January saw limited legislative activity in the Pennsylvania Legislature, with few developments directly impacting educators. The following report highlights key state and federal news developments for the month, summarizing the most relevant legislative actions, policy updates, and government activities.
In this edition:
- New Pennsylvania Law Strengthens School Safety Notifications
- Senate Committee Holds Hearing on Leave For Family Care
- Supreme Court Signals Support for State Bans on Transgender Athletes
- High Court Asked to Take Up Dispute Over Gender Identity Disclosure in Schools
- Survey Reminder
New Pennsylvania Law Strengthens School Safety Notifications
Effective January 6, Act 44 of 2025, amended the Public School Code to establish mandatory parental and staff notification whenever a weapon is discovered on school property, at a school-sponsored activity, or on school transportation. The law requires all public, charter, private, nonpublic, and career/technical schools to send a notice within 24 hours using a method “likely to reach” parents, guardians, and school employees when an incident involving possession of a weapon violates state law, school policies, or both. Weapons are defined broadly to include firearms, knives, cutting instruments, nunchaku, and any other tool capable of inflicting serious bodily injury. Notifications must protect student privacy (no personally identifiable information shared publicly), but employees with a legitimate educational interest may receive more specific information under FERPA.
Act 44 closed a previous gap in reporting. Schools were already required to report incidents to law enforcement and PDE, but not directly to families and staff. Now, even incidents that pose no ongoing threat (such as a student unknowingly bringing a prohibited item) must trigger notification, promoting transparency and timely communication with school communities.
Senate Committee Holds Hearing on Providing Leave For Family Care
On January 20, 2026, the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus Policy Committee held a public hearing to explore the proposed Small Necessities Leave Act, a policy initiative aimed at helping working families balance employment and caregiving responsibilities. The proposal would allow employees to attend medical appointments, school activities, or respond to family emergencies involving children or elderly relatives. Supporters argue the bill promotes work-life balance and reflects the realities facing working families, including many educators and school staff.
Although the proposal would provide up to 24 hours of paid leave per year, exact bill language and formal introduction are still pending, with details such as coverage criteria and employer obligations yet to be finalized as lawmakers seek co-sponsors and refine the measure.
Supreme Court Signals Support for State Bans on Transgender Athletes
Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in cases from Idaho and West Virginia challenging state laws that bar transgender girls and women from competing on female athletic teams. Although lower courts had ruled in favor of transgender students, a majority of justices signaled they are likely to uphold the bans, finding they do not violate the Constitution or Title IX. The Court’s eventual decision would elevate the current administration’s February 2025 Executive Order from a policy position to binding constitutional precedent, which could not be reversed by future administrations and would remain in effect unless overturned by Congress or a later Supreme Court ruling.
High Court Asked to Take Up Dispute Over Gender Identity Disclosure in Schools
The Supreme Court is considering whether to hear a California case addressing whether schools must inform parents if students express a gender identity different from their sex assigned at birth. A federal district court ruled in December that policies preventing teachers from disclosing this information violate parents’ First and Fourteenth Amendment rights, though that ruling has been temporarily blocked on appeal. A Supreme Court decision could significantly affect district policies and educator obligations across the country.
Survey Reminder
We appreciate your time and valuable input! If you haven’t had a chance yet, please take a few minutes to complete our survey. Your feedback is essential in helping us better serve the members of the Keystone Teachers Association and address the issues that matter most to you.
Click the link below to get started (or copy and paste it into your browser): https://www.
The deadline to respond is February 6, 2026.
Thank you for your participation—we truly value your voice!
