in its purview and
incorporate the policy into the school entity or nonpublic
school's code of student conduct. The policy shall include
exceptions for medically necessary supplies and small pouches or
purses in the backpack for menstruation supplies upon
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inspection. The policy shall specify disciplinary consequences
for noncompliance with the policy, provided that a governing
board of a school entity or nonpublic school may not be required
to establish a new policy under this section if a policy exists
and reasonably fulfills the requirements of this section. The
policy shall identify the appropriate school staff person to
receive reports of noncompliance.
(b) A school entity or nonpublic school subject to
subsection (a) shall:
(1) make its policy available on the publicly accessible
Internet website of the school entity or nonpublic school;
(2) post the policy in a prominent location in every school
building where such notices are usually posted;
(3) ensure that the policy and procedures for reporting
noncompliance are reviewed with students within ninety (90) days
after the adoption of the policy and procedures; and
(4) after the review under paragraph (3) occurs, complete an
additional review with students at least once every school year.
(c) The governing board of a school entity or nonpublic
school subject to subsection (a) shall review its policy every
three (3) years and revise the policy, if necessary.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
20220HB2477PN2922 - 2 -
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