Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB830

Introduced
3/10/25  

Caption

In student supports, further providing for policy relating to bullying.

Impact

With the passing of HB830, there will be an extensive impact on state laws as it directly amends the Public School Code of 1949. Schools are required to have clear policies regarding bullying and to ensure these are integrated into their student conduct codes. This means schools need to have systematic approaches to prevent and respond to bullying and cyberbullying incidents. Additionally, the law mandates the identification of a school staff member responsible for receiving reports of bullying, enhancing oversight and accountability in handling such incidents.

Summary

House Bill 830 aims to reinforce the policies regarding bullying within the public school system in Pennsylvania. It modifies existing regulations to mandate that all school entities adopt or amend their bullying policies in a manner consistent with the updated definitions and requirements laid out in the bill. Central to the bill is the emphasis on defining bullying and cyberbullying, which includes intentional acts that can significantly disrupt a student's education or create a threatening environment within the school setting. The bill lays out specific provisions regarding parental notification and sets guidelines for addressing incidents of bullying more effectively.

Sentiment

The sentiment around HB830 seems generally supportive, particularly in light of growing concerns about bullying and its effects on student mental health and safety. Stakeholders, including parents and educators, recognize the need for clear policies and effective intervention strategies. However, some discussions may reveal apprehensions regarding the implementation specifics, especially concerning resources and training needed for staff to manage these policies properly. The focus on parental notification also raises questions about privacy and the appropriate timeline for communication, which will need to be clarified.

Contention

One notable point of contention surrounding HB830 relates to the adequacy of existing policies versus the need for new requirements. While proponents argue for stricter regulations to improve student protection and accountability, opponents may express concerns about the feasibility of immediate changes and whether they adequately address unique circumstances in different school environments. The bill could be seen as over-regulating or as a necessary step towards a safer educational framework, resulting in a potential divide in perspectives among education professionals, lawmakers, and the community.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB1293

In safe schools, further providing for policy relating to bullying.

PA HB1778

In safe schools, further providing for definitions and for policy relating to bullying and providing for parental responsibility in bullying.

PA HB1779

In safe schools, further providing for definitions, for reporting, for policy relating to bullying and for maintenance of records; and, in Safe2Say Program, further providing for intent, for definitions and for Safe2Say Program and providing for reporting and remediating bullying.

PA HB1999

In safe schools, providing for policy against gender-based bullying.

PA HB645

In terms and courses of study, providing for bullying prevention education.

PA SB971

In student supports, providing for parental and employee notification of weapon incidents.

PA SB843

In preliminary provisions, further providing for Special Education Funding Commission, for Basic Education Funding Commission and for Commission on Education and Economic Competitiveness and providing for public job posting database, for instructional vacancy data and for data transparency; providing for Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact; in drug and alcohol recovery high school program, further providing for scope of program and selection of students, providing for enrollment of students and further providing for academic programs; in terms and courses of study, further providing for Economic Education and Personal Financial Literacy Programs; in early learning programs, providing for quarterly reporting; in high schools, further providing for attendance in other districts; in educational tax credits, further providing for definitions; in credit card marketing, further providing for regulation of on-campus credit card marketing; in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for assistance to school districts declared to be in financial recovery status or identified for financial watch status; and abrogating regulations.

PA HB2109

In terms and courses of study, providing for student mental health supports.

PA HB27

In preliminary provisions, further providing for Basic Education Funding Commission and for special provisions applicable to limited school years, establishing the Child Reunification Program in the Department of Education and providing for minimum number of days or hours, for public job posting database, for instructional vacancy data and for data transparency; in duties and powers of boards of school directors, further providing for additional schools and departments; in school finances, providing for school district budget timeline for 2024 and for procedure for securing approval of electors; in grounds and buildings, further providing for limitation on new applications for Department of Education approval of public school building projects; in school directors' associations and county boards of school directors, further providing for powers and duties; in intermediate units, further providing for visual services and for school safety and security enhancements; in professional employees, repealing provisions relating to religious garb, insignia, etc., prohibited and penalty; in certification of teachers, further providing for substitute teaching permit for prospective teachers, for locally issued temporary certification for substitute teachers and for permit for classroom monitors; providing for Educator Pipeline Support Grant Program; in pupils and attendance, further providing for compulsory education of physical defectives, for dependent children, for cost of tuition and maintenance of certain exceptional children in approved institutions, for payment of cost of tuition and maintenance of certain exceptional children, for transfer of funds for transferal programs and for children under six with defective hearing and parent or guardian advised of schools, etc.; in safe schools, further providing for definitions and for Office for Safe Schools, repealing provisions relating to regulations and to reporting, further providing for policy relating to bullying and for maintenance of records, repealing provisions relating to safe schools advocate in school districts of the first class, to standing, to enforcement and to construction of article and other laws; in school safety and security, further providing for definitions and for School Safety and Security Committee, providing for duties of committee, further providing for School Safety and Security Grant Program, providing for Targeted School Safety Grants for Nonpublic Schools and School Entities Program, for standardized protocols, for county safe schools' collaborative and for school mental health grants for 2023-2024 school year, further providing for school safety and security coordinator training and providing for reporting and memorandum of understanding, for safe schools advocate in school districts of the first class and for enforcement; in school security, further providing for definitions, for school police officers, for annual report and for school security guards; in school health services, further providing for dental examinations and dental hygiene services and providing for eating disorder awareness and education; in drug and alcohol recovery high school program, providing for enrollment of students; in terms and courses of study, providing for calculation of average daily membership for a dual credit course and further providing for Economic Education and Personal Financial Literacy Programs; in early learning programs, providing for quarterly meetings; in character education program, further providing for character education program; providing for the Dual Credit Innovation and Equity Grant Program; in high schools, further providing for attendance in other districts; in community colleges, further providing for financial program and reimbursement of payments; in educational tax credits, further providing for qualification and application by organizations, for limitations and for low-achieving schools; in school districts of the first class, further providing for qualifications of principals and teachers; in funding for public libraries, providing for State aid for fiscal year 2023-2024; in credit card marketing, further providing for regulation of on-campus credit card marketing; in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for definitions and for payments on account of pupils enrolled in career and technical curriculums, providing for Level-Up Supplement for 2022-2023 school year, further providing for payments on account of courses for exceptional children, for payments to intermediate units, for assistance to school districts declared to be in financial recovery status or identified for financial watch status, for payments, for payments on account of pupil transportation, for Ready-to-Learn Block Grant and for payment of required contribution for public school employees' Social Security; in construction and renovation of buildings by school entities, further providing for applicability; providing for School Environmental Repairs Program; abrogating a regulation; and making an editorial change.

PA HB1708

In preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in pupils and attendance, providing for educational oversight for students in facilities, further providing for possession of weapons prohibited and providing for school stability for certain students; in safe schools, further providing for definitions and for reporting and establishing the School-Based Diversion Programs Fund; in school security, further providing for powers and duties and providing for limitations on proceedings and arrest; and, in school districts of the first class, repealing provisions relating to placement of certain adjudicated students.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.