PRINTER'S NO. 2484
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1950
Session of
2024
INTRODUCED BY MARCELL, CERRATO, WARNER, FREEMAN, SANCHEZ,
MADDEN, POWELL, D. WILLIAMS, KHAN, OTTEN AND CEPEDA-FREYTIZ,
JANUARY 9, 2024
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, JANUARY 9, 2024
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 school health services,
establishing the School Bus Driver Epinephrine Auto-injector
Training and Grant Program; and imposing duties on the
Department of Education.
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 1414.12. The School Bus Driver Epinephrine Auto-
injector Training and Grant Program.--(a) A school entity may
require a driver of a school bus or school vehicle who is
employed by, or under a contract with, a school entity to
transport students to complete training for the administration
of an epinephrine auto-injector under section 1414.9(2) prior to
transporting students.
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(b) The School Bus Driver Epinephrine Auto-injector Training
Grant Program is established within the department for the
purpose of providing school entities with funding to raise
awareness and train drivers of a school bus or school vehicle to
recognize signs and symptoms of severe allergic reactions,
including anaphylaxis, and to administer an epinephrine auto-
injector.
(c) The department shall:
(1) Administer the program and, in its sole discretion,
establish eligibility criteria and award grants to eligible
school entities that submit a completed application.
(2) Provide notice of the program to school entities.
(3) Develop an application form that school entities may use
to apply for a grant under the program.
(d) A school entity that exercises the authority under
subsection (a) may apply for a grant under subsection (b).
(e) The grant shall be used by the school entity to fund the
establishment and implementation of a school bus driver
epinephrine auto-injector training program.
(f) Application shall be made to the department in such form
and at such time as the secretary may prescribe.
(g) The department shall use money appropriated for the
purpose of the program and may accept funding from public and
private sources, including the Federal Government, for the
payment of grants under this section.
(h) Nothing contained in this section shall supersede or
preempt any provision of a collective bargaining agreement
entered into between a school entity and an exclusive
representative of employes of the school entity in accordance
with the act of July 23, 1970 (P.L.563, No.195), known as the
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"Public Employe Relations Act," and that is in effect on the
effective date of this section.
(i) In carrying out its powers and duties under this
section, a school entity shall:
(1) Comply with Federal and State student record
confidentiality laws and regulations, but may, with the consent
of a student's parent or legal guardian, disclose to the driver
of a school bus or school vehicle information about the
student's known allergy or that the student carries an epi-pen.
(2) Ensure that drivers of a school bus or school vehicle
have a clear understanding of Federal and State laws that
protect the privacy and confidentiality of student information
of students with food allergies.
(j) As used in this section, the following words and phrases
shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless
the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Department." The Department of Education of the
Commonwealth.
"Program." The School Bus Driver Epinephrine Auto-injector
Training and Grant Program established in subsection (b).
"School bus." A school bus as defined in 75 Pa.C.S. § 102
(relating to definitions).
"School entity." A school district, charter school, cyber
charter school, regional charter school, private academic school
or nonpublic school operating within this Commonwealth.
"School vehicle." A school vehicle as defined in 75 Pa.C.S.
§ 102.
"Secretary." The Secretary of Education of the Commonwealth.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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