Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB1405

Introduced
5/5/25  
Refer
5/5/25  
Refer
6/4/25  
Report Pass
6/9/25  
Engrossed
6/9/25  
Refer
6/18/25  
Refer
6/25/25  

Caption

In certification of teachers, further providing for career and technical instructional certificate.

Impact

The implementation of HB1405 would streamline the qualification process for veterans aiming to teach in technical fields, thus facilitating their entry into the educational workforce. This change could potentially improve the quality of instruction in career and technical programs, as veterans often possess substantial hands-on experience and practical skills that are essential for teaching vocational subjects. By aligning certification requirements to recognize veteran experience, the bill addresses both veteran employment and the need for skilled instructors in technical education.

Summary

House Bill 1405 aims to amend the Public School Code of 1949 to enhance the certification process for teachers in career and technical education programs within Pennsylvania. The bill seeks to establish a clearer pathway for individuals, particularly veterans, to obtain a Career and Technical Instructional Certificate. This initiative underscores the recognition of the significant experience veterans may bring to educational roles, allowing for a more diverse teaching workforce in high-demand occupational areas.

Sentiment

Sentiment around HB1405 appears to be largely positive, particularly among groups advocating for veterans and educational innovation. Proponents of the bill argue that it not only honors the service of veterans but also responds to the growing demand for skilled labor in Pennsylvania's workforce. While specific objections were not noted in the available discussions, any legislation that modifies certification requirements typically faces scrutiny regarding standards and accountability.

Contention

In the context of this bill, potential points of contention may revolve around the adequacy of experience required for certification and the implications for educational standards. Critics may question whether the proposal sufficiently balances the need for qualified educators with the streamlined process for veterans. Furthermore, there could be discussions regarding the broader impact of increasing the number of teacher certifications catered specifically to military veterans on the existing educational framework and quality assurance in career and technical education.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA HB1874

In certification of teachers, further providing for certificates qualifying persons to teach and providing for special temporary certificate for veterans.

PA SB801

In certification of teachers, further providing for teacher

PA HB2493

In certification of teachers, further providing for instructional certificate grade spans and age levels and duties of department.

PA SB393

In professional employees, further providing for qualifications; and, in certification of teachers, further providing for State certificates.

PA HB1067

In professional employees, further providing for qualifications; and, in certification of teachers, further providing for State certificates.

PA SB700

In preliminary provisions, providing for advertising and sponsorships; in intermediate units, further providing for school safety and security enhancements; in professional employees, further providing for qualifications; in certification of teachers, further providing for State certificates, for career and technical instruction and for baccalaureate certification basic skills assessment; in Educator Pipeline Support Grant Program, further providing for definitions, for program establishment and duties of agency, for eligibility and for report; in school safety and security, further providing for School Safety and Security Grant Program, for school safety and security coordinator, for Targeted School Safety Grants for Nonpublic Schools and School Entities Program and for school safety and security training and providing for school safety and mental health grants for 2024-2025 school year; in school security, further providing for duties of commission, providing for school security personnel and establishing School Security Personnel Fund; in school security, further providing for duties of commission and providing for school security personnel and for School Security Personnel Fund; in school health services, further providing for vision screening and examinations; in Drug and Alcohol Recovery High School Program, further providing for establishment and payment of tuition; in administrative partnerships between school entities, further providing for legislative intent and for definitions, providing for instructional programming partnerships authorized, for school district feasibility study and for construction and further providing for establishment, for application, for grant awards, for technical assistance, for reports by school entities and for reports by department; in talent recruitment, further providing for Talent Recruitment Account; in charter schools, further providing for definitions, for charter school requirements, for powers of board of trustees, for facilities and for funding for charter schools, providing for funding for cyber charter schools, further providing for enrollment and notification and providing for enrollee wellness checks and for applicability of other provisions of this act and of other acts and regulations; in disability inclusive curriculum, further providing for department responsibilities; in Schools-to-Work-Program, repealing provisions relating to expiration; in community colleges, further providing for financial program and reimbursement of payments; in educational tax credits, further providing for definitions, for qualification and application by organizations, for tax credits and for limitations, repealing provisions relating to opportunity scholarships and providing for economically disadvantaged school scholarships; in course materials at institutions of higher education, repealing provisions relating to College Textbook Policies Advisory Committee; in sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking education, prevention and response at institutions of higher education and private licensed schools, further providing for memorandum of understanding; in miscellaneous provisions relating to institutions of higher education, repealing provisions relating to Public Higher Education Funding Commission; in funding for public libraries, providing for State aid for fiscal year 2024-2025; in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for payments on account of pupils enrolled in career and technical curriculums and for student-weighted basic education funding, providing for student-weighted basic education funding beginning with 2023-2024 school year, further providing for State reimbursement for health services, for payments to intermediate units, for assistance to school districts declared to be in financial recovery status or identified for financial watch status and for Commonwealth reimbursements for charter schools and cyber charter schools, repealing provisions relating to administrative and instructional consolidation incentives and further providing for Ready-to-Learn Block Grant; in State Board of Education, further providing for powers and duties of the board; in construction and renovation of buildings by school entities, further providing for applicability; in School Environmental Repairs Program, further providing for School Environmental Repairs Program Restricted Account and for School Environmental Repairs Program; and making editorial changes.

PA SB1197

In certification of teachers, providing for instructional certificate grade spans and age levels; and making an editorial change.

PA HB1637

In certification of teachers, providing for temporary certification for associate substitute teachers.

PA HB1724

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.

PA HB1395

In certification of teachers, further providing for program of continuing professional and paraprofessional education.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.