SB 974 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 miscellaneous provisions relating to institutions of higher education, further providing for Dual Credit Innovation Grant Program.

SB 974 establishes a grant program within Pennsylvania's Department of Education to fund public colleges and community education councils that offer dual credit courses to high school students. The program prioritizes institutions expanding access for underserved groups, including rural students, low-income students, career and technical education participants, and those experiencing education instability. Grants require recipients to report annual data on students earning college credits through these partnerships and their post-graduation college enrollment, with this information made publicly available online. The bill directly affects public higher education institutions, community education councils, and high school students participating in dual credit programs.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Aug 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2026
Senate Passage
Feb 2026
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Aug 25, 2025 Last action Feb 4, 2026
Floor votes · Senate Feb 3, 2026

How they voted

470
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 50
Feb 3, 2026
D Democratic23
21 Yea 2
91% Yea
R Republican27
26 Yea 1
96% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
8
Key actions
3
Committee
5
Feb 4, 2026
Committee
Referred to Education
lower
Feb 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Third consideration and final passage
upper
Feb 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Re-reported as committed
upper
Feb 2, 2026
Committee
Re-referred to Appropriations
upper
Dec 9, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported as committed
upper
Aug 25, 2025
Committee
Referred to Education
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Scott Hutchinson
Scott Hutchinson
RRepublican
PA
21