Chester County School Board Legislative Council Meeting. January 3, 2017

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1 Chester County School Board Legislative Council Meeting January 3, 2017

2 Chester County School Board Legislative Council Meeting Agenda Welcome & Introductions Mr. Bob Yorczyk, Chair, Downingtown Area School District Legislative Update Ms. Mary Jeanne Curley, Director of Communications, CCIU Upcoming Legislative Session Senator Andrew Dinniman Friendly Reminders

3 Legislative Update Legislative Session comes to an end 2. Spring Regular Session Calendar announced Senate January 3, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31 February 1, 6, 7, 8 March 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29 April 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 May 8, 9, 10, 22, 23, 24 June 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 House January 3, 23, 24, 25 February 6, 7, 8 March 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22 April 3, 4, 5, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26 May 8, 9, 10, 22, 23, 24 June 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29, PA State Budget Woes 1. Revenue $260 million behind of projected estimates 2. Deficit for expected to reach $3 billion

4 Legislative Update Acts Bills Signed by the Governor 1. Act 45/Act 48 Credit Delay: HB 1734; now Act 118 of The bill extends for one year the continuing professional education compliance deadlines for public school entities and public school teachers and administrators. 2. Truancy Penalties: HB 1907; now Act 138 of The bill makes changes to the truancy law regarding the interventions required following truancies and making changes to the penalties available to both parents and to truant students. Specifically, if a student is truant, the school would first need to address the underlying cause of the truancy by developing individualized plans to address the problem and would be required to notify parents/guardians and offer interventions for the first instance of truancy. For repeated truancy, before a case could be sent to the courts, schools would be required to attempt a meeting with the parents/guardians to assist in identifying available assistive services. 3. Certification for Veterans: HB 2078; now Act 143 of The bill expedites educator certification and reduces fees for members of the military, military veterans, and their spouses. The bill also allows the removal of inactive certification for all educators who meet certain criteria regarding their work outside of Pennsylvania. 4. Local Tax Collection: SB 356; now Act 150 of The bill amends the Local Tax Enabling Act to do several things, among them allowing taxpayers to use the Annual Local Earned Income Tax Form available on the Department of Revenue s website, changing the date of returns if the last day of the month falls on a weekend or holiday, and adding a safe harbor estimated tax provision for taxpayers whose major source of income is farming.

5 Legislative Update Unfinished Business Reverse Appeals (HB 1993): The bill states a taxing district may not appeal the assessment of property based on the sale of the property nor may a taxing district appeal the assessment of property based on certain improvements to the property. Opioid awareness education (SB 1212): Passed the Senate. The bill required each school district, beginning in to provide opioid awareness education for students in grades 6 through 12. It also required opioid awareness training to be included in a district s professional development plan. No action taken. Civics Test Graduation Requirement (HB 1858): The bill would require students to pass a version of the United States Citizenship Test on Civics as a graduation requirement. Although the bill did not advance during the brief fall session, we expect it to be reintroduced in some way in the this session. School Board Training (HB 1906): No final action. The bill would have required all new school board members to undergo a training program. Graduation Test Requirements (HB 2381): No final action. The bill would have allowed students enrolled in vocational education programs to demonstrate proficiency on one Keystone Exam by demonstrating proficiency on a NOCTI exam or other occupational tests, such as NIMS. Property Assessment Study (HR 1053): No final action. The resolution would have established a task force made up of legislators to study and make recommendations regarding PA s property assessment process. Swaps (SB 342): No final action. The bill would have limited the use of qualified interest rate management agreements, or swaps, by local governments.

6 Legislative Update Newsworthy Items IRRC School Immunizations Final-Form Regulation: Upon approval, the regulations will be effective on August 1, Final rulemaking expected to be published in March The new rules require that students have all of their appropriate vaccinations on the first day of school and within five days of the first day of school for multi-dose vaccinations. The new rule also requires all 12 th grade students to receive the meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV). FLSA New Regulations Halted A federal judge in Texas has put a temporary injunction of the FLSA s new overtime salary threshold. The overtime rule, scheduled to take effect on December 1, would have raised the salary threshold from $23,660 to $47,476. The injunction maintains the status quo while the courts review if the department overstepped its authority in implementing the new rule. USDE Secretary Appointment Announced School Choice Proponent Betsy DeVos nominated USDE Secretary by President Elect Trump. DeVos. Devos is a Michigan philanthropist billionaire and education reform advocate. She is chair of the American Federation for Children, which is considered one of the nation s leading school choice advocacy groups. PSERS Contribution Rate In early December, the PSERS Board of Trustees certified an annual contribution rate of percent for fiscal year This is a.53 percent increase above the estimated rate and will require an additional $67.5 million increase in overall employer contributions.

7 Chester County School Board Legislative Council Friendly Reminders Next Meeting: 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, February 7, CCIU Educational Service Tentative Agenda Legislative Update PA State Budget First Look CCSBLC Chair Election Other topics: Legislative Breakfast: Friday, April 21, 8:00 a.m.