SB 378 establishes new student data privacy rules for Pennsylvania's K-12 schools (excluding colleges). It requires schools to collect only essential student data (like grades or medical records), protect all data with safeguards, and obtain written parental consent for sharing non-essential information. The law defines key terms like "biometric identifiers" (e.g., fingerprints) and prohibits collecting sensitive data such as political views or religious information without authorization. The Department of Education gains enforcement powers to ensure compliance and impose penalties for violations. This directly affects public schools, charter schools, and cyber schools operating under Pennsylvania's education statutes.
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.
SB 759 requires all Pennsylvania public school buildings to install certified point-of-use filters on drinking water outlets by January 1, 2027, replacing older fountains without lead-reducing filters at a rate of at least one per 100 students/staff. It creates the Safe Schools Drinking Water Fund, providing up to $10 million annually for three years to help schools cover installation and replacement costs, with priority for pre-2014 buildings and those serving prekindergarten students. Schools must maintain filter schedules, post lead-risk information online, and report progress to state agencies, while new outlets must meet strict lead-leaching standards. The bill directly affects all public K-12 school entities in Pennsylvania, aiming to reduce lead exposure in drinking water.
HB 1265 revises Pennsylvania's teacher certification rules under the Public School Code, effective after December 31, 2027. It establishes four new certificate types with defined grade spans: Early Childhood (pre-K to grade 3), Elementary/Middle (K-8 with subject limits in upper grades), Middle/Secondary (grades 6-12), and Specialized Areas (pre-K to grade 12). Existing certificates remain valid, and current teacher preparation program students enrolled before December 31, 2025, may complete under prior rules. The bill directly affects public school teachers, certification programs, and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
HB 683 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to set specific student-to-teacher ratio limits for public school classes. It requires superintendents to maintain ratios of 24:1 (max 29 students) in kindergarten, 24:1 (max 30 students) in grades 1-3, 25:1 (max 35 students) in grades 4-6, and 24:1 (max 35 students) in grades 7-12. If ratios exceed these limits, superintendents must notify parents within 10 days and submit a reduction plan to the Department of Education within 30 days. The bill directly affects Pennsylvania public school districts and their superintendents, with exemptions for specialized classes like music or physical education.
HB 228 requires Pennsylvania's State Board of Education to review all academic standards every three years to ensure they are age-appropriate, industry-specific, academically challenging, and aligned with job market needs. The bill mandates the board to submit detailed reports to education committee leaders in both legislative chambers, including updates to standards, reasons for changes, stakeholder involvement, and implementation timelines. It clarifies the State Board's relationship with the Department of Education and updates membership rules for education councils. This bill directly affects public school curriculum development and accountability processes across Pennsylvania's K-12 system.
HB 356 requires Pennsylvania public and private schools serving grades 6-12 to provide annual, evidence-based training on youth suicide awareness and prevention (at least one hour per school year), along with violence prevention training (also one hour annually). For grades K-12, schools must also offer social inclusion training (one hour yearly) focused on identifying social isolation and building peer connections. The Pennsylvania Department of Education must develop and publish a list of approved, no-cost training materials within one year of the law's effective date. These requirements apply directly to all school entities in the state, mandating specific content for students and staff on mental health, violence prevention, and social inclusion.
HB 455 establishes Pennsylvania's "Building a Better Future Grant Program" to fund organizations providing education and workforce training to young adults aged 16-24 who are disconnected from education. The program targets organizations serving youth from low-income backgrounds with specific vulnerabilities (e.g., foster care, disability, homelessness, or school dropout) and requires grantees to offer at least two services like job training, career counseling, or high school equivalency support. The Department of Labor and Industry will administer $5 million in state funding (from the General Fund) to award grants of up to $1 million per organization, with 5% reserved for statewide technical assistance. This directly affects eligible young adults and qualifying local organizations focused on construction, healthcare, and other in-demand vocational fields.
SB 1026 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to update the Safe2Say Program, which allows students and staff to report safety concerns anonymously in K-12 schools. It also requires colleges and universities to establish written policies addressing sexual harassment and sexual violence, along with an online reporting system for incidents. The bill includes updated definitions for key terms to ensure consistent application across both school levels. These changes directly affect public school students, staff, and postsecondary institutions nationwide.
HB 1743 requires Pennsylvania public and charter schools to implement comprehensive school counseling plans developed by certified counselors. The bill mandates that school counselors spend at least 80% of their time on direct student services (like classroom instruction, individual counseling, and career planning) and indirect services (such as consultations with parents or staff). Each school entity must create an annual, K-12-aligned plan addressing academic, career, and social-emotional needs, including special populations like students with individualized education plans. These plans must be reviewed yearly and integrated with existing school strategic planning. The law applies directly to all Pennsylvania school districts, charter schools, and intermediate units.
