Pennsylvania SB 10: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, establishing the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success Scholarship Program and the Pennsylvania Award for Student Success Scholarship Fund.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 692
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 10
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY J. WARD, A. WILLIAMS, ROTHMAN, COLEMAN,
PENNYCUICK, MARTIN, STEFANO, K. WARD, YAW, MASTRIANO, ARGALL,
KEEFER, GEBHARD, HUTCHINSON, DUSH, PHILLIPS-HILL AND CULVER,
APRIL 28, 2025
REFERRED TO EDUCATION, APRIL 28, 2025
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," establishing the Pennsylvania Award
for Student Success Scholarship Program and the Pennsylvania
Award for Student Success Scholarship Fund.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding an
article to read:
ARTICLE XVII-E
PENNSYLVANIA AWARD FOR STUDENT
SUCCESS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Section 1701-E. Scope of article.
This article relates to the Pennsylvania Award for Student
Success Scholarship Program.
Section 1702-E. Definitions.
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The following words and phrases when used in this article
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Applicant." A parent who applies for participation in the
program under section 1704-E on behalf of an eligible student.
"Attendance boundary." As defined in section 2002-B.
"Department." The Department of Education of the
Commonwealth.
"Eligible student." A school-age child who:
(1) Is a resident of this Commonwealth.
(2) Has not received a high school diploma.
(3) Resides, as determined under section 1302, within
the attendance boundary of a low-achieving school or resided,
as determined under section 1302, within the attendance
boundary of a low-achieving school at the time the State
Treasury received written confirmation that the child
accepted an offer of enrollment under section 1704-E.
(4) Lives in a household with a household income below
250% of the Federal poverty guidelines or lived in a
household with a household income below 250% of the Federal
poverty guidelines at the time the State Treasury received
written confirmation that the child accepted an offer of
enrollment under section 1704-E.
(5) Satisfies one of the following:
(i) Attended a public school in this Commonwealth in
the preceding school year.
(ii) Received a scholarship from the program in the
preceding school year.
(iii) Will attend kindergarten for the first time in
the next school year.
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"Fund." The Pennsylvania Award for Student Success
Scholarship Fund established in section 1708-E.
"Kindergarten." A one-year formal educational program,
whether part time or full time, that occurs during the school
year immediately prior to first grade.
"Low-achieving school." As defined in section 2002-B.
"Nonpublic school." A nonprofit school, other than a public
school, located in this Commonwealth where a resident of this
Commonwealth may legally fulfill the compulsory attendance
requirements of this act.
"Parent." An individual who is a resident of this
Commonwealth and:
(1) has legal custody or guardianship of an eligible
student; or
(2) keeps in the individual's home an eligible student
and supports the student gratis as if the student were a
lineal descendant of the individual.
"Participating nonpublic school." A nonpublic school
offering a program of instruction for kindergarten through grade
twelve, or a combination of grades, that notifies the State
Treasury of the nonpublic school's desire to participate in the
program and provides certification to the State Treasury that
the nonpublic school meets the criteria under section 1711-E.
"PASS scholarship account." A spending account established
and administered by the State Treasury, and directed by a parent
for a scholarship recipient, that may be used for tuition,
school-related fees and special education services fees to
attend a participating nonpublic school.
"Program." The Pennsylvania Award for Student Success
Scholarship Program established under section 1703-E(a).
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"Public school." A school operated by a school district,
intermediate unit, area career and technical school, charter
school, regional charter school or cyber charter school.
"Resident school district." The school district in which an
eligible student resides.
"Scholarship." A scholarship that is awarded to an eligible
student under the program.
"Scholarship recipient." An eligible student that is awarded
a scholarship under the program.
"School-age child." A child enrolling in kindergarten or in
grade one through grade twelve.
"School-related fee." A f