Education

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jul 22, 2026

HR 500: A Resolution designating the year of 2026 as the "80th Anniversary Year of the State YMCA of Pennsylvania Youth and Government Program" in Pennsylvania.

This bill designates 2026 as the 80th Anniversary Year of the State YMCA of Pennsylvania Youth and Government Program. The resolution formally recognizes the program's eight-decade history of engaging high school students in hands-on civic education and leadership training. It also commends the organization for its long-standing commitment to developing future leaders and providing financial assistance to participants.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill recognizes a program providing civic education and leadership training to high school students.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

Track

signed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 12, 2026

HB 2413: An Act making appropriations to the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania.

This bill allocates $31.56 million to the University of Pennsylvania for veterinary activities and an additional $1.793 million for its Center for Infectious Diseases during the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The funding is distributed quarterly by the Department of Agriculture and comes with conditions requiring at least four non-elected board members appointed by legislative leaders to have full voting rights on the university's board. The university must also provide financial reports and explain how state funds were used to benefit Pennsylvania residents by September 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $33.35M in state funding to University of Pennsylvania for veterinary and infectious disease programs, directly advancing budget appropriations for public health services.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides $31.56M funding for University of Pennsylvania veterinary activities and $1.793M for infectious diseases center, representing financial support for higher education institutions.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

signed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 12, 2026

HB 2412: An Act providing for funding for State-related universities for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027, for costs basis, for frequency of payments and for recordkeeping requirements; imposing a duty on the Auditor General; providing for financial statements, for the Agricultural College Land Scrip Fund and for restrictions; and making appropriations.

This bill allocates state funding to four Pennsylvania universities - the Pennsylvania State University, University of Pittsburgh, Temple University, and Lincoln University - for the fiscal year 2026-2027. It establishes that payments will be made monthly based on estimated costs submitted by each university, and requires these institutions to maintain detailed records of how funds are spent. The Auditor General is tasked with reviewing expenditure reports, auditing spending against permitted purposes, and recovering any misused funds. Additionally, the bill places specific restrictions on how the University of Pittsburgh may use its appropriation, prohibiting funds for an environmental law clinic and limiting usage to instruction and student-related services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funding to four universities for FY 2026-2027, directly advancing budget appropriations for public education institutions.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates state funding to four Pennsylvania universities for fiscal year 2026-2027, directly supporting higher education institutions.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 9, 2026

HB 2455: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929, in powers and duties of the Department of Public Instruction and its departmental administrative boards and commissions, further providing for collective bargaining.

This bill grants school administrators in Pennsylvania's first-class cities and school districts the right to engage in collective bargaining with their employers. It allows these administrators to negotiate terms regarding pay, working hours, benefits, and dispute resolution through designated representatives. The Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board will handle any disagreements about these bargaining items using the same process applied to other public employees. The changes apply immediately upon the bill's enactment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill grants school administrators collective bargaining rights, enhancing their ability to negotiate pay, benefits, and working conditions, which supports educator welfare.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly grants school administrators the right to collective bargaining, expanding worker rights and protections.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

Track

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jul 9, 2026

HB 2460: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in terms and courses of study, providing for hunting and trapping education; and imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

This bill requires Pennsylvania schools to offer optional hunting and trapping education courses to students in grades six through twelve by July 1, 2027. The program must include firearm safety instruction taught by certified instructors, covering topics like safe handling and maintenance, while strictly prohibiting actual firearms or ammunition from entering school buildings. Parents can request to excuse their children from these classes without penalty, and completing the course satisfies the state's basic hunter-trapper education requirement for obtaining a hunting license.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates new optional courses in K-12 schools, expanding educational offerings and student programs.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

Track

signed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 29, 2026

HB 1877: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in terms and courses of study, providing for Pennsylvania Seal of Biliteracy.

HB 1877 creates a Pennsylvania Seal of Biliteracy to recognize high school students who achieve proficiency in English and another language. The bill requires public school districts to establish a process for awarding this seal to eligible students who meet specific language proficiency standards. It directly affects Pennsylvania public high school students who demonstrate biliteracy skills, providing a formal credential for their language abilities. The key mechanism is the addition of this seal program to the Public School Code, mandating school districts to implement it.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates Pennsylvania Seal of Biliteracy recognizing student language proficiency, enhancing student credentialing and educational access within K-12 curriculum standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 26, 2026

HB 2632: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in educational tax credits, further providing for limitations and providing for termination of authority; providing for education options tax credits; establishing the Accountability for Diverted Tax Dollars Restricted Account; providing for scholarship granting organizations, for application by eligible contributors, for scholarships, for educational improvement programs, for low-achieving schools, for school participation in program and for original jurisdiction; and imposing duties on the Department of Community and Economic Development, the Department of Education, the Department of Revenue, the Auditor General, the Independent Fiscal Office and the State Treasurer.

This Pennsylvania bill establishes a temporary program allowing businesses to receive tax credits for donations to scholarship and educational improvement organizations. The legislation sets specific annual spending limits for these credits, which are available only for fiscal years before 2027-2028, and creates a new restricted account to track the funds. It also defines various terms related to the program, including assessments and business firms, while assigning oversight duties to several state departments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates tax credits for businesses donating to education, providing tax relief and funding educational improvement programs.80% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educational access by creating tax credits for scholarships and educational improvement programs, directly supporting student options and school funding.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

Track

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 25, 2026

HB 2544: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in professional employees, further providing for compensation plans for school administrators.

HB 2544 updates Pennsylvania's Public School Code to establish a formal framework for negotiating compensation and benefits plans for school administrators, including principals and assistant principals. The bill requires school boards to meet with administrators in good faith to create written agreements covering salary schedules, fringe benefits, and performance evaluation processes. These agreements must remain in effect for at least one school year but no longer than five, and they include a nonbinding mediation step for resolving disputes before potential legal appeals. The legislation applies to all public school entities in the state and maintains existing restrictions on strikes while clarifying the definitions of administrative roles and employer responsibilities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes a formal framework for negotiating compensation and benefits for school administrators, enhancing their professional standing and stability.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes a formal framework for negotiating compensation and benefits for school administrators, explicitly supporting collective bargaining and worker rights.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

Track

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 24, 2026

HB 681: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in school health services, further providing for health services, for reports and for interagency coordinating council for child health, nutrition and physical education; and, in terms and courses of study, further providing for physical education.

HB 681 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to update school health services and physical education requirements. It requires school districts to submit annual health reports, establishes an interagency council to coordinate child health, nutrition, and physical education services, and revises physical education curriculum standards. The bill directly affects Pennsylvania public schools and students by mandating new reporting, coordination, and updated physical education guidelines. It passed the legislature on June 11, 2025, and is now referred to the Education committee for further action.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAmends physical education curriculum standards, mandates health reports, and establishes interagency coordination for child health/nutrition - enhancing student wellness and educational programming per bill summary.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Education

Track

passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 23, 2026

HB 538: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking education, prevention and response at institutions of higher education and private licensed schools, further providing for scope of article, for definitions, for education program and for follow-up; and making an editorial change.

HB 538 requires colleges and private licensed schools to implement education, prevention, and response programs addressing sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking for students and staff. It updates the 1949 Public School Code by adding specific definitions, mandating annual training, and requiring follow-up procedures after incidents. The bill expands existing requirements to cover all institutions of higher education, ensuring consistent policies across affected schools. This is a substantive policy change focused on improving safety protocols, not a procedural or commemorative measure.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates educational programs on violence prevention for students/staff in higher education and private schools, requiring annual training and follow-up to strengthen safety education within institutions.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track