Welcoming Schools: Ensuring PA Schools are Safe Places for All Students i

Sponsor: Sen. Katie Muth [D – District 44]

Introduced
March 21, 2025

Date of Last Action
March 21, 2025

From Senate Co-Sponsorship Memo: In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation to ensure that all schools in Pennsylvania protect all students regardless of their immigration status. Not only will this legislation be a crucial step in ensuring Pennsylvania schools are in compliance with federal regulations, but it will also increase schools’ accountability to the students and families they serve by helping to alleviate the trauma and stressors students can experience before, during, and after immigrating.
 
The “Welcoming Schools” law would require school districts to implement procedures for responding to immigration enforcement at schools. As we continue to unpack the details and disastrous impacts that many of the Executive Orders signed by the new administration in Washington will have on our Commonwealth, our immigrant communities in all our Senate districts are now living in a heightened state of fear.

From Senate Co-Sponsorship Memo: In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation to ensure that all schools in Pennsylvania protect all students regardless of their immigration status. Not only will this legislation be a crucial step in ensuring Pennsylvania schools are in compliance with federal regulations, but it will also increase schools’ accountability to the students and families they serve by helping to alleviate the trauma and stressors students can experience before, during, and after immigrating.
 
The “Welcoming Schools” law would require school districts to implement procedures for responding to immigration enforcement at schools. As we continue to unpack the details and disastrous impacts that many of the Executive Orders signed by the new administration in Washington will have on our Commonwealth, our immigrant communities in all our Senate districts are now living in a heightened state of fear.

Welcoming Schools: Ensuring PA Schools are Safe Places for All Students i

Sponsor: Rep. Joseph Hohenstein [D – District 177]

Introduced
Sept. 29, 2025

Date of Last Action
Sept. 29, 2025

From House Co-Sponsorship Memo: Schools should be places of safety and learning, where every child can focus on education without fear or disruption. Recent changes at the federal level have raised concerns not only about how immigration enforcement could impact students, but also about the safety of our schools and the strength of our neighborhoods. Families trust schools to be safe spaces for learning, yet immigration raids — or even the threat of them — break that trust and leave children feeling unsafe and afraid instead of focusing on learning.

From House Co-Sponsorship Memo: Schools should be places of safety and learning, where every child can focus on education without fear or disruption. Recent changes at the federal level have raised concerns not only about how immigration enforcement could impact students, but also about the safety of our schools and the strength of our neighborhoods. Families trust schools to be safe spaces for learning, yet immigration raids — or even the threat of them — break that trust and leave children feeling unsafe and afraid instead of focusing on learning.

HB 1986: Establishing Grants to Assist Schools Committed to Updating Mascots, Logos, School and Team Names i

Sponsor: Rep. Christopher M. Rabb [District 200]

Introduced
Oct. 3, 2025

Status
Referred to Education

Date of Last Action
Oct. 3, 2025

From House Co-Sponsorship Memo: Many public schools and sports teams across Pennsylvania use or refer to indigenous culture in their mascots and logos. 

Decades of social science research have shown how derogatory mascots have a serious negative psychological and social impact on those with an indigenous heritage. In fact, it is well established that mascots, logos and the like that stereotype or fetishize indigenous peoples highly correlate to the alarmingly high suicide rate among Native youth. At its core, the use of Native American mascots is a denial of the personhood of Native peoples, which has real consequences.

From House Co-Sponsorship Memo: Many public schools and sports teams across Pennsylvania use or refer to indigenous culture in their mascots and logos. 
 
Decades of social science research have shown how derogatory mascots have a serious negative psychological and social impact on those with an indigenous heritage. In fact, it is well established that mascots, logos and the like that stereotype or fetishize indigenous peoples highly correlate to the alarmingly high suicide rate among Native youth. At its core, the use of Native American mascots is a denial of the personhood of Native peoples, which has real consequences.

HB 1987: Banning Native American Mascots in Schools i

Sponsor: Rep. Christopher M. Rabb [District 200]

Introduced
Oct. 3, 2025

Status
Referred to Education

Date of Last Action
Oct. 3, 2025

From House Co-Sponsorship Memo: As a commonwealth borne of a colony that would not have existed without the Penn’s Treaty at Shackamaxon in 1683 between British immigrants and the Lenape Turtle Clan, Pennsylvania must commit itself to ending the extended era of collective disregard for indigenous heritage and egregious cultural appropriation.
 
Many public schools and sports teams across Pennsylvania use or refer to indigenous culture in their mascots and logos. Decades of social science research have shown how derogatory mascots have a serious negative psychological and social impact on those with an indigenous heritage.  

From House Co-Sponsorship Memo: As a commonwealth borne of a colony that would not have existed without the Penn’s Treaty at Shackamaxon in 1683 between British immigrants and the Lenape Turtle Clan, Pennsylvania must commit itself to ending the extended era of collective disregard for indigenous heritage and egregious cultural appropriation.
 
Many public schools and sports teams across Pennsylvania use or refer to indigenous culture in their mascots and logos. Decades of social science research have shown how derogatory mascots have a serious negative psychological and social impact on those with an indigenous heritage. 

SB 819: Protection of Trans Kids and their Parents Act i

Sponsor: Sen. Amanda Cappalletti [D – District 17]

Introduced
June 3, 2025

Status
Referred to Judiciary

Date of Last Action
June 3, 2025

From Senate Co-Sponsorship Memo: Recent attacks by politicians on gender-diverse children and their caretakers have many families across the country living in fear. It’s time to make clear that Pennsylvania protects all children and parents, including those in need of gender-affirming healthcare. As we recognize Pride Month this June, it is especially important to affirm that all LGBTQ+ youth and their families deserve safety, dignity, and access to the care they need.

From Senate Co-Sponsorship Memo: Recent attacks by politicians on gender-diverse children and their caretakers have many families across the country living in fear. It’s time to make clear that Pennsylvania protects all children and parents, including those in need of gender-affirming healthcare. As we recognize Pride Month this June, it is especially important to affirm that all LGBTQ+ youth and their families deserve safety, dignity, and access to the care they need.

HB 860: Freedom to Read i

Sponsor: Rep. Paul Friel [D – District 26]

Introduced
March 11, 2025

Status
Referred to Education

Date of Last Action
March 11, 2025

From House Co-Sponsorship Memo: Known as the “Freedom to Read Act,” proposes amendments to the Public School Code of 1949. The bill prohibits public school entities from allowing external reviews of curriculum, instructional materials, or voluntary inquiry resources—such as library books—based solely on ideological or political objections. It aims to safeguard intellectual freedom and ensure students’ access to diverse educational content without censorship driven by personal or political beliefs.

From House Co-Sponsorship Memo: Known as the “Freedom to Read Act,” proposes amendments to the Public School Code of 1949. The bill prohibits public school entities from allowing external reviews of curriculum, instructional materials, or voluntary inquiry resources—such as library books—based solely on ideological or political objections. It aims to safeguard intellectual freedom and ensure students’ access to diverse educational content without censorship driven by personal or political beliefs.

HB 192: Increasing Access to School Counselors, Psychologists, Social Workers and Nurses i

Sponsor: Rep. Manuel Guzman Jr. [D – District 127]

From House Co-Sponsorship Memo: Proposes changes to the Public School Code of 1949 to improve student support services in schools. The bill would remove outdated rules about psychological services and instead define and expand the roles of school social workers. It also adds clearer definitions and responsibilities for school counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, and school nurses. The main goal of the bill is to increase access to these important professionals so that students can get better emotional, mental health, and physical support in their schools.

From House Co-Sponsorship Memo: Proposes changes to the Public School Code of 1949 to improve student support services in schools. The bill would remove outdated rules about psychological services and instead define and expand the roles of school social workers. It also adds clearer definitions and responsibilities for school counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, and school nurses. The main goal of the bill is to increase access to these important professionals so that students can get better emotional, mental health, and physical support in their schools.

HB 439: The Pennsylvania CROWN Act i

Sponsor: Rep. La’Tasha D. Mayes [D – District 24]

Status
Signed into Law

Date of Last Action
November 25, 2025

From House Co-Sponsorship Memo: Proposes an update to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act by expanding the definition of discrimination to include protections against hair-based discrimination. Known as the CROWN Act (“Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair”), the bill would make it illegal to discriminate against individuals in workplaces, schools, or public settings based on their hair texture or hairstyles commonly associated with race or ethnicity—such as braids, locs, twists, or Afros. This bill aims to ensure all Pennsylvanians are treated fairly and respectfully, regardless of how they wear their natural hair.

From House Co-Sponsorship Memo: Proposes an update to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act by expanding the definition of discrimination to include protections against hair-based discrimination. Known as the CROWN Act (“Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair”), the bill would make it illegal to discriminate against individuals in workplaces, schools, or public settings based on their hair texture or hairstyles commonly associated with race or ethnicity—such as braids, locs, twists, or Afros. This bill aims to ensure all Pennsylvanians are treated fairly and respectfully, regardless of how they wear their natural hair.

HB 1040: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Curriculum i

Sponsor: Rep. Joseph Hohenstein [D – District 177]

Introduced
March 25, 2025

Status
Referred to Education

Date of Last Action
March 25, 2025

From House Co-Sponsorship Memo: Aims to establish a Diversity Inclusive Curriculum Pilot Program within the state’s public schools. This program would encourage the development and implementation of curricula that reflect diverse perspectives, histories, and contributions of various cultural and social groups. The goal is to promote inclusivity and provide students with a more comprehensive understanding of different communities and experiences.

From House Co-Sponsorship Memo: Aims to establish a Diversity Inclusive Curriculum Pilot Program within the state’s public schools. This program would encourage the development and implementation of curricula that reflect diverse perspectives, histories, and contributions of various cultural and social groups. The goal is to promote inclusivity and provide students with a more comprehensive understanding of different communities and experiences.

SB 437: Navigating Pennsylvania’s Current Name Change Process i

Prime Sponsor: Sen. Lindsey Williams [D – District 38]

From Senate Co-Sponsorship Memo:  Proposes an amendment to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act to support individuals going through legal name changes. The bill would give the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission specific responsibilities to help protect the rights of people—such as transgender individuals or survivors of domestic violence—who legally change their names. It aims to reduce discrimination or barriers they might face when updating personal records, accessing services, or being recognized by their chosen name.

From Senate Co-Sponsorship Memo:  Proposes an amendment to the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act to support individuals going through legal name changes. The bill would give the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission specific responsibilities to help protect the rights of people—such as transgender individuals or survivors of domestic violence—who legally change their names. It aims to reduce discrimination or barriers they might face when updating personal records, accessing services, or being recognized by their chosen name.

SB 448: Administrative Name Change Reform i

Sponsor: Sen. Amanda M. Cappelletti [D – District 17]

PA WInS Position
  

From Senate Co-Sponsorship Memo: Proposes reforms to the process of legally changing a person’s name in the state. The bill would update Title 54 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to make name changes easier and more accessible. It introduces a new option for people to change their name through an administrative application, instead of going through the court system. The bill also updates rules related to name changes for children and clarifies when court approval is required. The goal is to reduce unnecessary legal and financial barriers, especially for people like transgender individuals, survivors of domestic violence, or others who need to change their name safely and efficiently.

From Senate Co-Sponsorship Memo: Proposes reforms to the process of legally changing a person’s name in the state. The bill would update Title 54 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to make name changes easier and more accessible. It introduces a new option for people to change their name through an administrative application, instead of going through the court system. The bill also updates rules related to name changes for children and clarifies when court approval is required. The goal is to reduce unnecessary legal and financial barriers, especially for people like transgender individuals, survivors of domestic violence, or others who need to change their name safely and efficiently.

HR 138: Study on the State of Civic Education i

Sponsor: Rep. Tim Brennan [D – District 29]

From House Co-Sponsorship Memo:  Directs the Joint State Government Commission to study the current state of civic education in Pennsylvania. The goal of the resolution is to better understand how students across the state are being taught about government, citizenship, and civic responsibility. It also calls for the development of cost-effective and practical recommendations that the state can adopt to improve both the quality and accessibility of civic education in schools.

From House Co-Sponsorship Memo:  Directs the Joint State Government Commission to study the current state of civic education in Pennsylvania. The goal of the resolution is to better understand how students across the state are being taught about government, citizenship, and civic responsibility. It also calls for the development of cost-effective and practical recommendations that the state can adopt to improve both the quality and accessibility of civic education in schools.

SB 150: Prohibiting Discrimination Based on an Individual’s Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity or Expression i

Sponsor: Senator Steve Santasiero

Introduced
June 3, 2025

Status
Referred to Labor & Industry

Date of Last Action
June 3, 2025

From Senate Co-Sponsorship Memo:  An Act amending the act of October 27, 1955 (P.L.744, No.222), known as the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, further providing for title of the act, for findings and declaration of policy, for right to freedom from discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodation, for definitions, for unlawful discriminatory practices and for prohibition of certain real estate practices; providing for protection of religious exercise; and further providing for powers and duties of the commission, for educational program and for construction and exclusiveness of remedy.

From Senate Co-Sponsorship Memo:  An Act amending the act of October 27, 1955 (P.L.744, No.222), known as the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, further providing for title of the act, for findings and declaration of policy, for right to freedom from discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodation, for definitions, for unlawful discriminatory practices and for prohibition of certain real estate practices; providing for protection of religious exercise; and further providing for powers and duties of the commission, for educational program and for construction and exclusiveness of remedy.