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HB1565 • 2025

An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in terms and courses of study, providing for instructions in firearm safety.

An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in terms and courses of study, providing for instructions in firearm safety.

Education Firearms
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
BANTA
Last action
2025-06-05
Official status
Referred to EDUCATION, June 5, 2025
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in terms and courses of study, providing for instructions in firearm safety.

An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in terms and courses of study, providing for instructions in firearm safety.

What This Bill Does

  • An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in terms and courses of study, providing for instructions in firearm safety.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Bill History

  1. 2025-06-05 EDUCATION

    Referred to EDUCATION, June 5, 2025

Official Summary Text

An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in terms and courses of study, providing for instructions in firearm safety.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
PRINTER'S NO. 1850
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1565
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY BANTA AND SMITH, JUNE 5, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, JUNE 5, 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," in terms and courses of study,
providing for instructions in firearm safety.
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 a
section to read:
Section 1556. Instructions in Firearm Safety.--(a)
Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, each school entity
shall offer instruction in firearm safety to all students in
each grade from kindergarten through twelve. The instruction
must be:
(1) Age appropriate to the grade level of the student.
(2) Offered in a politically neutral manner.
(b) The department shall, in consultation with the
Pennsylvania State Police and the Pennsylvania Game Commission,
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develop curriculum guidelines on firearm safety. The guidelines,
at a minimum, shall include information on:
(1) The safe handling of firearms.
(2) The safe storage of firearms.
(3) The proper steps to take when encountering a firearm.
(4) The dangers of misusing a firearm.
(5) The benefits of firearms and the recreational activities
that can be completed with firearms.
(c) As used in this section, the following words and phrases
shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection:
"Department." The Department of Education of the
Commonwealth.
"Firearm." As follows:
(1) Any weapon designed to, or readily convertible to, expel
a projectile by the action of an explosive.
(2) The frame or receiver of a weapon under paragraph (1).
"School entity." A school district, intermediate unit, area
career and technical school, charter school, cyber charter
school or regional charter school.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
20250HB1565PN1850 - 2 -
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