SB 698 Pennsylvania Senate · 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, further providing for acquisition of buildings, sites for school buildings and playgrounds, and disposing thereof; and, in charter schools, further providing for provisions applicable to charter schools and for applicability of other provisions of this act and of other acts and regulations.

SB 698 amends the Public School Code of 1949, affecting how school districts acquire and dispose of school buildings and land. It clarifies that school boards can purchase, lease, or otherwise obtain property, and sell or abandon it, without Department of Education approval if no state reimbursement is sought. For real property purchases exceeding $10,000, school boards must determine the fair market value in consultation with two qualified professionals, such as a county assessor or licensed appraiser. All related fair market value documents will be publicly accessible under the Right-to-Know Law and open meetings requirements.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Apr 30, 2025 Last action May 4, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Printer's No. PN0709 → Printer's No. PN1622 · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill update expands the scope of school construction and acquisition rules to include charter schools, ensuring they follow the same property purchase guidelines as traditional districts. It also clarifies how property values are determined and made public, while adding new sections to make specific state laws applicable to charter schools.

Scope change

The bill's applicability was extended from only traditional school districts to include charter schools, and new sections were added to list specific laws that apply to cyber charter schools.

SCOPE

Added provisions requiring charter schools to follow the same rules for acquiring school buildings and real estate as traditional school districts.

Added a new section listing numerous existing state laws that now apply to charter schools, including those regarding safety, scholarships, and anti-hazing.

Added a specific section requiring cyber charter schools to comply with Section 703 regarding property acquisition.

REQUIREMENT

Added a requirement that property purchases by school boards cannot exceed the appraised value, with specific rules for handling multiple appraisals.

Modified the transparency requirement for property valuations to explicitly state that appraised values must be accessible under the Right-to-Know Law.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Amendments

May 4, 2026

Committee

Re-referred to Appropriations

upper

Apr 20, 2026

Upper · Passed

Reported as amended

upper

Apr 30, 2025

Committee

Referred to Education

upper

1 primary · 4 co-sponsors