Pennsylvania House adopts tenant protections, school counseling measure and other bills after extended debates on testing and school playoffs

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives met April 29 and approved a series of resolutions and bills, with recorded votes on several high-profile measures and extended floor debate on testing policy and high‑school playoff rules.

House members opened the session with prayer and guest recognitions before taking up a calendar that included proclamations and a broad set of bills. The chamber unanimously adopted House Resolution 483 recognizing National Police Week and observed a moment of silence after unanimously adopting HR 479, a condolence resolution honoring five law‑enforcement officers who died in the line of duty.

The most consequential policy votes came later in the day. House Bill 72, which creates a procedure allowing survivors of domestic violence to terminate a lease early or change locks to protect their safety, passed final passage, 118–83. "No survivor of domestic violence should have to choose between their safety and their housing stability," Representative Brodsky said on the floor while urging colleagues to support the measure. Brodsky told colleagues the bill was negotiated with property‑owner and victims' advocates and framed the change as a life‑safety measure.

The House also passed the School Counseling Services Act (final passage recorded as yeas 106, nays 95), directing school districts to develop comprehensive counseling plans to ensure consistent counseling services across the Commonwealth. Representative Steele, the bill’s maker, argued that Pennsylvania is the only state that does not require standardized school counseling and said the bill would help close that gap.

Several other bills passed with varying levels of debate and amendment activity. Senate Bill 507, establishing licensure for certified midwives and modernizing collaborative agreements, passed overwhelmingly, 197–4; Representative Curry and other supporters framed the measure as a response to shortages in maternity care and a way to improve outcomes, particularly for Black mothers.

Education testing policy drew intense floor exchange. House Bill 1752, which would have directed the Department of Education to study whether ACT or SAT scores could be used instead of Keystone exams, was amended on the floor. Representative Anderson proposed amendment A02749 to remove language directing the department to hire an independent contractor to study the issue, arguing a study would duplicate known evidence; supporters and opponents debated potential cost savings and whether an independent review was still warranted. The amendment failed (ayes 99, nays 102), and the underlying bill was agreed to by the House.

Lawmakers also debated HB41, which would allow the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) to consider separating postseason competition between boundary (public) and non‑boundary (nonpublic/charter) schools for certain sports. Representative Conklin, sponsor of the bill, and several colleagues described the measure as a fairness reform; opponents warned of unintended consequences, including impacts on girls' athletics. The House passed HB41 on final passage, 178–23.

Other measures approved included HB344 (parking fee transparency for renters, final passage 201–0) and HB830 (requiring schools to investigate bullying allegations and notify parents, final passage 136–65). The House also approved amendments and final passage of bills affecting energy finance authority duties and a regulatory framework for deep geothermal production after floor amendments and recorded votes.

The House concluded its business by referring additional bills to committee, accepting committee membership changes from the Committee on Committees, and adjourning until May 4, 2026, at noon unless recalled.

Votes at a glance

- HR 483 (National Police Week) — Adopted (ayes 201, nays 0). - HR 479 (condolence for fallen officers) — Adopted (unanimous; moment of silence observed). - HB72 (tenant protections for domestic violence survivors) — Passed final passage (yeas 118, nays 83). - HB1752 (study of ACT/SAT vs Keystone; amendment A02749 failed) — Amendment A02749 failed (ayes 99, nays 102); bill agreed to. - HB41 (PIAA playoff reform) — Passed final passage (yeas 178, nays 23). - SB507 (licensed midwives modernization) — Passed final passage (yeas 197, nays 4). - HB344 (parking fee transparency) — Passed final passage (yeas 201, nays 0). - HB830 (bullying investigations/parental notification) — Passed final passage (yeas 136, nays 65).

What’s next

Several bills that passed on final passage will be presented to the Senate for concurrence or will be reprinted as amended. The House reconvenes May 4, 2026, at 12:00 noon unless recalled earlier.