Pennsylvania HB 1663: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, establishing the Statewide Children's Literacy Program and the Children's Literacy Program of Pennsylvania Restricted Account; and imposing duties on the Department of Education.

Bill Text

PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 2031, 2710 PRINTER'S NO. 2720
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1663
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY HANBIDGE, KHAN, HOWARD, SANCHEZ, HILL-EVANS,
FREEMAN, FRANKEL, OTTEN, WEBSTER, CERRATO, GREEN, O'MARA,
DAVIDSON, POWELL, SALISBURY, K.HARRIS AND MADSEN,
JUNE 25, 2025
AS RE-REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS, HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, DECEMBER 17, 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 Statewide Children's
Literacy Program and the Children's Literacy Program of
Pennsylvania Restricted Account; and imposing duties on the
Department of Education.
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 XXIII-B
STATEWIDE CHILDREN'S LITERACY PROGRAM
Section 2301-B. 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:
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"Account." The Children's Literacy Program of Pennsylvania
Restricted Account established under section 2302-B.
"Children's Literacy Program Partner." A nonprofit entity
qualified under 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3) (relating to exemption
from tax on corporations, certain trusts, etc.) and organized
solely to promote and encourage reading by children.
"Department." The Department of Education of the
Commonwealth.
"Eligible child." A child who resides within the
Commonwealth and is under five years of age.
"Program." The Statewide Children's Literacy Program
established under section 2303-B.
"Qualified local entity." An existing or new Pennsylvania-
based partner of a Children's Literacy Program Partner .
Section 2302-B. Children's Literacy Program of Pennsylvania
Restricted Account.
(a) Establishment.--The Children's Literacy Program of
Pennsylvania Restricted Account is established as a restricted
account in the General Fund. Money in the account is
appropriated to the department on a continuing basis for the
purposes of this article.
(b) Funding.--The State Treasurer may accept appropriations,
transfers, gifts, grants, donations, legacies or any other
revenues, including allowable Federal funds, for deposit into
the account.
(c) Allocation.--Money from the account shall be allocated
to qualified local entities that agree to a dollar-for-dollar
match for purposes of the program AND TO THE DEPARTMENT FOR
OVERSIGHT UNDER SECTION 2304-B(B) . The department may waive the
dollar-for-dollar match requirement for a qualified local entity
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on a case-by-case basis to prevent undue financial hardship.
(d) Money shall not lapse.--Money remaining in the account
at the close of the fiscal year shall not lapse but shall be
carried forward to the next fiscal year and be continuously
appropriated only for the purposes specified in this article.
(e) Interest.--Any interest that accrues in the account
shall remain in the account.
Section 2303-B. Statewide Children's Literacy Program.
(a) Establishment and purpose.--The Statewide Children's
Literacy Program is established in the department to promote the
development of a comprehensive Statewide initiative to encourage
eligible children to develop a love of reading and learning.
(b) Providing books.--Qualified local entities shall use
(B) PROVIDING BOOKS.--
(1) QUALIFIED LOCAL ENTITIES SHALL USE allocated money
to provide one age-appropriate book to each registered
eligible child in the qualified local entity's service area .
Books shall be sent monthly to each child's home at no cost
to families. A book provided under this subsection may not
contain depictions of sexual activity, child pornography,
pornography, nudity or sexual conduct, or material that is
obscene as defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 5903(b) (relating to
obscene and other sexual materials and performances).
(2) WHEN AN ELIGIBLE CHILD IS REGISTERED, THE QUALIFIED
LOCAL ENTITY SHALL PROVIDE THE CHILD'S FAMILY WITH
INFORMATION ABOUT HOW TO OBTAIN A LIBRARY CARD FROM THE LOCAL
LIBRARY.
(c) Matching.--In accordance with section 2302-B(c), the
department, if money is available in the account , shall match
the amount required of qualified local entities participating in
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the program.
Section 2304-B. Duties of department.
(a) Administration.--The department shall administer the
program and shall coordinate with a Children's Literacy Program
Partner for the purpose of