Pennsylvania SB 1343: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in career and technical education, establishing the Commission for Career and Technical Education Excellence and further providing for career and technical education equipment grants; and, in community colleges, providing for building and construction trades pre-apprenticeship initiatives and establishing the Building and Construction Trades Pre-Apprenticeship Grant Program.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1742
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 1343
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY BOSCOLA, TARTAGLIONE, PICOZZI, COLLETT, MALONE,
HUGHES AND COMITTA, MAY 26, 2026
REFERRED TO EDUCATION, MAY 26, 2026
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," in career and technical education,
establishing the Commission for Career and Technical
Education Excellence and further providing for career and
technical education equipment grants; and, in community
colleges, providing for building and construction trades pre-
apprenticeship initiatives and establishing the Building and
Construction Trades Pre-Apprenticeship Grant Program.
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 a
section to read:
Section 1802.1. Commission for Career and Technical
Education Excellence.-- (a) The Commission for Career and
Technical Education Excellence is established as a departmental
administrative commission under the concurrent authority of the
department with all the powers and duties generally vested in
and imposed upon the commissions under the act of April 9, 1929
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(P.L.177, No.175), known as "The Administrative Code of 1929."
(b) The commission shall have the following duties:
(1) No later than six months after its establishment,
develop guidelines to identify secondary or postsecondary
courses, programs or activities may apply the credit toward the
completion of a career and technical education program at the
secondary or postsecondary level.
(2) Provide recommendations of revision of the guidelines to
the department every five years.
(3) By December 31 each year, the commission shall submit a
report to the Governor and the chairperson and minority
chairperson of the Education Committee of the Senate and the
chairperson and minority chairperson of the Education Committee
of the House of Representatives on the status of career and
technical education in this Commonwealth. The report shall:
(i) Outline career and technical education programs and
achievements.
(ii) Assess the trends and needs in secondary and both
formal and informal postsecondary career and technical education
and training.
(iii) Investigate and assess workforce trends of the
building and construction trades industries.
(iv) Consider the manner in which money is used to support
career and technical education activities.
(v) Highlight new initiatives and recommend future program
needs.
(vi) Make recommendations to the Governor and the General
Assembly regarding legislative or regulatory changes to improve
career and technical education.
(c) The commission shall consist of the following members:
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(1) The Secretary of Education or a designee, who shall
serve as the chairperson.
(2) The Secretary of Labor or a designee.
(3) The Chair of the Pennsylvania State Board of Higher
Education or a designee.
(4) Individuals recommended by the following organizations,
appointed by the Secretary of Education:
(i) Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges.
(ii) Pennsylvania Building and Construction Trades Council.
(iii) Pennsylvania Career and Technical Administrators
Association.
(iv) Associated Builders and Contractors.
(v) Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association.
(d) If members are not initially appointed within ninety
days of the effective date of this subsection, or within ninety
days of a vacancy, the Secretary of Education shall appoint any
qualified individual to fill the vacancy.
(e) The members of the commission shall serve without
compensation.
(f) The commission shall:
(1) Meet at the call of the chair.
(2) Hold its first meeting within forty-five days of the
date that all members are appointed to the commission.
(g) A majority of members of the commission shall constitute
a quorum.
(h) The department shall publish approved guidelines on the
department's publicly accessible Internet website within fifteen
days of approval.
(i) As used in this section, the following words and phrases
shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless
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the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Commission" means the Commission for Career and Technical
Education Excellence established under this section.
"Department" means the Department of Education of the
Commonwealth.
Section 2. Section 1855(b.1) introductory paragraph of the
act is amended and the section is amended by adding a subsection
to read:
Section 1855. Ca