Co-Sponsorship Memo Details

In the near future, we plan to introduce legislation to address Pennsylvania’s day-to-day substitute teacher shortage.
 
In December 2021, the General Assembly passed Act 91. Act 91 provided school districts with flexible options to address the ongoing substitute teacher shortage. However, some of these options are set to expire at the end of the 2022-2023 school year.
 
In order to continue providing these options to school districts, our proposed legislation would extend the following provisions of the Public School Code until the end of the 2024-2025 school year:
 

• Section 129. Special Provisions Applicable to Limited School Years. - If, in the judgement of a school employer, an emergency or shortage of day-to-day substitute teachers exists, the school employer may hire an annuitant, regardless of whether the school employer first attempts to secure nonretired personnel.
• Section 1201.1 Substitute Teaching Permit for Prospective Teachers. - The number of days or hours per school year for which an individual receiving a permit under this section may serve as a substitute teacher would not be limited, except for an individual who is undertaking a student teaching program.
• Section 1215. Locally Issued Temporary Certification for Substitute Teachers. - A temporary substitute teacher certificate issued under this section may be used for assignments of more than 20 consecutive days to fill a position due to the absence of a professional certified personnel.

 
Please join us in co-sponsoring this legislation.