Pennsylvania HB 1489: An Act amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in special licenses and permits, further providing for the definition of "exotic wildlife."

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1743
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1489
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY OWLETT, WHITE, HAMM, GREINER, STAATS, OLSOMMER,
MENTZER, PICKETT, STENDER, PUGH, KAUFFMAN, CUTLER, GAYDOS,
ANDERSON, BERNSTINE, BARGER, M. MACKENZIE, ZIMMERMAN, ROWE,
COOPER, KOZAK, SCIALABBA, SMITH AND WALSH, MAY 19, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MAY 21, 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 Lifeline Scholarship
Program and the Lifeline Scholarship Fund; and conferring
powers and imposing duties on the State Treasury and Auditor
General.
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
LIFELINE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Section 1701-E. Scope of article.
This article relates to the Lifeline Scholarship Program.
Section 1702-E. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this article
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
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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) Satisfies at least one of the following:
(i) 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.
(ii) Lives in a household with a household income
below 350% of the Federal poverty guidelines or lived in
a household with a household income below 350% 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.
(4) 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 Lifeline 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.
"Lifeline 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.
"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:
(1) notifies the State Treasury of the nonpublic
school's desire to participate in the program; and
(2) provides certification to the State Treasury that
the nonpublic school meets the criteria under section 1711-
E(a).
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"Program." The Lifeline Scholarship Program established
under section 1703-E(a).
"Public school." A school operated by a school district, an
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 who is awarded
a scholarship under the program.
"School-age child." A child enrolling in kindergarten or in
grades one through twelve.