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.
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.
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.
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.
HB 1474 requires Pennsylvania's state-related universities (including Penn State, Pitt, Temple, and Lincoln University) to create detailed plans before closing branch campuses or significantly reducing operations. The bill mandates that universities submit plans including financial analysis, community impact studies, student impact reports, and access alternatives to the board, followed by a 90-day public comment period with at least three public hearings. Before any closure can proceed, the plan must be approved by the full General Assembly, not just the university board. This directly affects students, rural communities reliant on branch campuses, and local economies by adding legislative oversight to campus closures. The law applies to all state-related universities and their branch campuses starting with the 2025-2026 academic year.
HB 1489 establishes the Lifeline Scholarship Program, enabling eligible Pennsylvania students to receive financial assistance for tuition and fees at participating nonpublic schools. To qualify, students must be Pennsylvania residents, not have a high school diploma, and meet income criteria (household income below 350% of the federal poverty level) or reside within a low-achieving school's attendance boundary. The State Treasury administers the Lifeline Scholarship Fund, allowing parents to apply for funds covering tuition, school-related fees, and special education services at qualifying nonprofit nonpublic schools. This program amends the Public School Code of 1949 to create a new funding mechanism for student enrollment in nonpublic schools.
SB 126 requires Pennsylvania universities that host or support antisemitic events to lose state funding for the 2025-2026 school year. If a university received funding before such an event, it must refund the state. The law defines antisemitism broadly to include acts like denying the Holocaust, comparing Israeli policy to Nazis, or spreading conspiracy theories about Jewish people, with the State Board of Education handling violations through 30-day hearings. This applies to all Pennsylvania universities receiving state funding under the Public School Code.
HB 256 exempts transfers of funds from qualified tuition programs (like 529 college savings plans) from Pennsylvania's inheritance tax when moved to the designated beneficiary or their parent/guardian if the beneficiary is under 18. It uses federal definitions from the Internal Revenue Code (Section 529) to define "qualified tuition program" and "designated beneficiary." The change applies to estates of people who died after November 6, 2023. This policy directly affects families using these education savings programs by removing an inheritance tax burden on transferred funds.
HB 1709 amends the Public School Code of 1949 to require institutions of higher education to provide employment certification for adjunct and part-time faculty. This bill directly affects part-time and adjunct professors at colleges and universities, who often lack formal job security documentation. The key provision mandates that schools issue written certification confirming employment terms, such as hours and contract duration, for these faculty members. The bill aims to create clearer employment records for part-time educators under the state's higher education framework. It was referred to the Education committee on July 9, 2025.
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.
