An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, providing for school chaplains.

PRINTER'S NO. 1354
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1206
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY ZIMMERMAN, D'ORSIE, GREINER, HAMM, BARGER,
M. MACKENZIE, JAMES, LEADBETER, FINK AND ROWE, APRIL 15, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, APRIL 15, 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," providing for school chaplains.
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 an
article to read:
ARTICLE XIII-F
SCHOOL CHAPLAINS
Section 1301-F. Scope of article.
This article relates to school chaplains.
Section 1302-F. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this article
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Certified school chaplain." An individual certified by the
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National School Chaplain Association or other similar
organization.
"Public school entity." A school district, intermediate
unit, area career and technical school, charter school, cyber
charter school or regional charter school.
Section 1303-F. Certified school chaplains.
(a) Authorization.--A public school entity may employ, or
approve as a volunteer, a certified school chaplain to provide
support, services and programs for students and employees as
assigned by the governing body of the school if the certified
school chaplain has satisfied the requirements under sections
111 and 111.1 and 23 Pa.C.S. § 6344 (relating to e mployees
having contact with children; adoptive and foster parents ) or
6344.2 (relating to v olunteers having contact with children ).
(b) State certification not required.--A certified school
chaplain employed or volunteering under this article is not
required to be certified under Article XI.
Section 1304-F. Duties of a public school entity.
The governing board of a public school entity shall take a
vote, no later than six months after the effective date of this
section, on whether to adopt a policy authorizing the public
school entity to employ, or approve as a volunteer, a certified
school chaplain.
Section 2. This amendatory act shall be known as the
Student and Teacher Support Act.
Section 3. This act shall take effect immediately.
20250HB1206PN1354 - 2 -
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