Pennsylvania SB 28: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in terms and courses of study, providing for Black history education.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 10
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 28
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY STREET, TARTAGLIONE, SAVAL, KEARNEY, COSTA,
HAYWOOD AND KANE, JANUARY 22, 2025
REFERRED TO EDUCATION, JANUARY 22, 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 terms and courses of study,
providing for Black history 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 1556. Black History Education.--(a) The department
shall have the following duties:
(1) Within three (3) months of the effective date of this
section, develop and disseminate material and other related
resources for school entities to integrate the history of the
Black experience in an appropriate required or elective course
of study curriculum. The instruction shall be age appropriate
and sequential.
(2) Update and disseminate the material and other related
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resources under paragraph (1) as needed.
(3) Affix a link to the material and other related resources
under paragraph (1), or any update of the material and other
related resources, on the department's equity and inclusion
publicly accessible Internet website or, if relabeled or
discontinued, any similar type of publicly accessible Internet
website maintained by the department.
(4) Develop guidelines for school entities that design a
program or course of study dedicated to the instruction of the
history of the Black experience to submit a link to the
department to the program or course of study material and a
designated contact person for an interested person to obtain
additional information or assistance with designing a similar
program or course of study. The department shall affix the
submitted information on the department's equity and inclusion
publicly accessible Internet website or, if relabeled or
discontinued, any similar type of publicly accessible Internet
website maintained by the department.
(b) A school entity may utilize the material and other
related resources developed by the department or any appropriate
public or private materials, personnel and other resources in
integrating the instruction into its curriculum under subsection
(a).
(c) 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.
"School entity." A school district, intermediate unit, area
career and technical school, charter school, cyber charter
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school, regional charter school or private or nonpublic school.
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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