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HB1987 • 2025

An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in preliminary provisions, providing for limitation on school mascots.

An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in preliminary provisions, providing for limitation on school mascots.

Education
Passed Legislature

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

Sponsor
RABB
Last action
2025-10-23
Official status
Referred to EDUCATION, Oct. 23, 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 preliminary provisions, providing for limitation on school mascots.

An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in preliminary provisions, providing for limitation on school mascots.

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 preliminary provisions, providing for limitation on school mascots.

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. 2025-10-23 EDUCATION

    Referred to EDUCATION, Oct. 23, 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 preliminary provisions, providing for limitation on school mascots.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
PRINTER'S NO. 2506
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1987
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY RABB AND RIVERA, OCTOBER 22, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, OCTOBER 23, 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 preliminary provisions, providing
for limitation on school mascots.
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 135. Limitation on School Mascots.--(a) A school
entity may not have or adopt a name, symbol or image that
depicts or refers to a Native American tribe, individual, custom
or tradition for a mascot, nickname, logo or letterhead unless
the school entity:
(1) Has received the express written consent of a tax-exempt
corporation in good standing founded prior to 1945 whose mission
focuses exclusively on Native American rights.
(2) C onducts a school-wide program on Native American
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culture at least twice per school year.
(3) O ffers a course of study to the school entity's students
outlining Native American contributions to society.
(4) F iles an annual report with the State Board of Education
detailing what academic programs on Native American culture and
history the school entity has offered during the school year.
(b) A school entity that fails to comply with this section
shall be ineligible to be a member of the Pennsylvania
Interscholastic Athletic Association or participate in
Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association sponsored
athletic contests.
(c) As used in this section, the following words and phrases
shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless
the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"School entity." Any of the following:
(1) A school district.
(2) An intermediate unit.
(3) An area career and technical school.
(4) A charter school, cyber charter school or regional
charter school.
(5) A private school.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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