HB 2424 — An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in charter schools, further providing for funding for charter schools.

PRINTER'S NO.    3225

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                         HOUSE BILL
                         No. 2424
                                               Session of
                                                 2026

     INTRODUCED BY CIRESI, TOMLINSON, SANCHEZ, PROBST, HILL-EVANS,
        SAMUELSON, GUENST, SHUSTERMAN, INGLIS, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ,
        HADDOCK, NEILSON AND JAMES, APRIL 17, 2026

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, APRIL 18, 2026


                                    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," in charter schools, further providing
 6      for funding for charter schools.
 7      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 8   hereby enacts as follows:
 9      Section 1.    Section 1725-A of the act of March 10, 1949
10   (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, is
11   amended by adding a subsection to read:
12      Section 1725-A.    Funding for Charter Schools.--* * *
13      (f)   Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, the following
14   shall apply:
15      (1)   Whether a charter school entity or the parent or
16   guardian initiates a request for an initial evaluation to
17   determine if the student is a student with a disability under 34
18   CFR 300.306 (relating to determination of eligibility) and 22
19   Pa. Code § 14.123 (relating to evaluation), the evaluation shall
 1   be conducted by the student's school district of residence. The
 2   school district of residence may contract with the intermediate
 3   unit to fulfill the responsibilities under this subsection.
 4      (2)    The school district of residence or intermediate unit
 5   performing the evaluation under paragraph (1) shall issue a
 6   report of the initial evaluation findings to the student's
 7   parents or guardians and the charter school entity. The
 8   following shall apply:
 9      (i)    The evaluation report shall include:
10      (A)    A decision about whether the student is eligible to
11   receive special education services.
12      (B)    Recommendations to the individualized education program
13   team about the special education and related services the child
14   needs to participate in the regular curriculum if the student is
15   eligible for special education services.
16      (ii)    The report shall be used by the individualized
17   education program team to make decisions about services to be
18   provided to the student by the charter school entity.
19      (iii)    The report by the school district or intermediate unit
20   shall not impede the parents' or guardians' right to have an
21   independent evaluation of the student performed under 34 CFR
22   300.502 (relating to independent educational evaluation).
23      (3)    An intermediate unit may charge a fee to the charter
24   school entity for the evaluation service, which may not be more
25   than the intermediate unit charges a school district for a
26   similar service.
27      (4)    For purposes of this act, the charter school entity
28   shall remain the local education agency responsible for the
29   provision of special education services under the Individuals
30   with Disabilities Education Act (Public Law 91-230, 20 U.S.C. §

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1   1400 et seq.) and 22 Pa. Code Ch. 711 (relating to charter
2   school and cyber charter school services and programs for
3   children with disabilities).
4      Section 2.   This act shall take effect in 60 days.




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