Education

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 1238: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in pupils and attendance, providing for restricting possession and use by students of mobile devices.

HB 1238 requires Pennsylvania public schools (including charter and cyber charter schools) to adopt policies restricting student mobile device use during instructional time. School boards must create written policies specifying secure storage options (like lockboxes), retrieval procedures, and parent-communication methods during class. Exceptions allow device use for medical needs, disability accommodations, language learning, volunteer emergency duties, or teacher-approved educational purposes. The bill defines "instructional time" as class periods, excluding breaks or lunch, and prohibits school-owned devices from being covered under this restriction. This policy applies to all students in school buildings during instructional hours.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRestricts mobile device use during instruction to minimize distractions, protecting learning environment per bill's intent.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Teachers

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 22, 2025

SB 86: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, providing for in-State tuition for undocumented individuals.

SB 86 would allow undocumented students who attended a Pennsylvania high school (public, nonpublic, charter, or cyber charter) for at least two years and graduated to pay in-state tuition at Pennsylvania's public colleges and universities, instead of higher out-of-state rates. It requires institutions to report these admissions to the state and ensures eligible students qualify for state financial aid through PHEAA without needing to provide Social Security numbers. The bill creates an alternative application process for financial aid that excludes Social Security number requirements for these students.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands state financial aid eligibility for undocumented students, increasing public higher education funding through PHEAA without SSN requirement.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands higher education access for undocumented students by eliminating out-of-state tuition barriers and enabling state financial aid eligibility without Social Security numbers.90% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill provides in-state tuition and financial aid access to undocumented students meeting residency criteria, directly advancing immigrant integration and services per indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Student Financial Aid DACA & Dreamers Driver Licenses & IDs

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 10, 2025

HB 46: 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, further providing for kindergartens and providing for pre-kindergarten programs; and, in pupils and attendance, further providing for age limits and temporary residence and for definitions.

HB 46 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to require all school districts to establish and maintain pre-kindergarten programs as part of the elementary school system, open at least 2.5 hours daily. It updates kindergarten requirements to ensure districts accept children age 5 or older on the first day of school and clarifies that kindergartens must be integrated into elementary education. The bill lowers the starting age for compulsory school attendance from 6 to 5 years and reduces the end age from 18 to 17 years. These changes directly affect all Pennsylvania public school districts and children aged 5-17, with the new provisions applying to the academic year following the law's effective date.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates pre-K programs for all districts, lowers compulsory attendance age to 5, and integrates kindergarten into elementary education, expanding early childhood access and program requirements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood K-12 Education

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 3, 2025

SB 219: An Act providing for School-Based Youth Court Pilot Program and for awarding grants; establishing the Youth Court Program Account; and making a transfer.

SB 219 establishes Pennsylvania's School-Based Youth Court Pilot Program, creating a three-year initiative to replace traditional disciplinary actions with restorative justice approaches in schools. The bill provides grants of up to $250,000 per school to help schools develop youth courts staffed by students under 21, using trauma-informed methods to address minor misconduct through restorative sanctions like community service, workshops, or mediated conversations. It requires the Department of Education to create an Education and Justice Resource Center to train participants, collect data, and oversee program implementation. The program directly affects schools, students under 21 involved in disciplinary cases, and local education agencies seeking to reduce suspensions through restorative practices.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSB 219 replaces punitive school discipline with restorative justice approaches (community service, mediation), directly advancing criminal justice reform by reducing reliance on traditional disciplinary actions for minor misconduct.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides grants for restorative justice programs in schools, funding student-centered disciplinary approaches that align with educational best practices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts School Safety Student Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 2, 2025

HB 180: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in pupils and attendance, further providing for Nonprofit School Food Program, repealing provisions relating to school lunch and breakfast reimbursement and establishing the Universal School Meal Program and the Universal School Meal Fund; and making appropriations.

HB 180 replaces Pennsylvania’s existing school lunch and breakfast reimbursement system with a new Universal School Meal Program, ensuring all public school students in the state can receive free meals regardless of family income or unpaid meal debt. The bill requires school districts to provide meals to any student who requests one (unless parents specifically withhold consent in writing) and prohibits schools from stigmatizing students with meal debt through wristbands, public identification, or denying activities like sports or graduation. It bans collecting fees, interest, or using collections agencies for unpaid meal costs, and mandates schools help families apply for assistance instead of pursuing debt. This directly affects over 1.5 million Pennsylvania public school students and their school districts, shifting from a means-tested system to universal access.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationUniversal free meals for all K-12 students regardless of income, eliminates meal debt stigma, and establishes new funding (Universal School Meal Fund) to expand access and equity in school nutrition programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 17, 2025

SB 927: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in charter schools, further providing for enrollee wellness checks.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires cyber charter schools to conduct weekly wellness checks for student engagement and well-being, promoting educational continuity in remote learning settings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 17, 2025

HB 2039: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in preliminary provisions, providing for innovative assessment and accountability demonstration authority.

HB 2039 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to establish a process for the state to seek federal demonstration authority under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). It requires the Department of Education to develop an innovative assessment system - potentially including competency-based or performance-based evaluations - through public hearings and a 30-day comment period before May 1, 2026. The bill mandates submitting a federal application by that date to replace or supplement current standardized testing requirements. This procedural bill directly affects Pennsylvania public schools by enabling a new framework for measuring student achievement, pending federal approval.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes process for innovative K-12 assessment system under ESSA, strengthening accountability measures without restricting curriculum or funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Testing & Assessment

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 28, 2025

HB 396: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in certification of teachers, providing for emergency certification applicants for career and technical education certification.

HB 396 creates an emergency certification pathway for career and technical education (CTE) teachers in Pennsylvania public schools. It allows two routes: (1) educators with valid out-of-state CTE certificates meeting Pennsylvania’s standards, or (2) individuals with at least four years of work experience in the teaching field plus industry certifications. Certificates issued under this bill are valid for eight years and convert to full certification after two years of classroom teaching with performance evidence. The bill directly affects CTE educators seeking quicker entry into Pennsylvania classrooms.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates emergency CTE teacher certification pathway to address staffing shortages, directly supporting educator workforce needs in K-12 schools.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Teachers

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 14, 2025

HB 1461: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, providing for the Career and Technical Education Investment Incentive Program.

HB 1461 establishes the Career and Technical Education Investment Incentive Program within the Public School Code of 1949. This program allows business firms to make contributions - including cash, property, or services - to support career and technical education. These contributions can go to non-profit partnership organizations or directly to participating public and charter schools. Funds are intended to cover program-related costs or expand enrollment for eligible students in these programs, particularly those focused on high-priority occupations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes business contribution program to fund career/technical education programs, expanding funding streams for schools and expanding student enrollment opportunities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 1, 2025

HB 684: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in evidence-based reading instruction, further providing for definitions, providing for school entity duties related to evidence-based reading instruction, for school entity duties related to reading screening, for reading deficiency identification and parental notification, for reading intervention plans, for grant program, for funding, for reporting, for accountability and for construction.

HB 684 requires Pennsylvania public schools to adopt evidence-based reading curricula and implement annual reading screenings for kindergarten through third-grade students starting in the 2026-2027 school year. Schools must identify reading deficiencies using approved screeners, notify parents in writing about deficiencies, and provide individualized reading intervention plans for affected students. The bill mandates that educators complete approved professional development training by the 2028-2029 school year to support these requirements. It directly affects K-3 students, their families, and school staff, with specific deadlines for curriculum adoption, screening, and educator training. The law also establishes reporting and accountability measures for school entities to ensure compliance.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates evidence-based reading curricula, annual screenings, deficiency interventions, and educator training to improve early literacy outcomes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Teachers

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