Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Kinkead bill for special education funding reform passes PA House

Kinkead bill for special education funding reform passes PA House

Legislation boosting, improving Special Education Contingency Fund advances to Senate

Rep. Emily Kinkead    June 16, 2026 | 4:10 PM

HARRISBURG, June 16 – Special education funding available to school districts across the state would increase under legislation passed today by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, according to the bill’s prime sponsor, Rep. Emily Kinkead.

House Bill 2307 would increase the portion of the state’s annual Special Education Fund appropriation that is dedicated to the Special Education Contingency Fund from 1% to 2%, providing additional resources for school districts that face extraordinary costs related to supporting students with disabilities.

The bill would also distribute this increased funding based on the cost of the student relative to the applicant district’s total special education budget.

“Every student deserves access to the services and support they need to succeed, and we must ensure our schools have the resources to make that possible,” said Kinkead, D-Allegheny. “These reforms would help make sure contingency funding reaches the schools and students who need it most, especially for smaller school districts with smaller special education budgets.”

Kinkead said the Special Education Contingency Fund provides financial assistance to schools for extraordinary special education costs that are not anticipated in a district’s regular operating budget and that applications for the fund consistently exceed the available resources.

House Bill 2307 now heads to the state Senate for consideration.