An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, establishing the Statewide Children's Literacy Program and the Children's Literacy Program of Pennsylvania Restricted Account; and imposing duties on the Department of Education.
What changed between versions
Renamed the program from 'Imagination Library' to 'Children's Literacy Program' and updated related terms like 'Account' and 'Program Partner' to remove specific brand references.
Updated the definition of 'Qualified local entity' to refer to a 'Pennsylvania-based partner' rather than specifically a 'Dolly Parton's Imagination Library' partner.
Added a new requirement for local entities to provide families with information on how to obtain a library card from the local library when a child is registered.
Replaced references to 'Dolly Parton's Imagination Library' with 'qualified local entities' in the duties of the Department of Education.
Clarified that the Department of Education may waive the dollar-for-dollar match requirement not only for local entities but also to cover the department's own oversight costs.
Updated the annual report requirements to ask for the names of qualified local entities instead of just the number of programs, and removed a specific 2026 deadline in favor of a recurring annual schedule.