Pennsylvania HB 2149: An Act amending the act of October 21, 1988 (P.L.1036, No.116), known as the Hardwoods Development Council Act, further providing for Hardwoods Development Council.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 2775
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 2149
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY O'MARA, HILL-EVANS, HANBIDGE, MADDEN, SANCHEZ,
INGLIS, D. WILLIAMS AND CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, JANUARY 16, 2026
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, JANUARY 20, 2026
AN ACT
Establishing the Executive Functioning and Study Skills Grant
Program for public school entities and the Executive
Functioning and Study Skills Fund.
This act may be referred to as the STUDY Act.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the Strategies
and Techniques for Unlocking Development in Youth Act.
Section 2. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Department." The Department of Education of the
Commonwealth.
"Executive functioning." A set of cognitive processes that:
(1) Help individuals plan, organize and manage tasks,
regulate emotions and control behavior.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18

(2) Are essential for success in school, work and daily
life.
(3) Involve various mental abilities, such as working
memory, cognitive flexibility and inhibitory control.
"Fund." The Executive Functioning and Study Skills Fund
established under section 8.
"Metacognition." An awareness of one's own cognitive
processes, often involving a conscious attempt to control them.
"Program." The Executive Functioning and Study Skills Grant
Program established under this act.
"Public school entity." A public school district,
intermediate unit, area career and technical school or charter
school, including a regional or cyber charter school.
"Self-regulation." The control of one's behavior through the
use of:
(1) self-monitoring, such as keeping a record of
behavior;
(2) self-evaluation, such as assessing the information
obtained during self-monitoring; or
(3) self-reinforcement such as rewarding oneself for
appropriate behavior or attaining a goal.
"Study skills." Strategies and techniques that improve
learning and information retention and:
(1) Include key areas such as time management, active
learning, note-taking and test preparation.
(2) The development of which may lead to better academic
performance, reduced stress and increased motivation.
Section 3. Establishment of program.
The Executive Functioning and Study Skills Grant Program is
established within the department to equip students in grades 6
20260HB2149PN2775 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

through 12 with the skills relating to executive functioning,
studying, metacognition and self-regulation necessary to succeed
academically and professionally in the 21st century economy.
Section 4. Purpose of program.
The department shall provide grants on an annual basis to
public school entities for programming provided to students,
either during or after normal school hours, that address
metacognition, self-regulation, executive functioning and study
skills such as:
(1) Goal setting.
(2) Planning and time management.
(3) Collaborative learning.
(4) Self-regulation and organization.
(5) Anxiety and stress management.
(6) Memory techniques.
(7) Independent study.
(8) Test preparation.
(9) Note-taking skills.
Section 5. Duties of department.
The department shall perform all functions related to the
program, including:
(1) The creation of a grant application form.
(2) Review and approval of grant applications.
(3) The administration and disbursement of grant money
under the program.
(4) Establishing and conducting informational training
sessions for public school entities.
(5) Outlining of the grant priorities and process of
completion for grant applications.
(6) Randomly auditing and monitoring grant recipients to
20260HB2149PN2775 - 3 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30

ensure the appropriate use of grant money.
Section 6. Grant applications.
(a) Availability.--The department shall make the grant
application form under section 5(1) available to public school
entities no later than October 1, 2026, and each October 1
thereafter. A grant application, at a minimum, shall include:
(1) Contact information for the public school entity.
(2) The public school entity's anticipated use of grant
money.
(3) Attestation by the public school entity that the
grant money will be used for the stated purpose on the grant
application.
(4) Program data, including the estimated number of
students served by the program broken down by grade level.
(b) Application deadline.--A grant application must be
submitted no later than December 15, 2026, and each December 15
thereafter.
Section 7. Grant awards.
(a) Award deadline.--Grant awards shall be initially awarded
by the department no later than February 1, 2027, and each
February 1 thereafter.
(b) Use of grant money.--
(1) Grant money