Education

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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passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 1, 2026

SB 9: An Act providing for sport activities in public institutions of higher education and public school entities to be expressly designated male, female or coed; and creating causes of action for harm suffered by designation.

SB 9 requires public schools and colleges in Pennsylvania to explicitly label athletic teams as "male," "female," or "coed" based on students' sex assigned at birth. It prohibits male students from participating on teams designated for females, directly affecting student-athletes and school athletic programs. The bill creates legal causes of action allowing students to sue institutions for denying athletic opportunities or causing harm due to violations, and protects schools from penalties for maintaining sex-segregated teams. It also permits schools to sue entities that unfairly target them for enforcing these designations, with all claims needing to be filed within two years of the harm.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts athletic participation by sex assignment, limiting student access to sports programs in schools and colleges, directly limiting educational opportunities within athletic contexts.90% confidence

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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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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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