Education

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Aug 27, 2025

SB 984: 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 attendance policy at charter, regional charter and cyber charter schools, for procedure when child is truant, for procedure by school when child habitually truant, for procedure upon filing of citation and for penalties for violating compulsory school attendance requirements, repealing provisions relating to study of truancy procedure, providing for department supports to prevent truancy and further providing for reports to Superintendent of Public Instruction.

SB 984 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to update attendance rules specifically for charter, regional charter, and cyber charter schools. It establishes new procedures for handling student absences, including steps for schools when a child is truant or habitually absent, and outlines processes when a truancy citation is filed. The bill removes outdated rules about truancy procedures, adds requirements for state support programs to prevent truancy, and mandates reports to the Superintendent of Public Instruction. These changes directly affect students attending the specified school types and their school administrators.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAmends attendance procedures for charter schools, mandates state support to prevent truancy, and requires reports to improve student attendance and educational access.90% confidence

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passed · Pennsylvania · House May 5, 2026

HR 228: A Resolution designating July 31, 2025, as "Intern Day" in Pennsylvania.

This resolution designates July 31, 2025, as "Intern Day" in Pennsylvania to recognize the value of internships for students, educational institutions, and employers. It aims to raise awareness about work-based learning opportunities that connect classroom education with workplace skills, aligning with national observances. The bill does not create new laws or funding but symbolically highlights Pennsylvania’s commitment to supporting internships as part of economic development. It directly affects students seeking career experience, career and technical centers, and businesses offering internships.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationPromotes internships as work-based learning connecting classroom education to workplace skills, raising awareness for student and institutional benefit. Symbolic endorsement of educational opportunities without funding.80% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 22, 2025

HB 236: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in public indecency, further providing for the offense of obscene and other sexual materials and performances.

HB 236 amends Pennsylvania's obscenity law to explicitly exempt public libraries, school/university libraries, and state or municipal archives from the offense of displaying obscene materials. The bill updates Section 5903(j) of Title 18 to clarify that recognized historical societies, museums, public libraries, and educational institution libraries are not subject to these restrictions. This change directly affects libraries and archives operating under educational or governmental supervision by removing ambiguity about their legal protections. The amendment does not create new offenses but ensures these institutions can legally display materials as part of their public service.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExempts school/university libraries from obscenity restrictions, protecting access to educational materials and preventing legal barriers for libraries under educational supervision.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Libraries

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 21, 2025

HB 1473: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in higher education accountability and transparency, providing for department approval for campus closures.

HB 1473 requires Pennsylvania's state-related universities (Penn State, Pitt, Temple, Lincoln University, and their branches) to submit an alternative education plan to the state Department of Education before closing any campus. The plan must detail how students in the affected region will maintain access to higher education, including options like partnerships with community colleges, satellite classrooms, or tuition assistance. The Department must approve or disapprove the plan within 30 days, and failure to submit a compliant plan or receiving disapproval results in the university losing state funding for that fiscal year. The bill aims to ensure taxpayer-funded institutions maintain educational access, particularly in rural and underprivileged areas, before proceeding with campus closures.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires universities to maintain student access during campus closures via approved alternative plans, protecting higher education continuity and access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 22, 2025

SB 28: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in terms and courses of study, providing for Black history education.

SB 28 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to require the state Department of Education to develop and share age-appropriate resources for integrating Black history into school curricula. It directs the department to create these materials within three months of the law's effective date and post them online for all schools to use. The bill applies to every public school district, charter school, private school, and other school entities in Pennsylvania, but does not mandate specific curriculum changes - only that schools can access the state-provided resources. Schools may also use other approved materials to teach the history of the Black experience as part of required or elective courses.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates development of Black history curriculum resources, expanding educational content and promoting inclusive education in K-12 schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education School Choice

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signed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 29, 2026

HB 1877: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in terms and courses of study, providing for Pennsylvania Seal of Biliteracy.

HB 1877 creates a Pennsylvania Seal of Biliteracy to recognize high school students who achieve proficiency in English and another language. The bill requires public school districts to establish a process for awarding this seal to eligible students who meet specific language proficiency standards. It directly affects Pennsylvania public high school students who demonstrate biliteracy skills, providing a formal credential for their language abilities. The key mechanism is the addition of this seal program to the Public School Code, mandating school districts to implement it.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates Pennsylvania Seal of Biliteracy recognizing student language proficiency, enhancing student credentialing and educational access within K-12 curriculum standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 3, 2025

HB 769: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in grounds and buildings, providing for physical space for school library or information center; and, in books, furniture and supplies, providing for school library collections.

HB 769 requires Pennsylvania public schools (excluding fully online cyber charters) to provide dedicated physical space for libraries or information centers and maintain a library collection of at least 1,000 items per grade served, including print and nonprint materials like audio-visual equipment, starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The State Board of Education will establish building standards for library spaces and review these requirements every ten years. School boards must design spaces following the State Board's guidance, and the Secretary of Education can deny approval for construction projects that fail to meet the standards. This bill amends the Public School Code to ensure schools have adequate library resources for student learning.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates dedicated library space and 1,000+ item collections per grade, enhancing school library infrastructure and resources per educational standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 17, 2025

HB 1626: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in career and technical education, further providing for Barber Training Through Career and Technical Center Pilot Program.

HB 1626 establishes a pilot program allowing career and technical centers (CTCs) and secondary schools in Pennsylvania to offer barber training under the State Board of Barber Examiners. The bill requires participating schools to report student and program data annually by June 30 through 2025. It specifies the pilot program expires three years after enactment (2025) but allows conversion to a permanent program without disrupting existing contracts or rules established during the pilot. This directly affects CTCs and schools participating in barber training, creating a structured pathway for students seeking barbering credentials.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes new career training program in CTE, expanding student educational pathways within K-12 system without restricting access or funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Dec 15, 2025

HB 1676: An Act establishing the Nursing Shortage Assistance Program; and imposing duties on the Department of Labor and Industry.

HB 1676 establishes Pennsylvania's Nursing Shortage Assistance Program, which provides state grants to "qualified nursing servicers" to help nursing students repay loans after graduation. The program requires partner hospitals to match state funds 1:1 for loan repayment and commit to hiring graduates, with grants only covering tuition expenses (not administrative costs). Nursing students working at participating hospitals may receive up to $10,000 annually or $30,000 total in loan repayment assistance. The Department of Labor and Industry administers the program, sets application rules, and reports annually on its effectiveness to the legislature.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides loan repayment assistance to nursing students (higher education), directly supporting student financial burdens and workforce access in a specific educational program.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes nursing loan repayment grants to address workforce shortages, improving healthcare access and provider availability.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds nursing student loan repayment to address workforce shortages, requiring hospital hiring commitments, directly supporting labor supply and employment in healthcare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 581: An Act providing for classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity and for parental notification of student health care services; and establishing cause of action for violation.

HB 581, titled the Parental Rights in Education Act, prohibits public schools from teaching about sexual orientation or gender identity to students in kindergarten through fifth grade. It requires schools to notify parents in writing before providing health care services (like mental health support) or administering well-being questionnaires/surveys to K-5 students, including an option for parents to withhold consent. Schools must also allow parents access to their child's education and health records and cannot retaliate against students who report violations. The bill creates a legal right for students or parents to sue schools for noncompliance within 180 days of a violation.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationProhibits K-5 curriculum on sexual orientation/gender identity, restricting academic freedom in education.95% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRequires parental consent for K-5 mental health services, restricting access by enabling parental denial of care.85% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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