HB 2084 establishes the Pennsylvania Promise Program, providing scholarships for tuition, fees, and room and board to eligible Pennsylvania residents attending college. It directly affects two groups: students under 24 (or active military) who must be Pennsylvania residents, have a high school diploma, and complete the FAFSA; and adult learners 24 or older seeking reeducation with similar requirements. The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency administers the program and a dedicated fund, covering tuition up to the state's maximum in-state rate and room and board based on agency standards. The program applies to community colleges, state-owned institutions, state-related universities, and Thaddeus Stevens College.
This bill updates Pennsylvania's Public School Code to clarify how state funding is distributed to charter and cyber charter schools. It establishes a specific formula where local school districts must pay charter schools based on the per-student cost of operating the district's own programs, adjusted annually by wage and employment cost indices. The legislation also sets up a process where the state education secretary can deduct unpaid amounts from a district's state funds if the district fails to pay the charter school on time. These changes aim to ensure that charter schools receive consistent and predictable funding from the districts where their students reside.
HB 2633 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to change how school districts are funded for building construction, maintenance, and renovations. The bill repeals existing grant programs for maintenance projects and building condition assessments, replacing them with a new reimbursement system that calculates payments based on enrollment, building capacity, and local wealth factors. Under the new rules, school entities would receive reimbursement over 20 years for approved projects, with a requirement to match 50% of the cost using local funds unless the project is an emergency. These changes apply to projects seeking approval beginning July 1, 2026, while allowing districts to retroactively seek approval for projects not yet completed by that date.
This resolution designates June 10, 2026, as "Just Be You Day" throughout Pennsylvania to honor Lynzi Allen, the author of the book "Just Be You." The bill aims to promote self-confidence, celebrate diversity, and support mental health awareness among young people by encouraging schools, communities, and social media users to participate in related events and campaigns. While the text outlines plans for future activities like school assemblies and digital initiatives, the resolution itself serves only to officially name the date and express encouragement for a statewide movement focused on inclusion.
This bill allocates approximately $67 million from two retirement funds to cover the operating expenses of Pennsylvania's Public School Employees' Retirement Board for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The funding includes about $65.5 million from the Public School Employees' Retirement Fund and $1.5 million from the PSERS Defined Contribution Fund to pay for staff salaries, travel, contractual services, and other administrative costs. The legislation also authorizes payment of any outstanding bills from the previous fiscal year that were not yet settled. These funds will support the board's management of retirement benefits for public school employees and the administration of the defined contribution plan.
This bill updates Pennsylvania's Public School Code to establish stricter attendance and safety rules specifically for cyber charter schools. It requires these schools to define clear policies for counting student presence during live online classes and completing weekly assignments for independent study, with penalties including funding withholding or charter revocation for non-compliance. Additionally, the legislation mandates that cyber charter schools implement wellness checks and create child protection plans to ensure student safety. The state education department will also develop standardized forms to help schools submit and approve these new attendance policies by a set deadline.
This bill modifies Pennsylvania's teacher certification rules and funding for a specific education grant program. It caps the fees charged for reviewing teacher certification applications at $50 and directs those funds to a state account used for recruiting educators. Additionally, the legislation allows the Department of Education to use up to $300,000 annually from existing funds to award grants under the Keystone Telepresence Education Grant Program. The bill also mandates a one-time transfer of approximately $1.4 million from a restricted fund to the same talent recruitment account. These changes directly affect teachers seeking state certification and the administration of the telepresence education initiative.
This bill creates a grant program to help Pennsylvania school districts and career and technical schools update their educational materials. Eligible schools can apply for funding to buy digital platforms or printed curricula that include lesson plans, multimedia content, and tools for tracking student progress. The amount each school receives is calculated based on its student enrollment and the total state funding available for the program. To qualify, schools must receive a recommendation from their local occupational advisory committee and certify that the funds will be used for approved curriculum modernization.
This Pennsylvania bill directs the Office of Attorney General to run a public education campaign aimed at increasing consumer understanding of artificial intelligence. The campaign will use various media channels to teach the public how to identify AI-generated content, avoid AI-enabled scams, protect personal data, and recognize potential biases in AI systems. Special attention will be given to vulnerable populations and children, with guidance provided on safe use of chatbots and detection of forged digital likenesses. The Office of Attorney General must submit a report on the campaign's performance within one year of its start, and funding will be provided by the General Assembly as needed.
This bill amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to allow students with asthma or severe allergies to possess and self-administer their prescribed asthma medications (including inhalers) and epinephrine auto-injectors at school. Schools must create written policies requiring students to demonstrate self-administration capability and notify the school nurse after use, while ensuring medications are stored safely and accessible only to authorized students. The bill also permits trained school staff, including bus drivers and crossing guards, to administer epinephrine auto-injectors in emergencies for students experiencing allergic reactions or asthma attacks. These changes aim to improve student safety by ensuring timely access to life-saving medications during school hours.
