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HB 2460

An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in terms and courses of study, providing for hunting and trapping education; and imposing duties on the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mark Gillen and 8 co-sponsors

Pennsylvania will add hunting and trapping education to public school courses, with PDE and the Game Commission jointly developing standards and delivering the program.

Referred to Education
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Bill Summary · HB 2460

Summary of HB 2460 (2025-2026 Session) – Pennsylvania

Purpose and Intent

HB 2460 amends the Public School Code of 1949 to add hunting and trapping education to terms and courses of study. The bill directs the Department of Education (PDE) and the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) to develop and implement requirements related to hunting and trapping education for students. The overall aim is to formalize and expand educational programming on hunting and trapping within the K-12 system, with responsibilities shared between PDE and PGC.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Inclusion of Hunting and Trapping Education in Courses of Study: The bill requires the state to incorporate hunting and trapping education into the terms and courses of study offered in public schools. While the exact grade levels or course formats are not specified in the summary, the act expands curricular options to include this subject matter.

  • Duties of the Department of Education (PDE): PDE is tasked with implementing and overseeing the new education requirements. This includes coordinating with relevant stakeholders, ensuring curriculum alignment with standards, and integrating hunting and trapping education into the public school framework.

  • Duties of the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC): PGC is assigned responsibilities related to the content, development, and potentially the delivery of hunting and trapping education. This may involve providing educational materials, facilitating training for instructors, and aligning safety and regulatory aspects with the curriculum.

  • Inter-Agency Collaboration: The bill establishes a collaborative responsibility framework between PDE and PGC to deliver the educational program, ensuring consistency with state hunting regulations and safety practices.

  • Co-sponsors: The bill has multiple sponsors from both chambers, indicating broad bipartisan and cross-chamber support for expanding natural resources education.

Affected Parties

  • Public School Students: Students will have access to formal hunter and trapper education as part of their course offerings, subject to implementation timelines and local school district decisions.
  • School Districts and Schools: Districts may be required to offer or coordinate access to hunting and trapping education, integrate it into existing curricula, and utilize PDE-approved standards and PGC resources.
  • Department of Education (PDE): Responsible for policy development, curriculum alignment, and program oversight.
  • Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC): Responsible for content development, training resources, safety considerations, and coordination with PDE.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • The bill outlines duties for PDE and PGC but does not specify explicit start dates or phased implementation within the summary. It is common for such measures to include a plan or timeline (e.g., development of standards, pilot programs, statewide rollout) in the full text or accompanying documents.
  • The enactment will likely involve:
    • Adoption of standards or guidelines for hunting and trapping education.
    • Development of instructional materials and training for educators or partner organizations.
    • Potential pilot programs or review periods before full statewide implementation.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Educational Impact: Introduction of hunting and trapping education could enhance outdoor safety, wildlife stewardship, and understanding of wildlife management among students.
  • Safety and Compliance: By involving PGC, the program is positioned to emphasize safety, laws, and ethical hunting practices.
  • Resource Allocation: Successful implementation may require funding for materials, teacher professional development, and collaboration activities between PDE and PGC.
  • Local Flexibility: Districts may have some discretion in how and when to offer the new curriculum within existing scheduling structures.

If you’d like, I can pull the exact text of the bill and provide a line-by-line map of the provisions, including any defined timelines, funding provisions, or reporting requirements.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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