Education (Higher Education)

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 11, 2025

SB 733: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in higher education accountability and transparency, further providing for exit counseling.

SB 733 requires Pennsylvania colleges and universities to provide mandatory financial aid exit counseling to students during their final academic term, unless they opt out. It specifically mandates that institutions attempt to contact students who transfer or withdraw without notice, mailing counseling materials to their last known address if direct contact fails. The bill directly affects undergraduate students leaving Pennsylvania higher education institutions, focusing on transparency around student loan repayment obligations. This amendment to the Public School Code updates accountability measures for student financial guidance upon enrollment departure.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates financial aid exit counseling for transparency, strengthening student accountability and preventing debt issues upon leaving higher education institutions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jul 23, 2025

SB 951: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in community colleges, further providing for definitions and for financial program and reimbursement of payments.

SB 951 modifies Pennsylvania's community college funding formula to prioritize enrollment in first responder training programs. It adds a new allocation method that counts students in credit first responder programs at 1.5 times their enrollment and noncredit programs at full value, distributing additional funds based on weighted enrollment across all colleges. This directly affects community colleges offering these programs and their students, as funding levels will depend on how many enroll in first responder training (both credit and noncredit courses). The bill changes how existing state funds are distributed rather than creating new funding, with the new formula applying starting in the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesModifies funding formula to prioritize first responder programs via weighted enrollment (1.5x credit), increasing state allocations for these programs within community college budgets.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill modifies community college funding to prioritize first responder training programs, increasing financial support for these educational offerings through weighted enrollment allocations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Funding

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 3, 2025

SB 91: An Act amending the act of December 16, 1998 (P.L.980, No.129), known as the Police Officer, Firefighter, Correction Employee and National Guard Member Child Beneficiary Education Act, further providing for definitions and for Postsecondary Educational Gratuity Program; and repealing provisions relating to retroactivity.

SB 91 amends Pennsylvania's law providing tuition waivers for children of public safety personnel who die in the line of duty. It updates definitions to include rescue squad and ambulance service members as firefighters and clarifies residency requirements for out-of-state police officers. The bill adjusts the retroactive date for the educational benefit to January 1, 2004, making it available for children of those killed since that date, and prohibits institutions from reimbursing tuition or fees paid between 2004 and the bill's effective date. The legislation repeals the previous retroactivity section and removes historical findings from the law.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAmends tuition waiver program for children of public safety personnel, expanding eligibility and access to higher education benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Aug 15, 2025

SB 969: An Act amending Title 24 (Education) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, establishing the Educational Freedom for Families Program and the Teacher Excellence Incentive Fund; and imposing duties on the Department of Education and the State Treasurer.

SB 969 establishes Pennsylvania's "Educational Freedom for Families Program," providing state-funded education savings accounts for eligible students in the state's lowest-performing schools. The bill directly affects families with children in public schools ranked in the bottom 15% academically, allowing them to use funds for private school tuition, tutoring, homeschooling materials, or online programs. Key mechanisms include annual state appropriations matching per-pupil funding, portable accounts that follow students regardless of school choice, and strict oversight to prevent misuse. Additionally, the bill creates a "Teacher Excellence Incentive Fund" using reclaimed funds to award performance-based bonuses to educators based on measurable improvements in student test scores and graduation rates.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state appropriations for education savings accounts, increasing public funding for education programs through new budgetary commitments.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides state-funded education savings accounts for students in lowest-performing schools, expanding access to private school tuition, tutoring, and online programs.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education School Choice School Funding

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jun 25, 2025

HB 1662: An Act amending the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as The Fiscal Code, providing for tax credit for Pennsylvania child learning investment.

HB 1662 would create a new tax credit under Pennsylvania's Fiscal Code for families who pay for early childhood education or learning materials for their children. Eligible taxpayers could reduce their state income tax bill by the amount spent on qualifying expenses, such as preschool tuition or educational supplies. The bill specifically targets child learning investments to offset costs for early education resources. It is currently referred to the House Finance Committee for further review.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit reducing state income tax for early education expenses, providing relief for families per Fiscal Code amendment.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates tax credit for early childhood education expenses, increasing access to learning resources and reducing costs for families.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Early Childhood Higher Education

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Aug 13, 2025

HB 1799: An Act amending the act of April 3, 1992 (P.L.28, No.11), known as the Tuition Account Programs and College Savings Bond Act, in tuition account programs, further providing for declaration of policy, for definitions, for Tuition Account Programs Bureau, for powers of department, for Tuition Account Guaranteed Savings Program, for Tuition Account Investment Program, for general provisions governing both tuition account programs and for Federal taxation; establishing the Keystone Scholars Grant Program and the Keystone Scholars Grant Program Account; and making a repeal.

HB 1799 amends Pennsylvania's 1992 Tuition Account Programs law to create the Keystone Scholars Grant Program, which provides financial assistance to students attending eligible postsecondary institutions. It establishes a dedicated Keystone Scholars Grant Program Account to fund this new scholarship initiative, directly affecting students and families participating in tuition savings programs. The bill updates existing program definitions, governance structures, and federal tax provisions while adding this new grant option to support educational access. This change expands the state's existing tuition savings framework without altering current program requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates Keystone Scholars Grant Program with dedicated funding account, allocating state budget resources for student scholarships, thus advancing educational funding within fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates Keystone Scholars Grant Program providing financial aid for postsecondary students, expanding educational access through dedicated funding for higher education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Financial Aid

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signed · Pennsylvania · Senate Nov 12, 2025

SB 315: An act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An act relating to the public school system, including certain provisions applicable as well to private and parochial schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the laws relating thereto," in preliminary provisions, further providing for Special Education Funding Commission and for minimum number of days or hours; in duties and powers of boards of school directors, providing for admission fees for school-sponsored activities; in intermediate units, further providing for staff; in certification of teachers, further providing for certificates qualifying persons to teach and for instructional certificate grade spans and age levels and duties of department, providing for instructional certificate grade spans and age levels and for State certificate fee reduction, further providing for standard employment application, for career and technical instructional certificate, for program of continuing professional and paraprofessional education and for postbaccalaureate certification, providing for assessment of basic skills, further providing for professional educator discipline fee and providing for career and technical administrative director certification flexibility; in pupils and attendance, further providing for attendance policy at charter, regional charter and cyber charter schools, for procedure when child is truant, for procedure by school when child habitually truant, for procedure upon filing of citation, for penalties for violating compulsory school attendance requirements and for study of truancy procedure, providing for department supports to prevent truancy and further providing for reports to Superintendent of Public Instruction and for exceptional children and education and training; 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 and for school safety and security training, providing for school safety and mental health grants for 2025-2026 school year and further providing 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; in Drug and Alcohol Recovery High School Program, further providing for scope of program and selection of students and for enrollment of students; in evidence-based reading instruction, further providing for definitions and providing for school entity duties related to evidence-based reading instruction, for school entity duties related to reading screening, for reading deficiency identification and parental notification, for reading intervention plans, for grant program, for funding, for reporting, for accountability and for construction; in high schools, further providing for attendance in other districts and providing for Free Application for Federal Student Aid; in interscholastic athletics accountability, further providing for council recommendations and standards; in charter schools, further providing for funding for cyber charter schools, for enrollment and notification and for enrollee wellness checks; in career and technical education, further providing for capital reserve fund for approved purchases of equipment and facility maintenance, for career and technical education equipment grants, for Cosmetology Training through Career and Technical Center Pilot Program and for Barber Training through Career and Technical Center Pilot Program; providing for Nursing Shortage Assistance Program; in community colleges, further providing for financial program and reimbursement of payments; in the State System of Higher Education, further providing for definitions and for Grow Pennsylvania Merit Scholarship Program; in educational tax credits, further providing for limitations; in higher education accountability and transparency, further providing for exit counseling; in miscellaneous provisions relating to institutions of higher education, repealing provisions relating to State-related university performance-based funding model, further providing for prohibition on scholarship displacement at public institutions of higher education and providing for cooperation and for State scholarship renewals; in institutions of higher education, further providing for powers and duties of State Board of Higher Education, for definitions, for Performance-based Funding Council and for public institution of higher education reporting, providing for State-related University Performance Fund, for performance-based funding formula and for public accountability and further providing for agency duties, for grant priority and for report; in Ready-to-Succeed Scholarship, further providing for agency; in funding for public libraries, providing for State aid for fiscal year 2025-2026; in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for student-weighted basic education funding beginning with 2023-2024 school year, for extraordinary special education program expenses, for assistance to school districts declared to be in financial recovery status or identified for financial watch status and for Ready-to-Learn Block Grant; in construction and renovation of buildings by school entities, further providing for applicability; abrogating regulations; and making an editorial change.

SB 315 amends Pennsylvania's 1949 education code to update school funding, safety, and instructional requirements. It establishes new school safety grants, updates teacher certification standards, and strengthens truancy prevention measures for all public and charter schools. The bill adds funding for career and technical education equipment, expands mental health support through school safety programs, and modifies higher education scholarship rules. As Act No. 47 of 2025, it became law on November 12, 2025, affecting students, teachers, school districts, and higher education institutions statewide.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds for school safety grants, career education equipment, higher education scholarships, and library aid, increasing public education spending without tax changes.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAdds school safety grants, updates teacher certification, funds career tech equipment, expands mental health support, and modifies higher education scholarships to strengthen education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education School Funding

passed · Pennsylvania · House Apr 11, 2025

HB 819: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in certification of teachers, further providing for continuing professional development; providing for access to rigorous courses of study for all students; establishing the Access to Rigorous Courses of Study for All Students Grant Program; and imposing duties on the Department of Education.

HB 819 amends Pennsylvania's teacher certification rules to require expanded professional development options, including manufacturing workplace visits and coaching for advanced courses. It establishes a grant program to help schools that lack access to rigorous courses - such as AP, IB, dual enrollment, or career-focused programs - by funding educator training and course offerings. The law mandates school entities to provide these courses and sets benchmarks for eligibility, with the Department of Education overseeing implementation. This directly affects teachers (through updated certification requirements) and schools struggling to offer college-level coursework.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes grant program for rigorous courses (AP/IB/dual enrollment) and mandates teacher training, directly expanding educational access and supporting educators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Teachers

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 3, 2025

SB 170: An Act providing for funding for certain State-aided universities for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, and ending June 30, 2026, 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 170 provides funding for five Pennsylvania state-aided universities (Penn State, University of Pittsburgh, Temple, Lincoln, and the University of Pennsylvania) for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It requires monthly payments based on estimated costs, mandates detailed expenditure reports to the state, and gives the Auditor General authority to review spending and disallow improper uses. Specific restrictions include banning University of Pittsburgh funds for environmental law clinic costs and requiring University of Pennsylvania to maintain certain board appointment conditions. The bill also sets financial reporting standards and allocates specific sums, such as $242 million for Penn State's general support.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates state funding to public universities for 2025-2026 fiscal year with spending oversight, directly advancing public education budget priorities.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides direct funding to five PA universities for 2025-2026 fiscal year with reporting requirements, aligning with education funding support indicators per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending Higher Education

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 21, 2025

HB 1472: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in higher education accountability and transparency, providing for economic and workforce impact review by State-related universities; and imposing duties of the Department of Labor and Industry.

HB 1472 requires Pennsylvania's State-related universities (Penn State, Pitt, Temple, Lincoln, and their branch campuses) to conduct independent economic and workforce impact studies before closing any campus. The studies must assess harm to local communities and ensure students have reasonable, affordable education alternatives. Results must be shared with state legislative committees, the Department of Labor and Industry, affected local governments, and legislators representing the campus area. Compliance with this review process is required for universities to receive state funding.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates economic impact studies before campus closures, ensuring student access to affordable alternatives and protecting educational continuity at state universities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

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