HB 963 creates a new tax credit program in Pennsylvania for employers covering educational expenses of apprentices. It allows employers to claim tax credits for up to $3,500 per qualifying apprentice toward tuition, books, and lab fees at eligible PA schools. To qualify, apprentices must be PA residents, at least 16, enrolled full-time in a U.S. Department of Labor-registered apprenticeship program, and employed by the claiming employer in Pennsylvania. The Department of Revenue administers the program, requiring electronic applications and setting eligibility criteria for schools and apprentices. This policy directly affects PA employers in registered apprenticeship programs and their apprentices pursuing postsecondary training.
HB 793 requires Pennsylvania public schools to post primary resources and course summaries about Holocaust, genocide, and human rights violations instruction on their public websites by the 2026-2027 school year. It directs the Pennsylvania Department of Education to develop curriculum guidelines within 12 months, encouraging coverage of Holocaust history, global genocides (like Rwanda), human rights violations, and anti-Semitism. The bill applies to all school entities (districts, charter schools, technical schools) and mandates transparency without requiring new content. The guidelines must specify minimum instructional time and be posted online, while respecting intellectual property rights.
HB 823 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to replace annual fire drills with "school security drills" in all public school buildings. It requires schools to conduct one security drill per year (after the first 90 days of school), with specific rules: drills must be age-appropriate, avoid violent simulations (like fake weapons or injuries), include mental health professionals, and require 7 days' advance notice to parents. Schools must also hold a debriefing period with mental health support immediately after each drill. This bill directly affects all Pennsylvania public schools and their students, shifting focus from fire safety to comprehensive security planning.
HB 224 requires Pennsylvania's Department of Education to create an online comparison tool for higher education institutions. The tool must allow users to search colleges by major and compare high-priority occupations in Pennsylvania, including county-level data on required education, wages, and job demand. Pennsylvania colleges must annually submit relevant data (via existing federal reports) to the Department by January 1st to update the tool. This bill directly affects public and private colleges in Pennsylvania and students seeking education-to-career pathways.
HB 774 requires all newly elected or appointed school directors in Pennsylvania to complete a 14-hour training program within their first year, covering topics like academics, trauma-informed approaches (min. 1 hour), finances, governance, and ethics. Existing directors must complete 4 hours annually of advanced training on updated laws, finances, and trauma-informed practices. The bill also applies similar 14-hour initial and 4-hour annual requirements to charter school trustees, with all training provided at no cost by the Department of Education. These provisions take effect for the 2026-2027 school year, replacing current training requirements that expire after 2025-2026.
HB 792 amends Pennsylvania's Public School Code to require the State Board of Education to collect data on how schools teach Holocaust, genocide, and human rights violations. Starting after the 2025-2026 school year, the State Board must annually request schools to report on whether they offer such instruction, the curriculum used, teacher training participation, and details like grade levels and instructional hours. Every five years, the State Board must issue a report to the Governor, Education Secretary, and legislative education committee chairs, including statistics on school participation and recommendations for improvement. The bill does not mandate specific curriculum content but establishes a reporting system to track existing educational practices.
HB 688 imposes a 13-year freeze on new cyber charter school approvals in Pennsylvania, effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2038. The bill prohibits the Pennsylvania Department of Education from reviewing or approving any new applications for cyber charter schools during this period, regardless of when the application was submitted. This directly affects organizations or entities seeking to establish new cyber charter schools in the state. The policy change specifically targets new school applications while leaving existing cyber charter schools unaffected.
SB 573 requires Pennsylvania public and nonpublic schools to integrate blood donation education into health classes for 11th and 12th graders. The curriculum must cover blood physiology, donation procedures and safety, blood usage in medical situations, and community benefits of donating. Students or parents may opt out for religious reasons without penalty, and schools must provide alternative learning during the unit.
SR 157 is a non-binding resolution encouraging federal, state, local governments, schools, workplaces, and organizations to adopt diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles. It calls for promoting inclusivity, protecting free expression, removing barriers, and creating equitable opportunities for all people to pursue their goals. The resolution does not create new legal requirements or alter existing laws; it serves as a statement of support for DEI practices. It directly addresses policymakers, educational institutions, and employers by urging them to uphold these principles voluntarily. The resolution was referred to the Rules & Executive Nominations committee on October 3, 2025.
HB 1220 repeals two sections of Pennsylvania's Taxpayer Relief Act that required school districts to form a local tax study commission and hold public referendums before levying certain taxes. Specifically, it removes the requirement for school districts to create a commission to study tax policies and make nonbinding recommendations (Section 331) and eliminates the need for voter approval via referendum before imposing earned income or personal income taxes (Section 332). This bill directly affects Pennsylvania school districts by simplifying their tax levy process, as they will no longer need to conduct the study or seek referendum approval for these specific tax types. The repeal streamlines administrative steps without altering the tax authority itself.
