Education (School Choice)

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Aug 26, 2026

SB 1445: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, providing for the Pennsylvania Learning Investment Tax Credit Program.

Pennsylvania SB 1445 establishes the Learning Investment Tax Credit Program, which provides a refundable tax credit of $8,000 per child for qualified education expenses. The program is available to parents or legal guardians with annual incomes up to 300% of the area median gross income who have school-age children not enrolled in public schools. Eligible expenses include private school tuition, textbooks, tutoring, educational software, and standardized test fees. The total amount of credits awarded is capped at $300 million per fiscal year, with a mechanism to increase this cap by 25% if the previous year's usage reaches 90% of the limit.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates a tax credit for private education expenses, expanding educational access and funding options for families not in public schools.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Choice Testing & Assessment

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 10, 2026

HB 2623: 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 tax credits and for limitations, providing for Pennsylvania Learning Investment Tax Credit, for displaced student scholarship program, establishing the Displaced Student Scholarship Fund and providing for compliance with Federal tax credit; and making an editorial change.

This bill modifies Pennsylvania's existing tax credit programs for private school scholarships by increasing the maximum credit percentage for businesses from 75% or 90% to 99% for most contributions. It also establishes a new Pennsylvania Learning Investment Tax Credit and creates a Displaced Student Scholarship Fund to support students who must move due to natural disasters or other emergencies. The legislation raises the annual funding cap for these programs from $590 million to $790 million and adjusts how funds are allocated among different types of scholarship organizations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases tax credit limits and funding caps for education scholarships, directly advancing state budget allocations for educational support programs.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill increases tax credits for private school scholarships and expands funding caps, directly enhancing educational access and financial support for students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits School Choice Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 10, 2026

HB 2602: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in pupils and attendance, further providing for attendance policy at charter, regional charter and cyber charter schools; in charter schools, further providing for cyber charter school requirements and prohibitions and for enrollee wellness checks and providing for child protection and support plan; and imposing penalties.

This bill updates Pennsylvania's Public School Code to establish stricter attendance and safety rules specifically for cyber charter schools. It requires these schools to define clear policies for counting student presence during live online classes and completing weekly assignments for independent study, with penalties including funding withholding or charter revocation for non-compliance. Additionally, the legislation mandates that cyber charter schools implement wellness checks and create child protection plans to ensure student safety. The state education department will also develop standardized forms to help schools submit and approve these new attendance policies by a set deadline.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill strengthens student safety and attendance policies for cyber charter schools, protecting educational access and student welfare.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice School Safety Student Health

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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

Sub-Topics School Choice Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 16, 2026

HB 2634: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in charter schools, further providing for funding for charter schools and for funding for cyber charter schools.

This bill updates Pennsylvania's Public School Code to clarify how state funding is distributed to charter and cyber charter schools. It establishes a specific formula where local school districts must pay charter schools based on the per-student cost of operating the district's own programs, adjusted annually by wage and employment cost indices. The legislation also sets up a process where the state education secretary can deduct unpaid amounts from a district's state funds if the district fails to pay the charter school on time. These changes aim to ensure that charter schools receive consistent and predictable funding from the districts where their students reside.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill clarifies and establishes a specific funding formula for charter schools, ensuring they receive state funds based on per-student costs.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill clarifies and establishes a funding formula for charter and cyber charter schools, ensuring financial resources for educational access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice School Funding

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 6, 2026

HB 2491: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in pupils and attendance, further providing for when provided relating to transportation of pupils and for kinds of transportation and liability insurance; and, in charter schools, further providing for transportation.

HB 2491 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to update rules regarding student transportation for public and charter schools. The bill clarifies that school districts must provide free transportation to charter school students within ten miles, mirroring the terms used for public school students, while also allowing districts to use public transit for certain routes. Additionally, the legislation restricts the use of common carriers like buses for transporting kindergarten through sixth-grade students and outlines specific conditions under which walking is permitted instead of providing a ride.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands transportation access for charter school students, ensuring they receive free transport within ten miles, mirroring public school benefits and enhancing educational access.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill expands free transportation access for charter school students and clarifies district obligations, strengthening student mobility.85% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Choice School Transportation Public Transit

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate May 7, 2026

SB 1325: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in pupils and attendance, further providing for when provided and for kinds of transportation and liability insurance; and, in charter schools, further providing for transportation.

This bill amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to clarify rules for student transportation and liability insurance, primarily affecting school districts and charter schools. It allows districts to provide free transportation for students attending nonpublic schools and field trips, extending the ten-mile limit for area career and technical schools. The legislation also specifies that students in kindergarten through eighth grade cannot be transported via common carriers and establishes insurance requirements for private vehicles used in school transport. Additionally, it mandates that charter schools within ten miles of a student's residence receive the same free transportation as public schools, with specific distance exceptions for elementary and secondary students.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill clarifies transportation rules and expands access for nonpublic school students and field trips, enhancing educational logistics.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill clarifies and expands student transportation rules, extending limits for career schools and allowing free transport for nonpublic school students.85% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Choice School Transportation

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 14, 2026

HB 2375: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in charter schools, further providing for definitions, for charter school requirements, for establishment of charter school, for causes for nonrenewal or termination, for powers and duties of department, for cyber charter school requirements and prohibitions and for establishment of cyber charter school; and, in the State Board of Education, further providing for powers and duties of the board.

This Pennsylvania bill updates the Public School Code to strictly limit the use of artificial intelligence in charter and cyber charter schools. It defines artificial intelligence as machine-based systems that make predictions or decisions and prohibits these schools from using AI to replace human teachers for direct instruction. The law requires local school boards and the state Department of Education to reject applications from schools relying on such models and allows for the nonrenewal or immediate termination of charters that adopt them. Additionally, the bill clarifies the powers and duties of the State Board of Education regarding charter school oversight.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill restricts AI use in charter schools, limiting instructional tools and potentially hindering educational innovation and access.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts AI use in schools and prohibits replacing human teachers with AI, limiting the application of this technology in education.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Artificial Intelligence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 6, 2026

HB 2358: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in charter schools, further providing for funding for cyber charter schools.

This bill updates Pennsylvania's Public School Code to clarify funding rules for cyber charter schools. It mandates that these schools cannot charge tuition to students who live in or outside the state, with one specific exception. Under this exception, a local school district does not have to pay the tuition for its own students if those students attend an outside cyber charter school instead of the district's own online program. To qualify for this exemption, the district's online program must meet specific standards set by the state department, such as offering in-person orientation, verifying residency, tracking attendance, providing technical support, and assigning case managers for special education needs. The changes will become effective 60 days after the bill is passed.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill clarifies funding rules for cyber charter schools and mandates tuition-free access, expanding educational options and support for students.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates free tuition for cyber charter schools, expanding access to online education and digital learning resources.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Choice Special Education

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 22, 2026

HR 489: A Resolution designating May 17, 2026, as the "25th Anniversary of the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program Day" in Pennsylvania.

This bill designates May 17, 2026, as the "25th Anniversary of the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program Day" in Pennsylvania. The resolution recognizes the program, which allows businesses to receive tax credits for donations to scholarship organizations that fund tuition for students in public and private schools. By formally acknowledging the program's 25-year history, the bill highlights its role in providing educational options for families across the state without changing any existing laws or policies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill designates a day honoring a tax credit program that provides tax relief for businesses and supports educational options, aligning with fiscal incentives.75% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill recognizes a program expanding educational access via tax credits for scholarships, indicating support for diverse schooling options.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Higher Education School Choice Student Financial Aid

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