Pennsylvania HB 1632: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in certification of teachers, providing for human trafficking awareness and prevention.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1982
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1632
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY PUGH, M. MACKENZIE, OWLETT, RIVERA, JAMES AND
KUZMA, JUNE 20, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, JUNE 23, 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 certification of teachers,
providing for human trafficking awareness and prevention.
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 1205.9. Human Trafficking Awareness and
Prevention.--(a) Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, the
department shall develop a continuing professional education
program on human trafficking awareness and prevention, in
consultation with the following entities:
(1) The Office of Attorney General.
(2) The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency's
Office of Victims' Services.
(3) A human trafficking organization.
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(b) The program shall address, at a minimum, the following
topics:
(1) Current Federal and State laws relating to human
trafficking.
(2) The Pennsylvania State Police Human Trafficking Hotline
at 1-888-292-1919 or its successor telephone number.
(3) Facts and statistics relating to human trafficking in
this Commonwealth and throughout the United States.
(4) Methods by which human traffickers compel or coerce
victims to engage in involuntary servitude, including the
recruitment of potential victims over social media platforms and
the Internet.
(5) Risk factors that may make an individual more vulnerable
to human trafficking.
(6) How to identify potential victims of sexual servitude
and involuntary servitude and what to do when a victim is
identified.
(c) The program:
(1) May be provided through the Internet or other electronic
means.
(2) Shall be at least one (1) hour in duration.
(3) Shall be included in the database under section 1502-
L(a)(2).
(d) (1) A professional educator who is required to undergo
continuing professional education under section 1205.2 shall be
required to complete the program under this section.
(2) Upon completion of the program, a professional educator
shall receive credit toward the professional educator's
continuing professional education requirement.
(e) As used in this section, the following words and phrases
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shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless
the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Department." The Department of Education of the
Commonwealth.
"Human trafficking." As defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 3001
(relating to definitions).
"Human trafficking organization." A nonprofit organization
that specializes in outreach and education programs on human
trafficking.
"Involuntary servitude." As defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 3001.
"Professional educator." As defined in section 1205.2(o).
"Program." The continuing professional education program on
human trafficking awareness and prevention, which is developed
in accordance with subsection (a).
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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