This bill allocates $31.56 million to the University of Pennsylvania for veterinary activities and an additional $1.793 million for its Center for Infectious Diseases during the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The funding is distributed quarterly by the Department of Agriculture and comes with conditions requiring at least four non-elected board members appointed by legislative leaders to have full voting rights on the university's board. The university must also provide financial reports and explain how state funds were used to benefit Pennsylvania residents by September 2027.
This bill allocates state funding to four Pennsylvania universities - the Pennsylvania State University, University of Pittsburgh, Temple University, and Lincoln University - for the fiscal year 2026-2027. It establishes that payments will be made monthly based on estimated costs submitted by each university, and requires these institutions to maintain detailed records of how funds are spent. The Auditor General is tasked with reviewing expenditure reports, auditing spending against permitted purposes, and recovering any misused funds. Additionally, the bill places specific restrictions on how the University of Pittsburgh may use its appropriation, prohibiting funds for an environmental law clinic and limiting usage to instruction and student-related services.
This bill requires Pennsylvania schools to offer optional hunting and trapping education courses to students in grades six through twelve by July 1, 2027. The program must include firearm safety instruction taught by certified instructors, covering topics like safe handling and maintenance, while strictly prohibiting actual firearms or ammunition from entering school buildings. Parents can request to excuse their children from these classes without penalty, and completing the course satisfies the state's basic hunter-trapper education requirement for obtaining a hunting license.
HB 1877 creates a Pennsylvania Seal of Biliteracy to recognize high school students who achieve proficiency in English and another language. The bill requires public school districts to establish a process for awarding this seal to eligible students who meet specific language proficiency standards. It directly affects Pennsylvania public high school students who demonstrate biliteracy skills, providing a formal credential for their language abilities. The key mechanism is the addition of this seal program to the Public School Code, mandating school districts to implement it.
HB 2544 updates Pennsylvania's Public School Code to establish a formal framework for negotiating compensation and benefits plans for school administrators, including principals and assistant principals. The bill requires school boards to meet with administrators in good faith to create written agreements covering salary schedules, fringe benefits, and performance evaluation processes. These agreements must remain in effect for at least one school year but no longer than five, and they include a nonbinding mediation step for resolving disputes before potential legal appeals. The legislation applies to all public school entities in the state and maintains existing restrictions on strikes while clarifying the definitions of administrative roles and employer responsibilities.
HB 538 requires colleges and private licensed schools to implement education, prevention, and response programs addressing sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking for students and staff. It updates the 1949 Public School Code by adding specific definitions, mandating annual training, and requiring follow-up procedures after incidents. The bill expands existing requirements to cover all institutions of higher education, ensuring consistent policies across affected schools. This is a substantive policy change focused on improving safety protocols, not a procedural or commemorative measure.
This bill creates a new funding mechanism for Pennsylvania school districts and charter schools to cover extraordinary special education expenses for students with disabilities. It allocates one percent of the state special education appropriation annually from 2016-2017 through 2025-2026, then increases this to two percent starting in 2026-2027, with specific rules for how funds are distributed based on student enrollment duration and expense levels. The legislation covers costs for specialized services including transportation, therapy, and mobility training, while establishing caps and prioritization rules to ensure equitable distribution across districts.
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 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.
