October 6, 2026 · EDUCATION · 5,043 words · 4 speakers · 247 segments
Thank you. Thank you.
Good morning, everyone. I'd like to call this voting meeting of the House Education Committee to order. I'd like to remind everyone that this meeting is being recorded, so it'll be on your best behavior and live stream for the members of the public. For those participating virtually, please mute your microphones. I don't see any, but... And for those that are here in person, please silence all your electronic devices. We will take attendance, Tom, if you'll be so kind.
Chairman Schreier.
Here.
Representatives, Abney.
Designation.
Curry.
Designation.
Friel.
Designation.
Isaacson.
Kazim.
Designation.
Nelson.
Designation.
O'Mara.
Friel Otten.
Designation.
Probst.
Designation.
Prokopiak.
Designation.
Smith-Wadell.
Designation.
Takak.
Designation.
Young.
Designation.
Chairman Cutler.
Present.
Representatives.
Anderson.
Designation.
Cooper.
Deorcy. designation divanzo designation gleim here kozak mckenzie here or titai designation rosal schlegel designation watch row present a quorum is present thank you
We have an established forum voting on five bills and three resolutions on today's agenda. I'm making the most popular. The chair would like to call up House Bill 2785.
House Bill 2785, sponsored by Representative Schreier, establishes new standards and requirements for contracts between school entities and third-party entities for the purchase and provision of artificial intelligence services.
I tend to ask for motions and seconds, and so it has been moved by Rep. O'Mara and seconded by Rep. Isaacson. I have a feeling they're going to be doing a lot of the heavy lifting today. And there is an amendment to it. So before we move forward on the discussion of the bill, as per usual, I'd like to consider the amendment first, and we can talk about the bill in total. The amendment is A-04449, if I read that correctly. Kate, if you'd be so kind.
A-04449 by Chair Schweier is largely technical, renames the term covered data to sensitive data, and restates that third parties shall not supplant services of a school employee.
Are there any questions or comments on the amendment before we move forward on the bill? And we are joined by Representative Probst.
Thank you, ma'am.
Questions or comments on the amendment? As Kate said, it's merely technical in nature, and we'll talk a little bit more about the bill as a whole. So with that, I think we're going to take roll calls for everything, Tom, today.
Chairman Schreier.
Yes.
Representatives Abney.
Yes, by designation.
Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't see it coming in.
Curry.
Yes, by designation.
Friel.
Yes, by designation.
Isaacson.
Kazim.
Yes, by designation.
Nelson.
Yes, by designation.
O'Mara.
Friel Otten.
Yes, by designation.
Probst.
Prokopiak yes by designation Smith-Wadell yes by designation Takak yes by designation Young yes by designation Chairman Cutler yes Representatives Anderson designation yes Cooper Diorci designation yes Devanzo designation yes Gleim Kozak McKenzie Ortitai designation yes
Rosal. Schlegel.
Designation, yes.
Watch Row.
The ayes are 26. The nays are zero. The amendment passes. Thank you very much. On the bill, and we are joined by Representative Prokopiak as well. Thank you, sir. On the bill, as the author of this legislation, I'm going to take a moment, have just a brief conversation. um uh pennsylvania is extraordinarily behind the times in helping our school districts our families our students our educators in navigating the world of artificial intelligence i made a joke uh at the beginning of this legislative session that if you asked 203 members to spell ai i'm not sure that all 203 of us would be able to do so we certainly weren't um talking about this as a educational tool in any kind of meaningful way. We had some members that would run around and talk at length about fears and concerns that they had about everything from replacing educators to widespread and rampant misuse by students and other folks in the classroom. On the other hand, we had people, legislators, again, on both sides of the aisle, talk at length about the revolutionary ability of AI to change education, tailor it all, and put students in a position to be incredibly productive, certainly compared to years past. I'm not so sure that I necessarily believe either of those things, but what is abundantly clear is that we need to do a better job of helping and aiding, again, our public schools and such on education, on AI and education. We had a very successful group of hearings in Pittsburgh earlier this year. Thanks again to the hosts of those events. I know we had a number of members, again, from both sides of the aisle that were there. And I don't want to speak for Chair Cutler, but I know I learned a lot at those events. I thought they were very good. This legislation has taken a while to develop because, frankly, this is new for anybody in Pennsylvania. Neither chamber has really tackled this, so we're sort of the first in the breach on it. But the goal of, and that will be what I will say about the next three bills as well, so you won't hear me talk about them at length beyond that. The purpose of this particular bill was trying to help our school districts acquire and obtain AI products, not any one particular vendor. I think folks know I'm pretty specific about that. but just to help them make sure that they're acquiring AI products that are protecting student data privacy, that are meant and tailored for educational purposes and not just grabbing anything off the shelf.
What we've seen with districts, big and small, rural, urban, and suburban, is that there is a wide gap between very sophisticated school districts when it comes to the issue of AI and those that just simply aren't there yet. we're trying to make sure that they're not accidentally acquiring products that are going to put our students at risk, that are going to put our families and our teachers in a bad way as this product evolves and changes through the years. And so I'd like to thank our entire staff, Chairman, your staff as well, as well as our friends outside of the building who've been helpful in helping us craft this. And I'm going to ask for an affirmative vote.
Chair, do you or any other members have any comments on this legislation?
Yes, thank you, Mr. Chairman. I think this legislation brings some common sense parameters for school entities seeking to contract with third-party vendors. I think that consumer protection laws, Internet protection laws, and many of the other privacy issues are not necessarily always the ballywick here in the Education Committee, but I do think it important that we provide some basic guardrails to have them in place I think some schools are appropriately already addressing this but I think this goes far away in terms of helping those schools who may not have yet begun that journey, so I urge a yes vote. Thank you, Chairman.
Are there any other questions or comments on the legislation? Seeing none, if you will take a roll call, please, Tom.
Chairman Schreier.
Yes.
Representatives Abney, Curry.
Yes, by designation.
Riel.
Yes, by designation.
Isaacson.
Kazim Yes by designation
Nelson
Yes by designation
O'Mara Friel Otten
Yes by designation
Probst
Yes, I'm sorry ma'am. You said yes ma'am. Thank you. Thank you
Prokopiak
Smith-Wadell Yes by designation
Tickack
Young
Chairman Cutler
Yes
Representatives Anderson
Yes by designation
Cooper
d or c designation yes divanzo designation yes glime kozak mckenzie or titai designation yes
rosal schlegel designation yes watch row the ayes are 26 the nays are zero the motion passes
thank you and thank you all very much uh for your vote of confidence on that legislation next on our agenda I'd like to call up House Bill 2786
printers number 3929
I'm going to invite you to come up Representative Dukes if you can join us here on the microphone is there a motion to consider
it's been made by Representative Young and seconded by Representative Abney
so as is customary of our committee we're just going to offer the amendment first and then we'll turn it over to you for comments if that's okay sir and so with that I will offer amendment A-04448. And Kate, if you'll read us, oh, I forgot to ask you to read a summary of the bill, and
then you can do a summary of the amendment.
My apologies.
House Bill 2786, sponsored by Representative Dukes, requires schools to adopt a clear local policy governing the responsible use of artificial intelligence by students and staff.
And the amendment?
A-04448 by Chair Schreier is largely technical and expands the scope by prohibiting the use of all AI, not just generative AI, and final decision-making related to students and school employees.
Comments on the amendment, Chair Cutler?
No, I was going to. Wait for the amendment.
Okay.
Motion to move. Bring it up. Oh, thank you.
So, are there any – do you have any negative votes on the amendment?
Sure. Okay.
I will just ask, are there any negative votes on the amendment, seeing none the amendment carries? And then on to the bill, and Representative Dukes.
All right. Here we go. Good morning. Thank you, Chair Schreier, Chair Cutler, and the members of the Education Committee. As you all know, artificial intelligence, AI, is becoming more common for our everyday lives. This technology is being utilized for our homes and is now becoming more common in the classroom. Right now, Pennsylvania does not have a clear policy or guidance for how students and educators should be using this technology. This legislation requires schools to adopt a clear policy on responsible uses for AI for students and educators. The policy would clearly outline the acceptable and the prohibited uses of AI, require human oversight of AI-generated content, and provide data transparency and privacy to students and families, including academic integrity, plagiarism, disclosure, citation, AI detection software, including – includes consequences for students and staff for inappropriate use of AI or violations of the school's AI policy. Several other states have taken steps to implement AI policies and guidance to help school districts handle AI safely, and it's time for Pennsylvania to join them. I ask for your support of this important legislation to ensure safe and responsible use of AI in our schools. Thank you.
Thank you, sir. Are there questions or comments on the legislation? Chair, you want to start?
Yep. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Representative Dukes, thank you very much for bringing the bill forward. I want to be very clear that I don't have an issue with the underlying objective of the bill. The public school code empowers local school boards to generally operate schools as they see fit. And as I mentioned previously, I think many schools are already starting to address this because the question is not will schools have to deal with AI or not. It's how will they deal with it and how will they handle it going forward? I've seen it with my own kids as well as, quite frankly, a lot of college students. So I know that the colleges are also struggling with this issue. My underlying concern with the bill as drafted, though, is the fact that we're going to apply the requirement both to public and non-public schools. Traditionally, in our school code, we've always differentiated those two institutions for very good reasons. I think that the non-public school system is intentionally very different. Some individuals choose to have their students attend those schools. I understand that, even though my own students and my own kids attended public school. So my only concern is that lumping together of the policies going forward. Traditionally, we've kept them separate, and I wish this bill would do that. I'll probably talk to you at some point once it gets out of committee about that concern and maybe how we can better delineate that, but at this time, I will be a no.
Thank you, sir. Any other questions or comments on the bill as amended?
I want to start by thanking Chair Cutler again. He's absolutely right that we often struggle and have a conversation in this forum about when oversight applies to non-traditional or non-public schools or a traditional public school. Excuse me. um we certainly had those conversations around the cell phone bill and some others and i and i and i understand that this is the way i see this legislation is this is largely a a student safety bill as much as it is anything else and we do have rules in place that that address school safety with our non-public schools they are able to apply for the school safety grant in fact a couple of years ago working with the catholic conference we made it easier for them to apply for those dollars They have to have school safety coordinators. They are required to follow the typical building codes as any other school would. So there are instances in our history in the General Assembly of requiring the same sort of student safety measures for our non-public schools as much as our public schools. Safe to say applies to all students regardless of where they go, for example. And so, whereas I understand the chairman's position, I certainly respect the chairman and his position on this. I personally believe that this is an instance where we're trying to protect students. This is an instance, again, very similar to Safe to Say and others, where we're looking to make sure our kids, regardless of where they go to school, have their data protected. And so, with that, I'm going to ask for an affirmative vote on this legislation.
And if there are no further comments or questions, we'll take a roll.
chairman schweier yes representatives abney curry yes by designation real yes by designation isaacson kazim yes by designation nelson omera real otten yes by designation probst prokopiak smith wadell yes by designation takak young chairman cutler no representative Anderson. Designated no. Cooper. Diorci. Designated no. Devanzo. Designated no. Gleim. Kozak. McKenzie. Ortitai. Designated no. Rosal. Schlegel. Designated no. Watro. The ayes are 14. The nays are 12.
The motion passes. Thank you. And thank you, Representative. moving forward uh i'd like to consider house bill 2787 printers number 3918 this is what happens when you leave your glasses in your office like a dummy uh i'd like to call up that legislation is there a motion to consider
representative abney is there a second representative take hack thank you uh kate if you'll be so kind as give us a description of the legislation house bill 2787 sponsored by representative Schusterman prohibits schools from using artificial intelligence, including AI chatbots, for student mental and behavioral health services. Thank you.
Representative Schusterman asked me to just say a few quick words This is pretty straightforward legislation She argues and I would agree that there a very real concern of making sure that our schools are not using AI chatbots and those sorts of things for kids that are in significant mental health concerns or even just at the very start of it We've seen AI go awry in helping plan suicides and all kinds of stuff. and we just personally think that we shouldn't be using taxpayer dollars to enable such things.
So with that, I'm going to ask for an affirmative vote on the legislation. Are there any other questions or comments from anyone? Seeing none. Tom?
Chairman Schwoer.
Yes.
Representatives Abney, Curry.
Yes, by designation.
Friel.
Yes, by designation.
Isaacson.
Kazim. Yes, by designation.
Nelson.
O'Mara.
Riel Otten.
Yes, by designation.
Probst.
Prokopiak.
Smith-Wadell.
Yes, by designation.
Taycac.
Young.
Chairman Cutler.
Yes.
Representatives. Anderson.
Yes, by designation.
Cooper. Diorci.
Yes.
Devanzo.
Yes, designation.
Gleim. Kozak. McKenzie. Ortitai.
Yes, designation.
Rosal. Schlegel.
Yes, designation.
Watch row. The ayes are 26. The nays are 0.
The motion passes. Thank you, sir. Representative Pialy, if you'd like to join us. And while you're doing that, Chair, we'd like to call up House Bill 2788, printer's number 3907.
By Representative Pialy, is there a motion that's been made by Rep. Probst and seconded by Representative Prokopiak? Thank you both.
Kate, if you'll please read a quick summary, and then we'll turn it over to the representative.
House Bill 2788, sponsored by Representative Pieli, establishes a grant program within the Pennsylvania Department of Education to help schools train educators on how to use artificial intelligence in the classroom.
Representative Pieli, floor is yours.
Thank you, Chairman Schreier and Chairman Cutler and colleagues. Artificial intelligence is changing the education landscape with educators and staff still learning how these technologies work and how best to incorporate them into classrooms. This legislation establishes a grant program within the Department of Education to help schools train educators on how to use AI effectively, ethically, and responsibly. Schools will be able to use these grants to support professional development for teachers, AI literacy, lesson planning, privacy, and cybersecurity training and development in their own local AI policies. Recently, I held a policy session in my old alma mater high school, and luckily we invited some high school students. and one of the high school students proceeded to school us as to the use of AI and what's been going on in and out of the classrooms with students. And we had to admit, the educators, the representatives, and the administrators, that we are behind, and we were basically clueless. Now, I'm not saying that AI isn't a beneficial tool that could be used. AI can be a beneficial tool in the classroom. If incorporated correctly, our children don't need teachers that can create their lesson plans faster thanks to AI software. What they need are educators who are not dependent on AI, but instead use it as another tool in their arsenal to help inspire young minds and get their students engaged in their lessons. This bill would give school leaders and resources and the flexibility to make the decisions that best suit their school districts on implementing and utilizing AI technologies. With that said, I ask for your support. I thank Chair Swire and his staff to help develop this bill. Thank you very much.
Thank you, sir. Are there questions or comments on House Bill 2788? Chair Cutler and Representative Rossell.
What is the, forgive me if I just am not remembering, what is the cost of the grant program? So, I got it, sir. So, thank you for your question, Representative. As we usually do in this committee, we don't make an appropriations on any legislation. Ultimately, it would be up to future budget negotiators to decide if we're going to invest in the program or not. This is enabling legislation on it. So, the current dollar would be zero. and it could go to whatever the two chambers and the governor would decide if it were to get there.
And thank you, Mr. Chairman. You know I always ask.
I understand. And no problems with the question. I just like to be as thorough as possible. Thank you, sir.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. First of all, Representative, thank you for bringing this bill forward.
And I am supportive, but I will make a general comment, as tends to be our custom here. We keep adding on a bunch of different required, you know, trainings and opportunities for teachers. I do think it's important that we routinely go back and reevaluate those so as to not overburden teachers with administrative days and a whole host of things that they need to be keeping up with. I recognize the importance of this one, though, which is why I'll support it. But I would also encourage us next session maybe to take a look at some other requirement that this could either replace or rotate with. Thank you.
Point taken. Thank you, sir. Are there any further questions or comments on the legislation? Seeing none.
Tom?
Chairman Schreier.
Yes.
Representatives Abney.
Curry.
Yes, by designation.
Riel.
Yes, by designation.
Isaacson.
Kazim.
Yes, by designation.
Nelson.
O'Meara. Friel Otten.
Excuse me, yes by designation.
Probst.
Prokopiak.
Smith-Wadell.
Yes by designation.
Takak.
Young.
Chairman Cutler.
Yes.
Representatives. Anderson.
Designation, yes.
Cooper. Diorci.
Designation, yes.
Devanzo.
Designation, yes.
Gleim. Kozak. McKenzie. Ortitai.
Designation, yes.
Rosal. Schlegel.
Designation, yes.
Quatro. The ayes are 24. The nays are 2.
The motion passes. Thank you, and thank you, Representative. Representative Brennan, if you'd like to join us. Next on our agenda is House Resolution 138,
printers number 1068 by Representative Brennan.
I make a motion to call it up.
It's a resolution. We don't need it.
And so, Kate, if you'll give us a summary, please.
House Resolution 138, sponsored by Representative Brennan, directs the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study on the state of civic education in Pennsylvania. Thank you.
And before we turn it over to members, Chairman, or sir, excuse me, Representative, I just gave you a promotion. I don't ever want to do that to you again.
Undeserved. Thank you, Chairman Schreier. Thank you, Chairman Cutler. I think it's really appropriate. We're here today with an agenda packed with issues related to AI that we're also talking about some of our foundational principles, some of those principles that have made so much of the progress that we're now seeing possible. You know, 250 years ago, we were talking about a country based on reason and where we could find, you know, some of our highest potential by working together and organizing a society that does the amazing things that we're doing today. The USA just had its 250th anniversary. Pennsylvania has been so important to what happened in 1776. We were home to the first national capital, the Declaration of Independence, the Article of Confederation, the Constitution. We're all written here. Iconic Pennsylvanians forged and defined the democratic principles that we live by. But we're really at a crossroads. Civic engagement has declined, particularly among young people. Trust in government has also declined, and there's a lack of knowledge about basic government functions. We've seen a breakdown in civil discourse, decorum, democratic norms, consensus building, and fact-based analysis. Despite becoming far more productive, we have lost purpose and become increasingly isolated and disconnected from our neighbors. With TV in every household and the advent of the Internet, we have become an entertainment society. Even our news has become entertainment. Now we will have the added challenges that artificial intelligence will pose to our democracy. Our schools are essential in transferring the democratic culture and values that made this country a beacon of hope and progress, that created the conditions to solve the world most complicated problems and that has led to unprecedented prosperity for our country The first section of the Education Code actually defines the purpose of public education It says Public education prepares students for an adult life by attending to their intellectual and developmental needs It prepares them to become self-directed, lifelong learners, and responsible, involved citizens. It has been clear for well over a generation that in terms of transferring a democratic political values, that we are not meeting the challenge of that first purpose-driven section of the education code. Even if we are producing talented kids, we are doing them a disservice if they're not rounded and able to undertake the responsibilities of democratic citizenship. And as a result, all of the progress that we've made could become unsustainable. My dad often told me as a kid that it's not always just what you do, it's how you do it. And I think our educators seem to be aware of that because 75% of them are saying that we need to spend more time on civics. But unfortunately, our government's lagging behind. This is a chance to start a course correction and to live up to one of those most important purposes of our education code. So I encourage a yes vote.
Thank you, sir. Representative Gleim, I believe, is the first on our list.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I don't think we need a study on this. We already know that we've been directed to provide a thorough and efficient form of education in our state, and we already know that 75% of our educators say that we need more civics, more civic engagement. I think that our department can already do this without a study, and for those reasons I just encourage our department to encourage our schools throughout the Commonwealth to provide civics education. They can provide the grades and all of the information that we need to go forward with that. I just don't think we need a study on this. Thank you.
Thank you, ma'am. Further questions or comments on the resolution? All right, Tom, if you'll take a roll.
Chairman Schreier.
Yes.
Representatives, Abney, Curry, Friel.
Yes, by designation.
Isaacson, Kazim.
Yes, by designation.
Nelson, O'Mara, Friel Otten.
Yes, by designation.
Probst, Prokopiak, Smith-Wadell.
Yes, by designation.
Taycac, Young. chairman cutler yes representatives anderson designation yes cooper designation yes diorce designation yes divanzo designation yes glime kozak mckenzie ortitai designation yes rosal schlegel designation yes watro designation yes the ayes are 25 the nays are one
the motion passes. Thank you. Thank you, Representative. And I apologize. I failed to recognize both Representatives Curry and Representatives Nelson, who have joined us in person. Thank you to both of you. With that, in consultation with Chair Cutler, I will accept a motion to bring up under other business, Senate Bill 116, printers number 1420, House Resolution 639, printers number 3954, and House Resolution 641, printers number 3959. And you'll make that motion, Chairman?
Yes, sir. And I'll second it. Thank you.
So with that, we will consider, we'll bring up Senate Bill 116.
Kate, if you'll be so kind. Senate Bill 116, sponsored by Senator Argel, provides students in 11th and 12th grade the option to receive one elective credit for every 250 hours of paid or volunteer work at a congregate care facility for the maximum of two elective credits. Thank you. Are there questions or
comments on the Senate bill? Chairman? Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just want to thank you for bringing
this bill up. This is something that is actually very important, in my opinion, as we try to close those gaps with many of the workforce development issues and giving students who may choose other careers out of high school the opportunity to get real training while they
are still in school. I think this is a good improvement and certainly will have my support.
Thank you. Thank you, sir. Are there further questions or comments on Senate Bill 116?
I concur with the chairman and ask for an affirmative vote. Tom?
Chairman Schwer. Yes. Representatives Abney, Curry, Friel. Yes, by designation. Isaacson. Kazim. Yes, by designation. Nelson. O'Mara. Friel Otten. Yes, by designation. Probst. Prokopiak. Smith-Wadell. Yes, by designation. Takak. Young. Chairman Cutler. Yes. Representatives. Anderson. Yes. Cooper. Yes, by designation. Diorci. Same. Yes, by designation. Devanzo. Yes, by designation. Lime. Kozak. Yes, by designation. McKenzie. Fortitai. Designation, yes. Rosl. Schlegel. Yes, by designation. Watro. Same. The ayes are 26,
the nays are 0. The motion passes. Thank you, sir. Next up on the agenda, under Other Businesses, House Resolution 639 by our own Representative Taycac. Sir, we will turn it over to you.
All right.
He has no comments on his resolution, and I'm going to make fun of him for that later. The best politician here, Kate, if you'll give us the briefest of summaries, please.
Good man.
House Resolution 639, sponsored by Representative Taycac, designates August 15, 2026 as One Million Degrees Day in Pennsylvania to recognize the Pennsylvania State University's awarding of its one millionth degree.
I'll take his time.
As somebody who's gotten one of those one million degrees, I'm encouraging a yes vote. Are there further questions or comments? Seeing none, do you have any negative votes? I will ask, are there any negative? I will happily call for a roll call if anybody needs. Otherwise, no, the resolution passes unanimously.
Thank you.
And moving forward, you're worried about me wasting time. Anyway, House resolution by your own representative Hortitai, House resolution 641. Kate, if you'll give us a quick review of the legislation.
House Resolution 641, sponsored by Representative Ortitai, designates November 8, 2026 as Frank and Athena Saris Day in Pennsylvania.
Thank you.
All right, questions or comments on the resolution? Are there any negative votes? Seeing none, resolution carries unanimously. Thank you all so very much. Before we adjourn the meeting, just a friendly reminder that if anybody's hungry tomorrow morning, we are having our FIA breakfast in this room. I believe it starts at 8 o'clock, 830. In this, it's just an opportunity. I'm sorry. I don't know what it is. Are you cooking, Gina? Anyway, we are having a – this is just an opportunity for members to interact with FIA staff, get some information about what the organization does, how they help student lenders. We did this last year. We had a number of members that show up. It is open to any member of either chamber, so if you have a friend over in the Senate, please let them know coffee and some kind of breakfast, Gina, is on us. So with that, Chair Cutler, sir.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm not going to harass you about the menu tomorrow, I promise. I did want to take this opportunity, though, knowing that this might be our last public meeting prior to the conclusion of session, barring any bills on the trade list. I did want to thank you and your staff as well as my staff because I'm a big believer in thanking people publicly for working hard on issues. I appreciate the hard work. I've enjoyed working together on many of these issues, and even our disagreements have been agreeable. So thank you, Mr. Chairman.
And with that, we'll see you tomorrow morning.
Thank you.
Thank you.