Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania Senate Bill SB315

Introduced
2/26/25  
Refer
2/26/25  
Refer
3/26/25  
Report Pass
4/1/25  
Engrossed
4/2/25  
Refer
4/3/25  
Refer
6/25/25  
Report Pass
10/8/25  
Refer
10/20/25  
Report Pass
11/11/25  
Refer
11/12/25  
Report Pass
11/12/25  
Enrolled
11/12/25  
Chaptered
11/12/25  

Caption

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.

Impact

The bill's passage would significantly amend the landscape of educational funding in Pennsylvania by introducing targeted financial supports for school districts, particularly in areas such as mental health and school safety. It stipulates a specific allocation of resources, with $100 million earmarked for school safety and mental health initiatives. Furthermore, the bill seeks to provide exemptions from certain referendums for districts receiving this funding, effectively altering how districts can seek financial aid and manage their resources while also balancing educational needs with fiscal responsibility.

Summary

SB315 aims to amend several provisions of the Pennsylvania Public School Code, focusing on improvements in school safety, funding for special education, and the establishment of support programs for mental health. The bill outlines new funding mechanisms for various educational initiatives, including school safety assessments and grants for mental health services for the school year 2025-2026. Additionally, it addresses the enhancement of teacher certification requirements and supports for schools dealing with truancy and attendance issues.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SB315 appears positive among educational advocates who see the necessity for enhanced mental health support and safety protocols in schools. However, there are concerns expressed by some opponents regarding the adequacy of funding and the potential bureaucratic challenges districts may face in implementing new requirements. The bill signifies a proactive approach to ensuring that educational institutions can better support students' mental well-being and safety in a progressively challenging environment.

Contention

Despite its intentions, SB315 faces contention around the practical implementation of its provisions, particularly regarding how districts will manage new responsibilities and the sufficiency of allocated funds. Critics worry that the increased focus on standardized programs, especially related to mental health and safety protocols, may divert attention from other critical educational concerns. Additionally, the bill's approach to truancy and attendance falls under scrutiny, with calls for more comprehensive strategies that not only address punitive measures but also offer supportive interventions.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA SB1039

In student supports, further providing for definitions and for student supports and providing for the Pennsylvania Mental Health First Aid Training Program; and, in school safety and security, further providing for the School Safety and Security Grant Program.

PA SB930

In student supports, further providing for definitions; in school safety and security, further prov iding 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, for school safety and security training and 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; and making editorial changes.

PA HB1500

In preliminary provisions, providing for Cyber Charter School Funding and Policy Council and furthe r providing for advertising and sponsorships; in pupils and attendance, further providing for exceptional children and education and training; in charter schools, further providing for definitions, for funding for cyber charter schools, for powers and duties of department and for assessment and evaluation, providing for fund balance limits, further providing for cyber charter school requirements and prohibitions, providing for cyber charter school fund balance accountability, further providing for establishment of cyber charter school, for cyber charter school application, for enrollment and notification, for enrollee wellness checks and for applicability of other provisions of this act and of other acts and regulations and providing for cyber charter school moratorium; and, in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for extraordinary special education program expenses.

PA HB2424

In charter schools, further providing for funding for charter schools.

PA SB799

In charter schools, further providing for funding for charter schools.

PA HB1253

In student supports, further providing for definitions and for student supports; and, in school safety and security, further providing for definitions, for duties of committee, for standardized protocols and for reporting and memorandum of understanding.

PA HB63

In school safety and security, further providing for school safety and security training.

PA HB2358

In charter schools, further providing for funding for cyber charter schools.

PA HB77

In food protection, further providing for definitions, providing for food allergy awareness and further providing for powers of department.

PA HB46

In duties and powers of boards of school directors, further providing for kindergartens and providing for pre-kindergarten programs; and, in pupils and attendance, further providing for age limits and temporary residence and for definitions.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.