SB 573 — An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in terms and courses of study, providing for blood donation education.

PRINTER'S NO.    583

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                        SENATE BILL
                        No. 573
                                               Session of
                                                 2025

     INTRODUCED BY BOSCOLA, SAVAL, STREET, FONTANA, COSTA AND
        SANTARSIERO, APRIL 9, 2025

     REFERRED TO EDUCATION, APRIL 9, 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 terms and courses of study,
 6      providing for blood donation education.
 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 1529.    Blood Donation Education.--(a)     The Department
13   of Education shall, in cooperation with the Department of
14   Health:
15      (1)    Establish a unit of instruction to educate students in
16   grades eleven and twelve regarding blood donation, emphasize the
17   need for donated blood and encourage blood donation and
18   participation in blood donation programs for students.
19      (2)    Develop and distribute appropriate educational materials
20   and resources to educators and public and nonpublic schools.
 1      (b)    The unit of instruction required under subsection (a)
 2   shall be integrated within the health course of study required
 3   in accordance with the State Board of Education regulations
 4   contained in 22 Pa. Code Ch. 4 (relating to academic standards
 5   and assessment). The Department of Education may utilize any
 6   appropriate public or private materials, personnel and other
 7   resources in developing and implementing this unit of
 8   instruction.
 9      (c)    The unit of instruction required under subsection (a)
10   shall include:
11      (1)    A physiology component relating to blood, blood types
12   and the circulatory system.
13      (2)    A need and usage component that includes information
14   relating to:
15      (i)    The frequency and types of situations where donated
16   blood is needed.
17      (ii)    Procedures utilized for the collection of donated blood
18   and the safety of those procedures.
19      (iii)    Procedures utilized for the storage of donated blood
20   and the various uses of donated blood.
21      (iv)    Specific instances where an available donated blood
22   supply assisted individuals in need.
23      (3)    A participation component to encourage students to
24   donate blood and volunteer at local blood banks, which component
25   emphasizes the personal rewards and community benefits from
26   donation and participation.
27      (d)    (1)   A student shall be excused from participation in
28   the unit of instruction required under subsection (a) if the
29   student or, if the student is under eighteen (18) years of age,
30   the student's parent or guardian objects in writing to

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1   participation on religious grounds.
2      (2)   No student excused under paragraph (1) may be penalized
3   for the excuse. During the time period that the unit of
4   instruction is presented, a substitute unit of instruction shall
5   be provided to the student in accordance with regulations
6   promulgated by the State Board of Education.
7      (e)   The State Board of Education shall promulgate
8   regulations necessary for the implementation of this section.
9      Section 2.   This act shall take effect in 60 days.




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