Pennsylvania SB1294: An Act amending the act of December 15, 1986 (P.L.1585, No.174), known as the Private Licensed Schools Act, further providing for penalties.

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 penalties.

From the amended text, May 4, 2026:

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 penalties. The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows: Section 1. Section 15 of the act of December 15, 1986 (P.L.1585, No.174), known as the Private Licensed Schools Act, is amended by adding a subsection to read: Section 15. Penalties. * * * (b.1) Unlicensed training schools and programs.--In addition to any other penalty provided in this act, the board may, by a majority vote of its statutorily authorized membership, levy a civil penalty of up to $25,000 on any person who provides training without being properly licensed under this act. A civil penalty may only be assessed once per violation. Prior to the collection of the penalty, the person shall have access to the <-- hearing procedure provided in Title 2 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes. (B.1) UNLICENSED COMMERCIAL DRIVING SCHOOLS.--IN ADDITION TO ANY OTHER PENALTY PROVIDED IN THIS ACT, THE BOARD MAY, BY A MAJORITY VOTE OF ITS STATUTORILY AUTHORIZED MEMBERSHIP, LEVY A CIVIL PENALTY OF UP TO $25,000 ON ANY PERSON WHO PROVIDES ENTRY LEVEL DRIVER TRAINING AS REQUIRED BY 49 CFR PT. 380 SUBPT. F (RELATING TO ENTRY LEVEL DRIVER TRAINING REQUIREMENTS ON …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Judith Ward (R, 30) · primary sponsor
• Camera Bartolotta (R, 46)
• Kristin Phillips-Hill (R, 28)
• Scott Hutchinson (R, 21)
• Wayne Langerholc (R, 35)
• Patrick Stefano (R, 32)
• Scott Martin (R, 13)
• Lisa Baker (R, 20)
• Vogel Jr., Elder A. (R, 47)

Latest actions

1. July 20, 2026: Act No. 50 of 2026, July 20, 2026
2. July 20, 2026: Approved by the Governor, July 20, 2026
3. July 12, 2026: Presented to the Governor, July 12, 2026
4. July 12, 2026: Signed in House, July 12, 2026
5. July 12, 2026: Signed in Senate, July 12, 2026
6. July 12, 2026: Third consideration and final passage, July 12, 2026 (201-1)
7. July 12, 2026: Re-reported as committed, July 12, 2026
8. June 29, 2026: Re-referred to APPROPRIATIONS, June 29, 2026
9. June 29, 2026: Second consideration, June 29, 2026
10. June 29, 2026: Removed from table, June 29, 2026

Votes

• House Floor: SB1294, RC 1333 (July 12, 2026): 201 yea, 1 nay, passed
• House Appropriations: Re-report Bill As Committed (July 11, 2026): 37 yea, 0 nay, passed
• House Transportation: Report Bill As Committed (June 16, 2026): 26 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Third consideration and final passage, May 6, 2026 (48-2) (May 6, 2026): 48 yea, 2 nay, passed
• Amended on third consideration, May 6, 2026 (27-23) (May 6, 2026): 27 yea, 23 nay, passed
• Senate Education: Reported as Committed (April 20, 2026): 8 yea, 3 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB1294?

SB1294 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 penalties.

What does SB1294 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 penalties.

What is the status of SB1294?

Signed into law as of July 20, 2026. Latest action: Act No. 50 of 2026, July 20, 2026 (July 20, 2026).

Who sponsored SB1294?

Judith Ward (R, 30), with 8 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB1294?

On the Pennsylvania Legislature website: https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/sb1294