Pennsylvania SB 1280: An Act directing the Department of Education to establish a career and technical education program of study in shipbuilding and maritime trades; providing for grants and coordination with apprenticeship programs; and imposing powers and duties on the Department of Education.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1590
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 1280
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY BOSCOLA, TARTAGLIONE, KEARNEY, PENNYCUICK, VOGEL,
STREET AND KANE, APRIL 14, 2026
REFERRED TO EDUCATION, APRIL 14, 2026
AN ACT
Directing the Department of Education to establish a career and
technical education program of study in shipbuilding and
maritime trades; providing for grants and coordination with
apprenticeship programs; and imposing powers and duties on
the Department of Education.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Shipbuilding
and Hands-on Instruction Pathways Act.
Section 2. Findings and purpose.
The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
(1) According to the United States Maritime
Administration, as of 2019 the United States shipbuilding and
repair industry supported approximately 393,000 jobs
nationwide and contributed more than $42,000,000,000 to the
gross domestic product.
(2) Recent private investment, including a
$5,000,000,000 modernization initiative at the Hanwha
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Philadelphia Shipyard, formerly the Aker Philadelphia
Shipyard, demonstrates the potential for Pennsylvania to grow
its maritime industrial base and create family-sustaining
jobs.
(3) Shipbuilding and maritime trades are critical not
only in Philadelphia, but also in western Pennsylvania, where
barge and towboat operations drive river commerce and in
Erie, where Great Lakes ship repair supports regional trade.
(4) Pennsylvania's location also provides close access
to major east coast shipbuilding centers and trade ports,
strengthening the Commonwealth's role in the national
maritime economy.
(5) To capture these opportunities, the Commonwealth
must ensure that students looking to join the workforce have
access to coursework and hands-on training aligned with
shipbuilding and maritime careers.
Section 3. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Department." The Department of Education of the
Commonwealth.
"Eligible applicant." A school district, area career and
technical school, career and technical center or intermediate
unit that is approved by the department to offer or support
career and technical education programs.
"Program of study." A career and technical education
curriculum framework established by the department under Article
XVIII of the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the
Public School Code of 1949.
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Section 4. Shipbuilding and hands-on instruction pathways.
(a) Development.--Within 12 months of the effective date of
this subsection, the department shall establish and publish a
Statewide program of study in shipbuilding and maritime trades.
(b) Standards.--The program of study shall:
(1) Align to industry-recognized credentials in the
fields of shipbuilding and maritime trades that include
welding, pipe fitting, structural fabrication, marine
electrical systems, coatings and safety.
(2) Be designed to align with registered pre-
apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs registered with or
otherwise recognized by the Department of Labor and Industry.
(3) Include recommended equipment lists, task list and
safety requirements.
(4) Include pathways for dual-enrollment with community
colleges and opportunities to earn postsecondary credit and
for employment in shipbuilding or maritime trades.
Section 5. Grants.
(a) Establishment.--The department shall administer a
competitive grant program to support eligible applicants
offering a shipbuilding and maritime trades program of study.
(b) Use of funds.--Grants awarded to an eligible applicant
may be used for the following if the department finds that the
use aligns with the program of study:
(1) Purchase of equipment and instructional materials.
(2) Teacher externships or professional development.
(3) Startup costs for dual-enrollment courses, work-
based learning opportunities or other program implementation
costs approved by the department.
(4) Additional costs deemed appropriate by the
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department.
Section 6. Coordination.
The department shall coordinate with:
(1) The Department of Labor and Industry to support
alignment between the program of study, pre-apprenticeship
and apprenticeship programs.
(2) Area career and technical schools, secondary schools
offering approved career and technical education programs and
community colleges to align curriculum, equipment standards
and postsecondary credit opportunities that support student
transitions into shipbuilding and maritime careers.
(3) Shipbuilding and maritime employers, organized labor
sup