Pennsylvania 2023-2024 Regular Session

Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB415

Introduced

2/21/23

Refer

2/21/23

Caption

In construction and renovation of buildings by school entities, further providing for maintenance program.

Impact

The passage of SB415 could lead to significant changes in how schools manage their facilities, particularly in the areas of construction and ongoing maintenance. With the expected implementation of the maintenance program, schools would need to allocate resources toward not only the physical construction of buildings but also the upkeep and regular assessment of those structures. This could result in better-managed resources, potentially leading to improved safety and educational outcomes for students. The bill may also enhance accountability among school entities in terms of maintaining their facilities.

Summary

SB415 focuses on the construction and renovation of buildings by school entities, with specific provisions for their maintenance programs. The bill aims to ensure that educational institutions adhere to certain standards during construction, primarily to enhance safety and functionality. By implementing a structured approach to building maintenance, the bill seeks to address long-standing issues related to deteriorating school facilities, which can affect the learning environment for students. The maintenance program specified in the bill is designed to be comprehensive, providing guidelines and best practices for schools to follow in managing their facilities effectively.

Sentiment

General sentiment surrounding SB415 appears to be supportive, especially among educational advocates and organizations focused on improving school infrastructure. Proponents argue that the bill is a step in the right direction for enhancing the educational environment, as it emphasizes the importance of maintaining safe and functional school buildings. However, there are concerns about the funding and resources required to implement such programs, which may lead to some pushback from school districts already facing budget constraints.

Contention

Key points of contention regarding SB415 revolve around the financial implications for school districts and the feasibility of implementing the proposed maintenance program. Critics argue that while the intentions of the bill are positive, the lack of adequate funding could render it ineffective. Additionally, there are concerns about whether the mandates for maintenance could lead to increased burdens on local school authorities, particularly those with limited resources. The balance between improving infrastructure and managing costs will be a critical point of discussion as the bill moves forward.

Latest PA SB415 Activity

View All Events: PA 2023-2024 Regular Session SB415

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA SB84

In construction and renovation of buildings by school entities, further providing for definitions and for building condition assessments.

PA HB1701

In grounds and buildings, further providing for referendum or public hearing required prior to construction or lease; providing for school facilities; establishing the Public School Facility Advisory Committee; in construction and renovation of buildings by school entities, repealing provisions relating to building condition assessments; and imposing duties on the Department of Education.

PA HB2266

In taxes for highway maintenance and construction, further providing for allocation of proceeds.

PA SB315

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 preliminary provisions, further providing for Special Education Funding Commission and for minimum number of days or hours; in duties and powers of boards of school directors, providing for admission fees for school-sponsored activities; in intermediate units, further providing for staff; in certification of teachers, further providing for certificates qualifying persons to teach and for instructional certificate grade spans and age levels and duties of department, providing for instructional certificate grade spans and age levels and for State certificate fee reduction, further providing for standard employment application, for career and technical instructional certificate, for program of continuing professional and paraprofessional education and for postbaccalaureate certification, providing for assessment of basic skills, further providing for professional educator discipline fee and providing for career and technical administrative director certification flexibility; in pupils and attendance, further providing for attendance policy at charter, regional charter and cyber charter schools, for procedure when child is truant, for procedure by school when child habitually truant, for procedure upon filing of citation, for penalties for violating compulsory school attendance requirements and for study of truancy procedure, providing for department supports to prevent truancy and further providing for reports to Superintendent of Public Instruction and for exceptional children and education and training; in student supports, further providing for definitions; in school safety and security, further providing for definitions, for School Safety and Security Committee, for school safety and security assessment providers, for School Safety and Security Grant Program, for school safety and security coordinator and for school safety and security training, providing for school safety and mental health grants for 2025-2026 school year and further providing for reporting and memorandum of understanding; in school security, further providing for training, for school resource officers, for school security guards and for duties of commission; in Safe2Say Program, further providing for intent, for definitions, for Safe2Say Program and for annual report; in threat assessment, further providing for definitions, for threat assessment teams and for threat assessment guidelines, training and information materials; in Drug and Alcohol Recovery High School Program, further providing for scope of program and selection of students and for enrollment of students; in evidence-based reading instruction, further providing for definitions and providing for school entity duties related to evidence-based reading instruction, for school entity duties related to reading screening, for reading deficiency identification and parental notification, for reading intervention plans, for grant program, for funding, for reporting, for accountability and for construction; in high schools, further providing for attendance in other districts and providing for Free Application for Federal Student Aid; in interscholastic athletics accountability, further providing for council recommendations and standards; in charter schools, further providing for funding for cyber charter schools, for enrollment and notification and for enrollee wellness checks; in career and technical education, further providing for capital reserve fund for approved purchases of equipment and facility maintenance, for career and technical education equipment grants, for Cosmetology Training through Career and Technical Center Pilot Program and for Barber Training through Career and Technical Center Pilot Program; providing for Nursing Shortage Assistance Program; in community colleges, further providing for financial program and reimbursement of payments; in the State System of Higher Education, further providing for definitions and for Grow Pennsylvania Merit Scholarship Program; in educational tax credits, further providing for limitations; in higher education accountability and transparency, further providing for exit counseling; in miscellaneous provisions relating to institutions of higher education, repealing provisions relating to State-related university performance-based funding model, further providing for prohibition on scholarship displacement at public institutions of higher education and providing for cooperation and for State scholarship renewals; in institutions of higher education, further providing for powers and duties of State Board of Higher Education, for definitions, for Performance-based Funding Council and for public institution of higher education reporting, providing for State-related University Performance Fund, for performance-based funding formula and for public accountability and further providing for agency duties, for grant priority and for report; in Ready-to-Succeed Scholarship, further providing for agency; in funding for public libraries, providing for State aid for fiscal year 2025-2026; in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for student-weighted basic education funding beginning with 2023-2024 school year, for extraordinary special education program expenses, for assistance to school districts declared to be in financial recovery status or identified for financial watch status and for Ready-to-Learn Block Grant; in construction and renovation of buildings by school entities, further providing for applicability; abrogating regulations; and making an editorial change.

PA HB2214

In supplemental funding for municipal highway maintenance, further providing for supplemental funding for municipal highway maintenance; and, in taxes for highway maintenance and construction, further providing for imposition of tax.

PA HB1060