An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking education, prevention and response at institutions of higher education and private licensed schools, further providing for scope of article, for definitions, for education program and for follow-up and providing for staff training and for enforcement and penalties; in postsecondary institution sexual harassment and sexual violence policy and online reporting system, further providing for definitions, for policy for postsecondary institution sexual harassment and sexual violence and for online reporting system, providing for sexual misconduct climate surveys, establishing the Task Force on Postsecondary Sexual Misconduct and providing for confidential resource advisors, for waivers for student victims, for data reporting requirements and for enforcement and penalties; and making editorial changes.
HB 1279 requires Pennsylvania colleges and universities, as well as private licensed schools, to implement evidence-based education programs on sexual misconduct (including consent, bystander intervention, and risk prevention) for all students and staff. The bill mandates staff training, establishes confidential resource advisors for victims, and requires institutions to create online reporting systems and conduct annual climate surveys. It also sets data reporting requirements for schools to track incidents, creates a Task Force on Postsecondary Sexual Misconduct, and provides academic waivers for student victims to avoid penalties related to incidents. These provisions aim to standardize prevention, response, and support across institutions.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Apr 22, 2025
Last action Apr 22, 2025
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
1
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Apr 22, 2025
Committee
Referred to Education
lower
1 primary · 21 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Amen Brown
DDemocratic
Co
Anthony Bellmon
DDemocratic
Co
Ben Sanchez
DDemocratic
Co
Carol Hill-Evans
DDemocratic
Co
Chris Pielli
DDemocratic
Co
Dan Deasy
DDemocratic
Co
Dan Williams
DDemocratic
Co
Danilo Burgos
DDemocratic
Co
Darisha Parker
DDemocratic
Co
Jenn O'Mara
DDemocratic
Co
Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz
DDemocratic
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about HB 1279
Scope: PA
Hi! I can help you understand HB 1279. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline