Education

passed · Pennsylvania · House May 1, 2026

HB 830: 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, further providing for policy relating to bullying.

This bill requires Pennsylvania public schools to adopt or update a bullying policy that includes clear disciplinary consequences for bullying incidents and designates a staff member to handle reports. Schools must notify parents within five days of a bullying or cyberbullying incident while following federal privacy laws. The policy may also include prevention and intervention programs, and the bill clarifies that bullying involves repeated, severe acts in a school setting that disrupt education or create a threatening environment. Cyberbullying is specifically defined as bullying occurring via electronic devices during school hours.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates stronger bullying policies with disciplinary consequences and parent notification in public schools, directly enhancing student safety and educational access per topic description.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 10, 2025

SB 930: 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, further providing for definitions; in school safety and security, further providing for definitions, for School Safety and Security Committee, for school safety and security assessment providers, for School Safety and Security Grant Program, for school safety and security coordinator, for school safety and security training and for reporting and memorandum of understanding; in school security, further providing for training, for school resource officers, for school security guards and for duties of commission; in Safe2Say Program, further providing for intent, for definitions, for Safe2Say Program and for annual report; in threat assessment, further providing for definitions, for threat assessment teams and for threat assessment guidelines, training and information materials; and making editorial changes.

SB 930 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to strengthen school safety and security systems. It establishes a School Safety and Security Committee, requires schools to appoint coordinators for safety planning, and mandates annual training for staff on topics like cyber safety, active shooter drills, and mental health awareness. The bill creates a grant program funding mental health services and cyber security measures (e.g., preventing data breaches), with funds restricted to these purposes. Schools must report safety meeting attendance and security personnel details annually, starting in 2026, to their boards of directors. These changes directly affect public school districts, charter schools, and their administrators.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates School Safety Grant Program funding mental health and cyber security services, allocating state funds for public safety programs.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates grant program for mental health/cybersecurity services and mandates safety training, strengthening school safety infrastructure under education framework.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates grant program funding mental health services and mental health awareness training in schools, directly advancing healthcare access through school-based mental health initiatives.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates cyber safety training and funds cybersecurity measures (e.g., preventing data breaches) to protect student data within school systems.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health Testing & Assessment

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 16, 2025

HB 130: A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, further providing for the maintenance and support of public education.

HB 130 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring Pennsylvania to fund public education by allocating state resources directly to individual students, allowing them to attend schools that meet their needs. This would shift funding from the current district-based system to a per-student allocation model, mandating that education spending follow students to their chosen schools. The amendment also requires the state to maintain a thorough and efficient public education system. It would directly affect all public school students and the state's education funding structure.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates per-student education funding allocation, requiring direct state resource commitment to maintain public education system.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProposes per-student funding allocation to expand educational access and maintain a thorough, efficient public education system per constitutional amendment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice School Funding

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 21, 2025

SB 496: 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 school participation in program.

SB 496 requires nonpublic schools participating in Pennsylvania's educational tax credit program to adopt a written policy prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation. This change directly affects private and parochial schools that receive tax credits through the state's program. The bill amends the Public School Code by adding this specific nondiscrimination requirement as a condition for school participation. It does not alter tax credit amounts or other program eligibility criteria.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires nondiscrimination policies in tax credit schools, promoting inclusive educational access for LGBTQ+ students under state-funded program conditions.92% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 18, 2025

SB 33: 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.

This bill requires all Pennsylvania public schools (including school districts, charter schools, and cyber charters) to develop written comprehensive school counseling plans. Each plan must ensure 80% of a school counselor's time is spent on direct student services (like individual counseling, classroom instruction) or indirect services (like parent consultations), with annual reviews and grade-level planning. The plans must address academic, career, and social-emotional needs for all students, including those with special needs, and align with state guidance. School counselors must hold valid Pennsylvania certification to implement these requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates comprehensive counseling plans requiring 80% counselor time on direct student services to address academic/career/social-emotional needs, enhancing student support programs.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates school counseling plans addressing social-emotional needs, directly supporting mental health services in schools as part of healthcare policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

Track

passed · Pennsylvania · House May 12, 2025

HB 265: An Act amending the act of December 5, 1936 (2nd Sp.Sess., 1937 P.L.2897, No.1), known as the Unemployment Compensation Law, in compensation, further providing for benefits based on service for educational institutions.

HB 265 amends Pennsylvania's unemployment compensation law to change eligibility rules for workers at educational institutions, such as teachers or staff employed on a term-by-term basis. It removes a prior requirement that these workers must prove they would not return to the same institution for the next academic term to receive benefits during breaks between terms. This change applies to service performed after the bill's effective date and aligns with federal guidelines (26 U.S.C. § 3304(a)(6)). The bill directly affects temporary and part-time employees in schools and colleges who experience academic breaks.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves barriers for educational staff to access unemployment benefits, supporting educator welfare and aligning with federal guidelines.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRemoves requirement preventing term-based educational workers from accessing unemployment benefits, expanding eligibility per federal guidelines (26 U.S.C. § 3304(a).95% confidence

Sub-Topics Unemployment

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 6, 2025

HB 827: 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 Cross-age Tutoring Program.

HB 827 creates a state-mandated Cross-age Tutoring Program within Pennsylvania's public schools. It requires the Department of Education to publish evidence-based guidelines enabling 11th and 12th grade students (under teacher supervision) to volunteer as tutors for younger students. The program must include tutor qualifications, tutee eligibility, academic credits for tutors, training, and session structure, while ensuring tutoring supplements - rather than replaces - existing instructional services. This directly affects all Pennsylvania public school entities (districts, charter schools, etc.) and students in grades 11-12 who participate as tutors or receive tutoring.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationHB 827 mandates a state-supported cross-age tutoring program in public schools, providing academic credits for tutors and evidence-based guidelines to enhance student learning opportunities without replacing existing instruction.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Teachers

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 17, 2025

SB 934: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in cyber charter schools, further providing for enrollment and notification.

SB 934 requires cyber charter schools and parents to notify a student's school district of residence within 10 days of enrollment and provide proof of residency by November 1 and March 1 each school year using a standardized form. If a school district disputes residency, the department must review the case within 15 days, and cyber charter schools must return funds to the district if a student is confirmed not to reside there. Homeless students are exempt from providing home address information under federal guidelines. This bill directly affects cyber charter schools, parents, and school districts in Pennsylvania by clarifying enrollment rules and dispute resolution processes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill ensures proper allocation of education funds by requiring cyber charter schools to verify student residency and return funds if residency is disputed, protecting district funding integrity.92% confidence

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 22, 2025

HB 256: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, in inheritance tax, further providing for transfers not subject to tax.

HB 256 exempts transfers of funds from qualified tuition programs (like 529 college savings plans) from Pennsylvania's inheritance tax when moved to the designated beneficiary or their parent/guardian if the beneficiary is under 18. It uses federal definitions from the Internal Revenue Code (Section 529) to define "qualified tuition program" and "designated beneficiary." The change applies to estates of people who died after November 6, 2023. This policy directly affects families using these education savings programs by removing an inheritance tax burden on transferred funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts 529 plan transfers from inheritance tax, reducing tax burden on families saving for education, aligning with tax relief for middle-income households.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExempts 529 college savings transfers from inheritance tax, enhancing access to higher education funding and reducing financial barriers for families.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

Track

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Mar 19, 2025

HR 138: A Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study on the state of civic education in Pennsylvania and develop recommendations on cost-efficient, feasible steps that the Commonwealth can adopt to increase the accessibility and quality of civic education opportunities for students.

This resolution (HR 138) orders Pennsylvania’s Joint State Government Commission to study civic education in the state and develop cost-effective recommendations to improve it. It directly affects Pennsylvania students and schools by requiring an analysis of current civics assessments (under Act 35 of 2018), comparisons with high-performing states, and strategies to strengthen civic education across three pillars: knowledge, skills, and action. The study must include evaluations of existing assessment methods, successful models from other states, and approaches to boost student engagement, with a report due within 18 months. The resolution does not change laws but aims to inform future policy based on evidence.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates study to develop recommendations improving civic education quality/access, directly aligning with support indicators for enhancing student programs and educational access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Testing & Assessment

Track