Pennsylvania HB 82: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in school health services, establishing the School Bus Driver Epinephrine Auto-injector Training Grant Program; and imposing duties on the Department of Education.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 66
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 82
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY MARCELL, CERRATO, POWELL, FREEMAN, CIRESI, OTTEN
AND SANCHEZ, JANUARY 14, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, JANUARY 14, 2025
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 school health services,
establishing the School Bus Driver Epinephrine Auto-injector
Training Grant Program; and imposing duties on the Department
of 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 1414.13. School Bus Driver Epinephrine Auto-injector
Training Grant Program.--(a) A school entity may require a
driver of a school bus or school vehicle who is employed by, or
under a contract with, a school entity to transport students to
complete training for the administration of an epinephrine auto-
injector under section 1414.9(2) prior to transporting students.
(b) The School Bus Driver Epinephrine Auto-injector Training
Grant Program is established within the department for the
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purpose of providing school entities with funding to raise
awareness and train drivers of a school bus or school vehicle to
recognize signs and symptoms of severe allergic reactions,
including anaphylaxis, and to administer an epinephrine auto-
injector.
(c) The department shall:
(1) Administer the program and, in its sole discretion,
establish eligibility criteria and award grants to eligible
school entities that submit a completed application.
(2) Provide notice of the program to school entities.
(3) Develop an application form that school entities may use
to apply for a grant under the program.
(d) A school entity that exercises the authority under
subsection (a) may apply for a grant under subsection (b).
(e) The grant shall be used by the school entity to fund the
establishment and implementation of a school bus driver
epinephrine auto-injector training program.
(f) Application must be made to the department in a form and
time as the secretary may prescribe.
(g) The department shall use money appropriated for the
purpose of the program and may accept funding from public and
private sources, including the Federal Government, for the
payment of grants under this section.
(h) Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to
supersede or preempt any provision of a collective bargaining
agreement entered into between a school entity and an exclusive
representative of employes of the school entity in accordance
with the act of July 23, 1970 (P.L.563, No.195), known as the
"Public Employe Relations Act," which agreement is in effect on
the effective date of this section.
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(i) In carrying out its powers and duties under this
section, a school entity shall:
(1) Comply with Federal and State student record
confidentiality laws and regulations, but may, with the consent
of a student's parent or legal guardian, disclose to the driver
of a school bus or school vehicle information about the
student's known allergy or that the student carries an
epinephrine auto-injector.
(2) Ensure that a driver of a school bus or school vehicle
has a clear understanding of Federal and State laws that protect
the privacy and confidentiality of student information of
students with food allergies.
(j) 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.
"Program." The School Bus Driver Epinephrine Auto-injector
Training Grant Program established in subsection (b).
"School bus." A school bus as defined in 75 Pa.C.S. § 102
(relating to definitions).
"School entity." A school district, charter school, cyber
charter school, regional charter school, private academic school
or nonpublic school operating within this Commonwealth.
"School vehicle." A school vehicle as defined in 75 Pa.C.S.
§ 102.
"Secretary." The Secretary of Education of the Commonwealth.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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