An Act providing for "What Is Your Pennsylvania Story" guidelines for school entities; and imposing duties on the Department of Education.
This bill directs the Pennsylvania Department of Education to create guidelines for schools on teaching social studies through the lens of "What Is Your Pennsylvania Story," focusing on religious freedom and diverse cultural experiences. The guidelines must include specific content about the state's religious heritage, the history of the United States since 1776, and opportunities for students to share their personal and family backgrounds. School districts and other educational entities will use these materials during the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years to help students understand their unique contributions to the nation. The legislation also requires schools to notify parents about the chance to contribute to the development of these guidelines before they are implemented. The law is set to expire at the end of the 2026-2027 school year.
Bill status
passed
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Sep 2024
Committee Review
Oct 2024
House Passage
Oct 2024
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Sep 27, 2024
Last action Oct 24, 2024
Floor votes · House Oct 21, 2024
How they voted
169–10
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 180
Oct 21, 2024
D
Democratic89
100% Yea
R
Republican91
87% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
10
Key actions
3
Committee
5
Oct 24, 2024
Committee
Referred to Education
upper
Oct 21, 2024
Lower · Passed
Third consideration and final passage
lower
Oct 21, 2024
Lower · Passed
Re-reported as committed
lower
Oct 9, 2024
Committee
Re-committed to Appropriations
lower
Sep 30, 2024
Lower · Passed
Reported as committed
lower
Sep 27, 2024
Committee
Referred to Education
lower
1 primary · 12 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Jared Solomon
DDemocratic
Co
Barb Gleim
RRepublican
Co
Carol Hill-Evans
DDemocratic
Co
Heather Boyd
DDemocratic
Co
Jamie Flick
RRepublican
Co
Joe Webster
DDemocratic
Co
Kristin Marcell
RRepublican
Co
Malcolm Kenyatta
DDemocratic
Co
Mary Jo Daley
DDemocratic
Co
Pat Gallagher
DDemocratic
Co
Roni Green
DDemocratic
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