Pennsylvania 2019-2020 Regular Session Status: In Committee Bipartisan · 13 D · 1 R cosponsors

HB 434 — An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in certification of teachers, providing for a cultural competence continuing professional development course; and, in terms and courses of study, further providing for Holocaust, genocide and human rights violations instruction.

Last action — Removed from table

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2019-2020 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there are no live odds of enactment. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

79 added · 190 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amendment to Bill HB 434 introduces a new continuing professional development course focused on cultural awareness for educators in Pennsylvania. The Department of Education will develop this course to help teachers incorporate cultural awareness strategies into their instruction and interactions with students. This change is important as it aims to promote greater cultural sensitivity and understanding in schools, helping to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all students. The terminology was adjusted from "cultural awareness competence" to simply "cultural awareness," which streamlines the focus of the course.

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PRIOR PRINTER'S NO.
PRINTER'S NO.
421 PRINTER'S NO.
421 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE BILL Session of No.
2743 THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE BILL Session of No.
DAVIS, HILL-EVANS, MURT, SCHLOSSBERG, CALTAGIRONE, MEHAFFIE, RABB, ULLMAN, JAMES, YOUNGBLOOD, DRISCOLL, SAYLOR, FREEMAN, ISAACSON, NEILSON, WEBSTER, STURLA, ROEBUCK, FRANKEL, KORTZ, OTTEN, BURGOS AND KENYATTA, FEBRUARY 11, 2019 AS REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, OCTOBER 21, 2019 AN ACT Ameact relating to the public school system, including certainAn provisions applicable as well to private and parochial schools;
DAVIS, HILL-EVANS, MURT, SCHLOSSBERG, CALTAGIRONE, MEHAFFIE, RABB, ULLMAN, JAMES, YOUNGBLOOD, DRISCOLL, SAYLOR, FREEMAN, ISAACSON AND NEILSON, FEBRUARY 11, 2019 REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 11, 2019 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 laws relating thereto," in certification of teachers,ng the providing for a cultural awareness continuing professional development course.
amending, revising, consolidating and changing the laws relating thereto," in certification of teachers, providing for a cultural awareness COMPETENCE continuing <-- professional development course.;
AND, IN TERMS AND COURSES <-- OF STUDY, FURTHER PROVIDING FOR HOLOCAUST, GENOCIDE AND HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS INSTRUCTION.
Cultural Awareness COMPETENCE Continuing <-- Professional Development Course.--(a) The Department of <-- Education DEPARTMENT shall develop and implement a continuing <-- professional education course on cultural awareness COMPETENCE <-- that may be used by professional educators to satisfy the <-- requirements of section 1205.2.:
Cultural Awareness Continuing Professional Development Course.--(a) The Department of Education shall develop and implement a continuing professional education course on cultural awareness that may be used by professional educators to satisfy the requirements of section 1205.2.
<-- (1) PROFESSIONAL EDUCATORS TO SATISFY THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 1205.2.
(b) The Department of Education shall develop the continuing professional education course in a manner which provides professional educators with information and strategies which can be incorporated into instruction and general interactions with students in order to encourage students to become more culturally aware.
(2) SCHOOL OR SYSTEM LEADERS TO SATISFY THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 1205.5.
(c) The continuing professional education course shall include training on the following:
(3) PARAPROFESSIONALS TO SATISFY STAFF DEVELOPMENT REQUIREMENTS UNDER 22 PA.
(1) Information and strategies to encourage students to become more culturally aware, and to reject ethnic, cultural and religious biases.
CODE § 14.105 (RELATING TO PERSONNEL).
(b) The Department of Education DEPARTMENT shall develop the <-- continuing professional education course in a manner which provides professional educators with information and strategies which can be incorporated into instruction and general interactions with students in order to encourage students to become more culturally aware COMPETENT.
<-- (c) The continuing professional education course shall BE <-- RESEARCH-BASED AND include training on the following:
(1) Information and strategies to encourage students to become more culturally aware COMPETENT, and to reject ethnic, <-- cultural and religious biases.
(1) Materials that educate students in cultural sensitivity 20190HB0434PN2743 - 2 - by introducing the students to various cultures.
(1) Materials that educate students in cultural sensitivity by introducing the students to various cultures.
(4) Educational aids that provide students with information on the cultural experiences of the inhabitants of this Commonwealth, the inhabitants' experiences arriving in this Commonwealth and development over the years.
(4) Educational aids that provide students with information 20190HB0434PN0421 - 2 - on the cultural experiences of the inhabitants of this Commonwealth, the inhabitants' experiences arriving in this Commonwealth and development over the years.
(e) By July 31, 2020, and each July 31 thereafter, the Department of Education DEPARTMENT shall submit to the <-- chairperson and minority chairperson of the Education Committee of the Senate and the chairperson and minority chairperson of the Education Committee of the House of Representatives a report which shall include:
(e) By July 31, 2020, and each July 31 thereafter, the Department of Education shall submit to the chairperson and minority chairperson of the Education Committee of the Senate and the chairperson and minority chairperson of the Education Committee of the House of Representatives a report which shall include:
(3) The number of schools SCHOOL ENTITIES that have <-- implemented classroom instruction in cultural awareness.
(3) The number of schools that have implemented classroom instruction in cultural awareness.
(4) Any issues that professional educators, administrators, students or the Department of Education DEPARTMENT have <-- identified and need to be addressed.
(4) Any issues that professional educators, administrators, students or the Department of Education have identified and need to be addressed.
20190HB0434PN2743 - 3 - (g) For the purpose of this section, the term "professional <-- educator" shall mean an individual who holds a Pennsylvania teacher, educational specialist or administrative certification or letter of eligibility.
(g) For the purpose of this section, the term "professional educator" shall mean an individual who holds a Pennsylvania teacher, educational specialist or administrative certification or letter of eligibility.
(G) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL REVIEW THE TRAINING MATERIALS EVERY <-- FIVE (5) YEARS AND ISSUE REVISIONS IF NECESSARY TO ENSURE BEST PRACTICE IN THE FIELD.
Section 2.
(H) THE DEPARTMENT MAY APPROVE OTHER PROVIDERS OF CONTINUING EDUCATION AND STAFF DEVELOPMENT THAT MEETS THE CRITERIA OF THIS SECTION.
(I) FOR PURPOSES OF THIS SUBSECTION:
"CULTURAL COMPETENCE" SHALL MEAN THE ABILITY TO INTERACT EFFECTIVELY WITH PEOPLE OF DIFFERENT CULTURES, INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING:
(1) AWARENESS OF A PERSON'S OWN CULTURAL WORLDVIEW.
(2) ATTITUDE TOWARDS CULTURAL DIFFERENCES.
(3) KNOWLEDGE OF DIFFERENT CULTURAL PRACTICES AND WORLDVIEWS.
(4) CROSS-CULTURAL SKILLS.
"CULTURE" SHALL MEAN AN INDIVIDUAL'S UNDERSTANDING AND OBSERVANCE OF SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES AMONG AND BETWEEN CULTURAL GROUPS.
THE TERM INCLUDES THE INTEGRATED PATTERNS OF HUMAN BEHAVIOR SUCH AS THOUGHTS, COMMUNICATIONS, ACTIONS, CUSTOMS, BELIEFS, VALUES AND INSTITUTIONS OF RACIAL, ETHNIC, RELIGIOUS OR SOCIAL GROUPS.
"DEPARTMENT" SHALL REFER TO THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OF THE COMMONWEALTH.
"PARAPROFESSIONAL" SHALL MEAN AN INSTRUCTIONAL PARAPROFESSIONAL WITHIN THE MEANING OF 22 PA.
CODE § 14.105 (RELATING TO PERSONNEL).
20190HB0434PN2743 - 4 - "PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR" SHALL HAVE THE SAME MEANING AS PROVIDED UNDER SECTION 1205.2.
"SCHOOL ENTITY" SHALL HAVE THE SAME MEANING AS PROVIDED UNDER SECTION 1205.2.
"SCHOOL OR SYSTEM LEADERS" SHALL HAVE THE SAME MEANING AS PROVIDED UNDER SECTION 1205.5.
SECTION 2.
SECTION 1554 HEADING, (A), (B) AND (C) OF THE ACT ARE AMENDED TO READ:
SECTION 1554.
HOLOCAUST, GENOCIDE AND HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AND CULTURAL AWARENESS INSTRUCTION.--(A) (1) BEGINNING WITH SCHOOL YEAR 2015-2016, EACH SCHOOL ENTITY MAY OFFER INSTRUCTION IN THE HOLOCAUST, GENOCIDE AND HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS TO STUDENTS.
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BEGINNING WITH SCHOOL YEAR 2020-2021, EACH SCHOOL ENTITY MAY OFFER INSTRUCTION IN CULTURAL AWARENESS.
THE INSTRUCTION SHALL BE INTEGRATED WITHIN THE SOCIAL STUDIES AND LANGUAGE ARTS COURSES OF STUDY REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION REGULATIONS.
INSTRUCTION MAY ALSO BE INTEGRATED INTO OTHER APPROPRIATE COURSES OF STUDY.
(2) THE [HOLOCAUST, GENOCIDE AND HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS] INSTRUCTION PERMITTED PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (1) SHALL:
(I) BE AGE APPROPRIATE.
(II) BE SEQUENTIAL IN METHOD OF STUDY.
(III) COMMUNICATE THE CONNECTION BETWEEN NATIONAL, ETHNIC, RACIAL [OR], RELIGIOUS OR CULTURAL INTOLERANCE AND THE SUBJECTS DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (B).
(IV) COMMUNICATE THE IMPACT OF PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND SOCIETAL RESPONSE WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE SUBJECTS DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (B).
(3) SCHOOL ENTITIES MAY UTILIZE ANY APPROPRIATE PUBLIC OR PRIVATE MATERIALS, PERSONNEL AND OTHER RESOURCES IN DEVELOPING 20190HB0434PN2743 - 5 - AND IMPLEMENTING THE PROGRAM OF INSTRUCTION PERMITTED PURSUANT TO PARAGRAPH (1).
THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL DISTRIBUTE INFORMATION ABOUT APPROPRIATE CURRICULUM MATERIALS TO EACH SCHOOL ENTITY.
SCHOOL ENTITIES MAY UTILIZE ANY CURRICULUM THAT COMPLIES WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SUBSECTION.
(B) (1) THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL ESTABLISH CURRICULUM GUIDELINES [NO LATER THAN TWELVE (12) MONTHS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION] TO FOSTER IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS SECTION BY SCHOOL ENTITIES.
THE GUIDELINES SHALL ENCOURAGE THE INCLUSION OF ALL OF THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS WHERE APPROPRIATE IN THE INSTRUCTION:
(I) THE BREADTH OF THE HISTORY OF THE HOLOCAUST, INCLUDING THE THIRD REICH DICTATORSHIP, CONCENTRATION CAMP SYSTEM, PERSECUTION OF JEWS AND NON-JEWS, JEWISH AND NON-JEWISH RESISTANCE AND POST-WORLD WAR II TRIALS.
(II) THE DEFINITION, HISTORY, RESPONSE AND ACTIONS TAKEN IN THE FACE OF GENOCIDE, INCLUDING THE HOLOCAUST AND ANY OTHER GENOCIDE PERPETRATED AGAINST HUMANITY, INCLUDING THE RWANDAN GENOCIDE AND OTHER GENOCIDES COMMITTED IN AFRICA, ASIA AND EUROPE.
(III) HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS.
(IV) ANTI-SEMITISM, RACISM AND THE ABRIDGMENT OF CIVIL RIGHTS.
(V) CULTURAL AWARENESS AND REJECTION OF ETHNIC, CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS BIASES.
(VI) RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES THAT RESULT FROM ETHNIC AND CULTURAL DISPUTES AND RELIGIOUS BIASES.
(2) THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL WORK IN CONSULTATION WITH ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS THAT PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL EXPERTISE AND RESOURCES RELATED TO THE HOLOCAUST, GENOCIDE AND 20190HB0434PN2743 - 6 - HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS TO DEVELOP THE CURRICULUM GUIDELINES.
THE GUIDELINES SHALL STATE THE MINIMUM AMOUNT OF INSTRUCTION NECESSARY TO ADEQUATELY EDUCATE STUDENTS ON THE HOLOCAUST, GENOCIDE AND HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AND ON CULTURAL AWARENESS.
(C) [BEGINNING WITH THE 2015-2016 SCHOOL YEAR, THE] THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL MAKE AVAILABLE, TO ALL SCHOOL ENTITIES, IN-SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAMS BASED UPON THE INSTRUCTION PROVIDED FOR UNDER SUBSECTION (A) AND THE CURRICULUM GUIDELINES ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (B).
* * * Section 2 3.
<-- 20190HB0434PN2743 - 7 -
20190HB0434PN0421 - 3 -
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Amendments

2 amendments

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Action History

  1. Removed from table

  2. Laid on the table

  3. Removed from table

  4. Laid on the table

  5. Removed from table

  6. Laid on the table

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  8. Laid on the table

  9. Removed from table

  10. Laid on the table

  11. Removed from table

  12. Laid on the table

  13. First consideration

  14. PN 2743 Reported as amended

  15. PN 0421 Referred to EDUCATION

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 23 co-sponsors · 229 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (23)

Not signed on (229)

229 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

civil-rights education
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 434?
HB 434 is sponsored by Tina M. Davis (Democratic), Seth Grove, Jared G. Solomon (Democratic), Carol Hill-Evans (Democratic), Murt, Michael H. Schlossberg (Democratic), Caltagirone, Thomas L. Mehaffie (Republican), Christopher M. Rabb (Democratic), Ullman, Youngblood, Driscoll, Saylor, Robert Freeman (Democratic), MaryLouise Isaacson (Democratic), Ed Neilson (Democratic), Joe Webster (Democratic), Sturla, Roebuck, Dan Frankel (Democratic), Kortz, Danielle Friel Otten (Democratic), Danilo Burgos (Democratic), and Malcolm Kenyatta (Democratic).
What is the current status of HB 434?
This bill died with 2019-2020 Regular Session. It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HB 434?
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