Pennsylvania HB 342: An Act amending the act of November 26, 1997 (P.L.508, No.55), known as the Institutions of Purely Public Charity Act, further providing for definitions and for criteria for institutions of purely public charity.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 297
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 342
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY GREEN, GIRAL, HOWARD, SANCHEZ, HILL-EVANS, PIELLI,
HOHENSTEIN AND OTTEN, JANUARY 27, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, JANUARY 27, 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 mindfulness techniques.
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 1516.2. Mindfulness Techniques.-- (a) Each school
entity shall adopt a policy for providing classroom instruction
to students in kindergarten through grade twelve in techniques
of mindfulness for a minimum of fifteen minutes each school day.
(b) The mindfulness techniques required by subsection (a)
are not intended to be and shall not be conducted as a religious
service or exercise.
(c) The Department of Education shall:
(1) Develop and distribute to school entities a model policy
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on the teaching of mindfulness, which shall be consistent with
subsection (a).
(2) Develop a model mindfulness curriculum and make the
curriculum available to all school entities and, upon request,
to nonpublic schools.
(3) Develop and post on its publicly accessible Internet
website materials and guidelines on current best practice
techniques in the teaching of mindfulness as required under
subsection (a).
(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:
"Mindfulness" shall mean the practice of being aware of one's
body, mind and feelings in the present moment.
"Nonpublic school" shall mean a nonprofit school, other than
a school entity, wherein a resident of this Commonwealth may
legally fulfill the compulsory school attendance requirements of
this act.
"School entity" shall mean 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.
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