HB 2656 Pennsylvania House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in community colleges, further providing for definitions, for powers and duties of State Board of Education, for plans and procedures for establishing, for election or appointment and term and organization of board of trustees, for powers and duties of board of trustees, for students, for tuition, for withdrawal of sponsorship and dissolution of community college, for participation in or admission to established community college, for degrees and for financial program and reimbursement of payments; in institutions of higher education, further providing for long-term strategic planning and providing for additional powers and duties; and, in the State Board of Education, further providing for membership, for powers and duties of the board, for powers and duties of Council of Basic Education and Council of Higher Education and for reports and recommendations.

This bill updates Pennsylvania's Public School Code to modernize the rules governing community colleges and the State Board of Higher Education. It clarifies definitions for college planning, outlines how new colleges are established, and details the powers of the State Board and local boards of trustees regarding student admissions, tuition, and degrees. The legislation also sets specific criteria for approving new colleges, such as ensuring sufficient local population and financial resources, while requiring long-term strategic planning for existing institutions.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jun 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jun 22, 2026 Last action Jun 22, 2026
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Total actions
1
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Jun 22, 2026
Committee
Referred to Education
lower
1 primary · 2 co-sponsors

Sponsors