HB 1986 — An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, providing for mascot transition grants; and establishing the Mascot Grant Fund.

PRINTER'S NO.   2505

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 1986
                                                  Session of
                                                    2025

     INTRODUCED BY RABB, RIVERA AND KHAN, OCTOBER 22, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, OCTOBER 23, 2025


                                       AN ACT
 1   Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
 2      act relating to the public school system, including certain
 3      provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
 4      schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
 5      laws relating thereto," providing for mascot transition
 6      grants; and establishing the Mascot Grant Fund.
 7      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 8   hereby enacts as follows:
 9      Section 1.     The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
10   as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding an
11   article to read:
12                               ARTICLE XXVI-M
13                          MASCOT TRANSITION GRANTS
14   Section 2601-M.    Definitions.
15      The following words and phrases when used in this article
16   shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
17   context clearly indicates otherwise:
18      "American Indian mascot."      A name, symbol or image that
19   depicts or refers to an American Indian or Native American
20   tribe, individual, custom or tradition that is used as a public
 1   institution of higher education's or a school entity's mascot,
 2   nickname, logo, letterhead or team name.
 3      "Department."    The Department of Education of the
 4   Commonwealth.
 5      "Eligible institution."     A school entity or public
 6   institution of higher education which is approved by the
 7   department for a mascot grant under this article.
 8      "Mascot grant."    A monetary grant provided by the department
 9   under this article.
10      "Public institution of higher education."    A university
11   within the State System of Higher Education, a community college
12   or State-related university.
13      "School entity."     A school district, charter school, cyber
14   charter school, private school, intermediate unit or area career
15   and technical school.
16   Section 2602-M.    Mascot Grant Fund.
17      (a)   Establishment.--The Mascot Grant Fund is established
18   within the State Treasury to provide mascot grants to an
19   eligible institution.
20      (b)   Money.--The department shall make available $1,000,000
21   of the department's appropriation from the General Assembly in a
22   fiscal year to be deposited into the Mascot Grant Fund for the
23   implementation of this article.
24   Section 2603-M.    Grant eligibility and amount of award.
25      Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, the department
26   shall allot a one-time mascot grant of up to $20,000 to an
27   eligible institution which has an American Indian mascot as of
28   the effective date of this section and voluntarily discontinues
29   the use of the American Indian mascot on or after the effective
30   date of this section.

20250HB1986PN2505                    - 2 -
 1   Section 2604-M.    Use of grant money.
 2      (a)   Use.--A mascot grant shall be used for, or in connection
 3   with, expenses incurred by an eligible institution to offset the
 4   costs associated with the discontinued use of an American Indian
 5   mascot, including:
 6            (1)   The purchase, design or renovation of new equipment
 7      such as logos, signs and other branding, including banners
 8      and letterhead, to remove the American Indian mascot.
 9            (2)   The purchase or renovation of sports equipment,
10      facilities, sport uniforms or other sports paraphernalia and
11      branding at local sports facilities to remove the American
12      Indian mascot.
13            (3)   The removal of American Indian mascots on an
14      eligible institution's property, including artistic
15      representations on flooring, windows, engravings or other
16      adaptations on buildings.
17      (b)   Regulations.--The department may promulgate regulations
18   governing the use of mascot grants.
19   Section 2605-M.    Forfeiture.
20      An eligible institution which knowingly submits
21   misrepresentations or false statements with the intention of
22   fraudulently obtaining a mascot grant from the department shall
23   be denied status as an eligible institution under this article.
24   Section 2606-M.    Application.
25      To receive a mascot grant, an eligible institution must
26   submit an application to the department that includes an
27   estimated cost of discontinuing the use of an American Indian
28   mascot. The department shall establish procedures and criteria
29   for awarding mascot grants that shall include:
30            (1)   Other application requirements and the deadline for

20250HB1986PN2505                      - 3 -
 1      submission of a mascot grant application.
 2          (2)   Criteria for prioritizing mascot grant applications
 3      which focuses on the necessity of each project described in
 4      the application and which has as the first priority an
 5      application that describes capital construction projects
 6      deemed necessary by the department for the eligible
 7      institution to discontinue use of the American Indian mascot.
 8          (3)   Provisions for multiple school entities to apply
 9      jointly for funds to replace similar mascots or jointly
10      procure replacement property of branded items.
11   Section 2607-M.    Research and assistance.
12      The department may consult the Pennsylvania Human Relations
13   Commission, Office of Advocacy and Reform or other Commonwealth
14   agency for legal, administrative or cultural guidance to school
15   entities applying for mascot grants.
16      Section 2.     This act shall take effect in 60 days.




20250HB1986PN2505                    - 4 -