HB 2358 — An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in charter schools, further providing for funding for cyber charter schools.

PRINTER'S NO.     3135

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 2358
                                               Session of
                                                 2026

     INTRODUCED BY RIVERA, PIELLI, SANCHEZ, PROBST, WEBSTER,
        BOROWSKI, MAYES, CIRESI, MAZZOCCO, WAXMAN, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ,
        HANBIDGE AND INGLIS, APRIL 6, 2026

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, APRIL 6, 2026


                                    AN ACT
 1   Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
 2      act relating to the public school system, including certain
 3      provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
 4      schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
 5      laws relating thereto," in charter schools, further providing
 6      for funding for cyber charter schools.
 7      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 8   hereby enacts as follows:
 9      Section 1.    Section 1725.1-A(a) of the act of March 10, 1949
10   (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, added
11   July 11, 2024 (P.L.618, No.55), is amended and the section is
12   amended by adding a subsection to read:
13      Section 1725.1-A.    Funding for Cyber Charter Schools.--(a)
14   [There] Except as provided under subsection (e), there shall be
15   no tuition charge for a resident or nonresident student
16   attending a cyber charter school.
17      * * *
18      (e)   (1)   A school district with an approved online learning
19   program shall be exempt from paying the per-student cyber
 1   charter school tuition for students residing in the school
 2   district and attending an outside cyber charter school if the
 3   school district online learning program meets criteria
 4   established by the department.
 5      (2)     The department shall collaborate with the Pennsylvania
 6   Association of School Administrators and the Pennsylvania
 7   Association of School Business Officials to develop and maintain
 8   criteria by which a school district shall be exempt from paying
 9   the per-student cyber charter school tuition for students
10   residing in the district and attending an outside cyber charter
11   school.
12      (3)     The criteria may include requirements that programs:
13      (i)     Provide an in-person orientation for students and
14   parents.
15      (ii)     Allow school districts to verify student residency.
16      (iii)     Track student attendance, participation and course
17   completion.
18      (iv)     Provide daily access to technical support.
19      (v)     Provide flexible learning options, including full-time
20   and part-time enrollment and asynchronous and synchronous
21   instruction.
22      (vi)     Assign a case manager to students with an
23   individualized education program.
24      (vii)     Provide new students with orientation programs and
25   probationary periods.
26      (viii)     Monitor student performance regularly.
27      Section 2.     This act shall take effect in 60 days.




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