Bill > HB1986

This bill establishes a Mascot Grant Fund to provide financial assistance to educational institutions that voluntarily choose to discontinue using American Indian mascots, nicknames, logos, or team names. Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, eligible institutions (including school districts, charter schools, colleges, and universities) can receive a one-time grant of up to $20,000 to offset expenses related to transitioning away from American Indian mascots. The grants can be used to cover costs such as purchasing new branding materials, redesigning logos, replacing sports equipment and uniforms, and removing American Indian imagery from facilities and property. The Department of Education will administer the program, with $1,000,000 annually allocated from its budget to the Mascot Grant Fund. The department will establish application procedures that prioritize projects deemed necessary for mascot transition, and institutions can apply jointly. Institutions must submit an estimated cost of discontinuing their American Indian mascot, and those found to have submitted fraudulent information will be denied grant eligibility. The department may also seek guidance from other state agencies like the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission to support institutions in this transition.

Education

https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hb1986