Pennsylvania HB 681: 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, further providing for health services, for reports and for interagency coordinating council for child health, nutrition and physical education; and, in terms and courses of study, further providing for physical education.

Bill Text

PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 695, 1648 PRINTER'S NO. 1882
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 681
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY OTTEN, PIELLI, HILL-EVANS, RABB, PROBST, GIRAL,
KENYATTA, SANCHEZ, DALEY, GREEN, MADDEN, CERRATO AND WEBSTER,
FEBRUARY 20, 2025
AS AMENDED ON SECOND CONSIDERATION, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
JUNE 10, 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, further
providing for health services, for reports and for
interagency coordinating council for child health, nutrition
and physical education.; AND, IN TERMS AND COURSES OF STUDY,
FURTHER PROVIDING FOR PHYSICAL EDUCATION.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 1402(a) of the act of March 10, 1949
(P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, is
amended and the section is amended by adding a subsection to
read:
Section 1402. Health Services.--(a) Each child of school
age shall be given by methods established by the Advisory Health
Board, (1) a hearing test by a school nurse or medical
technician, (2) a measurement of height and weight by a school
nurse or [teacher] other health care practitioner , who shall
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collect that information in a manner that protects student
confidentiality and shall use the measurement to [compute] TRACK
a child's [weight-for-height ratio] growth pattern UNDER 28 PA.
CODE § 23.7 (RELATING TO HEIGHT AND WEIGHT MEASUREMENTS), (3)
tests for tuberculosis under medical supervision, and (4) such
other tests as the Advisory Health Board may deem advisable to
protect the health of the child.
* * *
(a.3) A student shall be exempt from measurement of height
and weight if the student's parent or LEGAL guardian requests an
exemption in writing. A school district shall provide
notification to a student's parent or legal guardian regarding
the procedure to request an exemption.
* * *
Section 2. Section 1408 of the act is amended to read:
Section 1408. Reports.--(a) Every school district of the
Commonwealth or school districts jointly, school physicians,
school dentists and school nurses, shall file with the Secretary
of Health and/or the [Superintendent of Public Instruction]
SECRETARY OF EDUCATION such reports as required by the
regulations of the two departments.
(b) Height and weight measurements may SHALL be calculated
into a body mass index by a school nurse or other trained health
care practitioner employed by the school district . SOLELY FOR
THE PURPOSE OF REPORTING UNDER THIS SUBSECTION. A school
district may not deliver a student's body mass index to either
the student or the student's parent or guardian unless requested
by the parent or guardian in writing. A school district shall
report the recorded height and weight measurements and body mass
index calculation to the Secretary of Health in a manner that
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protects the confidentiality of the student's information.
Section 3. Section 1422.2(a) and (d) of the act are amended
and subsection (c) is amended by adding a paragraph to read:
Section 1422.2. Interagency Coordinating Council for Child
Health, Nutrition and Physical Education.--(a) The Secretary of
Education, the Secretary of Health, the Secretary of Human
Services and the Secretary of Agriculture shall establish an
interagency coordinating council which shall annually review,
revise and publish a Pennsylvania Child Wellness Plan to promote
child health, nutrition and physical education. The council
shall be composed of employes of the Department of Education,
the Department of Health, the Department of Human Services and
the Department of Agriculture. The Secretary of Education shall
appoint the chairman of the council.
* * *
(c) In the [initial] publication of the Pennsylvania Child
Wellness Plan to promote child health, nutrition and physical
education, the council shall integrate the contents of the
Pennsylvania Nutrition and Activity Plan to Prevent Obesity and
Related Chronic Diseases and [shall] may include additional
recommendations regarding:
* * *
(7) The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program education
program to improve the likelihood that families with children
eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will
make healthy food choices within a limited budget and choose
physically active lifestyles.
(d) The council shall submit the plan to the Secretary of
Education, the Secretary of Health, THE SECRETARY OF HUMAN
SERVICES and the Secretary of Agriculture no later than May 1,
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