Bill > HB370

This bill modifies the Public School Code of 1949 regarding school term start dates and daily schedules. Specifically, it mandates that school districts cannot start the academic year before the day after Labor Day, with exceptions allowed by the Secretary of Education for major construction, renovation, or natural disasters. The bill maintains the traditional school day structure of starting at 9 AM and ending at 4 PM, with specified intermissions, but allows flexibility for school districts to request alternative schedules that meet minimum instructional hour requirements. The legislation also ensures that professional educators are guaranteed a minimum 30-minute duty-free lunch period and preserves existing contractual agreements regarding school calendars. Additionally, the bill clarifies that school districts can still conduct teacher in-service sessions before Labor Day. The new provisions will take effect 60 days after passage, and any existing school district contracts that conflict with the new rules will remain in place until their expiration.

Education

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=370