SB 749 — An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in student supports, providing for parental notification.

Bill Text

• Printer's No. PN0809 View text Current pdf

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill amends the Public School Code of 1949 by adding a new section requiring schools to notify parents about certain incidents involving their children.

• Section 1314-A

  Parental Notification.--(a) Each school entity shall adopt a policy and procedure for notification, in a timely manner, of all parents, guardians or custodial parents of students in the school entity who: (1) Are involved in incidents which are required to be reported in the school safety report submitted to the Department of Education. (2) Incur other serious injuries on school property, on the school bus or at a school activity.

  This establishes a requirement for schools to notify parents about specific incidents involving their children.

• Section 1314-A

  Parents, guardians or custodial parents may be notified in person, by telephone, by email, by text message or by certified mail. A school entity shall make a reasonable effort to notify a parent, guardian or custodial parent in the preferred manner indicated on the contact information of the parent, guardian or custodial parent. The preferred method of notification must be documented. In the event of a school or districtwide emergency, the school entity may use alternative methods to notify parents, guardians or custodial parents.

  This specifies the methods for parental notification and the importance of following the preferred contact method.

• Section 1314-A

  Each school entity must maintain current contact information for each parent, guardian or custodial parent. The contact information must allow parents, guardians and custodial parents to identify a preferred method of contact if parental notification is required.

  This requires schools to keep up-to-date contact information for parents to facilitate timely notifications.

• Section 1314-A

  Each school entity shall provide training regarding the requirements of this section to all staff who come into contact with children. The training shall include recognizing incidents that trigger the notification requirement, the school entity's policy and procedure for notification and the recordkeeping and reporting requirements. Training required under this section may be incorporated with other training and in-service activities of the school entity.

  This mandates training for school staff on notifying parents and handling the related procedures.

• Section 1314-A

  All incidents that are required to be reported under this act regarding acts of violence on school property and the possession of a weapon by any person on school property shall be subject to the requirements of this section.

  This clarifies that all relevant incidents involving violence or weapons also require parental notification.

• Section 1314-A

  The Secretary of Education may withhold State payments to any school entity that fails to comply with this section.

  This provides enforcement measures by allowing the withholding of state funds for non-compliance.

• Section 1314-A

  As used in this section, the term 'parents, guardians or custodial parents of students' shall mean parents, guardians or custodial parents of students who are either perpetrators or victims of incidents which: (1) Are required to be reported in the school safety report submitted to the Department of Education. (2) Result in any other injuries occurring on school property, the school bus or at a school activity.

  This defines who qualifies as 'parents, guardians or custodial parents' in the context of the notification requirements.

Action History

1. May 22, 2025

   Referred to Education

Sponsors

• Patty Kim · Primary
• Wayne D. Fontana · Cosponsor
• Art Haywood · Cosponsor
• Greg Rothman · Cosponsor
• Christine M. Tartaglione · Cosponsor
• Jay Costa · Cosponsor
• Steven J. Santarsiero · Cosponsor
• John I. Kane · Cosponsor
• Judith L. Schwank · Cosponsor

Subjects