An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, establishing the Lifeline Scholarship Program and the Lifeline Scholarship Fund; and conferring powers and imposing duties on the State Treasury and Auditor General.
HB 1489 establishes the Lifeline Scholarship Program, enabling eligible Pennsylvania students to receive financial assistance for tuition and fees at participating nonpublic schools. To qualify, students must be Pennsylvania residents, not have a high school diploma, and meet income criteria (household income below 350% of the federal poverty level) or reside within a low-achieving school's attendance boundary. The State Treasury administers the Lifeline Scholarship Fund, allowing parents to apply for funds covering tuition, school-related fees, and special education services at qualifying nonprofit nonpublic schools. This program amends the Public School Code of 1949 to create a new funding mechanism for student enrollment in nonpublic schools.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
May 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced May 21, 2025
Last action May 21, 2025
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
1
Key actions
0
Committee
1
May 21, 2025
Committee
Referred to Education
lower
1 primary · 24 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Clint Owlett
RRepublican
Co
Aaron Bernstine
RRepublican
Co
Brenda Pugh
RRepublican
Co
Brian Smith
RRepublican
Co
Bryan Cutler
RRepublican
Co
Craig Staats
RRepublican
Co
Dave Zimmerman
RRepublican
Co
David Rowe
RRepublican
Co
Jamie Walsh
RRepublican
Co
Jeff Olsommer
RRepublican
Co
Jill Cooper
RRepublican
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