An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in terms and courses of study, further providing for Holocaust, genocide and human rights violations instruction.

PRINTER'S NO. 816
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 792
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY MARCELL, SOLOMON, WAXMAN, GIRAL, FREEMAN, MADDEN,
HOHENSTEIN, GUENST, MALAGARI, PUGH, SANCHEZ, NEILSON, KHAN,
BANTA, SHUSTERMAN, GROVE AND ZIMMERMAN, 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 terms and courses of study,
further providing for Holocaust, genocide and human rights
violations instruction.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 1554(f)(1) of the act of March 10, 1949
(P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, is
amended to read:
Section 1554. Holocaust, Genocide and Human Rights
Violations Instruction.--* * *
(f) [The] Following the 2025-2026 school year and every five
(5) years thereafter, the State Board of Education shall:
(1) Conduct a study regarding the manner in which
instruction in the Holocaust, genocide and human rights
violations is offered by school entities in this Commonwealth.
In conducting the study, the State Board of Education shall
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request that each school entity provide the State Board of
Education with information concerning whether the school entity
offers such instruction and the manner in which such instruction
is offered. Each school entity shall provide information to the
State Board of Education in response to a request under this
paragraph. [Following the 2016-2017 school year, but not later
than November 30, 2017,] No later than November 30, 2027, and
every five (5) years thereafter, the State Board of Education
shall issue a report to the Governor, the Secretary of
Education, the Chairman and Minority Chairman of the Education
Committee of the Senate and the Chairman and Minority Chairman
of the Education Committee of the House of Representatives
addressing the following:
(i) The number of school entities offering instruction in
the Holocaust, genocide and human rights violations.
(ii) The number of school entities using the curriculum
guidelines established by the Department of Education under
subsection (b).
(iii) The number of school entities using the in-service
training programs made available by the Department of Education
under subsection (c).
(iv) A description of the manner in which school entities
are offering instruction in the Holocaust, genocide and human
rights violations, including the number of hours of instruction
offered, the grade levels at which such instruction is offered
and the course within such instruction is integrated.
(v) The recommendations for improvements to the offering of
instruction in the Holocaust, genocide and human rights
violations, including updated curriculum guidelines and
recommended legislation.
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* * *
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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