Pennsylvania HB 769: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in grounds and buildings, providing for physical space for school library or information center; and, in books, furniture and supplies, providing for school library collections.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 793
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 769
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY WEBSTER, KENYATTA, GUENST, SANCHEZ, MADDEN,
WAXMAN, PIELLI, PROBST, HILL-EVANS, HOWARD, KAZEEM, MALAGARI,
KHAN, FREEMAN, CIRESI AND CERRATO, MARCH 3, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MARCH 3, 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 grounds and buildings, providing
for physical space for school library or information center;
and, in books, furniture and supplies, providing for school
library collections.
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 sections
to read:
Section 743. Physical Space for School Library or
Information Center.--(a) Beginning with the 2026-2027 school
year, each public school building shall maintain a physical
space for a library or information center that can support the
school library collections required under section 811.
(b) The State Board of Education shall incorporate the
requirement under subsection (a) into prescribed building
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standards, with suggestions to public schools on the best use of
space for minimum requirements of print and nonprint materials
and technology.
(c) Each public school building that is built or rebuilt
after the revision of the building standards in accordance with
subsection (b) shall conform to the revised building standards.
(d) A public school board of directors shall determine the
type of physical space required to address the suggestions of
the State Board of Education regarding the best use of space.
(e) The Secretary of Education may deny approval to any
school building construction or reconstruction project which
fails to meet the building standards prescribed by the State
Board of Education.
(f) The State Board of Education shall review the physical
space requirements for libraries or information centers every
ten years and update the building standards as deemed necessary.
(g) This section shall not apply to a cyber charter school
or other public school that provides all education services
online.
Section 811. School Library Collections.--(a) Beginning
with the 2026-2027 school year, each public school shall
maintain a library collection that includes a variety of both
print and nonprint materials and related equipment of sufficient
quality and quantity to support and supplement the educational
needs of students, including a minimum quantity of one thousand
(1,000) items per grade served.
(b) A certified school librarian may direct the development
and implementation of a library of a public school.
(c) The department shall promulgate regulations as necessary
to implement and administer this section.
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(d) 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.
"Items." Books, films, filmstrips, tapes, records, globes,
slide sets, periodicals, audio-visual equipment, maps and other
materials to supplement the programs of a public school. The
term does not include books classified as textbooks, except when
used in limited numbers as reference books.
"Public school." A school operated by a school district,
intermediate unit or charter school that provides in-person
education. The term does not include a cyber charter school.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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