On July 11, 2024, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro approved Senate Bill No. 700, now Act No. 55 of 2024 (“Act 55”). Act 55 amends several sections of the Pennsylvania Public School Code of 1949 (the “School Code”). In Part One of our School Administrators’ Guide to Act 55, KingSpry’s Education Law Chair Emeritus, John E. Freund, III, Esq., and Education Law Attorney, Sarah Modrick, Esq., … [Read more...] about School Administrators’ Guide to Act 55: School Safety and Security
School Law Bullet
Child Internet Protection Act Requires New School Policy
On July 20, 2024, Senate Bill No. 187 became law without Governor Shapiro’s signature, making it Act No. 92 of 2024 (the “Act”). The Act reflects the General Assembly’s efforts to protect children from harmful material on the Internet and signals a good time to review your school’s acceptable use policies. Declaration of Policy The Act declares the Commonwealth’s compelling interest and duty … [Read more...] about Child Internet Protection Act Requires New School Policy
Act 55 Expands the Opportunity to Earn Career and Technical Instructional Certificates
On July 11, 2024, Senate Bill No. 700 was approved by Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro, making it Act No. 55 of 2024 (the “Act”). The Act allows additional highly-qualified individuals to obtain Career and Technical Instructional I Certificates and hopes to ease teaching shortages for these education providers. KingSpry’s Education Law attorney, Rebecca A. Young, Esq., reviews the new law and … [Read more...] about Act 55 Expands the Opportunity to Earn Career and Technical Instructional Certificates
Pennsylvania Legislature Makes Changes to Residency Dispute Provisions in the School Code
On July 11th, 2024, the Pennsylvania Legislature passed House Bill 663 in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The bill, which seeks to update the residency dispute provisions of the Public School Code, was presented to Governor Shapiro on July 12 for his signature and is now known as Act 67 of 2024. Section 1302 of the School Code provides all students residing within … [Read more...] about Pennsylvania Legislature Makes Changes to Residency Dispute Provisions in the School Code
Significant Third Circuit Victory Secured for Children With Disabilities
In a recent decision, B.S.M. v. Upper Darby School District, the Third Circuit ruled that the rights of children with disabilities under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 are distinct from their rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). A school’s Child Find obligations may require evaluation under Section 504 even if a student was evaluated and … [Read more...] about Significant Third Circuit Victory Secured for Children With Disabilities
Office of Open Records Issues First Determination Regarding FOIA Buddy RTKL Requests
On June, 2024, the Office of Open Records issued a determination in the matter of Frank Curry and FOIA Buddy v. South Western School District that a request made via the FOIA Buddy website was properly denied as an anonymous request. School entities have been receiving Right To Know Law (RTKL) requests in recent months that were made through the FOIA Buddy website. The broad nature … [Read more...] about Office of Open Records Issues First Determination Regarding FOIA Buddy RTKL Requests
