Education

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SR 257: A Resolution designating April 4, 2026, as "School Librarian Day" in Pennsylvania.

This Senate Resolution designates April 4, 2026, as "School Librarian Day" in Pennsylvania to honor school librarians and their contributions to education. The measure recognizes the role librarians play in providing students with access to educational resources and teaching media literacy skills. It highlights the importance of school libraries in fostering reading appreciation and academic success while acknowledging the declining number of librarians in Pennsylvania schools. The resolution serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of the profession rather than enacting new policy requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill honors school librarians and recognizes their vital role in providing educational resources and media literacy, strengthening educational infrastructure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Libraries

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 24, 2026

HB 2285: 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; and, in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for State reimbursement for health services.

This bill updates Pennsylvania's Public School Code to require that every school building attended by students be assigned at least one school nurse, reducing the maximum number of students per nurse from 1,500 to 750. It also adjusts state reimbursement rates for school health services, increasing the per-student funding amount for the 2026-2027 school year and beyond. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Department of Health use up to $3 million in grants to provide feminine hygiene products to students at no cost to school entities, with grant amounts proportional to student enrollment. These changes directly affect school districts, the Department of Health, and students across Pennsylvania's public school system.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill increases school nurse staffing ratios and expands health services funding, directly supporting student well-being and educational access.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill increases school nurse staffing ratios and provides additional funding for health services, directly strengthening healthcare access in schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 23, 2026

HB 2308: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in institutions of higher education, establishing the PA WORKS Scholarship Grant Program and the trade career-incentive tax credit.

This bill creates the PA WORKS Scholarship Grant Program and a trade career-incentive tax credit for Pennsylvania residents pursuing specific skilled trade careers in higher education. The scholarship provides up to $5,000 per academic year to students enrolled in approved courses such as carpentry, welding, plumbing, or electrical work, provided they maintain satisfactory academic progress and have not yet earned a bachelor's degree. Recipients must agree to live and work in Pennsylvania for 36 months in an in-demand occupation after completing their degree, with the scholarship amount prorated based on years of service and requiring repayment if they fail to meet these requirements. Additionally, the bill establishes a tax credit for business firms that hire graduates from these trade programs, though specific credit amounts and eligibility details are not fully detailed in the provided text.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates scholarship program and trade career tax credit, increasing funding for skilled trade education and providing tax incentives for residents pursuing these careers.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates scholarship grants and tax credits for higher education trade programs, expanding educational access and funding for skilled trade careers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Career & Technical Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 2325: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, providing for educator expenses tax credit.

This bill creates a tax credit for Pennsylvania educators who purchase instructional materials or supplies for classroom use. Professional employees in public, charter, cyber, and nonpublic schools can claim a credit equal to the amount they spent on qualifying expenses, up to a maximum of $500 per year. The Department of Revenue will establish rules to determine which expenses qualify and must publish guidelines online while submitting annual reports on program usage. The credit applies to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, and cannot be carried forward, carried back, sold, or assigned.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates tax credit for educators purchasing instructional materials, providing tax relief and supporting public education funding.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates tax credit for educators purchasing instructional materials, directly supporting teachers and enhancing educational resources.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Curriculum School Choice Teachers

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 26, 2025

HB 900: A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, prohibiting the taxation of real property.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to Pennsylvania that would ban all taxes on real property, including land and buildings owned by individuals or businesses. The change would take effect on July 1, 2030, and would apply to taxes imposed by the state government, local municipalities, school districts, or any other political subdivision within the Commonwealth. To become law, the amendment must pass both houses of the General Assembly and then be approved by voters in a statewide election. The bill argues that taxing property violates the inherent right to own and protect property, a principle recognized since Pennsylvania's founding in 1776.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill prohibits all real property taxes, providing significant tax relief and reducing government revenue, which aligns with opposing taxation on this topic.95% confidence ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBanning real property taxation would eliminate a major funding source for school districts, likely reducing education funding and limiting educational access.75% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingEliminating property taxes would reduce funding for affordable housing programs, schools, and municipal services that support housing stability and development.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Development Property Taxes

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 13, 2025

HB 904: An Act providing for school-to-work programs; establishing the CareerBound Program; providing for the CareerBound Tax Credit Program; and conferring powers and imposing duties on the Department of Community and Economic Development and the Department of Labor and Industry.

This bill creates the CareerBound Program to connect Pennsylvania students with high-priority job opportunities through school-to-work partnerships. It establishes a formal framework where schools, local workforce boards, and businesses collaborate to provide career exploration, relevant curriculum, and workplace exposure for students. The legislation also creates a tax credit program to encourage businesses to participate in these partnerships by offering financial incentives for hiring students in high-demand occupations. State agencies including the Department of Labor and Industry and the Department of Community and Economic Development will administer the program and oversee its implementation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes tax credit program to encourage business participation in workforce development, providing fiscal incentives that support economic development and education funding.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes CareerBound Program to connect students with job opportunities, expands career exploration curriculum, and creates tax incentives for business partnerships in education.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates CareerBound Program connecting students to job opportunities and provides tax credits for businesses hiring students, advancing workforce development and employment access.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Career & Technical Education Curriculum Apprenticeships Workforce Development

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 11, 2026

HB 2209: 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, providing for communism and socialism education.

HB 2209 requires all state-funded institutions of higher education in Pennsylvania to implement a mandatory one-credit course on "the dangers and realities of communism and socialism" starting in the 2027-2028 school year. The course must cover specific topics including definitions of capitalism, communism, and socialism; historical examples like China, Cuba, and the Soviet Union; comparisons between free markets and communist systems; and the impact on civil liberties. It applies to all public universities, community colleges, and state-funded private institutions as defined in the bill. The law mandates this curriculum for all students at these institutions, with no exemption for existing courses. The bill takes effect 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationMandates specific curriculum on communism/socialism, restricting academic freedom in higher education courses per bill's mandatory requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Higher Education

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 12, 2026

HB 2217: 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 recess and lunch periods.

HB 2217 requires Pennsylvania public schools to provide specific minimum recess and lunch periods for students. It mandates at least 30 minutes of recess daily for full-day kindergarten through fifth grade, 15 minutes for half-day kindergarten, and 30 consecutive minutes of lunch for all full-day kindergarten through twelfth grade. The bill prohibits withholding lunch for discipline or make-up work, ensures students can opt out of cafeteria lunch for religious reasons, and prevents schools from reducing non-tested subject instruction time to provide recess without balancing with tested subjects. This applies to all school entities (including districts, charter schools, and cyber charters) and takes effect July 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates minimum recess/lunch periods, prohibits disciplinary lunch withholding, and ensures religious opt-outs - enhancing student well-being and school program structure within K-12 operations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 24, 2026

SB 1171: 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.

SB 1171 provides funding for Pennsylvania's four state-related universities (Penn State, Pitt, Temple, and Lincoln) for fiscal year 2026-2027. It requires monthly payments based on estimated costs submitted by each university, mandates detailed expenditure reports to the Secretary of Education and Auditor General, and mandates audits to ensure funds are used only for permitted purposes. The bill specifically restricts University of Pittsburgh funds from supporting environmental law clinics and limits them to instruction, student services, and community outreach. It also establishes recordkeeping requirements and financial reporting standards aligned with state and federal guidelines.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides dedicated funding for state universities (core public services) via appropriations, mandates proper financial reporting, and restricts misuse - aligns with funding essential programs and fiscal responsibility.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides FY2026-2027 funding for Pennsylvania's state-related universities (higher education), mandating proper use through reporting and audits. Restriction on one clinic doesn't negate overall funding support for higher education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending Higher Education

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 25, 2026

HB 2239: An Act amending Title 18 (Crimes and Offenses) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in burglary and other criminal intrusion, further providing for the offense of unlawful use of unmanned aircraft.

HB 2239 prohibits operating drones without written permission on school property, including grounds and aerial space of all school types (public, charter, private, etc.). It creates a new misdemeanor offense punishable by a fine up to $300 for unauthorized drone use near schools, while exempting school security personnel acting in their official duties. The bill specifically targets drone activity that could disrupt school safety or operations, defining "school entity" broadly to cover all educational institutions. This amendment to Pennsylvania's criminal code directly affects drone operators near schools and aims to prevent unauthorized aerial surveillance or intrusion.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill prohibits drone use on school property to protect safety and operations, directly supporting school environment security as part of educational access and operations.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts unauthorized drone use near schools, creating a misdemeanor offense for technology misuse in a safety context.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Emerging Technology

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