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 hunting and trapping education; and imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 3274, 3375 PRINTER'S NO. 3723
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 2460
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY KULIK, GOUGHNOUR, IRVIN, GILLEN, KEPHART, NEILSON,
STEELE, PASHINSKI AND MEHAFFIE, APRIL 24, 2026
AS RE-REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS, HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES, AS AMENDED, JUNE 29, 2026
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 deemed a reference to "area career and
technical school," in terms and courses of study, providing
for hunting and trapping education; and imposing duties on
the Department of Education and the Pennsylvania Game
Commission.
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 1529. Hunting and Trapping Education.--(a) No later
than July 1, 2027, the commission , in consultation with the
department , shall develop and make available to each school
entity a model program of age-appropriate hunting and trapping
education, including firearm safety instruction, for students in
grades six through twelve.
(b) The firearm safety instruction under the model program
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must:
(1) Comply with the firearm safety training requirements of
the commission's basic hunter-trapper education course.
(2) Be taught by an individual who is a commission-certified
hunter education instructor.
(3) Include the following topics:
(i) Proper usage and handling of firearms.
(ii) Safe cleaning and maintenance of firearms.
(iii) Different types of firearms.
(iv) Safe hunting practices and techniques.
(v) History of wildlife conservation and hunting.
(c) Firearms or ammunition may not be brought into a school
building as part of the firearm safety instruction under the
model program.
(d) A school entity may provide the firearm safety
instruction under the model program as:
(1) an optional extracurricular class for students in grades
six through twelve in the school entity; or
(2) part of an existing course for the purpose of teaching
self-expression and enjoyment of recreational activity.
(e) Upon request by a parent or legal guardian of a student,
the student shall be excused, without penalty or loss of
academic credit, from attending the firearm safety instruction
under the model program.
(f) (E) A student who completes the firearm safety
instruction under the model program is deemed to have completed
the commission's basic hunter-trapper education course that is
required to obtain a hunting license under State law.
(g) (F) The commission , in consultation with the department ,
shall prescribe procedures necessary to implement and administer
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the model program.
(h) Any training hours offered by the commission for school
entities that result in a school staff member becoming a
certified hunter education instructor or for the purposes of
administering any other program offered by the commission shall
count towards continuing professional education under sections
1205.1, 1205.2 and 1205.3.
(i) (G) Any costs incurred by a school entity as a result of
this section may be reimbursed by the commission.
(j) (H) Definitions.--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:
"Commission." The Pennsylvania Game Commission.
"Department." The Department of Education of the
Commonwealth.
"Firearm." As defined in 34 Pa.C.S. § 102 (relating to
definitions).
"Hunting." As defined in 34 Pa.C.S. § 102.
"Model program." The model program developed under
subsection (a).
"School entity." A school district, joint school district,
charter school, regional charter school, cyber charter school,
intermediate unit, area career and technical school or parochial
school.
"Trapping." As defined in 34 Pa.C.S. § 102.
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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