If school is closed due to exceptional or emergency circumstances, and the district has an approved alternative methods of instruction plan, the district shall notify students and parents whether the plan is to be implemented on that day, and shall ensure that each student receives assignments for that day in hard copy form, through virtual learning, or through another method of instruction.

A district with an approved alternative methods of instruction plan shall not use such instruction for more than 36 hours during a school year. A district that has used alternative methods of instruction for 36 hours during a school year shall be required to make up any subsequent hours of school lost or cancelled due to exceptional or emergency circumstances.

The Department shall give districts with an approved alternative methods of instruction plan credit for the hours in which they use such plan, by considering such hours as hours in which the school was actually in session.

Any district wishing to use an alternative methods of instruction plan shall submit an application to the Department, which shall include certain information set forth in the act.

This act modifies the definition of "inclement weather" to include excessive heat.

This act is substantially similar to a provision contained in SS#2/SCS/HCS/HB 604 (2019), and is similar to HB 127 (2017).