Pennsylvania 2025_0 Regular Session Status: In Committee 10 D cosponsors

HB 2816 — An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in student supports, further providing for policy relating to bullying and cyberbullying.

Last action — Referred to EDUCATION, Oct. 2, 2026

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced October 02, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the House.

In plain language

The bill requires schools to adopt policies on bullying and cyberbullying.

This legislation mandates that all school entities, including nonpublic schools, establish or update their bullying and cyberbullying policies by January 1, 2027, including disciplinary measures and reporting procedures. Schools must also review these policies every three years and provide related information to the Department of Education.

What this means for you
  • Workers: This means school staff will need to engage in ongoing training regarding bullying and cyberbullying policies.
  • Families: Parents will be informed of bullying incidents affecting their children and involved in the reporting process.

Summary

The Jack Reid Law – Bullying Protection in Nonpublic Schools

Bill Text

How this bill changes current law

6 changes Share ↗

AI-generated reading aid from the bill's amendatory text — verify against the official bill.

The bill amends existing law to require both public and nonpublic schools to adopt or amend policies on bullying and cyberbullying, including new definitions and procedural requirements.

  • Section 1303.1-A

    The policy shall delineate disciplinary consequences for bullying and cyberbullying and may provide for prevention, intervention and education programs.

    Schools must specify consequences for bullying and include prevention programs in their policies.

  • Section 1303.1-A

    Each nonpublic school shall adopt a policy or amend its existing policy relating to bullying and cyberbullying and incorporate the policy into the nonpublic school's code of student conduct.

    Nonpublic schools are now explicitly required to adopt or amend bullying policies.

  • Section 1303.1-A

    The policy shall require all incidents of alleged bullying and cyberbullying to be investigated promptly by the school entity or nonpublic school and include a procedure for investigating a report of an incident of alleged bullying or cyberbullying received by the school entity[.] → The policy shall require all incidents of alleged bullying and cyberbullying to be investigated promptly by the school entity or nonpublic school and include a procedure for investigating a report of an incident of alleged bullying or cyberbullying received by the school entity or nonpublic school.

    Revised text clarifies that nonpublic schools must also have procedures for investigation.

  • Section 1303.1-A

    Each school entity and nonpublic school shall review its policy every three (3) years and each school entity shall annually provide the Department of Education with a copy of its policy relating to bullying and cyberbullying, including information related to the development and implementation of any bullying and cyberbullying prevention, intervention and education programs.

    Schools must review their bullying policies every three years and submit them to the Department of Education annually.

  • Section 1303.1-A

    "Artificial intelligence-generated or modified media" shall mean text, code, images, audio or video data that has been created or modified from its original source data through the use of artificial intelligence technology, programs or platforms.

    Introduces a definition for artificial intelligence-generated or modified media related to bullying.

  • Section 1303.1-A

    "Bullying" shall mean an intentional electronic, written, verbal or physical act, or a series of acts: ... "Cyberbullying" shall mean bullying through the use of electronic technology or communication...

    Redefines bullying and cyberbullying to include broader forms of behavior.

Action History

  1. Referred to EDUCATION, Oct. 2, 2026

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 9 co-sponsors · 243 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (9)

Not signed on (243)

243 members have not signed on to this bill.

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"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Subjects

education
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Frequently asked questions

What does HB 2816 do?
The Jack Reid Law – Bullying Protection in Nonpublic Schools
Who sponsors HB 2816?
HB 2816 is sponsored by Regina G. Young (Democratic), Carol Hill-Evans (Democratic), Sean Dougherty (Democratic), Daniel J. Deasy (Democratic), Manuel Guzman (Democratic), Benjamin V. Sanchez (Democratic), Robert E. Merski (Democratic), Darisha K. Parker (Democratic), Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz (Democratic), and Jennifer O'Mara (Democratic).
What is the current status of HB 2816?
This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced October 02, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track HB 2816?
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