PRINTER'S NO. 1438
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1312
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY CERRATO, MADDEN, PROBST, SANCHEZ, MALAGARI,
CONKLIN AND BRENNAN, JUNE 5, 2023
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, JUNE 5, 2023
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 high schools, providing for free
application for Federal student aid and graduation
requirements.
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 1617. Free Application for Federal Student Aid and
Graduation Requirements.--(a) Beginning with the 2023-2024
school year, in addition to any other graduation requirement
provided by law or regulation, as a prerequisite to a student
receiving a high school diploma from a public high school, the
parent or guardian of the student or, if the student is at least
eighteen years of age or legally emancipated, the student must:
(1) file with the United States Department of Education the
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form known as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or,
if applicable, an application for State financial aid; or
(2) on a form established by the State Board of Education,
file with the student's school district a waiver stating that
the parent or guardian or, if applicable, the student
understands the purpose of the Free Application for Federal
Student Aid and application for State financial aid and has
chosen not to file an application as required under paragraph
(1).
(b) A school district with a high school shall ensure that
the parents and guardians of a student and a student who is at
least eighteen years of age or legally emancipated comply with
this section and shall provide, prior to awarding a diploma, the
student, the parents or guardians, as applicable, support or
assistance necessary to comply with this section.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a
school district may award a high school diploma to a student who
fails to comply with the requirements of subsection (a) only if:
(1) the failure to comply is due to extenuating
circumstances, as determined by the school district;
(2) the student has met all other graduation requirements
under the law; and
(3) the principal attests that the school district has made
a good faith effort to assist the student and the parents or
guardians of the student, as applicable, in filing the
application or waiver required under subsection (a).
(d) The State Board of Education may adopt rules to
implement this section.
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
20230HB1312PN1438 - 2 -
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