HB 289 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 grounds and buildings, providing for radon testing.

HB 289 requires all Pennsylvania public, charter, and private schools to test for radon gas in existing buildings starting with the 2026-2027 school year. If radon levels reach 4 picocuries per liter or higher, schools must install mitigation systems and retest until levels fall below that threshold, with new schools required to use radon-resistant construction. Testing must be done by certified professionals using specific protocols, and results must be shared with school boards, parents, teachers, and health officials. Schools with low radon levels must retest every five years, while those needing mitigation must retest every two years. This law directly affects all Pennsylvania school entities and aims to reduce exposure to radon, a radioactive gas linked to lung cancer.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 23, 2025 Last action Mar 23, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Printer's No. PN0234 Printer's No. PN3055 · 6 edits
MODERATE
This bill version adds comprehensive radon testing and mitigation requirements for Pennsylvania schools, including new funding provisions to help cover testing and remediation costs. The updated version also includes updated sponsor lists and committee reporting information reflecting legislative progress from January 2025 to March 2026.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded to include detailed requirements for radon testing schedules, mitigation standards, reporting protocols, and new funding mechanisms to support school entities in addressing radon concerns.
REQUIREMENT

Added mandatory radon testing schedule requiring initial tests within one year of effective date for existing buildings and within one year of construction for new buildings, with retesting every five years or after major renovations.

Added requirement that new school buildings must use radon-resistant construction techniques according to ANSI-AARST standards.

FISCAL

Added $27 million funding transfer to School Environmental Repairs Program, with $7 million allocated for initial testing reimbursement and $20 million for mitigation system installation reimbursement.

ENFORCEMENT

Added detailed reporting requirements for school entities to communicate test results to governing bodies, parents, teachers' unions, and through public websites and social media.

TIMELINE

Updated legislative timeline from January 2025 introduction to March 2026 committee report, indicating the bill has progressed through the legislative process.

ELIGIBILITY

Updated sponsor list to include Gaydos and remove Hill-Evans, Pielli, Haddock, Freeman, McNeill, Sanchez, Kuzma, Donahue, Schlossberg, Neilson, Ciresi, Fiedler, and Shusterman from the original sponsor list.

Floor votes

How they voted

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
4
Key actions
1
Committee
1
Amendments
1
Mar 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reported as amended
lower
Jan 23, 2025
Committee
Referred to Environmental & Natural Resource Protection
lower
1 primary · 20 co-sponsors

Sponsors