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
47–0
Passed · 3 other
Total votes 50
Feb 3, 2026
D
Democratic23
91% Yea
R
Republican27
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
Scott Hutchinson
RRepublican
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