HB 685 Pennsylvania House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in duties and powers of boards of school directors, providing for admission fees for school-sponsored activities.

HB 685 requires Pennsylvania schools to accept U.S. currency as payment for admission to school-sponsored activities, such as athletic events, assemblies, or field trips. It applies to all school entities, including public school districts, charter schools, and private schools participating in school activities. The bill mandates that cash must be accepted when fees are charged, while allowing schools to also accept other payment methods like credit cards. It defines "cash" as U.S. coins and paper money recognized as legal tender and clarifies that schools may refuse payments in large denominations that exceed the fee amount.
Bill status in committee 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
House Passage
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 20, 2025 Last action Mar 18, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Printer's No. PN0701 Printer's No. PN1025 · 4 edits
MODERATE
This bill update adds new requirements for cash acceptance at school-sponsored activities while allowing other payment methods. It clarifies definitions for key terms like 'cash' and 'school-sponsored activity' to ensure consistent application across Pennsylvania schools. The changes expand clarity on what schools must and may accept as payment for events.
Scope change
The bill now explicitly requires cash acceptance for school-sponsored activities while permitting additional payment methods, whereas the previous version had less specific language about payment options.
REQUIREMENT

Added explicit requirement that schools must accept cash for admission fees at school-sponsored activities

Added provision allowing schools to refuse payment in denominations that significantly exceed the admission fee amount

DEFINITION

Added new definitions for key terms including 'cash', 'school entity', 'nonpublic school', and 'school-sponsored activity' to clarify application scope

TECHNICAL

Updated printer's number from PN 0701 to PN 1025 and changed committee reference from 'referred to' to 'as reported from' indicating bill advancement through committee process

Floor votes · House Mar 18, 2025

How they voted

260
Passed
Total votes 26
Mar 18, 2025
D Democratic14
14 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican12
12 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
5
Key actions
2
Committee
1
Amendments
1
Mar 18, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (26-0)
house
Mar 18, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported as amended
lower
Feb 20, 2025
Committee
Referred to Commerce
lower
1 primary · 49 co-sponsors

Sponsors