Education

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Sep 30, 2025

HB 1903: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in Safe2Say Program, further providing for definitions and for Safe2Say Program; in postsecondary institution sexual harassment and sexual violence policy and online reporting system, further providing for definitions, for policy for postsecondary institution sexual harassment and sexual violence and for online reporting system; and making an editorial change.

HB 1903 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to update the Safe2Say Program, a school safety reporting system, by clarifying definitions and enhancing program requirements. It also adds new requirements for colleges and universities, mandating they establish written policies addressing sexual harassment and sexual violence, along with implementing an online reporting system for incidents. The bill directly affects public schools and postsecondary institutions by changing how they handle safety reporting and campus conduct policies. Key provisions include standardizing definitions for consistency and requiring institutions to provide accessible online reporting tools for students. These changes aim to improve clarity and accessibility in addressing safety and harassment concerns across educational settings.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates enhanced school safety protocols (Safe2Say) and sexual harassment policies for colleges, strengthening institutional protections in education environments.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Safety

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signed · Pennsylvania · House Nov 19, 2025

HB 1421: An Act providing for funding for certain State-aided universities for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026, for costs basis, for frequency of payments and for recordkeeping requirements; imposing a duty on the Auditor General; providing for financial statements, for the Agricultural College Land Scrip Fund and for restrictions; and making appropriations.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funding for universities during 2025-2026 fiscal year, directly advancing public education funding through appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates state funding for state-aided universities during 2025-2026, specifying amounts and payment requirements to advance higher education funding.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Higher Education

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 20, 2025

HB 679: 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, further providing for continuing professional development.

HB 679 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to update requirements for teachers' continuing professional development. It allows school districts to include joint or cooperative training activities with other schools or colleges in their professional development plans. The state Department of Education must provide annual resources and guidance addressing the most frequent concerns raised by school employees statewide, updating these resources yearly. This directly affects public school teachers, districts, and the state education department through revised training requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAmends teacher certification to allow collaborative professional development and mandates state resources, strengthening educator support and development requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 9, 2025

HB 1178: An Act amending Title 24 (Education) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in public library code, providing for Rural Library Grant Program; and imposing duties on the Department of Education.

HB 1178 establishes a Rural Library Grant Program to provide funding for essential maintenance and infrastructure upgrades at eligible libraries in Pennsylvania. The program targets libraries serving populations of fewer than 10,000 people, offering annual grants between $20,000 and $100,000 for specific repairs like roof replacements, boiler systems, plumbing, energy efficiency projects, health and safety improvements, and internet connectivity (excluding educational technology hardware or software). The Department of Education must create application guidelines within 60 days, review applications to ensure statewide geographic distribution, and publicly report all funded projects on its website.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds rural library infrastructure upgrades, enhancing educational access and community resources in underserved areas per Title 24 Education statutes.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds internet connectivity infrastructure for rural libraries, directly expanding access as per topic indicators while excluding non-access tech hardware.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Nov 12, 2025

HB 2025: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, providing for reimbursements for borrowing costs during budget impasse; and establishing the School District Impasse Recovery Fund.

HB 2025 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to address financial strain on school districts during budget disputes with the state. It requires the Commonwealth to reimburse school districts for costs incurred when borrowing money to cover operating expenses during a budget impasse. The bill establishes a new "School District Impasse Recovery Fund" to manage these reimbursements. This directly affects school districts facing funding delays and the state budget office responsible for disbursing funds. The provision creates a concrete mechanism for financial relief during budget standoffs, without altering existing funding formulas.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRequires state reimbursement for school district borrowing during budget disputes, ensuring continued public education funding without district debt or fiscal strain.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill requires Commonwealth reimbursement for school district borrowing costs during budget impasse, preventing financial strain and ensuring stable school funding. Directly advances district financial stability through the new Recovery Fund.90% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget School Funding

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 28, 2025

HB 390: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in personal income tax, providing for preceptor tax deduction.

HB 390 creates a $1,000 annual tax deduction for Pennsylvania health care providers who volunteer to supervise clinical training for students. It directly affects licensed physicians, nurses, physician assistants, and nurse anesthetists who provide uncompensated, volunteer-based clinical training (minimum 80 hours annually per student) to eligible students in approved programs. The bill establishes a Preceptor Certification Committee within the Department of Health to verify eligibility, process applications within 30 days, and issue certificates confirming the deduction. To claim the deduction, providers must submit this certificate with their tax return, and the deduction cannot exceed the tax owed. The policy change specifically targets volunteer clinical education support without altering tax rates or creating new tax credits.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates $1,000 annual tax deduction for healthcare preceptors, providing direct tax relief under Tax Reform Code.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates tax incentive for healthcare preceptors to supervise students, expanding clinical training access in healthcare education programs.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides $1,000 tax deduction for healthcare preceptors to support clinical training, advancing workforce development in healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 31, 2025

SB 962: An Act amending Titles 53 (Municipalities Generally) and 72 (Taxation and Fiscal Affairs) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, eliminating school district property taxes; imposing county and school district taxes; establishing the School District Emergency Fund and the School District Property Tax Elimination Fund; consolidating Articles II and III of the Tax Reform Code of 1971; in preliminary provisions relating to sales and use tax, providing for definitions; in taxation generally relating to sales and use tax, providing for exclusions and for transfer to county sales and use tax accounts; in preliminary provisions relating to personal income tax, providing for definitions; and making repeals.

SB 962 eliminates school district property taxes for residential and commercial properties in Pennsylvania, effective for school districts starting in 2030. It replaces these taxes with two new revenue sources: a 2% increase in county-level sales and use taxes (on items like clothing and candy, previously exempt) and a local income tax of up to 1.88% on resident taxpayers' earned income and retirement benefits (excluding Social Security). The bill establishes two funds: the School District Property Tax Elimination Fund (to distribute sales tax revenue to school districts) and the School District Emergency Fund (for financial stability). It also requires landlords to reduce rents for tenants by the equivalent amount of eliminated property taxes. The legislation aims to shift school funding away from property taxes while maintaining school district budgets, affecting homeowners, businesses, and residents subject to the new income tax.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEliminates school property taxes, replaces with county sales tax (2%) and local income tax (up to 1.88%), establishes School District funds. Directly restructures taxation for fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill replaces school district property taxes with county sales tax and local income tax to maintain school funding, establishing dedicated funds to ensure continued financial support for schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Property Tax Revenue School Funding

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Oct 28, 2025

HB 1900: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, providing for educator tax credit.

HB 1900 would amend Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code of 1971 to create a tax credit for educators. This credit would allow teachers and school staff to reduce their income tax liability. The bill specifies this credit as part of the state's tax code changes, though details on eligibility or credit amount are not provided in the available context.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit for educators, providing income tax relief per Tax Reform Code amendment, aligning with tax relief indicators for middle-income groups.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates tax credit for educators, directly supporting teachers' financial well-being and incentivizing retention through tax benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Teachers

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 10, 2025

HB 840: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for Targeted Industry Cluster Certificate Scholarship Program.

HB 840 establishes the Targeted Industry Cluster Certificate Scholarship Program to provide financial assistance for Pennsylvania residents pursuing specific short-term education programs. The program, administered by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, offers grants for eligible students enrolled in approved courses that take two to four years to complete, including nursing, public health, and community health bachelor's degrees. The Department of Education and Department of Labor and Industry will collaborate to identify workforce-focused programs and approve eligible educational providers. This bill directly affects students seeking credentials in high-demand fields and requires the agency to set grant awards based on available funding.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes grants for nursing/public health degrees, expanding access to higher education funding through targeted scholarships95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds nursing/public health bachelor's degrees via scholarships to expand healthcare workforce training, directly advancing healthcare education and workforce development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Public Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 22, 2025

HB 1283: An Act establishing the Integrated Student Supports Program and the Integrated Student Supports Fund; and conferring powers and imposing duties on the Department of Education.

HB 1283 establishes the Integrated Student Supports Program and Fund, aiming to enhance K-12 student academic success and increase graduation rates in Pennsylvania public schools by removing academic and nonacademic barriers. The Department of Education will designate a third-party nonprofit organization to provide evidence-based community school services, covering areas like mental health support, college and career preparation, and parental engagement. The bill allows the Department to award competitive, dollar-for-dollar matching grants from the new fund to public school entities that develop strategic plans for implementing these integrated student supports. The designated organization will be required to submit annual reports on program outcomes, including graduation rates and student attendance.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates Integrated Student Supports Fund to provide evidence-based services (mental health, college prep) removing barriers and boosting K-12 academic success and graduation rates.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMental health support is explicitly listed as a covered service under the program, indicating funding and advancement of mental health services in schools.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education Student Health

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