PRINTER'S NO. 596
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.589
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY DUSH, PENNYCUICK, BARTOLOTTA, BROWN AND LAUGHLIN,
APRIL 9, 2025
REFERRED TO EDUCATION, APRIL 9, 2025
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 terms and courses of study,
further providing for physical education.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 1512.1 of the act of March 10, 1949
(P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, is
amended to read:
Section 1512.1. Physical education.-- (a) The board of
school directors in every school district shall establish a
curriculum aligned with Pennsylvania academic standards on
health, safety and physical education that pursuant to 22 Pa.
Code ยง 4.27 (relating to physical education and athletics),
requires pupils enrolled in the school district to participate
in physical education.
(b) Beginning in the 2027-2028 school year and in each
school year thereafter, a board of school directors may permit
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 students to satisfy physical education requirements by
participating in interscholastic athletics.
(c) A board of school directors that intends to exercise the
power under subsection (b) must develop a policy or revise an
existing policy to permit students to satisfy physical education
requirements by participating in interscholastic athletics.
(d) Utilization of interscholastic athletics to satisfy
physical education requirements may satisfy components of the
academic standards for health, safety and physical education
under 22 Pa. Code Ch. 4 Appen. D (relating to Academic Standards
for the Arts and Humanities and Health, Safety and Physical
Education and Family and Consumer Sciences) but may not serve as
a complete waiver or exemption from the health, safety and
physical education academic standards .
(e) As used in this section, "interscholastic athletics"
means athletic contests or competitions conducted between or
among school entities situated in a school district.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
20250SB0589PN0596 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18