Education Committee 04/21/09

The Senate Education Committee met on Tuesday, April 21, 2009, and unanimously reported out the following bills as committed:

SB 88:  The bill amends the Public School Code to provide that when a child lives outside of Pennsylvania as a result of one or both parents being called or ordered to active military duty, that the child will continue to be a resident of the school district that was the school district immediately prior to the parent being stationed outside of Pennsylvania so long as the parent maintains the Pennsylvania residence.

SB 674:  The legislation amends the Public School Code to permit school boards to establish the Operation Recognition Program which provides for granting a high school diploma to any honorably discharged veteran who served in the Vietnam War.

The following bills were reported out as amended:

SB 598:  The legislation amends the Public School Code to provide for liability for tuition and enforcement of payment for students educated in a rehabilitative institution and also for determining the cost of tuition.  Amendment A00763 was offered which requires that during the pendency of any issues or disputes regarding tuition charges, the inmate will continue to receive educational services.  A vote of 9-2 was recorded on the bill as amended. 

SB 624:  The bill amends the Public School Code by requiring school boards to allow for non-public and private school students to participate in school athletics, publications and other extracurricular activities.  Amendment A00758 was offered that states that any student who attends a private or nonpublic school and elects to participate in public school activities that are not offered by the private or nonpublic school can do so.  Amendment A00782 was also offered which states that the board of school directors cannot restrict inclusion of students who lives within the school district but is enrolled in a private or nonpublic school by making or converting the activity to be a part of the regular school curriculum or by granting credit towards graduation requirements for participation.  A unanimous vote was recorded on the bill as amended. 

SB 687:  The bill amends the Public School Code to exempt charter school facilities from the payment of real estate tax on realty owned by the charter school.  Also exempts the owner of property that leases property to a charter school from the payment of real estate tax.  Amendment A00745 was offered which was technical in nature and added clarifying language.  A unanimous vote was recorded on the bill as amended. 

Education Committee 03/24/09

The Senate Education Committee met on Tuesday, March 24, 2009, and unanimously reported out the following bills as committed:

SB 287 – The bill amends the Public School Code to require the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to establish a reporting standard for the annual financial report (AFR) for school districts and intermediate units.  Such reports shall conform to fund level reporting criteria only. 

SB 329 – The legislation amends the State Public School Building Authority Act to raise the level at which the competitive bidding process must occur in the award of contracts to $25,000.  Additionally, the bill would put in place an annual adjustment of these requirements based on the CPI cost of living index.

SB 332 – The bill amends the School Code to raise the level at which the competitive bidding process must occur for construction contracts and the purchase of materials, supplies and equipment.  The legislation would raise the dollar amount requirement to $25,000, and to between $7,000 and $25,000 for telephonic/written quotes.  Additionally, the bill would put in place an annual adjustment of these requirements based on the CPI cost of living index.  

The following bills were reported out as amended:

SB 55 – The bill amends the Public School Code to expand the list of convicted offenses that prohibit a person from being employed in a public or private school, intermediate unit or area vocational-technical school.  The bill also requires school employees to report convictions for criminal offenses immediately to school administrators.  Senator Piccola offered amendment A0323 which adds two additional crimes to the list of offenses that fall under the lifetime ban for employment in a school.  It also changes the effective date from 60 to 90 days among other aspects.  A vote of 9-2 was recorded on the amendment and 10-1 on the bill as amended. 

SB 56 – The legislation amends the Public School Code to require the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to convene an advisory committee to assist in the development of school violence reporting forms.  The bill also expands the information to be included on the form and requirements relating to the memorandum of understanding with police departments.  Senator Piccola offered amendment A0394 that requires both the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) to jointly create an Office of Safe Schools within 120 days of the effective date of the act among numerous other things.  A vote of 9-2 was recorded on the amendment.  Amendment A0463 to A0394 was offered by M. J. White which clarifies that the chief school administrator shall have discretion in notifying law enforcement for offenses that do not mandate immediate notification.  A vote of 10-1 was recorded on the amendment.  A vote of 9-2 was recorded on the bill as amended. 

Education Committee 09/23/08

The Senate Education Committee met on Tuesday, September 23, 2008 and took the following action:

Reported as Amended:

SB 739 (Pippy): This bill allows for military personnel and their dependents who take internet based college courses to be charged resident tuition rates by the State-owned universities, community colleges and state related universities.

Education Committee 06/09/08

The Senate Education Committee met on Monday, June 9, 2008 at 12:45 p.m. and reported out the following bills:

The following bills were reported out as committed:

SB1442, PN2106:  This bill amends the Public School Code, to bring all future, statewide graduation requirements under the control of the General Assembly.

A vote of 10-1 was recorded.

SB1397, PN2032:  This bill amends the Public School Code to provide for the liability for tuition and enforcement of payment and for cost of tuition of child inmates.

A vote of 10-1 was recorded.

SB1376, PN1962:  This bill would repeal legislation relating to York Academy. 

A vote of 11-0 was recorded.

SR243, PN1786:  This resolution would direct the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study of state law and school policies and practices regarding the notification of parents when a student violates a public or private institution of high education’s drug and alcohol policy.

A vote of 11-0 was recorded. 

The following bills were reported out as amended:

HB1067, PN1911:  This bill would provide for the transfer of student disciplinary records upon a student transfer.

Senator Rhodes offered Amendment A07300 to remove a section relating to the transfer of records upon the revocation of a school’s charter.

The amendment and the bill received an 11-0 vote.

Education Committee 05/06/08

The Senate Education Committee met on Tuesday, May 06, 2008 at 12:00 p.m. and reported out the following bills:

The following bill was reported out as committed:

SB1277 (Senator Robbins) This bill would amend the Public School Code of 1949 to add “charter schools” that provide alternative education programs as their central mission to the entities (school district or combination of school districts) that may apply for funding under this section.  A vote of 9-2 was recorded.

The following bills were reported out as amended:

SB395 (Senator Washington) This bill would amend the Public School Code of 1949 to provide for child abuse identification training for school employees.  A vote of 11-0 was recorded.

Senator Musto offered Amendment A06888 that removed much of the bill’s existing language and replaced it with clarified language regarding the training of school employees and contracted individuals to identify cases of child abuse.  The amendment also changed the effective date of the act from 60 days to 180 days.  A vote of 11-0 was recorded.

SB1281 (Senator Pippy) This bill would amend the Public School Code of 1949 to permit a child who lives outside of Pennsylvania whose parents have been ordered to active military duty, other than training, to be considered a resident of his or her school district immediately prior to the relocation.  A vote of 11-0 was recorded.

Senator Rhodes offered Amendment A06885 that removed and replaced it with clarified language and changed the effective date of the act from 60 days to immediately.  A vote of 11-0 was recorded.

HB503 (Representative Santoni) This bill would amend the Public School Code of 1949 to permit constables to serve as a school director.  A vote of 10-1 was recorded.

Senator Rhodes offered Amendment A06892 that changed the effective date of the act from 60 days to immediately.  A vote of 10-1 was recorded.

Education Committee 04/29/08

The Senate Education Committee met on Tuesday, April 29, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. and reported out the following bills:

The following bills were unanimously reported out as committed:

SB472 (Senator Robbins) This bill would amend the Public School Code to create a Science Technology Partnership Program between institutions of higher education and schools or school districts.

SB1283 (Senator Dinniman) This bill would require state-owned institutions of higher education, state-related institutions of higher education, and community colleges to submit quarterly reports to their host community governments on any disciplinary action taken on a college student.

SB1285 (Senator Dinniman) This bill would require institutions of higher education to provide information relating to drug and alcohol policies, student disciplinary process and parental notification of following a violation to parents of students enrolled at that institution.

SB1312 (Senator Vance) This bill would amend the Public School Code of 1949 to provide for a change in the State’s reimbursement amount – $7 to $12 – multiplied by the enrollment amount, for school nurse services.

SB1315 (Senator Waugh) This bill would create a Postsecondary Education Tuition Reimbursement Program within the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) for volunteer firefighters and emergency services personnel (EMS).

The following bill was unanimously reported out as amended:

SB731 (Senator Orie) This bill would amend the Public School Code of 1949 to provide for the possession and use of an epinephrine auto-injector (epi-pen) by school children.

Senator Rhoades offered Amendment A06773 that would authorize a school district to restrict the self-carrying of an epi-pen by students under age 11.  The amendment also requires public notice of the school policy on inhalers, epi-pens, and other prescribed medication.

Education Committee 04/09/08

The Senate Education Committee met on Wednesday, April 09, 2008 and reported out the following resolution:

SR289: (Logan) This resolution would encourage the United States Congress to address the student-lending crisis affecting the ability of Pennsylvania students of higher education to obtain necessary financial aid.

The resolution was unanimously reported out as committed.

Education Committee 09/19/07

The Senate Education Committee met on Wednesday, September 19, 2007, at 9:30 a.m. and reported out the following resolution:

SR 141 (Senator Musto) This resolution would memorialize the President and U.S. Congress to reauthorize the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, to address funding issues, teacher certification issues, issues regarding certain disadvantaged students and reliability of present assessment standards.

The resolution was reported out by a vote of 8-2

Education Committee 06/05/07

The Senate Education Committee met on Tuesday, June 5, 2007, and took the following action:

Reported Out as Amended

House Bill 842 pn 957 (Grucela)  An employee who does not complete the required continuing education may have his/her certificate placed in inactive status at any point in the year:  Unanimous Vote   A00924 (Rhoades) The amendment requires that the Department of Education may only place a teacher’s certificate in inactive status between June 30^th and July 31^st rather than at some point in time during the school year:  Unanimous Vote

Reported Out as Committed

Senate Bill 834 pn 970 (Rhoades)  The bill requires the Governor to appoint two municipal officers to the Advisory Council on Library Development:  Unanimous Vote

Education Committee 05/01/07

The Senate Education Committee met on Tuesday, May 1, and took the following action:

Reported Out as Amended

SB 805 pn 903 (Folmer) The legislation requires the Department of Education to provide an annual report on the operation of the Educational Assistance Tutoring Program. Technical amendment.  Unanimous

SB 806 pn 904 (Browne) The legislation requires the Department of Education to provide an annual report on the operation of the Classrooms for the Future Technology Program. Technical amendment.  Unanimous

SB 807 pn 905 (Rhoades) The legislation requires the Department of Education to provide an annual report on the operation of the Classrooms for the Future Technology Program.  Technical amendment. Unanimous

SB 808 pn 906 (Rhoades)  The legislation requires the Department of Education to provide an annual report on the operation of the Project 720 High School Curriculum Program. Technical amendment.  Unanimous

SB 813 pn 908 (Tomlinson) The legislation requires the Department of Education to provide an annual report on the operation of the Education Technology Program. Technical amendment.  Unanimous

Reported Out as Committed

SR 91 pn 871 (Rhoades) The Resolution urges the President and Congress to increase funding for special education programs. Unanimous

SR 101 pn 919 (Brubaker) The Resolution designates May 8, 2007, as “Early Care and Child Education Action Day”.

Education Committee 04/17/07

The Senate Education Committee met on Tuesday, April 17, 2007, and took the following action:

Reported Out as Amended

Senate Bill 399 pn 446 (Musto)  This legislation adds additional block grant options to the current list of approved programs to be considered  for accountability block grants.  School districts would be allowed to use block grant funds to establish, expand or maintain world language programs in the elementary grades. Vote:  9-2

Education Committee 03/20/07

The Senate Education Committee met on Tuesday, March 20, 2007,  and took the following action:

Reported Out as Amended

Senate Bill 112 pn 143 (Piccola)  Amends the Public School Code to further provide for the Office for Safe Schools for memoranda of understanding with local law enforcement, and for reporting by school entities. Unanimous Vote.  A 00221 (Rhoades) Clarifies definition of Chief School Administrators and sets forth fines and penalties for failure to report certain violations. Unanimous Vote.

Senate Bill 207 pn 249 (Musto)  Amends the Public School Code to require at least one school official that is certified in CPR to be present when school meals are being servedVote:  10-1  A00208 (Musto)  Clarifies language and adds civil immunity for school employees who render care under the bill.  Unanimous Vote.

Reported Out as Committed

Senate Bill 159 pn 197 (Rhoades)  Amends the Public School Code to increase the school lunch and breakfast reimbursement.  Vote:  10-1

Education Committee 02/06/07

The Senate Education Committee met on Tuesday, February 6, 2007,  and took the following action:

Reported Out as Amended (Unanimously)

SB 154 PN No: 19 (Rhoades) The bill amends the Public School Code to require that certain school districts revise their
professional education plans and to require the Department of Education to create a clearinghouse of continuing professional
education programs. A00035 (Musto)  Adds pre-kindergarten students (Unanimous)

SB 157 PN No: 21 (Rhoades)  The legislation amends the Public School Code to direct intermediate units to coordinate
academic programs for school districts and to establish academic improvement teams for school districts. A00013 (Rhoades) 
Adds collective bargaining protection to the bill (Unanimous)

SB 219 PN No.: 24 (Vance) The bill amends Public School Code to add certified registered nurse practitioners and
physicians’ assistants to the list of professionals who can perform the physical tests needed by teachers in order to get their
certification. A00012 (Baker)  Technical (Unanimous)

Reported Out as Committed (Unanimously)

SB 71 PN No.: 18  (Greenleaf)  The bill amends the Public School Code to require schools for the 2007-2008 school year to
adopt a policy related to bullying or to include such policy as part of its existing Code of Student Conduct.  Such policies will
include discipline consequences and may include prevention and intervention techniques.

SB 155 PN No.:  20 (Rhoades)  The legislation adds a section to the Public School Code providing that each intermediate 
unit may establish and coordinate a pool of educational advisors to provide assistance to any school district or school 
assigned to the intermediate unit and identified for school improvement or corrective action.  

SB 158 PN No.: 22 (Rhoades)  The legislation amends the Public School Code to provide for the establishment of parental involvement programs and policies in school districts.

Education Committee 09/26/06

The Senate Education Committee met on Tuesday, September 26,  2006,  and took the following action:

Reported Out as Amended (Unanimously)

Senate Bill 71 pn 61 (Greenleaf)  The bill relates to the Office of Safe Schools and requires the establishment of policies
relating bullying.

A09442 (C. Williams)  New language added to the bill that would require schools to establish a bullying policy with more
stringent requirements than the original bill.  Unanimous Vote

Senate Bill 1332 pn 2071 (Conti)  The bill amends the Public School Code relating to school health services, definitions
and for certain medical examinations. A09453 (Rhoades)  Changes timelines for physical and dental examinations. 
Unanimous Vote

Education Committee 06/21/06

The Senate Education Committee met on Wednesday, June 21, 2006,  and took the following action:

Reported Out as Amended

Senate Bill 1147 pn 1614 (Rhoades)  The legislation establishes a state-wide system through which students at publicly supported colleges and universities can transfer credits earned in certain approved courses.  Committee Vote:  9-1  A08309 (Rhoades) Deletes provisions of the bill and inserts new language for the same purpose. Amendment Vote:  9-1

Senate Resolution 208 pn 1447 (Wozniak)  The resolution directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to study
the cost-effectiveness of consolidating school districts in this Commonwealth.  Committee Vote:  Unanimous  A07951
(Rhoades)  Adds a request for the study to include the cost-effectiveness of having all schools in the same county as a
district or in the same intermediate unit as a district. Amendment Vote:  Unanimous

Education Committee 03/14/06

The Senate Education Committee met on Tuesday, March 14, 2006,  and took the following action:

Reported Out as Amended

House Bill 185 pn 2277 (Stairs) - The legislation amends the Public School Code providing for contracts for competitive food
and beverage contracts, the establishment of nutritional guidelines for foods sold in public schools, for advisory health
councils, for local wellness policies and for physical education curricula.  A6390 (Rhoades) The amendment gutted the
language and rewrote the provisions of the legislation.  Amendment Vote:  10-1   Committee Vote:  10-1

House Bill 1618 pn 3334 (Fairchild)  - The legislation amends the Public School Code to allow children with disabilities to participate in graduation ceremonies after completing a special education program even if their individualized education
program prescribes continued education after the fourth year of high school.  A6251 (Rhoades) Adds Charter and Vocational schools to the provisions of the bill.  Amendment Vote:  11-0  Committee Vote:  11-0

Education Committee 10/25/05

The Senate Education Committee met on  Tuesday, October 25, 2005,  and took the following action:

Reported Out as Amended (unanimously)

SB 414 pn 439 (Robbins)   The bill amends the Public School Code establishing the Science Technology Partnership
Program and authorizing the creation of science technology partnerships between institutions of basic and higher education. A03230 (Rhoades) Institutions may subcontract with a nonprofit organization in order to implement a partnership. 
(Unanimous Amendment Vote)

Reported Out as Amended

SB 676 pn 802 (Conti)   The legislation amends the Public School Code relating to school health services, health
examinations, and the minimum ratio of students to school nurses.

Education Committee 6/28/05

The Senate Education Committee met on  Tuesday, June 28,  2005,  and took the following action:

Reported Out as Committed (unanimously)

House Bill 1304 pn 1548 (Stevenson)   The legislation extends the authority of the State Librarian to waive certain
mandates
upon request of a local library to June 30, 2006.

Education Committee 6/22/05

The Senate Education Committee met on  Wednesday, June 22, 2005,  and took the following action:

Reported Out of Committee as Amended

Senate Bill 297 pn 303 (Rhoades)   The bill amends the Public School Code to authorize intermediate units to establish a
pool of
educational advisors for certain school districts and further providing for charter school funding. A02000 (Rhoades)  Adds
language that provides cyber and charter schools with direct payment from the Department of Education.  Amendment Vote
and Committee
Action Vote:  7-4

Education Committee 6/14/05

The Senate Education Committee met on  Wednesday, June 14, 2005,  and took the following action:

Reported Out of Committee as Amended

House Bill 628 pn 701 (Schroder)   The Public School Code is amended to require that a school district’s proposed budget
be prepared on the standard form of the Department of Education and that the budget includes line-item expenditures.  The
bill further requires that the budget be available for public inspection to all persons and available for duplication for a
reasonable, prevailing duplication charge. Unanimous Vote.  A01715 (Rhoades) Removes language to make the bill identical
to SB 672, which bill was reported out of the Education Committee on June 8, 2005. Unanimous Vote.

Senate Bill 511 pn 629 (Gordner)   The legislation amends the Job Enhancement Act of 1996 to allow master’s degree
students to participate in the Technology Work Experience Internship Program.  Courses approved under the program for
undergraduate students would be the same as currently utilized under the New Economy Technology Scholarship Act.
Unanimous Vote.  A01182 (Rhoades)  Emerging technology companies must meet certain criteria and adhere to the
requirements of the agency.  Unanimous Vote.

Education Committee 6/8/05

The Senate Education Committee met on  Wednesday, June 8, 2005,  and took the following action:

Out as Committed
 

Senate Bill 458 pn 491 (Senator M. White)   The legislation amends the Public School Code to require the school district

of residence of an adjudicated student to pay a school district that contracts for the delivery of alternative education services

in the same manner as current law requires payment for school district that provides such alternative services directly.

Unanimous Vote.

Senate Bill 652, pn 749 (Senator Wenger)   The legislation amends the Public School Code to clarify that

school districts that receive grant funding through the educational assistance program or the accountability block

grant program may utilize such funds for tutoring programs offered to eligible students during the school day. Unanimous Vote.

Senate Bill 361 pn 366 (Senator Regola)   The legislation amends the Public School Code to require

school districts to provide access to extracurricular activities for students enrolled in home education programs. 

Vote:  7-4.

Out as Amended

Senate Bill 672 pn 799 (Senator Rafferty)   The legislation amends the Public School Code to require that school districts
adopt their proposed budgets to include line-item appropriations, that school districts make such proposed budgets available
for duplication and that a summary offense be levied against a school board member or school employee who violates these
requirements.  A01443 (Rhoades) Requires that the subsidy be held if the provisions of this law are not met.  Amendment
Vote: Unanimous.  On reporting the bill:  Vote:  Unanimous.

House Bill 894 pn 1963 (Representative Saylor)   The legislation amends the Public School Code to provide retired

professional educators who return to school service 180 days in which certain continuing professional education requirements do not
apply.

Education Committee 5/11/05

The Senate Education Committee met on  Wednesday, May 11  2005,  and took the following action:

Out as Committed (Unanimously)

Senate Bill 413 pn 438 (Rhoades)   The legislation would create the Mental Health and Mental Retardation Staff 
Member Loan Forgiveness Program and the Alcohol and Drug Addiction Counselor Loan Forgiveness Program.

Senate Bill 651 pn 748 (Rhoades)   The legislation extends the authority of the State Librarian to waive certain mandates 
upon the request of a local library.

Senate Bill 679 pn 781 (Musto)   The legislation provides for a limited grace period for certain professional educators who 
have not complied with their continuing professional education requirements.  

Out as Amended (Unanimously)

Senate Bill 150 pn 136 (Brightbill)   The legislation provides that school entities that establish concurrent enrollment 
programsunder this act would be eligible for state grants to support the programs and defray any tuition costs charged by 
the post-secondary institution to concurrent students. A01150 (Rhoades)  removes all language in the bill and rewrites the 
provisions – Unanimous   
A01173 (Tomlinson)   adds nonpublic schools to the provisions of the legislation – Vote: 9-1

Senate Bill 686 pn 782 (Erickson)   The legislation clarifies certain provisions relating to the payment and auditing of 
approved private schools and chartered schools for the deaf and blind.  A01167 (Rhoades)   Technical amendment – 
Unanimous

Education Committee 4/13/05

The Senate Education Committee met on  Wednesday, April 13, 2005,  and took the following action:

Out as Committed (Unanimously)

Senate Bill 390 pn 398 (Rhoades)   The bill amends the Public School Code to provide for a
 program of continuing professional development.

Senate Bill 417 pn 441 (Musto)   The bill amends the Public School Code to provide for 
reimbursable rental for leases and reimbursable sinking fund charges on indebtedness.

Out as Amended

Senate Bill 507 pn 540 (Piccola)   The bill amends the Public School Code to provide for the
scholarship organization educational improvement tax credit programs. A00772 and A00802 were 
both offered by Senator C. Williams.  Both amendments would add additional reporting requirement
s to provide greater accountability.  The amendments failed on a party line vote of 4-7.  

Technical Amendment A00795 (Piccola)   was unanimously passed.  The bill was reported out of 
committee, as technically amended, by a vote of 10-1.

Education Committee 3/16/05

The Senate Education Committee met on  Wednesday, March 16,  2005,  and took the following action:

Out as Committed (Unanimously)

Senate Bill 151 pn 137 (Brightbill)   The legislation amends the Public School Code to require more
specific information to be included on the State and School Reports as it relates to the performance of
students who have been enrolled in a school for less than two years, students who are classified as Limited English
Proficient,  and students with disabilities. Vote:  9-0

Senate Bill 327 pn 339 (Gordner)   The legislation  amends the Public School Code to allow school districts to be
reimbursed for the costs of the two first-class mailings required in the 2004-2005 fiscal year as a result of  passage of the Homeowner Tax Relief Act.   To receive reimbursement, the school district would provide the Department of Education with a notarized statement certifying the number of notices mailed.  The Department would provide the school district with a reimbursement equal to the number of notices sent multiplied by the first-class postage rate.  Vote:  9-0

Education Committee 2/8/05

The Senate Education Committee met on  Tuesday,  February 8,  2005,  and took the following
action:

Out as Committed (Unanimously)

Senate Bill 143, pn 130 (Rhoades)   The bill amends the Public School Code to establish 

parental involvement programs, parental involvement policies and parental involvement committees in school districts.  

Vote:  11-0

Education Committee 2/2/05

The Senate Education Committee met on Wednesday, February 2, 2005,  and took the following action:

Out as Committed (Unanimously)

Senate Bill 146 pn 131 (Rhoades)   The legislation amends the Public School Code to direct intermediate units to
coordinate academic programs for school districts and to establish academic improvement teams for school districts. Vote: 
11-0

Senate Bill 147 pn 132 (Rhoades)   The bill amends the Public School Code to require the Department of Education to
provide technical assistance to certain schools upon request. Vote:  11-0

Senate Bill 148 pn 133 (Rhoades)   The bill amends the Public School Code to require that certain school districts revise
their professional education plans and to require the Department of Education to create a clearinghouse of continuing professional education programs. Vote:  11-0

Education Committee 10/6/04

The Senate Education Committee met on Wednesday, October 6, 2004,  and took the following action: 

Out as Amended (unanimously)

HB 1113 pn 2165 (Weber)   The bill directs school districts to establish policies regarding student possession and 
self-administration of certain asthma medications.  A1661 and A3759 (Rhoades and Schwartz) were unanimously 
approved.  The amendments strengthen the legislation by adding language relating to a child being capable of 
self-administration of the medication.

HB 1530 pn 4243 (Petrone)   The bill establishes a loan forgiveness program for mental health and mental retardation staff 
members and for alcohol and drug addiction counselors who work in the Commonwealth following college. A3807 (Rhoades) 
added the language relating to drug and alcohol counselors (unanimous).

Education Committee 9/29/04

The Senate Education Committee met on Wednesday, September 29, 2004, and took the following action:

Out as Committed (unanimously)

Senate Bill 1223 pn 1826 (Rhoades)   The bill increases the reimbursement rate for schools that offer school lunch 
and breakfast programs.

Education Committee 5/18/04

The Senate Education Committee met on Tuesday, May 18, 2004,  and took the following action:

Reported Out as Amended (Unanimously)

House Bill 744, pn 1758 (Stairs)   The bill establishes a Community College Board to implement policies, rules,
regulations and standards associated with the community colleges and provide for services subject to the regulatory
powers of the State Board of Education.  A1777 (Rhoades)   The amendment requires that two members of the board
appointed by the Governor be employers or management-level employees and makes other changes relating to work
force development, distribution of formula-driven operating funds, Federal Perkins funding, staffing, and audit
resolution.  (Unanimously approved)   There was also a technical amendment that was unanimously approved.

Education Committee 5/4/04

The Senate Education Committee met on Tuesday, May 4, 2004,   and took the following action:

Reported Out as Committed (Unanimously)

SB 1107, pn 1579 (Rhoades)   The bill requires that certain school districts revise their professional education
plans and further requires the Department of Education to create a clearinghouse of continuing professional
education programs.

Reported Out as Amended (Unanimously)

SB 1024, pn 1409 (Brightbill)   The bill further provides for the addition of certain information to the State and
School Report Cards required by current law.

A1670 (Schwartz)   An agreed to amendment that would provide for a separate report for students with disabilities.
(unanimous).

SB 1108, pn 1580 (Rhoades)   The bill requests the Department of Education to provide technical assistance to
certain school entities upon request.  A1668 (Schwartz) An agreed to amendment that includes students with
disabilities or with limited English proficiency in the provisions of the bill. (unanimous)

Not Considered

SB 1109, pn 1581 (Rhoades)

HB 1113, pn 2165 (Weber)

Education Committee 3/30/04

The Senate Education Committee met on Tuesday, March 30, 2004,   and took the following action:

Reported Out as Committed

HB 2128, pn 3290  (Rep. Hickernell)   The bill amends the Public School Code to further provide for regulation of expelled students; establishing the Emergency Basic Education Subsidy Fund; and providing for basic education subsidy continuation funding.  (Vote:  7-4)

The Senate Education Committee met on Wednesday, March 17, and took the following action:

Reported Out as Amended:

Senate Bill 911 pn 1175  (Robbins)   The bill provides for the establishment of a nursing loan forgiveness program for
persons employed in the nursing profession at veterans’ homes operated by the Department of Military Affairs.
(Unanimous)

A0500 (Rhoades)  A technical amendment. (Unanimous) 

Reported out as Committed:

Senate Bill 931 pn 1211 (Pileggi)   The bill extends the Postsecondary Educational Gratuity Program to certain
children of sheriffs and deputy sheriffs. (Unanimous)

Senate Resolution  209 pn 1424 (Corman)   The resolution congratulates the Pennsylvania State University on the
commencement of its sesquicentennial celebration and reaffirming its designation as Pennsylvania’s land-grant university. 
(Unanimous)

The Senate Education Committee met on Monday,  December 8, 2003,  and took the following action:

Reported out as Committed

House Bill 856, pn 2187 (Blaum)   The bill amends the Public School Code to require school districts that employ
certain school police officers to report statistical data to the Department of Education’s Office of Safe Schools.
(unanimous vote)

The Senate Education Committee met on Monday, October 27, 2003, and took the following action:

Senate Bill 943 pn 1240 (Rhoades)   The legislation amends the Public School Code establishing the Task Force
on Early Childhood Education.

Senate Bill 947 pn 1242 (Wenger)   The legislation amends the Public School Code providing for continuation of
basic education funding for the current fiscal year.

House Bill 1068 pn 2799 (Godshall)   The legislation provides for powers and duties of intermediate units, for
firefighter and emergency service training as creditable high school courses and for state reimbursement for mobile
classroom facilities.

Education Committee  9/30/03

The Senate Education Committee met on Tuesday, September 30, 2003, and took the following action:  

The Senate Education Committee met on Wednesday,  June 18, 2003,   and took the following action: 

Reported out as Committed

Senate Bill 281, pn 291 (Schwartz)   Provides certification requirements for teachers of English as a second language.

Senate Bill 708, pn 837 (Schwartz)   Early childhood loan forgiveness program is extended to certain individuals
receiving a degree in early childhood education.

House Bill 564, pn 1789 (Bunt)   Amends the School Code to provide for community college financial programs and
reimbursements; establishing the Community College of Nonmandated Capital Fund.

Education Committee 6/10/03

The Senate Education Committee met on Tuesday, June 10, 2003, and took the following action:

Reported Out as Committed (Unanimously)

Senate Resolution 106 pn 947 (Rhoades)   A resolution requesting Congress to reauthorize the Carl D. Perkins
Vocational and Technical Education Act.

House Bill 217 pn 246 (Raymond)   The bill amends the Public School Code to further provide for the program of
continuing professional education.

Reported Out as Amended (Unanimously)

House Bill 113 pn 801 (Haluska)   The bill amends the Public School Code to provide for firefighter and emergency
service training as creditable high school courses.  Technical amendment was unanimously approved.

Education Committee 6/3/03

The Senate Education Committee met on Tuesday,  June 3, 2003, and took the following action:

Reported Out as Committed (Unanimously)

SB 60, pn 60 (Rhoades)   The bill provides for the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program by imposing
additional powers and duties on the Department of Education and Head Start providers and making a $15
million appropriation to the Department for the fiscal year.

Reported Out as Amended (Unanimously)

The Senate Education Committee met on Tuesday, April 29, 2003, and took the following action:

Reported Out as Committed (unanimous)

SR 66 pn 750 (Piccola)   The  resolution designates the week of  May 4 through May 10, 2003, as
Pennsylvania Home Education Week.

Reported Out as Amended

SB 680  pn 762 (Rhoades)   The bill amends the Public School Code to provide for certain limitations
on school district fund balances. A0421 (Rhoades) The amendment was added to clarify unreserved,
undesignated fund balance.

Removed from the Agenda

SB 281 pn 291 (Schwartz)   The bill was removed from the agenda.

Senate Bill 498 pn546 (Rhoades)   This legislation amends the Public School Code providing for the
establishment of parent involvement programs in school districts.  A0338 (Rhoades) Clarifying
amendment (unanimously).

Senate Bill 503 pn550 (Rhoades)   This legislation amends the Public School Code providing for the
establishment of academic improvement programs for certain school districts and authorizing
intermediate units to assist in the creation of academic improvement plans. A0348 (Rhoades) The
amendment requires technical assistance from the Department of Education for those schools identified
as those needing such assistance (unanimously).

Reported Out as Committed

Senate Bill 596 pn658 (Schwartz)   This legislation establishes criteria and authority for school
districts to include character education in curriculum planning and establishing the Character Education
Grant Program. 

The Senate Education Committee met on November 18, 2002, and took the following action.

Reported as Amended (unanimously)

House Bill 2644pn4408  (Schuler)   This legislation would amend the current law by exempting the
Thaddeus Stevens State College of Technology from the jurisdiction of the Department of Education and
would add provisions relating to the Thaddeus Stevens State College of Technology. A5641 (Rhoades
Amendment) deleted the language in the current printer's number and replaced those provisions with
language that would grant the college greater autonomy in its operations.  The amendment was
unanimously approved.

The Senate Education Committee met on Tuesday, November 12,  2002, and took the following action.

Reported as Amended (unanimously)

House Bill 204 (Stairs)   The bill establishes a system for collecting information from school districts
and other school entities in a uniform manner; making the information accessible to the public and
known as the School Profiles Act.  A technical amendment was unanimously agreed to on the measure.

House Bill 1686 (Stevenson)   The bill would further provide for state libraries by adding language
stipulating that  a local library or library system shall not use incentive for excellence funds to reduce its
financial effort for normal, recurring operating costs from a previous level unless evidence of substantial
curtailment of financial ability  of the community is accepted by the state librarian.  A technical
amendment was unanimously agree to on the measure.

The Senate Education Committee met on Tuesday, October 1,  2002, and took the following action.

Reported as Committed (unanimously)

House Bill 2229 (PN3865) (Zug)   The bill authorizes the board of school directors to establish a
program to provide high school diplomas to certain Korean War Veterans.

Reported as Amended (unanimously)

House Bill 592 (PN4353) (Egolf)   The bill provides for the display of the United States Flag and relating
ceremonies.  A4529 (Rhoades) was unanimously approved. The amendment would address the issue of
religious and personal conviction for those students who do not desire to participate in such ceremonies
and further requires that parents of such students would be notified by the school.

Withdrawn  from the Agenda

House Bill 204 (PN2163) (Stairs)   The bill was withdrawn from the agenda for further study.

The Senate Education Committee met on Tuesday, June 11, 2002, and took the following action.

SB885 PN1026 (Rhoades)   The bill amends the Public School Code to further provide for the reporting
of student conduct; and requiring the adoption of a code of student conduct.

SB1256 PN1642 (Mowery)   The bill amends the Public School Code to further provide for the nursing
loan forgiveness program and establishing the Pennsylvania Nurse Scholarship Program.

SB1465 PN2050 (Schwartz)   The bill establishes the criteria and authority for school districts to
include character education in curriculum planning and the Character Education Grant Program.

HB2200 PN3510 (DeLuca)   The bill amends the Public School Code providing for conditional
employment; imposing penalties for submitting a false affidavit; providing for firefighter and emergency
service training as creditable high school courses; and further providing for education support services
providers and grants, for high school certificates and for approved reimbursable rental for approved leases
and reimbursable sinking fund charges on debt.

Education Committee 11/13/01

The Senate Education Committee held a public hearing today on the issue of Cyber Charter
Schools in Pennsylvania.  Ten speakers gave testimony regarding the feasibility of operating such
schools state-wide.

Speakers represented the Western PA Cyber Charter School; Pennsylvania Virtual Charter School; The
Einstein Academy Charter School; Tutorbots, Inc.; SusQ-Cyber Charter School, and the author of a book
entitled Education Technology.