Pennsylvania SB838: An Act amending the act of December 15, 1986 (P.L.1585, No.174), known as the Private Licensed Schools Act, further providing for definitions.

What the bill says

An act defining and providing for the licensing and regulation of private schools; establishing the State Board of Private Licensed Schools; imposing penalties; and making repeals," further providing for definitions.

From the introduced text, June 6, 2025:

An act defining and providing for the licensing and regulation of private schools; establishing the State Board of Private Licensed Schools; imposing penalties; and making repeals," further providing for definitions. The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows: Section 1. The definition of "private licensed school" in section 2 of the act of December 15, 1986 (P.L.1585, No.174), known as the Private Licensed Schools Act, is amended to read: Section 2. Definitions. The following words and phrases when used in this act shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: * * * "Private licensed school." A school or classes operated for profit or tuition that provides resident instruction to prepare an individual to pursue an occupation in the skilled trades, industry or business, or systematic instruction by distance education in a field of study. It shall not include a private academic school as defined in section 2 of the act of January 28, 1988 (P.L.24, No.11), known as the Private Academic Schools Act; a school maintained or a class conducted for training for the vocation of homemaking or to give training in public and other service occupations; a barber school; a school of cosmetology; a school or provider approved by the State Real Estate Commission or the …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Culver, Lynda Schlegel (R, 27) · primary sponsor
• Patrick Stefano (R, 32)
• Wayne Fontana (D, 42)
• Vogel Jr., Elder A. (R, 47)
• Cris Dush (R, 25)
• Rosemary Brown (R, 40)

Latest actions

1. October 22, 2026: Act No. 100 of 2026, Oct. 22, 2026
2. October 22, 2026: Approved by the Governor, Oct. 22, 2026
3. October 22, 2026: Presented to the Governor, Oct. 22, 2026
4. October 22, 2026: Signed in House, Oct. 22, 2026
5. October 21, 2026: Signed in Senate, Oct. 21, 2026
6. October 21, 2026: Third consideration and final passage, Oct. 21, 2026 (203-0)
7. October 21, 2026: Re-reported as committed, Oct. 21, 2026
8. October 20, 2026: Re-referred to APPROPRIATIONS, Oct. 20, 2026
9. October 20, 2026: Second consideration, Oct. 20, 2026
10. October 19, 2026: Removed from table, Oct. 19, 2026

Votes

• House Floor: SB838, RC 1581 (October 21, 2026): 203 yea, 0 nay, passed
• House Appropriations: Re-report Bill As Committed (October 21, 2026): 37 yea, 0 nay, passed
• House Professional Licensure: Report Bill As Committed (June 30, 2025): 26 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Third consideration and final passage, June 24, 2025 (48-2) (June 24, 2025): 48 yea, 2 nay, passed
• Third consideration and final passage, July 17, 2025 (49-1) (June 24, 2025): 49 yea, 1 nay, passed
• Senate Appropriations: Re-Reported as Committed (June 24, 2025): 22 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB838?

SB838 is a bill in the Pennsylvania Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): An Act amending the act of December 15, 1986 (P.L.1585, No.174), known as the Private Licensed Schools Act, further providing for definitions.

What does SB838 do?

In its own words: An act defining and providing for the licensing and regulation of private schools; establishing the State Board of Private Licensed Schools; imposing penalties; and making repeals," further providing for definitions.

What is the status of SB838?

Signed into law as of October 22, 2026. Latest action: Act No. 100 of 2026, Oct. 22, 2026 (October 22, 2026).

Who sponsored SB838?

Culver, Lynda Schlegel (R, 27), with 5 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB838?

On the Pennsylvania Legislature website: https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/sb838