Education (Teachers)

passed · Pennsylvania · House Feb 13, 2026

HB 460: 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 child abuse recognition and reporting training; and, in terms and courses of study, providing for child abuse awareness and prevention.

HB 460 requires all teachers in Pennsylvania public schools to complete child abuse recognition and reporting training as part of their certification process. It amends the Public School Code of 1949 to integrate this training into both initial certification and ongoing educator requirements. The bill directly affects educators by mandating specific training to identify and report suspected abuse, ensuring schools meet updated child safety standards. This change applies to all public school teachers, including those seeking certification or renewing credentials.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates child abuse training for teachers to enhance student safety, strengthening educator requirements under the Public School Code.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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signed · Pennsylvania · House Oct 27, 2025

HB 1405: 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 career and technical instructional certificate.

HB 1405 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to create new pathways for veterans to become career and technical teachers in public schools. It allows veterans who served at least 8,000 hours (four years full-time) in an occupation they will teach to qualify for a Career and Technical Intern Certificate or Career and Technical Instructional I Certificate, bypassing some standard certification requirements. The bill specifically defines "veteran" as someone discharged under honorable conditions from U.S. Armed Forces, including National Guard or reserves. This directly affects veterans seeking teaching roles in career and technical education programs across Pennsylvania's public schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates alternative certification for veterans in career/tech teaching, expanding teacher workforce access to support K-12 education95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransCreates streamlined certification for veterans to become teachers, advancing employment opportunities through targeted pathway in education sector.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Teachers National Guard & Reserve Veteran Education Veteran Employment

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 15, 2025

HB 1209: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in charter schools, providing for State certification for cyber charter school professional staff members.

HB 1209 requires cyber charter schools in Pennsylvania to ensure all professional staff members hold state certification, including special education certification for those providing special education services. This amendment to the Public School Code directly affects cyber charter school employees and their employers by establishing standardized qualification requirements. The new rule takes effect 60 days after the bill is enacted, aligning cyber charter school staffing standards with those of traditional public schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires state certification for cyber charter school staff, ensuring qualified educators and aligning with public school standards to strengthen educational quality and consistency.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Special Education Teachers

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in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Jun 23, 2026

SB 127: 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, repealing provisions relating to Holocaust, genocide and human rights violations instruction and providing for Holocaust, genocide and human rights violations instruction required.

SB 127 changes Pennsylvania's Public School Code to make Holocaust, genocide, and human rights violations education mandatory for all schools starting in the 2026-2027 school year. It requires schools to integrate this instruction into required social studies and language arts courses, replacing the previous voluntary approach. The bill mandates that curriculum guidelines and teacher training programs be developed by the Department of Education to support this requirement. This affects all public school districts, charter schools, and private schools within Pennsylvania.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates Holocaust/genocide education as required curriculum (replacing voluntary approach), expanding educational content and strengthening curriculum requirements in K-12 schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Teachers

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 1238: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in pupils and attendance, providing for restricting possession and use by students of mobile devices.

HB 1238 requires Pennsylvania public schools (including charter and cyber charter schools) to adopt policies restricting student mobile device use during instructional time. School boards must create written policies specifying secure storage options (like lockboxes), retrieval procedures, and parent-communication methods during class. Exceptions allow device use for medical needs, disability accommodations, language learning, volunteer emergency duties, or teacher-approved educational purposes. The bill defines "instructional time" as class periods, excluding breaks or lunch, and prohibits school-owned devices from being covered under this restriction. This policy applies to all students in school buildings during instructional hours.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRestricts mobile device use during instruction to minimize distractions, protecting learning environment per bill's intent.90% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Teachers

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Jan 28, 2025

HB 396: 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, providing for emergency certification applicants for career and technical education certification.

HB 396 creates an emergency certification pathway for career and technical education (CTE) teachers in Pennsylvania public schools. It allows two routes: (1) educators with valid out-of-state CTE certificates meeting Pennsylvania’s standards, or (2) individuals with at least four years of work experience in the teaching field plus industry certifications. Certificates issued under this bill are valid for eight years and convert to full certification after two years of classroom teaching with performance evidence. The bill directly affects CTE educators seeking quicker entry into Pennsylvania classrooms.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates emergency CTE teacher certification pathway to address staffing shortages, directly supporting educator workforce needs in K-12 schools.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Teachers

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House May 1, 2025

HB 684: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in evidence-based reading instruction, further providing for definitions, 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.

HB 684 requires Pennsylvania public schools to adopt evidence-based reading curricula and implement annual reading screenings for kindergarten through third-grade students starting in the 2026-2027 school year. Schools must identify reading deficiencies using approved screeners, notify parents in writing about deficiencies, and provide individualized reading intervention plans for affected students. The bill mandates that educators complete approved professional development training by the 2028-2029 school year to support these requirements. It directly affects K-3 students, their families, and school staff, with specific deadlines for curriculum adoption, screening, and educator training. The law also establishes reporting and accountability measures for school entities to ensure compliance.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates evidence-based reading curricula, annual screenings, deficiency interventions, and educator training to improve early literacy outcomes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Teachers

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Feb 20, 2025

HB 679: 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.

HB 679 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to update requirements for teachers' continuing professional development. It allows school districts to include joint or cooperative training activities with other schools or colleges in their professional development plans. The state Department of Education must provide annual resources and guidance addressing the most frequent concerns raised by school employees statewide, updating these resources yearly. This directly affects public school teachers, districts, and the state education department through revised training requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAmends teacher certification to allow collaborative professional development and mandates state resources, strengthening educator support and development requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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in committee · Pennsylvania · House Oct 28, 2025

HB 1900: An Act amending the act of March 4, 1971 (P.L.6, No.2), known as the Tax Reform Code of 1971, providing for educator tax credit.

HB 1900 would amend Pennsylvania's Tax Reform Code of 1971 to create a tax credit for educators. This credit would allow teachers and school staff to reduce their income tax liability. The bill specifies this credit as part of the state's tax code changes, though details on eligibility or credit amount are not provided in the available context.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates tax credit for educators, providing income tax relief per Tax Reform Code amendment, aligning with tax relief indicators for middle-income groups.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates tax credit for educators, directly supporting teachers' financial well-being and incentivizing retention through tax benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits Teachers

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passed · Pennsylvania · House Jun 24, 2025

HB 1404: 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 certificates qualifying persons to teach, for standard employment application, for career and technical instructional certificate and for postbaccalaureate certification; and abrogating regulations.

HB 1404 amends Pennsylvania's teacher certification rules to create new pathways for career-changers and technical educators. It establishes a "Career and Technical Second Career Certificate" valid for up to five years while completing 18 semester hours in an approved program, and adds "Career and Technical Intern" and "Career and Technical Instructional" certificates for those with occupational experience. The bill replaces outdated regulations (22 Pa. Code Ch. 49) and requires postbaccalaureate programs to offer flexible training for candidates with bachelor's degrees in relevant fields. These changes directly affect individuals seeking teaching roles in career and technical education programs who lack traditional teaching credentials.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates new teacher certification pathways (Career and Technical certificates) for career-changers and technical educators, expanding recruitment options to strengthen K-12 teacher workforce.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Teachers

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