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 878 converts Pennsylvania's temporary "Cosmetology Training Through Career and Technical Center Pilot Program" into a permanent state program under the Public School Code. It requires participating career and technical centers (CTCs) and high schools to annually report training data to the State Board of Cosmetology. Existing rules, contracts, and agreements established during the pilot phase remain in effect under the permanent program. The bill directly affects CTCs and secondary schools offering cosmetology training through career and technical education programs.
SB 877 establishes a permanent Barber Training Program at Pennsylvania career and technical centers (CTCs) and secondary schools, replacing a previous pilot program. The bill requires participating schools to report annual training data to the State Board of Barber Examiners using a standardized form. It ensures all existing pilot program activities, rules, and contracts continue unchanged under the new permanent structure. This policy change directly affects CTCs and secondary schools offering barber training, formalizing their participation in state-approved barber education.
HB 354 requires Pennsylvania school entities to implement "What Is Your Pennsylvania Story" guidelines, a program designed to collect and share student and community narratives about Pennsylvania's history and culture. The bill directly affects all public and nonpublic schools, including charter schools, by mandating participation in this storytelling initiative. The Department of Education must develop and enforce these guidelines, including standards for content and submission processes. The bill became law on July 7, 2025, after receiving final approval from the governor.
HB 1336 allocates funds from the Public School Employees' Retirement Fund (PSERS) and the PSERS Defined Contribution Fund to cover the operational expenses of the Public School Employees' Retirement Board for fiscal year 2025-2026 (July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026), including unpaid bills from the prior fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. The bill directly affects the Retirement Board by providing it with necessary funding to manage its operations and settle outstanding obligations. It is a procedural appropriations bill that does not alter retirement benefits or policy, but ensures the board has financial resources to function. The bill was enacted as Act No. 5A of 2025 after approval by both chambers and the Governor on June 27, 2025.
Senate Bill 310 mandates that, beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, high school students in Pennsylvania's public, nonpublic, and private schools must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before graduating. Students or their parents/legal guardians can choose to opt out of filing the FAFSA by submitting a state-developed form to their school. Schools are responsible for providing this opt-out form and may exempt students if they cannot be reached and no FAFSA or opt-out form is submitted. The bill clarifies that schools do not require personal financial information from students or families, and any inadvertently obtained information is not a public record.
SB 165 allocates funds to the Public School Employees' Retirement Board (PSERS) for its operational expenses. The bill appropriates $61,403,000 from the Public School Employees' Retirement Fund and an additional $1,282,000 from the PSERS Defined Contribution Fund. These funds are designated for costs such as employee salaries, travel, and contractual services, enabling the board to manage retirement plans for public school employees. The appropriations cover the fiscal year from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, and also address any outstanding bills from the previous fiscal year.
