Pennsylvania Act 2014-40 — PUBLIC SCHOOL CODE OF 1949 - PUPILS AND ATTENDANCE, EXCUSES FROM ATTENDING SCHOOL AND EDITORIAL CHANGES

Act text

Session of 2014

No. 2014-40

SB 267

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 pupils and attendance, further providing for excuses from attending school; and making an editorial change.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. Section 1329 of the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, amended June 22, 2001 (P.L.530, No.35), is amended to read:

Section 1329. Excuses from Attending School.--(a) The board of school directors of any school district may, upon certification by any licensed practitioner of the healing arts or upon any other satisfactory evidence being furnished to it, showing that any child or children are prevented from attending school, or from application to study, on account of any mental, physical, or other urgent reasons, excuse such child or children from attending school as required by the provisions of this act, but the term "urgent reasons" shall be strictly construed and shall not permit of irregular attendance. In every such case, such action by the board of school directors shall not be final until the approval of the [Department of Public Instruction] Department of Education has been obtained. Every principal or teacher in any public, private, or other school may, for reasons enumerated above, excuse any child for non-attendance during temporary periods.

(a.1) A school district may excuse a student from school attendance to participate in an educational tour or trip not sponsored by the school district consistent with State Board of Education regulations.

(b) Pursuant to the requirements of 22 Pa. Code § 11.41 (relating to school district policies and rules), the board of school directors shall formally adopt, as part of its written rules governing pupil absences and excusals, a policy permitting a student to be excused for participation in a project sponsored by an organization that is eligible to apply for a grant under section 5(3) of the act of July 8, 1986 (P.L.437, No.92), known as the "Pennsylvania Agricultural Fair Act."

Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.

APPROVED--The 18th day of April, A.D. 2014.

TOM CORBETT