Pennsylvania HB 1197: An Act amending the act of January 28, 1988 (P.L.24, No.11), known as the Private Academic Schools Act, further providing for definitions, for State Board of Private Academic Schools, for powers and duties of board, for application for license, for issuance and renewal of license, for directory of private academic schools, for requirements for licensure and operation, for enforcement, refusal, suspension or revocation of license and for promulgation of rules and regulations.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1346
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1197
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY ZIMMERMAN, BERNSTINE AND ANDERSON, APRIL 15, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, APRIL 15, 2025
AN ACT
Amending the act of January 28, 1988 (P.L.24, No.11), entitled
"An act defining and providing for the licensing and
regulation of private academic schools; reestablishing the
State Board of Private Academic Schools; imposing penalties;
and making repeals," further providing for definitions, for
State Board of Private Academic Schools, for powers and
duties of board, for application for license, for issuance
and renewal of license, for directory of private academic
schools, for requirements for licensure and operation, for
enforcement, refusal, suspension or revocation of license and
for promulgation of rules and regulations.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Sections 2, 3(c) and (g), 4(b) and (c), 7(a) and
(b), 8(a) and (b), 11, 12(a), 13(b)(4) and 14 of the act of
January 28, 1988 (P.L.24, No.11), known as the Private Academic
Schools Act, are amended to read:
Section 2. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Annual." Twelve months from the date of initial licensure.
"Board." The State Board of Private Academic Schools.
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"Department." The Department of Education of the
Commonwealth.
"Office." The Office of Elementary and Secondary Education
within the Department of Education of the Commonwealth.
"Online school." A school with at least one office located
in this Commonwealth which uses technology in order to provide a
significant portion of its curriculum and to deliver a
significant portion of instruction to its students through the
Internet or other electronic means and which shall not include a
cyber charter school as provided under Article XVII-A of the act
of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School
Code of 1949.
"Premises." Any grounds or facilities utilized by a school
for the purposes of providing instruction or in the case of an
online school any office space or facilities from which
instruction will be transmitted or from which administrative
support is offered.
"Private academic school" or "school." A school maintained,
or classes conducted, for the purpose of offering instruction
for a consideration, profit or tuition to five or more pupils at
one and the same time, or to 25 or more pupils during any school
year, the purpose of which is to educate an individual generally
or specially or to prepare an individual for more advanced
study, and shall include all schools engaged in such education,
including online schools, except private trade schools, private
business schools, private correspondence schools, private music
schools, private dance schools, private art schools, private
dramatic art schools, private schools of charm or poise, private
driver training schools or any type of private school which is
nonacademic in character.
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"Secretary." The Secretary of Education of the Commonwealth.
Section 3. State Board of Private Academic Schools.
* * *
(c) Administrative support.--Administrative support for the
board shall be provided by the [department] office in accordance
with section 214 of the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175),
known as The Administrative Code of 1929. The [department]
office shall periodically consult with the board regarding its
administrative needs.
* * *
(g) Documents.--Certificates of licensure and other official
documents approved by the board shall be issued by the
[department] office.
Section 4. Powers and duties of board.
* * *
(b) Disposition of student records.--The board shall require
every applicant for initial licensure to provide a written
statement describing arrangements for disposition of student
records in the event of closure. It shall be the duty of the
board and the [department] office to assist in the execution of
the arrangements when necessary.
(c) Enforcement by [department] office.--The regulations
promulgated by the board shall be enforced by the [department]
office. The [department] office may submit to individual experts
for review, programs and courses and financial statements
proposed or offered by a school.
Section 7. Application for license.
(a) General rule.--Before any license is issued to a private
academic school, a verified application shall be made, in
writing, to the board on a form prepared and furnished by the
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[department] office.
(b) Application contents.--The application shall require a
statement showing:
(1) The title or name and address of the schoo