(a) The department shall require a school entity to submit certain information relating to instructional vacancies, including, at a minimum, the number of instructional vacancies, the number of emergency permits utilized by a school entity and the number of positions occupied by long-term substitutes. The department shall determine the form and manner in which the information is to be submitted by a school entity. To the best extent possible, the department shall utilize existing reporting methods to collect this data. By August 31, 2024, and each August 31 thereafter, each school entity shall report the following to the department:

(b) The department shall maintain the information collected under subsection (a) on its publicly accessible Internet website.

(c) As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

“Department.” The Department of Education of the Commonwealth.

“School entity.” A school district, charter school, regional charter school, intermediate unit or area career and technical school operating within this Commonwealth.