On January 10, 2025, the PA Department of Health (PDH) Division of School Health has sent a memo to make all LEAs aware of several recent changes made to the PA School Code pertaining to student health initiatives. Act 117 of 2024 requires all school entities, including school districts, area career and technical schools, charter schools, regional charter schools, cyber charter schools, and intermediate units, and nonpublic schools to share Type 1 Diabetes educational materials with parents and guardians of students either in writing, electronically, or on the school entity or nonpublic school’s publicly accessible internet website. The attached Type 1 Diabetes educational materials must be made available beginning with the 2025-2026 school year. The materials are also available on the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s website at this link: Act 117 – Parental Education of Type 1 Diabetes | Department of Health | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Additionally, Act 120 of 2024 established a new protocol for tick removal from students. This protocol must be implemented in all public school entities including school districts, intermediate units, charter schools, cyber charter schools, regional charter schools and area career and technical schools as soon as possible. Please see the attached guidance from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, which is also available online at this link:  Act 120 Tick Legislation Guidance for School Nurses

Documents and information can also be accessed on the PAPSA website by clicking on the items below or visiting the “Resources” drop-down and selecting “Downloads.”

–School Health Room Tick Removal Flyer
–Act Act 117 of 2024 – Type 1 Diabetes Educational Materials to be Shared with Parents and Guardians
–Diabetes Parent Fact Sheet
–Act 120 of 2024 Establishes a New Protocol that Must be Used for Tick Removal
–Tick Legislation Guidance for School Nurses