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PRINTER'S NO. 1885
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 1419
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY ROBINSON, SAVAL, TARTAGLIONE, PICOZZI, STREET,
COMITTA, PENNYCUICK, CAPPELLETTI, COSTA, KIM AND PISCIOTTANO,
JULY 10, 2026
REFERRED TO EDUCATION, JULY 10, 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," providing for Pennsylvania Robotics
Team Support Grant Program; and establishing the Pennsylvania
Robotics Team Support Grant Program Fund.
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 an
article to read:
ARTICLE XV-O
PENNSYLVANIA ROBOTICS TEAM SUPPORT GRANT PROGRAM
Section 1501-O. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this article
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Department." The Department of Education of the
Commonwealth."
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"Eligible applicant." An applicant that meets the
requirements of section 1504-O(c).
"Fund." The Pennsylvania Robotics Team Support Grant Program
Fund established under section 1503-O.
"Program." The Pennsylvania Robotics Team Support Grant
Program established under section 1502-O.
"Program provider." An organization, approved by the
department, that convenes and facilitates competitions and
provides associated support for robotics programs, incorporating
mechanical design and computer science.
Section 1502-O. Pennsylvania Robotics Team Support Grant
Program.
The Pennsylvania Robotics Team Support Grant Program is
established in the department for the purpose of awarding grants
to support students and teams competing in and practicing
robotics in kindergarten through grade twelve.
Section 1503-O. Pennsylvania Robotics Team Support Grant
Program Fund.
(a) Establishment.--The Pennsylvania Robotics Team Support
Grant Program Fund is established in the State Treasury.
(b) Continuing appropriation.--The money in the fund is
appropriated on a continuing basis to the department for the
purpose of awarding grants under this article.
(c) Contributions.--The fund shall consist of:
(1) Money appropriated or transferred to the fund by act
of the General Assembly.
(2) Gifts, donations, legacies or other source of
revenue to the fund.
(3) Interest earned by the fund.
(d) Funding.--No later than 60 days after the effective date
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of this subsection, the State Treasurer shall transfer
$2,500,000 from the General Fund to the fund.
Section 1504-O. Application and grant eligibility requirements.
(a) Application.--The department shall establish an
application process for grants from the program.
(b) Requirements.--An application shall include, at a
minimum:
(1) Evidence that the applicant has established at least
one partnership for the applicant's robotics program with a
business entity, an institution of higher education, an area
career and technical school or an individual sponsor.
(2) A detailed budget on how the applicant will use the
grant money.
(3) Documentation of a local match of at least 25% of
the grant money. The local match may not include other money
received from the Commonwealth. The local match may include
an in-kind contribution, cash contribution, local fund or
money from an individual or business.
(c) Eligibility.--An applicant is eligible if the applicant:
(1) Is a school district of the first class or first
class A or an intermediate unit located in a county of the
second class A through eighth class.
(2) Meets the minimum number of students for a robotic
team, as determined by a program provider.
(3) Participates in at least one competition, as
determined by the program provider.
(4) Participates in at least one in-person competition.
(d) Review and award.--The department shall review
applications and award grants to eligible applicants.
(e) Use of grant money.--An eligible applicant awarded a
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grant shall use the grant:
(1) For payment of stipends for robotics team coaching.
A stipend for coaching may not exceed $1,500 per school
building.
(2) For event registration, materials, travel costs and
other expenses associated with the preparation for and
attendance at robotics events and competitions.
(3) For an award to a robotics team that advances to the
next level of competition. The department shall determine the
maximum amount of the award per robotics team that advances.
(f) Limitation.--The department may not award a grant in
excess of $10,000 per robotics team in a fiscal year.
Section 1505-O. Reporting.
(a) Reporting.--No later than May 1, 2027, and each May 1
thereafter, the department shall collect and make available on
the department's publicly accessible Internet website a report
that includes the following:
(1) The total number of applications:
(i) Received in the previous year.
(ii) Received since the program was established.
(iii) Approved in the previous year.
(iv) Approved since the program was established.
(2) The total amount of funds awarded:
(i) In the previous year.
(ii) Since the program was established.
(3) The names of eligible applicants that:
(i) Received a grant from the program in the
previous year.
(ii) Received a grant from the program since the
program was established.
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(4) Any additional information the department deems as
necessary.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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