[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6122153,"mediaKeyId","2695657-186fc9738c86207ff6bb0e95a77bf0a6","parentId",2695657,"title","Committee approves bill to extend unemployment benefits to school support staff during breaks","audioSeconds",745,"startMs",331000,"endMs",1076000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2695657-186fc9738c86207ff6bb0e95a77bf0a6&start=331&end=1076","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2695657-186fc9738c86207ff6bb0e95a77bf0a6/thumbnail_331000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6122153/Pennsylvania/Committee-approves-bill-to-extend-unemployment-benefits-to-school-support-staff-during-breaks","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122153-d97fcabd99bbfbe949d49a1389bbc0f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149076&Signature=L~Ur-70teZXP3-h2cie3v4QwTpS~~SjacmrN0LoRrBI0nI9O3KD0l7x9Bl8WI1zezktveHym3lPawANZGh6rVDp38rgLbYD5eqiEwYO2gGYwBSVyvYSRmkjdYf4OGPPmWR3vi9qSx-4nBQVY9enU6d5sudzZyJHgAkCBV9GBPPt0hyM7UAYxoL9SMJqUPYVY5Jkx-R7~8iU9ysdhYFIpmDIFq~6IByAs61RQ1s-V3mv92XvyD3MqJm2DQLIwNlSQgWMGpI-Y5YP~6b2XP17P9f034Zom78P4XWClNsPNR5lyMyOQ5cSUIxG0UZIDZZoaAngChDM~vH3OEPyi~Wuk6w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pennsylvania House of Representatives","date","2025-03-19T21:21:21.907Z","article","The House Labor & Industry Committee voted to report House Bill 265, sponsored by Rep. Powell, a measure that would amend Pennsylvania’s unemployment compensation law to allow individuals who work for educational institutions in roles other than instructional, research or principal administrative positions to qualify for unemployment benefits during breaks between successive academic years or terms even if they have reasonable assurance of returning.

Rep. Sydney Powell (Representative, prime sponsor) told the committee that the bill would help janitors, lunch staff, bus drivers and instructional aides who often lose pay during summer months: “Our schools cannot function without the dedicated workers, our janitors, our lunch staff, our bus drivers, our instructional aids.” She argued the change would reduce financial insecurity for those employees and help address staffing shortages.

Supporters pointed to staffing shortages statewide: the sponsor cited a Pennsylvania School Bus Association figure that there were 3,500 open school bus driver positions in the 2023–24 school year and a Pennsylvania School Boards Association finding that 70% of superintendents reported a shortage of instructional aides.

Committee Chairman Grove (Representative) opposed the bill and warned it would increase short-term costs for districts and could lead to long-term privatization of services to avoid unemployment costs. “Over the short term, it will increase school property taxes,” he said, arguing that school districts, which generally reimburse unemployment claims rather than pay into the state fund, would face bills for claims and seek savings by contracting out services.

The motion to consider HB 265 was moved by Rep. O’Meara and seconded by Rep. Siegel. The committee recorded the final roll-call and reported the bill as committed; the vote count on the record was 13 in favor and 12 opposed (Yes: Dawkins, Brennan, Donahue, Jerome, Green, Kinkade, Kojewski, Murski, Miller, O’Meara, Scott, Siegel, Young. No: Grove, Anderson, Barker, Bernstein, Cooper, Diorci, Ecker, Fink, Gleim, Jones, Rygaard, Rossie). The committee chair reported: \"House Bill 265 is reported as committed from the House and Labor and Industry Committee.\"

Clarifying details included in committee discussion: the bill applies to employees “in any capacity other than instructional, research or principal administrative” as described in the bill text; the sponsor argued it would address summer income gaps and staffing shortages; potential fiscal impacts on school districts were raised by opponents who said district reimbursement practices could generate increased costs borne locally.

What’s next: The committee reported HB 265 to the House for further consideration. Fiscal and implementation impacts on school districts will be part of the subsequent legislative and budget process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Labor & Industry Committee -- March 18, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 265, sponsored by Rep. Powell, was reported out of the House Labor & Industry Committee. The measure would allow certain education support staff to qualify for unemployment compensation between academic terms even if they have reasonable assurance of returning.","taxTitle","Labor & Industry, House of Representatives, Legislative, Pennsylvania","taxId",29245,"location","Pennsylvania","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6122158,"House Labor & Industry panel advances paid family and medical leave bill after hours of debate",3894,1097000,4991000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2695657-186fc9738c86207ff6bb0e95a77bf0a6&start=1097&end=4991","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2695657-186fc9738c86207ff6bb0e95a77bf0a6/thumbnail_1097000.jpg","/articles/6122158/Pennsylvania/House-Labor-Industry-panel-advances-paid-family-and-medical-leave-bill-after-hours-of-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122158-62481398b9f5653c82dbcc3ce6c4dcb5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149076&Signature=OFzyOawOLOIm~VAZB81Kk-o3us3N6B0MCGuIf4UkTn1p5WgkM8iw68C~a~slOxpZxKU3dPRRJGQvaNRiLTeMao6-lHk3E1lWcNENnUi~O6~qoXnu70N3cQk9UlVhbqeTBQD7LPNSxsf4~3mbz9MWekC-lX58qN4L06ZRbKYFHHpxF~aWjARt2k8i3DkjeGLSG45B~ojQcJ6yuvMdJ9peVNb8H2Zp4udzn1LVBy0xleRuade8scRqBcW0qsRwRZNyCFWUFuWaeArkRPG4aiATATbd8esW9bAT~4ADcXy3lyEPWSA-yeZTdMunrrAY-S4GRwDRkNXZwXWIoiJo-McNgQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Labor & Industry Committee on an 14-12 vote reported House Bill 200, a bill sponsored by Rep. Dan Miller that would establish a statewide paid family and medical leave program, create a new fund in the state treasury and give the Department of Labor & Industry authority to administer the program.

The bill would require payroll contributions split 50-50 between employers and employees, with total contributions capped at 1% of wages under the version presented to the committee. The measure also would allow a private insurance “buy-in” option, create an advisory board and require the department to promulgate regulations for administration.

Why it matters: Supporters said the program would allow workers to take time for childbirth, serious illness, or caregiving without losing income, and would address workforce and retention problems; opponents warned it would create a large new entitlement program, raise payroll costs, and risk administrative and fraud problems if run through state government.

Rep. Dan Miller (Representative, prime sponsor) said the bill is designed to expand access to paid leave in Pennsylvania, calling it a long-term effort: “Since that time ... paid leave is a luxury for too many people.” Miller described the legislation as modeled on programs in other states and urged the committee to move it forward.

Supporters cited experience in other states and personal stories. Rep. Siegel (Representative) said the lack of paid leave forces families into “an impossible situation” and likened the plan to other social insurance programs, arguing the economic costs of unpaid leave already total billions in lost wages statewide. Rep. O’Meara (Representative) and Rep. Scott (Representative) described personal family experiences and said paid leave improves retention and stability for workers.

Opponents raised concerns about cost, administration and impacts on businesses. Committee Chairman Grove (Representative) warned about startup and ongoing costs, saying the program would operate outside the general fund, could require a sizable agency expansion, and risked “massive tax increases over the next several years” if benefits or rates were later expanded. Rep. Barger (Representative) and other Republican members urged exploring private-insurance options and voluntary approaches rather than creating a large new state-run fund. Rep. Rossie and several others argued the bill’s criteria were broad and suggested aligning benefits more closely with the federal Family and Medical Leave Act.

The bill’s text as presented would allow self-employed individuals to opt in for an initial period of not less than three years and to withdraw later; specific reporting, payment frequency and some implementation details are left to department regulations.

Votes at a glance: The motion to consider and report HB 200 was moved by Rep. Siegel and seconded by Rep. Kajewski. On final roll call in committee the bill passed 14-12 (Yes: Dawkins, Brennan, Donahue, Gerald, Green, Paddock (by designation), Kinkade, Kojewski, Murski, Miller, O’Meara, Scott, Siegel, Young (by designation). No: Grove, Anderson, Barger, Bernstein, Cooper, Diorci (by designation), Ecker (by designation), Fink, Gleim, Jones (by designation), Reichard, Rossi). The committee reported HB 200 as committed.

Clarifying details included in debate: the bill’s funding assumption in committee versions is a 50/50 employer–employee contribution capped at 1% of wages; small employers (15 or fewer employees) are not required to pay the employer share though the employer must still withhold the employee share; the department would manage enrollment, benefit payments and regulations; self-employed persons can elect coverage for a minimum initial period of three years with a later withdrawal option.

What’s next: The committee chair noted the bill will go to the House floor and could be amended further in the legislative process. Supporters said the floor process provides opportunities for compromise; opponents said those same stages should focus on alternatives such as private plans or voluntary employer-managed programs.","The House Labor & Industry Committee voted to report House Bill 200, a measure to create a statewide paid family and medical leave program funded by employer and employee contributions, after extended debate over costs, scope and administration.","actionData","errors"]

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Committee approves bill to extend unemployment benefits to school support staff during breaks

House Labor & Industry panel advances paid family and medical leave bill after hours of debate