HB 353 — An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in miscellaneous provisions relating to institutions of higher education, providing for public institution of higher education policy on antisemitism.

PRINTER'S NO.   307

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 353
                                                Session of
                                                  2025

     INTRODUCED BY MARCELL, GLEIM, GROVE, KENYATTA, KUZMA,
        M. MACKENZIE, MALAGARI AND SCHEUREN, JANUARY 27, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, JANUARY 27, 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 miscellaneous provisions relating
 6      to institutions of higher education, providing for public
 7      institution of higher education policy on antisemitism.
 8      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 9   hereby enacts as follows:
10      Section 1.     The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
11   as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a
12   section to read:
13   Section 2005-I.    Public institution of higher education policy
14               on antisemitism.
15      (a)   Duty to adopt.--In order to receive State funding, a
16   public institution of higher education must adopt a clear and
17   understandable written policy prohibiting antisemitism among
18   faculty, staff and students.
19      (b)   Required contents.--A public institution of higher
20   education shall adopt, as part of its code of conduct relating
 1   to discrimination and harassment, a definition of the terms
 2   "discrimination" and "harassment," which definitions shall
 3   include antisemitism and examples of antisemitic activity.
 4      (c)   As used in this section, the following words and phrases
 5   shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless
 6   the context clearly indicates otherwise:
 7      "Antisemitism."    A certain perception of Jewish individuals,
 8   which may be expressed as hatred toward Jewish individuals,
 9   including rhetorical or physical manifestations directed toward
10   Jewish or non-Jewish individuals or their property, or toward
11   Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.
12      "Public institution of higher education."    Any of the
13   following:
14            (1)   A community college operating under Article XIX-A.
15            (2)   A rural regional college established under Article
16      XIX-G.
17            (3)   A university within the State System of Higher
18      Education under Article XX-A.
19            (4)   A State-related institution as defined in section
20      2001-C.
21            (5)   The Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.
22      Section 2.    This act shall take effect in 60 days.




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