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Committee caps most teacher certification fees at $50, excluding discipline fee
Summary
The House Education Committee passed legislation to cap most teacher certification fees assessed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education at $50, with an adopted amendment excluding the teacher discipline fee from the cap.
The House Education Committee voted to amend and approve House Bill 14‑02, which amends the public school code to limit most teacher certification fees charged by the Pennsylvania Department of Education to no more than $50.
Chairman Schwier said he would offer amendment A000658 at the PDE’s request; that amendment removes the teacher discipline fee from the list of fees reduced to $50. The committee adopted the amendment on a roll call vote, 15 yeas to 11 nays, and then passed the bill as amended on a subsequent roll call vote 26–0.
Sponsor remarks framed the bill as one piece of a broader package to reduce barriers and financial burdens for prospective teachers, noting high certification costs and testing expenses. Representative Tietai said he supported the measure but would have preferred to cap every fee at $50. The chair emphasized the change is intended to reduce the “financial lift” for individuals entering the teaching profession who may carry college debt.
The committee recorded no nays on the final bill vote; House Bill 14‑02 will be reported to the next legislative stage as amended.
