Education

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 2199: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in student supports, providing for policy against gender-based bullying.

HB 2199 requires Pennsylvania public schools to adopt or update anti-bullying policies specifically addressing gender-based bullying starting in the 2026-2027 school year. The policy must prohibit bullying based on a student's actual or perceived sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, and include specific protections for transgender and nonbinary students during gender transitions. Schools must incorporate the policy into student conduct codes, distribute it in handbooks and classrooms, post it prominently, and review it annually with students. The bill also mandates that schools report bullying prevention efforts to the Department of Education annually. This directly affects all Pennsylvania public school students, particularly LGBTQ+ youth, by requiring schools to address gender-based bullying through defined policies and support systems.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates anti-bullying policies protecting transgender/nonbinary students in schools, enhancing student safety and inclusivity under education policy requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 9, 2026

HB 2206: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in school safety and security, providing for purchase of firearm detection technology.

HB 2206 allows Pennsylvania public schools (and likely private/parochial schools under the Public School Code) to purchase firearm detection technology with state approval. The bill requires this technology to automatically monitor school cameras/drones for firearms, instantly alert staff or first responders upon detection, meet federal anti-terrorism tech standards, and be U.S.-developed without third-party data. Schools must manage the system through a vendor-operated center staffed by trained analysts who monitor feeds continuously. This policy change directly enables schools to implement specific security measures, effective 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enables school safety tech (included in education policy) to protect students, enhancing the learning environment.80% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 13, 2026

SB 1188: 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.

SB 1188 amends Pennsylvania's 1929 Administrative Code to grant collective bargaining rights to school administrators employed by cities of the first class or school districts of the first class A. It allows these administrators to negotiate terms like pay, hours, working conditions, retirement, and benefits through labor organizations representing at least 50% of their peers. Disputes over these terms will be resolved by the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board using procedures similar to the Public Employers Relations Act. This bill directly affects school administrators in specific large cities and school districts, expanding their formal negotiation rights under state law.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationGrants collective bargaining rights to school administrators, supporting their negotiation of pay, conditions, and benefits, thereby strengthening the educational workforce.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly grants collective bargaining rights to school administrators, enabling negotiation of pay, hours, benefits, and working conditions through labor organizations, directly advancing worker organizing rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Feb 24, 2026

SB 1172: An Act making appropriations to the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania.

SB 1172 provides $31.56 million for the University of Pennsylvania's veterinary activities and $1.793 million for its Center for Infectious Diseases for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The bill requires the university to maintain specific board composition (with four non-elected members appointed by legislative leaders) and report quarterly on fund usage. It mandates detailed financial reporting to the Department of Agriculture and Appropriations Committees, including how funds reduced costs for Pennsylvania resident students or provided services to Pennsylvania residents. These provisions ensure accountability for state-funded programs at the University of Pennsylvania.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $33.35M in state appropriations to university programs, directly funding public services through budgetary means.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $33.353M for University of Pennsylvania's veterinary and infectious disease centers, directly funding higher education activities as defined in the topic.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds University of Pennsylvania's Center for Infectious Diseases ($1.793M), directly advancing public health programs under healthcare topic.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 26, 2026

HB 2253: An Act requiring school life support coaches in Pennsylvania high schools; and imposing duties on the Department of Education and school districts.

HB 2253 requires Pennsylvania public high schools to hire school life support coaches to provide daily nonclinical emotional support to students. High-need schools (defined by factors like poverty rates, attendance issues, or dropout risk) must employ one coach for every 300 students, while other schools must have one for every 500 students. Coaches must hold specific educational qualifications (e.g., bachelor's degree with two years of experience), complete training in trauma-informed care and crisis response, and focus on mentorship and resource connection without providing therapy or diagnosis. The Department of Education will guide districts on equitable compensation, and coaches must refer students needing clinical services to licensed staff.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates hiring school life support coaches in high schools to provide emotional support, enhancing student mental health services and addressing school needs through specified student-to-coach ratios.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates school life support coaches providing daily nonclinical emotional support with trauma-informed care training, directly advancing mental health services in schools as part of healthcare.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

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passed · Pennsylvania · House May 1, 2026

HB 2218: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, providing for comprehensive school counseling services.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates comprehensive school counseling plans for all schools, requiring certified counselors to create aligned, systematic plans, thus strengthening student support services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 26, 2026

HB 2250: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in grounds and buildings, further providing for referendum or public hearing required prior to construction or lease.

HB 2250 requires Pennsylvania school districts (second, third, and fourth class) to obtain voter approval via referendum or hold a public hearing before constructing new schools or making substantial additions to existing buildings. It sets specific cost thresholds based on student capacity: $2,800 per elementary student, $4,200 for middle school students, and $5,200 for high school students. If a project exceeds initial cost estimates by 8% or surpasses these per-pupil limits, a second public hearing is mandated before final state approval. This bill directly affects school districts by adding procedural steps for major construction decisions, ensuring community input before significant spending.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationBill imposes voter approval requirements for school construction, restricting districts' ability to fund infrastructure projects without public consent, limiting spending flexibility.85% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 20, 2026

HB 2149: An Act establishing the Executive Functioning and Study Skills Grant Program for public school entities and the Executive Functioning and Study Skills Fund.

HB 2149 establishes a grant program to help Pennsylvania public schools teach students in grades 6-12 executive functioning and study skills, such as time management, stress reduction, and note-taking. The Pennsylvania Department of Education will administer annual grants for schools to implement evidence-based programs during or after school hours, focusing on skills like goal setting, organization, and memory techniques. Schools must apply yearly by December 15 with detailed plans on fund usage, and grants must supplement - never replace - existing school budgets. The Department will review applications, disburse funds, and monitor compliance to ensure proper use of resources.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funds via annual grants to public schools for executive functioning programs, increasing public education spending.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes grant program for executive functioning/study skills in grades 6-12, providing state funding for evidence-based student program implementation.95% confidence

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 2168: An Act amending the act of December 19, 1990 (P.L.1372, No.212), known as the Early Intervention Services System Act, in Statewide system for provision of early intervention services, further providing for administration by Department of Education.

HB 2168 amends Pennsylvania's Early Intervention Services System Act to clarify how state funds support early intervention services for children in private special education schools. It specifies that for children not eligible for public kindergarten programs, the state covers the full cost of their services, while for children eligible for public kindergarten, the state covers only the extra cost (above what public schools would pay). This change ensures funding aligns with each child's eligibility for public school services. The bill directly affects children receiving early intervention services and the Department of Education's budgeting for these programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationClarifies state funding for early intervention services in private special ed schools, ensuring full/partial coverage based on eligibility to strengthen educational access for children.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill clarifies state funding for early intervention healthcare services, ensuring full coverage for ineligible children and partial coverage for eligible ones, strengthening access to medical support for children.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood K-12 Education Special Education

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jan 20, 2026

SB 1141: An Act amending Titles 24 (Education) and 71 (State Government) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in membership, contributions and benefits, further providing for creditable nonschool service; and, in membership, credited service, classes of service, and eligibility for benefits, further providing for creditable nonstate service.

SB 1141 increases the maximum amount of military service that counts toward retirement benefits from 5 to 10 years for state government employees (under Title 71) and education employees (under Title 24) in Pennsylvania. The bill amends retirement laws to allow this change while ensuring employees with multiple retirement systems (e.g., both state and education systems) cannot count more than 10 total years of military service across both. It specifically affects members of the State Employees' Retirement System and the Public School Employees' Retirement System. The amendment becomes effective 60 days after enactment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAmends retirement benefits for education employees (Title 24), increasing military service credit to 10 years, directly supporting educator compensation and benefits.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands retirement benefits for state/education employees by increasing creditable military service from 5 to 10 years, directly enhancing worker benefits under employment standards.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransIncreases military service credit from 5 to 10 years for retirement benefits, expanding veterans' retirement benefits under state employee systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Education

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