SB 880 PN 1411 (Smucker): This bill amends the Public School Code to delay the implementation of the Keystone Exam as a graduation requirement until the 2018-2019 school year. The bill requires the Department of Education to conduct a study to investigate alternative methods to demonstrate graduation proficiency. The Senate unanimously concurred the House’s amendments.

HB 158 PN 2721 (Peifer): This bill allows the Secretary of Education to issue an emergency declaration on a school, charter school, county or statewide basis. This bill requires school administrators to require prospective employees to submit a criminal history check that is no more than five years old. The bill was approved with a vote of (49-0).

SR 254 PN 1457 (Vulakovich): This resolution urges Congress to pass H.R. 2894, the “Caregivers Access and Responsible Expansion for All Veterans Act” or the “CARE for all Veterans Act.” The resolution was unanimously adopted.