This Pennsylvania bill creates a new Internship Tax Credit Program designed to help small businesses hire students from local colleges and universities. Under the program, eligible businesses that employ qualified interns in structured, paid work experiences can receive a tax credit to offset their state taxes. To qualify, interns must be residents of Pennsylvania with at least 30 college credits and a 2.5 GPA, while internships must last a minimum of six weeks and pay at least minimum wage. The bill also establishes a waiting list system for businesses that apply for the credit but do not receive it due to limited funding.
HB 2441 creates a new experience-based certification pathway in Pennsylvania for school counselors and school nurses, allowing them to work while completing additional education. The bill requires these professionals to hold a relevant master's or doctoral degree, pass a specific professional exam, and complete a set number of supervised clinical hours. It also mandates continuing education credits, including training on child abuse reporting and suicide prevention, and limits the temporary certification to a maximum of five years.
This bill establishes a pilot program called the Community-Engaged School for Success to support struggling schools in Pennsylvania by connecting them with local community resources. It designates schools as "community-engaged" if they are among the lowest 15% in academic performance or located in districts with at least 30% acute poverty, requiring them to hire coordinators and program managers to oversee new support services. These services include academic help, mental and dental health care, family engagement, and college preparation, provided by school staff or outside partners without replacing existing union-negotiated duties. The Department of Education is tasked with approving applications and designating at least 20 schools by September 2026 to begin this initiative.
This bill creates the Newly Employed Teacher Grant Program to help teachers in their first two years of employment in Pennsylvania by providing funds for classroom supplies. The Department of Education will partner with an online platform to let eligible teachers apply for and purchase approved materials directly. The program requires detailed reporting on how the money is used across different school types and regions to ensure transparency and track its impact.
This bill requires Pennsylvania schools participating in the School Safety and Security Grant Program to create electronic records tracking traumatic events and adverse childhood experiences for students. These records, overseen by a mental health professional or trained administrator, will include information from law enforcement, medical providers, and school support services, organized into three tiers of access to protect sensitive data. The legislation strictly limits how this information can be used, prohibiting its use for student admissions or in criminal proceedings while ensuring confidentiality. Schools must develop individualized support plans based on these records to better assist students affected by trauma, with access granted only to authorized staff and parents.
This Pennsylvania bill directs the Department of Education to create a one-time fee waiver for teacher certification applicants who narrowly failed an assessment. To qualify, an individual must have missed the passing score by three points or fewer, have taken the test only once before, and plan to retake it within one year of seeing their initial results. The Department is required to publish this policy online and share it with teacher training programs and alternative certification providers. The law takes effect 60 days after being signed into law.
This bill directs Pennsylvania's Department of Education to create a statewide curriculum for shipbuilding and maritime trades to support the state's growing maritime industry. The program will include hands-on training in skills like welding and pipe fitting, align with existing apprenticeships, and offer college credits to help students transition into these careers. To fund the initiative, the bill establishes a competitive grant program for schools to purchase equipment, train teachers, and launch new courses. Additionally, the Department of Education must work with labor groups and employers to ensure the training meets industry needs and submit annual reports on student participation and grant usage.
This bill designates 2026 as the 80th Anniversary Year of the State YMCA of Pennsylvania Youth and Government Program. The resolution formally recognizes the program's eight-decade history of engaging high school students in hands-on civic education and leadership training. It also commends the organization for its long-standing commitment to developing future leaders and providing financial assistance to participants.
Senate Bill 1326 updates Pennsylvania's Public School Code to strengthen background checks for school employees by expanding the scope of criminal history reviews to include those who work on school premises but do not have direct contact with children. Effective July 1, 2026, the bill requires schools and independent contractors to verify employment history and certification status for all applicants in positions involving children or on-site work. Additionally, independent contractors must disclose any past investigations or disciplinary actions related to abuse or sexual misconduct before assigning employees to schools, and schools may reject such assignments if they object to the disclosed history.
This Pennsylvania bill amends the Public School Code to clarify special education evaluation procedures for students enrolled in charter schools. Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, the local school district of residence will conduct initial disability evaluations for these students rather than the charter school. The district or an intermediate unit must issue a report on eligibility and service recommendations to parents and the charter school entity. While intermediate units can charge fees for these evaluations, charter schools remain responsible for providing the special education services outlined in the report.
