HB 1632 — An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in certification of teachers, providing for human trafficking awareness and prevention.

PRINTER'S NO.   1982

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 1632
                                                Session of
                                                  2025

     INTRODUCED BY PUGH, M. MACKENZIE, OWLETT, RIVERA, JAMES AND
        KUZMA, JUNE 20, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, JUNE 23, 2025


                                    AN ACT
 1   Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
 2      act relating to the public school system, including certain
 3      provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
 4      schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
 5      laws relating thereto," in certification of teachers,
 6      providing for human trafficking awareness and prevention.
 7      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 8   hereby enacts as follows:
 9      Section 1.    The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
10   as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a
11   section to read:
12      Section 1205.9.    Human Trafficking Awareness and
13   Prevention.--(a)    Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, the
14   department shall develop a continuing professional education
15   program on human trafficking awareness and prevention, in
16   consultation with the following entities:
17      (1)   The Office of Attorney General.
18      (2)   The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency's
19   Office of Victims' Services.
20      (3)   A human trafficking organization.
 1      (b)     The program shall address, at a minimum, the following
 2   topics:
 3      (1)     Current Federal and State laws relating to human
 4   trafficking.
 5      (2)     The Pennsylvania State Police Human Trafficking Hotline
 6   at 1-888-292-1919 or its successor telephone number.
 7      (3)     Facts and statistics relating to human trafficking in
 8   this Commonwealth and throughout the United States.
 9      (4)     Methods by which human traffickers compel or coerce
10   victims to engage in involuntary servitude, including the
11   recruitment of potential victims over social media platforms and
12   the Internet.
13      (5)     Risk factors that may make an individual more vulnerable
14   to human trafficking.
15      (6)     How to identify potential victims of sexual servitude
16   and involuntary servitude and what to do when a victim is
17   identified.
18      (c)     The program:
19      (1)     May be provided through the Internet or other electronic
20   means.
21      (2)     Shall be at least one (1) hour in duration.
22      (3)     Shall be included in the database under section 1502-
23   L(a)(2).
24      (d)     (1)   A professional educator who is required to undergo
25   continuing professional education under section 1205.2 shall be
26   required to complete the program under this section.
27      (2)     Upon completion of the program, a professional educator
28   shall receive credit toward the professional educator's
29   continuing professional education requirement.
30      (e)     As used in this section, the following words and phrases

20250HB1632PN1982                     - 2 -
 1   shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless
 2   the context clearly indicates otherwise:
 3      "Department."   The Department of Education of the
 4   Commonwealth.
 5      "Human trafficking."   As defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 3001
 6   (relating to definitions).
 7      "Human trafficking organization."   A nonprofit organization
 8   that specializes in outreach and education programs on human
 9   trafficking.
10      "Involuntary servitude."   As defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 3001.
11      "Professional educator."   As defined in section 1205.2(o).
12      "Program."   The continuing professional education program on
13   human trafficking awareness and prevention, which is developed
14   in accordance with subsection (a).
15      Section 2.   This act shall take effect in 60 days.




20250HB1632PN1982                  - 3 -