2022 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Act 69 - PUBLIC SCHOOL CODE OF 1949 - PURPLE STAR SCHOOL PROGRAM
Session of 2022
No. 2022-69
HB 1867
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," providing for Purple Star School Program.
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 an article to read:
ARTICLE XV-M
PURPLE STAR SCHOOL PROGRAM
Section 1501-M. Scope of article.
This article relates to the Purple Star School Program.
Section 1502-M. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this article shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Department." The Department of Education of the Commonwealth.
"Military-connected student." A school-aged child who is a dependent of any of the following:
(1) An active or a former member of any of the following:
(i) The United States Armed Forces serving in the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force or Coast Guard on active duty.
(ii) The Pennsylvania National Guard.
(iii) A reserve force of the United States Armed Forces.
(2) A member specified under paragraph (1) who was killed in the active line of duty.
"Nonpublic school." A nonprofit school, other than a public school within this Commonwealth, where a resident of this Commonwealth may legally fulfill the compulsory school attendance requirements of this act and which meets the requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Public Law 88-352, 78 Stat. 241).
"Program." The Purple Star School Program established under section 1503-M(a).
"Public school." A school district, a school in a school district, charter school, cyber charter school, intermediate unit, regional charter school or an area career and technical school.
Section 1503-M. Purple Star School Program.
(a) Establishment.--The Purple Star School Program is established within the department.
(b) Designation.--The department shall designate a public school or nonpublic school as a Purple Star School if the public school or nonpublic school applies and qualifies for the designation under the program.
Section 1504-M. Qualifications for public schools.
(a) Qualifications.--In order to qualify for the designation as a Purple Star School, a public school shall do all of the following:
(1) Submit an application to the department certifying that the public school meets all of the following:
(i) The criteria under section 1183.
(ii) The program qualifications under this section.
(2) Designate a staff member as a military liaison. The military liaison shall have all of the following duties:
(i) Identify a military-connected student enrolled at the public school.
(ii) Serve as the point of contact between the public school and a military-connected student and the military-connected student's parent or guardian.
(iii) Determine appropriate school services available to a military-connected student.
(iv) Assist in coordinating school programs relevant to a military-connected student.
(3) Maintain an easily accessible web page on the public school's publicly accessible Internet website to provide resources for a military-connected student and the military-connected student's parent or guardian, including information regarding all of the following:
(i) Relocation to the public school, enrollment at the public school, registration at the public school and transferring records to the public school.
(ii) Academic planning, course sequences and advanced classes available at the public school.
(iii) Counseling and other support services available for a military-connected student.
(4) Maintain a transition initiative led by students, when appropriate, that assists a military-connected student in transitioning into the public school.
(5) Offer professional development for staff members on issues related to military-connected students.
(6) Offer at least one of the following initiatives:
(i) A resolution showing support for military-connected students and their parents or guardians.
(ii) A commemoration of each month honoring active-duty military service members, including relevant events hosted by the public school.
(iii) A partnership with a local military installation that provides opportunities for active-duty military service members to volunteer at the public school, speak at a school assembly or host a school field trip.
(b) Partnerships.--A public school may partner with another public school or nonpublic school to meet any program requirement.
Section 1505-M. Qualifications for nonpublic schools.
(a) Qualifications.--In order to qualify for the designation as a Purple Star School, a nonpublic school shall do all of the following:
(1) Submit an application to the department certifying that the nonpublic school meets the program qualifications under this section.
(2) Designate a staff member as a military liaison. The military liaison shall have all of the following duties:
(i) Identify a military-connected student enrolled at the nonpublic school.
(ii) Serve as the point of contact between the nonpublic school and a military-connected student and the military-connected student's parent or guardian.
(iii) Determine appropriate school services available to a military-connected student.
(iv) Assist in coordinating school programs relevant to a military-connected student.
(3) Maintain an easily accessible web page on the nonpublic school's publicly accessible Internet website to provide resources for a military-connected student and the military-connected student's parent or guardian, including information regarding all of the following:
(i) Relocation to the nonpublic school, enrollment at the nonpublic school, registration at the nonpublic school and transferring records to the nonpublic school.
(ii) Academic planning, course sequences and advanced classes available at the nonpublic school.
(iii) Counseling and other support services available for a military-connected student.
(4) Maintain a transition initiative led by students, when appropriate, that assists a military-connected student in transitioning into the nonpublic school.
(5) Offer professional development for staff members on issues related to military-connected students.
(6) Offer at least one of the following initiatives:
(i) A resolution showing support for military-connected students and their parents or guardians.
(ii) A commemoration of each month honoring active-duty military service members, including relevant events hosted by the nonpublic school.
(iii) A partnership with a local military installation that provides opportunities for active-duty military service members to volunteer at the nonpublic school, speak at a school assembly or host a school field trip.
(b) Partnerships.--A nonpublic school may partner with another nonpublic school to meet any program requirement.
Section 1506-M. Regulations.
The department shall promulgate regulations as necessary to administer this article.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 180 days.
APPROVED--The 11th day of July, A.D. 2022.
TOM WOLF
