THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE BILL

INTRODUCED BY BRUBAKER, PICCOLA, PILEGGI, FOLMER, EICHELBERGER, ALLOWAY, WAUGH, ERICKSON, D. WHITE, HUGHES AND YAW, MARCH 31, 2011

SENATOR PICCOLA, EDUCATION, AS AMENDED, APRIL 5, 2011   

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," further providing for continuing

professional development and for program of continuing

professional development.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1.  Section 1205.1 of the act of March 10, 1949

(P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, is

amended by adding a subsection to read:

Section 1205.1.  Continuing Professional Development.--* * *

(f)  Beginning on the effective date of this subsection, the

requirements under this section shall be suspended until June

30, 2013.

Section 2.  Section 1205.2(a) and (f) of the act, amended

July 13, 2005 (P.L.226, No.46) and February 2, 2006 (P.L.19,

No.5), are amended and the section is amended by adding a

subsection to read:

Section 1205.2.  Program of Continuing Professional

Education.--(a)  A continuing professional education program is

hereby established for professional educators, the satisfactory

completion of which is required to maintain active

certification. Except as provided in subsection [(j.1)] (n.1),

the continuing professional education program shall require the

satisfactory completion of continuing professional education

every five (5) years, which shall include:

(1)  six (6) credits of collegiate study;

(2)  six (6) credits of continuing professional education

courses;

(3)  one hundred eighty (180) hours of continuing

professional education programs, activities or learning

experiences; or

(4)  any combination of collegiate studies, continuing

professional education courses, or other programs, activities or

learning experiences equivalent to one hundred eighty (180)

hours.

* * *

(f)  [The] Except as provided in subsection (n.1), the 

department shall annually provide a minimum of forty (40) hours

of continuing professional education courses, programs,

activities or learning experiences at no charge to professional

educators. In providing these courses, the department shall seek

to use the most efficient and cost-effective means possible,

including the use of advanced technology such as CD-ROM, the

Internet and distance communication.

* * *

(n.1)  Beginning on the effective date of this subsection,

the requirements under subsections (a) and (f) shall be

suspended until June 30, 2013. During that time, the Legislative

Budget and Finance Committee shall conduct a study of the costs

and benefits of the continuing professional education program.

On July 1, 2013, each professional educator shall have the same

number of hours of continuing professional education and the

same amount of time in which to complete those hours as existed

for the professional educator on the effective date of this

subsection; provided, however, that any continuing professional

education credits or hours completed by a professional educator

during the period of suspension under this subsection shall be

credited to the professional educator's continuing professional

education record.

* * *

Section 3.  Nothing in this act shall be construed to

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supersede or preempt any provision of a collective bargaining

agreement relating to continuing professional development

negotiated by a school entity and an exclusive representative of

the employees in accordance with the act of July 23, 1970

(P.L.563, No.195), known as the Public Employe Relations Act,

which is in effect on the effective date of this section.

Section 3 4.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.

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