HARRISBURG – School districts would have the final say on whether to allow school sports, extracurricular activities and spectators during the 2020-21 school year under a bill approved by the Senate today, according to Senator Mike Regan (R-31).
“As a father of four children, one of whom missed his senior year of track and field and another who is getting underway as a high school freshman football player, I know firsthand how important it is to get our kids back to their activities,” said Regan. “Not just for the sake of them getting to play but for their mental health, which is directly impacted by physical activity and socialization.”
House Bill 2787 would allow school districts to develop their own health and safety plans that reflect the realities facing schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. The health and safety plans would be required to be posted online and submitted to the Department of Education.
The bill would prohibit any individual who has COVID-19 in a transmissible stage from participating in any sporting event or extracurricular activity.
The legislation would remove the uncertainty that has been created by the Wolf Administration’s unclear and constantly shifting guidance for schools, Senator Regan said.
Most recently, Governor Wolf abruptly called for the cancellation of all fall sports this year. However, the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association later voted to allow school sports to continue after discussing the issue at length with all stakeholders.
House Bill 2787 now heads to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.
CONTACT: Bruce McLanahan, bmclanahan@pasen.gov