Pennsylvania SB 663: 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 deaf and hard of hearing education.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 687
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 663
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY MUTH, FONTANA, PICOZZI, COSTA, SAVAL, HAYWOOD,
SCHWANK AND KANE, APRIL 28, 2025
REFERRED TO EDUCATION, APRIL 28, 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 deaf and hard of hearing 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 1529. Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education.--(a) In
accordance with the academic standards for health, safety and
physical education and not later than the beginning of the 2025-
2026 school year, the department, in consultation with the
Department of Health and at least one State or local
organization with an expertise in hearing impairment and loss,
shall identify or develop a model curriculum and curriculum
guidelines for instruction on deaf and hard of hearing education
for public school students.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20

(b) The model curriculum and guidelines shall:
(1) be posted on the department's publicly accessible
Internet website;
(2) be age-appropriate;
(3) be revised regularly to remain current with national
standards;
(4) provide guidance for integration into health courses or
other appropriate curriculum requirements;
(5) be made available to all school entities; and
(6) address topics, including:
(i) hearing loss types and causes;
(ii) the prevalence of hearing impairment and loss;
(iii) common sources of noises that can contribute to
hearing loss;
(iv) effects of noise on hearing and warning signs of
impairment;
(v) types of assistive devices available to address or
offset hearing loss;
(vi) hearing loss stigmas and prevention techniques;
(vii) the impact hearing impairment and loss can have on an
individual; and
(viii) recommendations on preventing and treating hearing
loss.
(c) (1) A school entity that offers instruction in deaf and
hard of hearing education may utilize the model curriculum
developed under subsections (a) and (b) or develop the school
entity's own curriculum in accordance with academic standards
and consistent with guidelines developed under subsections (a)
and (b). A school entity may utilize appropriate publicly or
privately available materials, personnel and other resources in
20250SB0663PN0687 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

developing and implementing this instruction, subject to the
requirements of section 111 and 23 Pa.C.S. § 6344 (relating to
employees having contact with children; adoptive and foster
parents).
(2) A teacher, instructor or community volunteer, with the
participation of a professional educator with a Pennsylvania
certification, including a professional educator certified in
physical education or health education or a school nurse, may
provide, facilitate or oversee the instruction offered by a
school entity under this section.
(d) A cyber charter school may provide the instruction under
this section through the Internet or other electronic means. If
a cyber charter school provides the instruction under this
section through the Internet or other electronic means, the
cyber charter school shall be exempt from the academic standards
and guidelines developed under subsections (a) and (b) regarding
in-person instructional requirements.
(e) 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, joint school district,
charter school, regional charter school, cyber charter school,
intermediate unit or area career and technical school.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
20250SB0663PN0687 - 3 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26