Section 1218.2. Permit for Classroom Monitors.--(a) A school entity may request that the department issue a classroom monitor permit to allow an individual to deliver to students assignments that are preplanned and developed by a professional employe or temporary professional employe assigned to the classroom. A classroom monitor may not plan lessons or create or grade student work and may not serve in a single assignment for more than twenty (20) cumulative school days of service.
(b) An individual receiving a permit under subsection (a) shall satisfy all of the following:
(1) Has completed at least sixty (60) semester hours or the equivalent of courses at a college or university located in this Commonwealth and accredited by a regional accrediting agency or has at least three (3) years' experience as a paraprofessional in a school entity and is currently employed as a paraprofessional in a school entity.
(2) Has met the requirements under sections 111, 111.1 and 1109(a) and 23 Pa.C.S. Ch. 63 Subch. C (relating to powers and duties of department).
(3) Has attained a minimum age of twenty-five (25) years.
(4) Has completed training on classroom management provided by an intermediate unit and approved by the department.
(c) An individual receiving a permit under this section who is already employed by the school entity as a paraprofessional shall receive the higher of the individual's existing contractual compensation or the compensation established by the school entity for day-to-day substitute teachers.
(d) Each school entity that uses the services of a classroom monitor under this section shall ensure that each student who receives services under an Individualized Education Program under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (Public Law 91-230, 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq.) receives a free and appropriate public education as required under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
(e) Each school entity shall report to the department the following by June 30, 2027, and each June 30 thereafter:
(1) The number of individuals who served as classroom monitors under this section and the number of days on which the school entity used the services of classroom monitors.
(2) The school entity's day-to-day substitute teacher compensation rates. For a school entity that uses a third-party entity to provide substitute teachers, the rate reported by the school entity shall be the take-home amount received by an individual, excluding the portion paid to the third-party entity. The department shall issue rules necessary to effectuate this subsection.
(f) This section shall expire June 30, 2029.
(1218.2 added July 12, 2026, P.L.220, No.20)
Compiler's Note: Section 52 of Act 20 of 2026 provided that the addition of section 1218.2 shall apply retroactively to July 1, 2026.