SB 1014 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code of 1949 to require public schools to adopt a "bell-to-bell phone-free policy" during the entire school day. This policy directly affects all public K-12 schools and students by prohibiting the use of personal electronic devices during instructional time. The key provision mandates that schools establish and enforce this policy, though the bill does not specify exemptions or implementation details. The legislation focuses on reducing distractions in classrooms by limiting student phone access from the start to the end of the school day. It is currently pending in the Education committee.
SB 998 would create a grant program to fund expansions of nursing education programs at colleges and universities. It requires the Department of Community and Economic Development to administer grants for institutions aiming to increase nursing program capacity, directly affecting nursing schools and future nursing students. Key provisions include establishing grant criteria, application processes, and reporting requirements for funded programs. The bill is currently pending in the Appropriations committee after committee review.
SB 116 allows high school juniors and seniors (age 16+) attending public or nonpublic schools in Pennsylvania to earn elective graduation credits for work at qualifying care facilities. Students may receive one elective credit for every 250 hours worked (up to a maximum of two credits) at a congregate care facility, such as a nursing home, personal care home, or assisted living residence. Schools must establish an application process requiring details like facility contact information, job description, and verified hours, and must approve applications before awarding credit. The bill directly affects students seeking to fulfill graduation requirements through work experience in healthcare or care settings.
SB 974 establishes a grant program within Pennsylvania's Department of Education to fund public colleges and community education councils that offer dual credit courses to high school students. The program prioritizes institutions expanding access for underserved groups, including rural students, low-income students, career and technical education participants, and those experiencing education instability. Grants require recipients to report annual data on students earning college credits through these partnerships and their post-graduation college enrollment, with this information made publicly available online. The bill directly affects public higher education institutions, community education councils, and high school students participating in dual credit programs.
HB 1421 allocates state funding for certain state-aided universities during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It specifies the amount of funding, requires payments to occur at set intervals, and mandates detailed recordkeeping by the universities. The bill also imposes new duties on the Auditor General to review these records and requires universities to submit financial statements. Additionally, it includes restrictions on the use of funds and addresses the Agricultural College Land Scrip Fund.
SB 315 amends Pennsylvania's 1949 education code to update school funding, safety, and instructional requirements. It establishes new school safety grants, updates teacher certification standards, and strengthens truancy prevention measures for all public and charter schools. The bill adds funding for career and technical education equipment, expands mental health support through school safety programs, and modifies higher education scholarship rules. As Act No. 47 of 2025, it became law on November 12, 2025, affecting students, teachers, school districts, and higher education institutions statewide.
HB 1405 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to create new pathways for veterans to become career and technical teachers in public schools. It allows veterans who served at least 8,000 hours (four years full-time) in an occupation they will teach to qualify for a Career and Technical Intern Certificate or Career and Technical Instructional I Certificate, bypassing some standard certification requirements. The bill specifically defines "veteran" as someone discharged under honorable conditions from U.S. Armed Forces, including National Guard or reserves. This directly affects veterans seeking teaching roles in career and technical education programs across Pennsylvania's public schools.
SB 65 amends Pennsylvania's vehicle code to strengthen school bus safety rules. It increases penalties for drivers who fail to stop for school buses with flashing red lights (5 points and a 60-day license suspension) and adds a $250-$500 fine with a $35 surcharge for violations. The bill requires the Department of Transportation to include school bus safety education in driver license renewal notices and share materials with school districts. All surcharges from violations fund the School Bus Safety Grant Program to improve school bus safety measures.
SB 432 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to create new educational pathways for foster and adopted children attending state universities and colleges. The bill requires public higher education institutions to develop and implement specific support programs, including academic advising and financial aid coordination, for eligible students who were in foster care or adopted. It directly affects current and future foster youth and adopted children pursuing higher education within Pennsylvania's public university system. Key provisions establish standardized support mechanisms to improve access and retention for this population in state-funded institutions.
SB 927 requires Pennsylvania cyber charter schools to conduct weekly real-time check-ins with each enrolled student to verify participation and ensure well-being. Specifically, schools must ensure students are visibly seen and communicated with by staff (via webcam or in person) at least once per week during instructional days. This applies only to cyber charter schools, not traditional public or brick-and-mortar schools. The requirement can be met during synchronous online classes when students turn on their webcams. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.
