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SB 1280

An Act directing the Department of Education to establish a career and technical education program of study in shipbuilding and maritime trades; providing for grants and coordination with apprenticeship programs; and imposing powers and duties on the Department of Education.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lisa Boscola and 6 co-sponsors

PA bill would create a state-approved shipbuilding and maritime trades CTE program, with grants, and link it to apprenticeships and industry standards.

Referred to Education
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 1280

Summary of SB 1280 (2025-2026) – Pennsylvania

Purpose and Intent

SB 1280 directs the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) to establish a state-approved career and technical education (CTE) program of study focused on shipbuilding and maritime trades. The bill aims to create structured educational pathways within public schools that prepare students for careers in the shipbuilding and broader maritime sectors. It also seeks to coordinate these education efforts with applicable apprenticeship programs and provide PDE with defined powers and duties to implement the program and administer related grants.

Key Provisions

  • Establishment of a CTE Program of Study: PDE is tasked with creating and approving a dedicated program of study in shipbuilding and maritime trades. The program is intended to be integrated into secondary and postsecondary CTE offerings.

  • Grants and Funding: The bill authorizes the provision of grants to support the development, implementation, and expansion of the shipbuilding/maritime CTE program. Details on grant amounts, eligibility, and administration would be specified by PDE or accompanying regulations.

  • Coordination with Apprenticeships: SB 1280 emphasizes alignment between the CTE program of study and state apprenticeship opportunities. This includes coordination mechanisms to ensure students have pathways to hands-on, mentored training in maritime trades.

  • PDE Powers and Duties: The Department of Education would have specific responsibilities to administer the program, develop standards and competencies, oversee curriculum alignment, evaluate outcomes, and ensure fidelity to the program across eligible schools and districts.

  • Program Scope and Standards: The bill would likely set minimum competencies, industry-aligned standards, and mechanisms for periodic review to keep the curriculum current with shipbuilding and maritime industry needs.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Students: Secondary and potentially postsecondary students seeking specialized training in shipbuilding and maritime trades as part of their CTE coursework and apprenticeship pathways.

  • School Districts and Vocational-Technical Schools: Institutions that would implement or integrate the new shipbuilding/maritime CTE program of study into their offerings.

  • Apprenticeship Programs and Industry Partners: Industry sponsors, employers, and mentorship providers involved in maritime trades would coordinate with PDE to align apprenticeships with the CTE pathway.

  • Department of Education: PDE would take on new duties related to standards development, program administration, grant management, and coordination with industry and apprenticeship partners.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Referral: As of April 14, 2026, SB 1280 was referred to the Education Committee for consideration.

  • Implementation Timeline: The bill would typically specify an timeline for when PDE must establish the program, roll out standards, and begin distributing grants. Specific dates and milestone deadlines would be defined in the final bill text or implementing regulations.

  • Ongoing Oversight: Likely includes reporting requirements to the General Assembly on program effectiveness, student outcomes, and fund utilization.

Notes

  • The bill’s sponsors include multiple representatives and senators, indicating bipartisan interest in expanding CTE and maritime workforce development.
  • The exact grant amounts, eligibility criteria, and program standards will be clarified in the bill’s text or through subsequent regulations and guidance issued by PDE.

This summary captures the bill’s core aims, the main components of the proposed program, affected stakeholders, and the basic procedural status based on the available information. For a complete understanding, the full bill text and any accompanying fiscal notes or implementing regulations should be consulted.

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

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