Pennsylvania SB 127: 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, repealing provisions relating to Holocaust, genocide and human rights violations instruction and providing for Holocaust, genocide and human rights violations instruction required.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 76
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 127
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY MASTRIANO, BROOKS, BROWN, ARGALL AND HUTCHINSON,
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,
repealing provisions relating to Holocaust, genocide and
human rights violations instruction and providing for
Holocaust, genocide and human rights violations instruction
required.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 1554 of the act of March 10, 1949
(P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, is
repealed:
[Section 1554. Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights
Violations Instruction.--(a) (1) Beginning with school year
2015-2016, each school entity may offer instruction in the
Holocaust, genocide and human rights violations to students. The
instruction shall be integrated within the social studies and
language arts courses of study required in accordance with State
Board of Education regulations. Instruction may also be
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integrated into other appropriate courses of study.
(2) The Holocaust, genocide and human rights violations
instruction permitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall:
(i) Be age appropriate.
(ii) Be sequential in method of study.
(iii) Communicate the connection between national, ethnic,
racial or religious intolerance and the subjects described in
subsection (b).
(iv) Communicate the impact of personal responsibility,
civic engagement and societal response within the context of the
subjects described in subsection (b).
(3) School entities may utilize any appropriate public or
private materials, personnel and other resources in developing
and implementing the program of instruction permitted pursuant
to paragraph (1). The Department of Education shall distribute
information about appropriate curriculum materials to each
school entity. School entities may utilize any curriculum that
complies with the requirements of this subsection.
(b) (1) The Department of Education shall establish
curriculum guidelines no later than twelve (12) months after the
effective date of this section. The guidelines shall encourage
the inclusion of all of the following subjects where appropriate
in the instruction:
(i) The breadth of the history of the Holocaust, including
the Third Reich dictatorship, concentration camp system,
persecution of Jews and non-Jews, Jewish and non-Jewish
resistance and post-World War II trials.
(ii) The definition, history, response and actions taken in
the face of genocide, including the Holocaust and any other
genocide perpetrated against humanity, including the Rwandan
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genocide and other genocides committed in Africa, Asia and
Europe.
(iii) Human rights violations.
(iv) Anti-Semitism, racism and the abridgment of civil
rights.
(2) The Department of Education shall work in consultation
with organizations and individuals that provide educational
expertise and resources related to the Holocaust, genocide and
human rights violations to develop the curriculum guidelines.
The guidelines shall state the minimum amount of instruction
necessary to adequately educate students on the Holocaust,
genocide and human rights violations.
(c) Beginning with the 2015-2016 school year, the Department
of Education shall make available, to all school entities, in-
service training programs based upon the instruction provided
for under subsection (a) and the curriculum guidelines
established pursuant to subsection (b).
(d) (1) Beginning with the 2015-2016 school year, each
school entity providing instruction under subsection (a) shall
provide, as part of its in-service training, programs on the
Holocaust, genocide and human rights violations for all
instructors whose teaching responsibilities include courses of
study in which instruction concerning the Holocaust, genocide
and human rights violations is integrated. A school entity may
utilize the programs made available by the Department of
Education or use other alternative programs that are consistent
with the provisions of this section.
(2) Employes required to complete continuing professional
education under section 1205.2 shall receive credit toward the
continuing professional education requirements where the
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training program provided pursuant to paragraph (1) has been
approved by the Department of Education.
(e) The Department of Education shall provide the
guidelines, in-service training and any other materials
de