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 air conditioning in student-occupied areas.

PRINTER'S NO. 696
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 682
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY WEBSTER, MALAGARI, WAXMAN, HILL-EVANS, PIELLI,
MAYES, SANCHEZ AND HADDOCK, FEBRUARY 20, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 20, 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 air conditioning in student-occupied areas.
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 743. Air Conditioning in Student-Occupied Areas.--
(a) By the beginning of the 2028-2029 school year, a school
entity shall complete installation of functioning air
conditioning in each student-occupied area.
(b) A school entity that is unable to comply with subsection
(a) shall submit a plan not later than August 1, 2028, to the
department explaining the action the school entity will take to
comply with subsection (a) as soon as possible.
(c) (1) A school entity that has not yet installed air
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conditioning in each student-occupied area by the deadline
established under subsection (a) shall develop and implement a
student-occupied area temperature control plan.
(2) A student-occupied area temperature control plan must
include:
(i) Procedures to maintain student-occupied area
temperatures between 72 degrees and 79 degrees Fahrenheit during
months in which a heating system is not needed in the student-
occupied areas, to the maximum extent practicable.
(ii) Procedures for closing a student-occupied area when the
temperature inside the student-occupied area is above 88 degrees
Fahrenheit.
(3) A school entity shall update and resubmit its student-
occupied area temperature control plan to the department
annually by a date established by the department until air
conditioning is installed in each student-occupied area of the
school entity.
(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.
"School entity." A school district, intermediate unit, area
career and technical school, charter school or regional charter
school.
"Student-occupied area." An indoor area in which students
congregate for educational purposes, including a classroom,
cafeteria, gymnasium and library.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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