Bill > HB1054

This bill amends the Public School Code to strengthen and expand Holocaust, genocide, and human rights violations instruction in Pennsylvania schools. Starting in the 2027-2028 school year, the bill changes instruction from optional to mandatory for all school entities, including public and nonpublic schools. The Department of Education is required to establish comprehensive curriculum guidelines that cover the history of the Holocaust, definitions and examples of genocide, human rights violations, and topics like anti-Semitism, racism, indigenous rights, slavery, and civil rights abuses. The State Board of Education must conduct studies about how this instruction is implemented, with reporting requirements in the 2028-2029 school year, and is tasked with adopting regulations to ensure consistent instruction across school entities. The bill broadens the definition of "human rights violations" to include specific actions like torture, prolonged detention without trial, and enforced disappearances. By delaying implementation until 2027-2028, the bill allows schools time to develop robust, comprehensive educational programs about these critical historical and social topics. The legislation will take effect 60 days after its enactment.

Education

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/bill_history.cfm?syear=2025&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1054