Education (Student Health)

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 25, 2025

HB 1669: 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 free-play recess.

HB 1669 requires Pennsylvania public schools serving kindergarten through grade five to provide at least 30 minutes of daily supervised, unstructured free-play recess for all students. This means students cannot replace recess with extra classwork, and schools cannot withhold recess as punishment for behavior or missed assignments. The bill mandates that recess occur outdoors when weather and facilities permit, while allowing exceptions based on medical advice or a student's individualized education plan. It defines "free-play recess" as time away from structured learning for physical activity or social play, excluding scheduled physical education classes. The law takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates daily recess for K-5 students, enhancing student well-being and unstructured play, directly supporting student programs per topic definition.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 31, 2025

HB 1101: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in school health services, providing for Menstrual Hygiene Products Accessibility Grant Program; and making an appropriation.

This bill establishes a grant program to provide free menstrual products (such as pads and tampons) in Pennsylvania public schools. Schools with 25% or more students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch programs can apply for grants to purchase these products and install dispensers or disposal units. Recipients must report annual spending on products and dispenser maintenance to the state. The program is funded by a state appropriation for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds new school health program via state appropriation, increasing public spending on essential services without tax changes.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds free menstrual products in public schools to improve student access and attendance, directly supporting educational access through targeted health resources and state funding.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes state-funded grant program for free menstrual products in schools, advancing public health access to essential hygiene items as part of school health services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 1078: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in school health services, further providing for health services and for vision screening and examinations, providing for eye health examinations and further providing for examinations by examiners of own choice.

HB 1078 updates Pennsylvania's school health requirements to strengthen vision screening and eye health examinations for students. It mandates annual vision screenings by trained school personnel for all school-aged children, with comprehensive eye exams by licensed professionals required if screenings fail. The bill specifies that students must receive eye health exams upon school admission, in fourth grade, and eighth grade, and adds requirements for exams related to special education evaluations. Schools must notify parents of failed screenings and provide resources, but are not responsible for covering exam costs or treatment. This directly affects all public and nonpublic school students in Pennsylvania.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates annual vision screenings and follow-up exams for students, strengthening health services to support educational access and learning readiness in schools.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates annual vision screenings and required eye exams in schools, strengthening student access to eye health services under public health programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Special Education Student Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 27, 2025

HB 339: 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 mental health check-ins.

HB 339 requires Pennsylvania public schools (including districts, charter schools, and cyber charters) and eligible nonpublic schools to implement daily mental health check-ins for all kindergarten through 12th-grade students starting in the 2025-2026 school year. The bill mandates school entities to adopt policies identifying students experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, or at risk of suicide/self-harm based on their check-in responses. The state Department of Education must create and provide a model policy to all schools upon request. This policy change directly affects all K-12 students and school staff in Pennsylvania's public and qualifying nonpublic schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates daily mental health check-ins for K-12 students to identify at-risk cases, enhancing student well-being support within educational settings.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates daily mental health check-ins in schools to identify at-risk students, directly expanding mental health services access for youth under healthcare topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Safety Student Health Mental Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 22, 2025

SB 180: 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 Nonprofit School Food Program, repealing provisions relating to school lunch and breakfast reimbursement and establishing the Universal School Meal Program and the Universal School Meal Fund; and making an interfund transfer and an appropriation.

SB 180 replaces Pennsylvania's existing school lunch and breakfast reimbursement system with a Universal School Meal Program, requiring all public schools to provide meals to any student who requests one, regardless of their ability to pay or outstanding meal debt. The bill prohibits schools from stigmatizing students (e.g., via wristbands), denying activities or diplomas for unpaid meals, using collections agencies, or imposing penalties like interest or suspensions for meal debt. It also mandates schools to offer assistance with meal program applications to families in debt and directs communications about unpaid meals to parents/guardians instead of students. The program is funded through a new Universal School Meal Fund and an interfund transfer, eliminating the previous reimbursement structure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesEstablishes Universal School Meal Fund via new appropriation, mandating state-funded meals for all students regardless of payment status, increasing public service funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationReplaces meal reimbursement with universal program, ensuring no student denied access due to debt/stigma, expanding educational access and equity through mandatory free meals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 3, 2025

SB 219: An Act providing for School-Based Youth Court Pilot Program and for awarding grants; establishing the Youth Court Program Account; and making a transfer.

SB 219 establishes Pennsylvania's School-Based Youth Court Pilot Program, creating a three-year initiative to replace traditional disciplinary actions with restorative justice approaches in schools. The bill provides grants of up to $250,000 per school to help schools develop youth courts staffed by students under 21, using trauma-informed methods to address minor misconduct through restorative sanctions like community service, workshops, or mediated conversations. It requires the Department of Education to create an Education and Justice Resource Center to train participants, collect data, and oversee program implementation. The program directly affects schools, students under 21 involved in disciplinary cases, and local education agencies seeking to reduce suspensions through restorative practices.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeSB 219 replaces punitive school discipline with restorative justice approaches (community service, mediation), directly advancing criminal justice reform by reducing reliance on traditional disciplinary actions for minor misconduct.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides grants for restorative justice programs in schools, funding student-centered disciplinary approaches that align with educational best practices.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts School Safety Student Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 2, 2025

HB 180: 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 Nonprofit School Food Program, repealing provisions relating to school lunch and breakfast reimbursement and establishing the Universal School Meal Program and the Universal School Meal Fund; and making appropriations.

HB 180 replaces Pennsylvania’s existing school lunch and breakfast reimbursement system with a new Universal School Meal Program, ensuring all public school students in the state can receive free meals regardless of family income or unpaid meal debt. The bill requires school districts to provide meals to any student who requests one (unless parents specifically withhold consent in writing) and prohibits schools from stigmatizing students with meal debt through wristbands, public identification, or denying activities like sports or graduation. It bans collecting fees, interest, or using collections agencies for unpaid meal costs, and mandates schools help families apply for assistance instead of pursuing debt. This directly affects over 1.5 million Pennsylvania public school students and their school districts, shifting from a means-tested system to universal access.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationUniversal free meals for all K-12 students regardless of income, eliminates meal debt stigma, and establishes new funding (Universal School Meal Fund) to expand access and equity in school nutrition programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 17, 2025

SB 927: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in charter schools, further providing for enrollee wellness checks.

SB 927 requires Pennsylvania cyber charter schools to conduct weekly real-time check-ins with each enrolled student to verify participation and ensure well-being. Specifically, schools must ensure students are visibly seen and communicated with by staff (via webcam or in person) at least once per week during instructional days. This applies only to cyber charter schools, not traditional public or brick-and-mortar schools. The requirement can be met during synchronous online classes when students turn on their webcams. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires cyber charter schools to conduct weekly wellness checks for student engagement and well-being, promoting educational continuity in remote learning settings.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student 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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passed · Pennsylvania · House May 7, 2026

HB 1077: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in school health services, establishing the Commission on Children's Vision and providing for duties of Commission on Children's Vision.

HB 1077 establishes the Commission on Children's Vision within Pennsylvania's Department of Education and Department of Health to address children's vision care needs. The commission will develop statewide plans and low-cost programs for vision screenings, follow-up exams, and glasses for students who need them, while coordinating with local vision care providers. It must issue annual reports by December 31 detailing program achievements, trends in unmet vision care needs, and recommendations for improving access. The commission, composed of state education/health officials and 12 vision care professionals, will not receive compensation but will receive administrative support from the departments. This bill directly affects Pennsylvania schoolchildren requiring vision care and the state departments responsible for health and education services.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes Commission on Children's Vision to provide screenings, exams, and glasses for students, directly enhancing educational access and addressing barriers to learning through coordinated health services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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