Pennsylvania Act 2024-117 — PUBLIC SCHOOL CODE OF 1949 - TYPE 1 DIABETES EDUCATION PARENTAL NOTIFICATION

Act text

Session of 2024

No. 2024-117

HB 2185

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 school health services, providing for type 1 diabetes education parental notification.

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 1414.12. Type 1 Diabetes Education Parental Notification.--(a) The department shall develop type 1 diabetes informational materials for parents and guardians. The informational materials may include all of the following:

(1) A description of type 1 diabetes.

(2) A description of risk factors and warning signs associated with type 1 diabetes.

(3) A recommendation that a parent or guardian of a student displaying warning signs associated with type 1 diabetes immediately consult with the student's primary care provider to determine if immediate screening for type 1 diabetes is appropriate.

(4) A description of the screening process for type 1 diabetes, the significance of its stages and the implications of test results identifying the presence of stage 1, stage 2 and stage 3 type 1 diabetes.

(5) A recommendation that a parent or guardian of a student who has been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes should consult with the student's primary care provider to develop an appropriate treatment plan which may include consultation with and examination by a specialty care provider, including a properly qualified endocrinologist.

(b) The department shall periodically update the informational materials developed under subsection (a) as necessary and make the informational materials available on its publicly accessible Internet website.

(c) Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, a school entity and nonpublic school shall make the informational materials developed under subsection (a) available in writing, electronically or on the school entity's or nonpublic school's publicly accessible Internet website, to the parent or guardian of a student when a student is first enrolled in elementary school and again upon a student's entry into grade six.

(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" shall mean the Department of Health of the Commonwealth.

"Nonpublic school" shall mean a nonprofit school, other than a school entity, located in this Commonwealth where a resident of this Commonwealth may legally fulfill the compulsory attendance requirements of this act.

"School entity" shall mean a school district, area career and technical school, charter school, regional charter school, cyber charter school or intermediate unit.

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

APPROVED--The 29th day of October, A.D. 2024.

JOSH SHAPIRO