Pennsylvania HB 1986: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, providing for mascot transition grants; and establishing the Mascot Grant Fund.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 2505
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1986
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY RABB, RIVERA AND KHAN, OCTOBER 22, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, OCTOBER 23, 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," providing for mascot transition
grants; and establishing the Mascot Grant 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 XXVI-M
MASCOT TRANSITION GRANTS
Section 2601-M. Definitions.
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:
"American Indian mascot." A name, symbol or image that
depicts or refers to an American Indian or Native American
tribe, individual, custom or tradition that is used as a public
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institution of higher education's or a school entity's mascot,
nickname, logo, letterhead or team name.
"Department." The Department of Education of the
Commonwealth.
"Eligible institution." A school entity or public
institution of higher education which is approved by the
department for a mascot grant under this article.
"Mascot grant." A monetary grant provided by the department
under this article.
"Public institution of higher education." A university
within the State System of Higher Education, a community college
or State-related university.
"School entity." A school district, charter school, cyber
charter school, private school, intermediate unit or area career
and technical school.
Section 2602-M. Mascot Grant Fund.
(a) Establishment.--The Mascot Grant Fund is established
within the State Treasury to provide mascot grants to an
eligible institution.
(b) Money.--The department shall make available $1,000,000
of the department's appropriation from the General Assembly in a
fiscal year to be deposited into the Mascot Grant Fund for the
implementation of this article.
Section 2603-M. Grant eligibility and amount of award.
Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, the department
shall allot a one-time mascot grant of up to $20,000 to an
eligible institution which has an American Indian mascot as of
the effective date of this section and voluntarily discontinues
the use of the American Indian mascot on or after the effective
date of this section.
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Section 2604-M. Use of grant money.
(a) Use.--A mascot grant shall be used for, or in connection
with, expenses incurred by an eligible institution to offset the
costs associated with the discontinued use of an American Indian
mascot, including:
(1) The purchase, design or renovation of new equipment
such as logos, signs and other branding, including banners
and letterhead, to remove the American Indian mascot.
(2) The purchase or renovation of sports equipment,
facilities, sport uniforms or other sports paraphernalia and
branding at local sports facilities to remove the American
Indian mascot.
(3) The removal of American Indian mascots on an
eligible institution's property, including artistic
representations on flooring, windows, engravings or other
adaptations on buildings.
(b) Regulations.--The department may promulgate regulations
governing the use of mascot grants.
Section 2605-M. Forfeiture.
An eligible institution which knowingly submits
misrepresentations or false statements with the intention of
fraudulently obtaining a mascot grant from the department shall
be denied status as an eligible institution under this article.
Section 2606-M. Application.
To receive a mascot grant, an eligible institution must
submit an application to the department that includes an
estimated cost of discontinuing the use of an American Indian
mascot. The department shall establish procedures and criteria
for awarding mascot grants that shall include:
(1) Other application requirements and the deadline for
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submission of a mascot grant application.
(2) Criteria for prioritizing mascot grant applications
which focuses on the necessity of each project described in
the application and which has as the first priority an
application that describes capital construction projects
deemed necessary by the department for the eligible
institution to discontinue use of the American Indian mascot.
(3) Provisions for multiple school entities to apply
jointly for funds to replace similar mascots or jointly
procure replacement property of branded items.
Section 2607-M. Research and a