SB 1014 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code of 1949 to require public schools to adopt a "bell-to-bell phone-free policy" during the entire school day. This policy directly affects all public K-12 schools and students by prohibiting the use of personal electronic devices during instructional time. The key provision mandates that schools establish and enforce this policy, though the bill does not specify exemptions or implementation details. The legislation focuses on reducing distractions in classrooms by limiting student phone access from the start to the end of the school day. It is currently pending in the Education committee.
SB 10 establishes the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success Scholarship Program (PASS), providing financial assistance to low-income students attending nonpublic schools. It directly affects eligible students in Pennsylvania who live in households below 250% of the federal poverty level, attend or reside within the attendance boundary of a low-achieving public school, and have not earned a high school diploma. The program, administered by the State Treasury starting in the 2026-2027 school year, covers tuition, school-related fees, and special education services at participating nonpublic schools. School districts must notify parents of eligible students about the program within 15 days of a school being designated "low-achieving."
HB 1069 modifies Pennsylvania's Public School Code to allow military-connected students to enroll in schools before establishing residency. Specifically, it requires school districts to permit children of active-duty military members (with official transfer orders) to enroll immediately upon providing military orders and proof of intent to move (e.g., lease, home purchase contract). The bill mandates that schools accept transferred credits with their original grades for GPA calculations and requires families to submit residency proof within 45 days of the military transfer date. This directly affects military families relocating within Pennsylvania, ensuring continuity in education during relocations.
SB 700 requires Pennsylvania public schools to adopt research-backed reading curricula aligned with the science of reading, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year. It mandates schools to use approved reading screeners to identify early literacy struggles, develop intervention plans for struggling students, and notify parents about their child’s reading progress. The bill creates a state list of approved curricula and screeners, overseen by a 20-member Reading Leadership Council including teachers and specialists, and requires schools to report adoption and screening data. Schools must also provide free, required professional development for educators on evidence-based reading instruction and intervention methods. This directly affects all K-3 public school students, their teachers, and parents through updated curriculum, screening, and intervention requirements.
HB 429 amends Pennsylvania's Fiscal Code to direct specific transfers from the Budget Stabilization Reserve Fund to address pension obligations. It requires $670 million to be transferred to the Public School Employees' Retirement Fund and $330 million to the State Employees' Retirement Fund by January 1, 2026, as one-time payments to reduce their unfunded pension liabilities. These transfers are separate from the fund's usual purpose of covering emergencies or economic downturns. The bill directly affects Pennsylvania's public employee pension systems, not general state programs or new legislation.
SB 816 requires Pennsylvania public schools serving grades 6-12 to annually provide parents with educational materials about eating disorders. The bill directly affects parents of middle and high school students by mandating schools to share information via email, mail, or school websites. Key mechanisms include creating a state Task Force (with health and education experts) to develop guidelines for school staff and parent resources on eating disorder warning signs and support services. The guidelines must be updated annually by the Task Force and incorporated into school health materials. This law amends the Public School Code to standardize parent education on eating disorders across all Pennsylvania school entities.
HB 360 requires Pennsylvania colleges and universities to adopt clear written policies addressing sexual harassment and sexual violence. These policies must inform victims of their legal rights, meet or exceed a state model, include specific investigation timelines, and provide protections for victims and witnesses during investigations. The bill directly affects all postsecondary institutions in Pennsylvania by mandating standardized, legally compliant procedures for handling such incidents. It does not change criminal law or provide new victim services, but sets requirements for institutional policy and process. The bill is pending in the Education Committee as introduced in January 2025.
HB 666 requires Pennsylvania's Department of Education to create model guidelines for schools to address learning loss after disruptions like pandemics, natural disasters, or strikes causing five or more days of school closure or remote instruction. Starting with the 2026-2027 school year, school districts, charter schools, and other school entities must submit remediation plans that include in-person instruction and specific strategies such as tutoring, extended school days, or additional instructional days. These plans must cover the number of days lost to the disruption (or the rest of the school year, whichever is shorter) and follow the state's model guidelines. The bill directly affects all public and charter schools in Pennsylvania and the Department of Education, which must develop and distribute the guidelines by July 2026.
House Bill 1401 amends the Public School Code of 1949 by establishing new admission requirements for educator preparation programs. It mandates that applicants for initial preparation programs leading to a bachelor's degree must have completed at least 48 college credit hours with a minimum 2.8 GPA. Applicants for alternative programs must hold a bachelor's degree with a 2.8 GPA, and advanced program applicants need a 2.8 GPA along with professional recommendations. Preparing institutions may admit up to 10% of initial preparation applicants who do not meet the GPA requirement, provided other eligibility criteria are met. These provisions directly affect individuals aspiring to become teachers and the institutions that train them.
SB 479 requires Pennsylvania public schools to observe a moment of silence during instructional hours on January 6 each year to honor those injured or killed in the 2021 Capitol insurrection. It directs the state Department of Education to develop a model curriculum about the January 6 events (including historical context, the attack, government response, and post-January 6 challenges) within 12 months, and to make this resource available online. School districts, charter schools, and other "school entities" are not required to adopt or use this curriculum. The bill applies to all public schools in Pennsylvania and takes effect immediately.
