A02217
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1540
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY PARKER, SANCHEZ, HILL-EVANS, GUENST, RABB, MADDEN,
PASHINSKI AND CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, JUNE 28, 2023
AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS,
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, SEPTEMBER 27, 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 online curriculum availability and further
providing for Commission for Agricultural Education
Excellence.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 1549.1(m) introductory paragraph 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 1. SECTION 1549.1(G) AND (M) INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
OF THE ACT OF MARCH 10, 1949 (P.L.30, NO.14), KNOWN AS THE
PUBLIC SCHOOL CODE OF 1949, ARE AMENDED AND THE SECTION IS
AMENDED BY ADDING A SUBSECTION TO READ:
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:
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Section 1529. Online Curriculum Availability.--(a)
Beginning with the 2024-2 025 school year and each school year
thereafter, a school entity shall post an Internet link or title
for every textbook used by the school entity, a course syllabus
or a written summary of each instructional course and the State
academic stand ards for each instructional course offered by the
school entity on its publicly accessible Internet website. The
information shall be updated no later than thirty (30) business
days after each time the list of textbooks, syllabi, course
descriptions or State academic standards used by the school
entity is revised.
(b) The chief school administrator or a designee shall be
responsible for implementing the requirements under subsect ion
(a).
(c) In no case shall the requirements of this section be
construed to require a school entity to violate the copyright,
trademark or other intellectual property right of the creator or
owner of the curriculum.
(d) 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:
"Chief school administrator." The superintendent of a school
district , administrative director of an area career and
technical school, executive director of an intermediate unit or
chief executive officer of a charter school, cyber charter
school or regional charter school.
"School entity." A school district, intermediate unit, area
career and technical school, charter school, cyber charter
school or regional charter school.
Section 2. Section 1549.1(g) and (m) introductory paragraph
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of the act are amended and the section is amended by adding a
subsection to read:
Section 1549.1. Commission for Agricultural Education
Excellence.--* * *
(G) [TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE, FROM MEMBERS INITIALLY
APPOINTED, AN EQUAL NUMBER SHALL DRAW LOTS TO SERVE FOR A TERM
OF THREE YEARS, FOR A TERM OF TWO YEARS AND FOR A TERM OF ONE
YEAR. THEREAFTER, ALL MEMBERS SHALL BE APPOINTED FOR A TERM OF
THREE YEARS.] THE FOLLOWING SHALL APPLY:
(1) A MEMBER UNDER SUBSECTION (F)(1) AND (2) SHALL SERVE AS
AN EX OFFICIO VOTING MEMBER.
(2) A MEMBER UNDER SUBSECTION (F)(3) SHALL BE APPOINTED FOR
A TERM OF THREE YEARS.
(3) A MEMBER UNDER SUBSECTION (F)(3) WHOSE TERM HAS EXPIRED
SHALL CONTINUE TO SERVE UNTIL A SUCCESSOR IS APPOINTED.
(G.1) A VACANCY IN MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMISSION UNDER
SUBSECTION (F)(3) SHALL BE FILLED BY THE FOLLOWING PROCESS TO
FILL THE REMAINDER OF THE UNEXPIRED TERM:
(1) THE SECRETARY OF EDUCATION AND THE SECRETARY OF
AGRICULTURE SHALL JOINTLY APPOINT A MEMBER TO FILL THE VACANCY.
(2) A MEMBER APPOINTED TO FILL A VACANCY SHALL BE NOMINATED
BY THE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OF THE SENATE IN CONSULTATION WITH
THE MINORITY LEADER OF THE SENATE OR BY THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
OF REPRESENTATIVES IN CONSULTATION WITH THE MINORITY LEADER OF
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
* * *
(m) By [May 1, 2018, and by May 1 of] December 1 31 each
year [thereafter], the commission shall submit a report to the
Governor and the General Assembly on the status of agricultural
education in this Commonwealth. The report shall:
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* * *
Section 2 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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