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Legislation and Policies Related to Financial Education in Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Jump$tart Coalition offers the following links (current as of January 2024) to legislation related to financial education in Pennsylvania. While the coalition does not take positions on pending legislation or regulatory changes, members of the board and/or partner organizations are available to answer questions and offer feedback to members of the legislature or press. To connect with the coalition, kindly send us a message.

Legislation

(Click on the act number to view detailed information.)

Act 35 of 2023

An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, which requires Pennsylvania schools to provide a mandatory course in personal financial literacy beginning with the 2026-2027 school year. Additional requirements are placed on the Pennsylvania Department of Education to provide supporting materials. The act was signed into law on December 13, 2023, by Governor Josh Shapiro.

Act 91 of 2019

An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949. It authorizes local education agencies (i.e. school districts) to grant credit for graduation to students who take a course in personal finance (even as an elective). The credit may be awarded as business, family and consumer science, math, or social studies. This decision is left to the local school district. The act was signed into law on November 27, 2019, by Governor Tom Wolf.

Academic Standards

The Pennsylvania State Board of Education offered a proposed rulemaking on January 11, 2024 which includes new standards for personal finance in Pennsylvania along with updated standards for economics, family and consumer sciences, and career education and work. Additional information can be found below.