HB 354 Pennsylvania House · 2025-2026 Regular Session

An Act providing for "What Is Your Pennsylvania Story" guidelines for school entities; and imposing duties on the Department of Education.

HB 354 requires Pennsylvania school entities to implement "What Is Your Pennsylvania Story" guidelines, a program designed to collect and share student and community narratives about Pennsylvania's history and culture. The bill directly affects all public and nonpublic schools, including charter schools, by mandating participation in this storytelling initiative. The Department of Education must develop and enforce these guidelines, including standards for content and submission processes. The bill became law on July 7, 2025, after receiving final approval from the governor.

Issues: ✓ Education

Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2025

Committee Review

Jun 2025

House Passage

Jun 2025

Senate Passage

Jun 2025

Signed into Law

Jul 2025

Introduced Jan 27, 2025 Signed Jul 7, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Printer's No. PN0308 → Printer's No. PN2000 · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to restructure its organization, significantly expand the scope of required educational materials, and accelerate the effective date. The Senate version adds a dedicated 'Short Title' section and redefines the 'What Is Your Pennsylvania Story' concept to explicitly celebrate unique lived experiences. It also broadens the list of required teaching aids to include 'experiences' and clarifies that materials must not impact existing curriculum requirements.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include a specific definition of 'Social Studies' and a new requirement to teach the history of religious freedoms in Pennsylvania, including the voyage of William Penn.

DEFINITION

Added a formal 'Short Title' section and a new definition for 'Social Studies' to clarify the context for the new curriculum materials.

REQUIREMENT

Expanded the list of required educational materials to include specific instruction on the history of religious freedoms in Pennsylvania and the development of the U.S. Constitution.

Broadened the description of teaching aids to explicitly include 'experiences' alongside food, art, and traditions, and added a clause ensuring materials do not impact existing curriculum requirements.

TIMELINE

Changed the effective date from 60 days to 30 days, requiring the Department of Education to act more quickly.

Added an expiration date of June 30, 2027, limiting the duration of the act.

Floor votes · Senate Jun 26, 2025 · House Apr 7, 2025

How they voted

50–0

Passed

Total votes 50

Jun 26, 2025

D Democratic23

23 Yea

100% Yea

R Republican27

27 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

Jul 7, 2025

Signed into law

Approved by the Governor

lower

Jun 30, 2025

Lower · Passed

House concurred in Senate amendments

lower

Jun 30, 2025

Lower · Passed

Re-reported on concurrence, as committed

lower

Jun 30, 2025

Committee

Referred to Rules

lower

Jun 26, 2025

Upper · Passed

Third consideration and final passage

upper

Jun 26, 2025

Upper · Passed

Re-reported as committed

upper

Jun 25, 2025

Committee

Re-referred to Appropriations

upper

Jun 24, 2025

Upper · Passed

Reported as amended

upper

Apr 9, 2025

Committee

Referred to Education

upper

Apr 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Third consideration and final passage

lower

Apr 7, 2025

Lower · Passed

Re-reported as committed

lower

Mar 26, 2025

Committee

Re-committed to Appropriations

lower

Mar 17, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported as committed

lower

Jan 27, 2025

Committee

Referred to Education

lower

1 primary · 19 co-sponsors