SB 967 requires most health insurance policies in Pennsylvania to cover diagnostic testing for dyslexia under specific conditions, such as family history, school literacy screening failures, or a pediatrician's recommendation. It mandates coverage for comprehensive neuropsychological exams and related wellness plans, but caps annual benefits at $6,000 (adjusted for inflation), and excludes policies like accident-only, dental, or vision insurance. The law applies to individual and group health plans governed by Pennsylvania insurance regulations, directly affecting insurers and individuals meeting the eligibility criteria. It does not cover treatment, only diagnosis and screening as defined in the bill.
HB 1258 creates a new "Personalized Education Program" (PEP) option under Pennsylvania's Public School Code, allowing parents or guardians to educate children outside traditional public schools. It requires parents to submit an annual affidavit to the school district superintendent detailing the program supervisor, child's information, curriculum outline (including required subjects like English and history), immunization records, and background checks for household members. The program must provide at least 180 days or 900 hours of annual instruction for elementary students (990 hours for secondary), with specific subject requirements. PEPs are explicitly excluded from being classified as "nonpublic schools" under the code, and relocation between school districts requires a formal transfer letter process. This directly affects parents, guardians, and program supervisors managing education for children in these alternatives to public schools.
This bill requires all Pennsylvania public and private (nonpublic) schools to integrate Holocaust, genocide, and human rights violations instruction into social studies and language arts courses starting with the 2027-2028 school year. The state education department must create curriculum guidelines within 12 months of the bill's effective date, covering specific topics like the Holocaust's history, global genocides (including Rwanda), and human rights violations such as systemic discrimination and torture. Schools must provide teacher training on these topics, and the state board will track compliance through a study, potentially requiring mandatory instruction if less than 90% of schools currently offer it. This applies to all public school districts, charter schools, cyber charters, intermediate units, and nonpublic schools upon request.
This bill establishes a three-year pilot program (starting 2026-2027) within Pennsylvania public schools to teach students about the political, economic, and social contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals. School districts, charter schools, and nonpublic schools may apply to participate by submitting proposals to the Department of Education by May 15, 2026. The Department must develop guidelines by March 15, 2026 in consultation with LGBTQ+ organizations and prioritize curricula from groups with at least 50% LGBTQ+ leadership. Participating schools must submit annual reports on implementation, and the Department will contract an independent evaluation to assess the program's effectiveness, with results published online.
HB 1271 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to add protections for free speech at public colleges and universities. It prohibits public institutions from creating "bias reporting systems" that could lead to punishment for speech, including political expression, protests, or guest speakers. The bill also bans punishing students or staff for "protected expressive activity" and prevents charging higher security fees based on speech content. Public institutions must maintain harassment policies but cannot use them to suppress protected speech. This applies to all 14 public institutions of higher education in Pennsylvania, including state universities and community colleges.
HB 342 would require all Pennsylvania public schools (including charter and cyber schools) and qualifying nonpublic schools to provide 15 minutes daily of mindfulness instruction for students in kindergarten through grade 12. The bill mandates that schools adopt policies for this instruction, defines "mindfulness" as present-moment awareness of body, mind, and feelings, and explicitly prohibits religious content. The Pennsylvania Department of Education must develop and distribute model policies, curricula, and best-practice guidelines for schools to use. This bill directly affects all K-12 students and school entities across the state.
HB 227, the "Honesty in Teaching Act," prohibits Pennsylvania public schools (including districts, charter schools, and cyber charters) and their contractors from compelling students to adopt beliefs that suggest any group is inherently superior or inferior based on protected characteristics like race, gender, sexual orientation, or disability. It bans communications promoting discrimination or group-based superiority (Section 3(a)), requires teacher training focused on fostering independent thinking over advancing personal beliefs (Section 3(e)), and mandates contracts with contractors include a statement prohibiting "prohibited indoctrination" (Section 4). Complaints about violations can be filed with school boards, with penalties for false claims under Pennsylvania law (Section 5). The bill directly affects public school employees, contractors, and students by restricting specific instructional content while allowing discussion of controversial topics.
SB 230 would require Pennsylvania public and private schools to obtain parental permission before providing students with instructional materials containing sexually explicit content. Schools must develop policies identifying such materials (defined as including visual depictions of specific sexual acts) and implement an opt-in form for parents to approve access. If parents do not approve or submit the form, students must receive alternative non-explicit materials. The bill applies to all Pennsylvania school entities (including charter and cyber schools) and mandates school boards to adopt these policies by August 2025 after public input. The bill is pending in the Education committee.
SB 128 requires Pennsylvania public schools, charter schools, cyber charters, and other school entities to post online, on their public websites, details about their curriculum starting with the 2025-2026 school year. This includes links to textbooks used, course syllabi, written summaries of courses, and state academic standards for each course. Schools must update this information within 30 business days of any changes to their curriculum materials. The law explicitly states it does not override copyright or intellectual property rights held by curriculum creators.
Senate Bill 663 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to establish education on deaf and hard of hearing topics for public school students. By the 2025-2026 school year, the Department of Education, in consultation with health experts, must develop and post a model curriculum and guidelines. This curriculum will cover topics such as types and causes of hearing loss, prevention, assistive devices, and related stigmas. School entities can use this model curriculum or create their own, ensuring it aligns with the state's guidelines and academic standards.
