This Pennsylvania bill directs the Office of Attorney General to run a public education campaign aimed at increasing consumer understanding of artificial intelligence. The campaign will use various media channels to teach the public how to identify AI-generated content, avoid AI-enabled scams, protect personal data, and recognize potential biases in AI systems. Special attention will be given to vulnerable populations and children, with guidance provided on safe use of chatbots and detection of forged digital likenesses. The Office of Attorney General must submit a report on the campaign's performance within one year of its start, and funding will be provided by the General Assembly as needed.
This bill amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to allow students with asthma or severe allergies to possess and self-administer their prescribed asthma medications (including inhalers) and epinephrine auto-injectors at school. Schools must create written policies requiring students to demonstrate self-administration capability and notify the school nurse after use, while ensuring medications are stored safely and accessible only to authorized students. The bill also permits trained school staff, including bus drivers and crossing guards, to administer epinephrine auto-injectors in emergencies for students experiencing allergic reactions or asthma attacks. These changes aim to improve student safety by ensuring timely access to life-saving medications during school hours.
HB 1045 requires Pennsylvania school nurses and other school staff with direct student contact to complete Department of Health-approved training on seizure recognition and first aid starting in the 2025-2026 school year, with training required every two years thereafter. The bill mandates specific content about identifying seizures, using seizure action plans, and providing basic first aid. It also clarifies that school staff providing seizure-related care are protected from civil liability under existing Good Samaritan laws (42 Pa.C.S. §§ 8332 and 8337.1). This bill directly affects all public school staff in Pennsylvania who work with students and aims to improve emergency response for students with seizure disorders.
SB 375 repeals a requirement that schools provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training for staff every three years. Instead, it mandates that Pennsylvania schools obtain and maintain automated external defibrillators (AEDs) - heart rhythm shock devices - by requiring 2.5% of annual school safety funding to be used for purchasing AEDs and related training. The bill establishes an AED program requiring school staff to complete AED and CPR training through approved organizations like the American Heart Association, and it defines AEDs as portable devices that restore heart rhythm during cardiac arrest. This law directly affects all public and nonpublic schools in Pennsylvania, shifting focus from mandatory staff CPR training to AED availability and use.
This bill repeals the Pennsylvania Medical Education Loan Assistance Program, which previously provided financial incentives to students pursuing medical, nursing, biomedical, and life sciences education. The program allowed eligible students to access loans with favorable terms, including low interest rates and fees, to encourage them to practice medicine or nursing in Pennsylvania, particularly in underserved areas. By removing this legislation, the state will no longer administer this specific loan assistance program for medical education.
HB 1077 establishes the Commission on Children's Vision within Pennsylvania's Department of Education and Department of Health to address children's vision care needs. The commission will develop statewide plans and low-cost programs for vision screenings, follow-up exams, and glasses for students who need them, while coordinating with local vision care providers. It must issue annual reports by December 31 detailing program achievements, trends in unmet vision care needs, and recommendations for improving access. The commission, composed of state education/health officials and 12 vision care professionals, will not receive compensation but will receive administrative support from the departments. This bill directly affects Pennsylvania schoolchildren requiring vision care and the state departments responsible for health and education services.
SB 1014 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code of 1949 to require public schools to adopt a "bell-to-bell phone-free policy" during the entire school day. This policy directly affects all public K-12 schools and students by prohibiting the use of personal electronic devices during instructional time. The key provision mandates that schools establish and enforce this policy, though the bill does not specify exemptions or implementation details. The legislation focuses on reducing distractions in classrooms by limiting student phone access from the start to the end of the school day. It is currently pending in the Education committee.
This bill is a House Resolution that formally recognizes April 2026 as "National Poetry Month" within Pennsylvania. It does not create new laws or change existing policies, but rather serves as an official statement of support for poetry and the literary arts. The resolution acknowledges the cultural and educational value of poetry, noting its role in education and community engagement. Sponsored by multiple legislators, it aims to honor the tradition of celebrating poetry during this designated month.
This resolution designates July 31, 2025, as "Intern Day" in Pennsylvania to recognize the value of internships for students, educational institutions, and employers. It aims to raise awareness about work-based learning opportunities that connect classroom education with workplace skills, aligning with national observances. The bill does not create new laws or funding but symbolically highlights Pennsylvania’s commitment to supporting internships as part of economic development. It directly affects students seeking career experience, career and technical centers, and businesses offering internships.
HB 2218 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to require all school entities (including districts, charter schools, cyber charters, and career schools) to develop and implement a written comprehensive school counseling plan. The bill mandates that each plan, created by certified school counselors, must include annual reviews, K-12 systemic alignment, grade-level and building-specific strategies, and integration with existing student services plans. Key provisions define "direct services" (like individual counseling and classroom instruction) and "indirect services" (such as parent consultations), requiring plans to guide students in academic, career, and social-emotional development. The law establishes specific components for the plan - foundation, management, delivery, and accountability - without specifying funding or new programs.
