Pennsylvania House Bill HB265

Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/22/25
• Refer: 1/22/25
• Refer: 4/24/25
• Report Pass: 5/6/25
• Engrossed: 5/6/25
• Refer: 5/12/25

Caption

An Act amending the act of December 5, 1936 (2nd Sp.Sess., 1937 P.L.2897, No.1), known as the Unemployment Compensation Law, in compensation, further providing for benefits based on service for educat . . .ional institutions.

Summary

HB265 amends Pennsylvania’s Unemployment Compensation Law to change how benefits are handled for certain workers who perform services for educational institutions. Under current law, some individuals are denied unemployment benefits during breaks between academic years or terms if they worked in the prior term and have a “reasonable assurance” of returning in the next term. This bill creates an exception for people working in “any other capacity” for an educational institution, providing that they may receive benefits for those weeks even if they have reasonable assurance of returning, so long as they are otherwise eligible and the change is allowed under federal law. The bill is narrowly focused on unemployment compensation eligibility for school-related employment and does not broadly alter the unemployment system. It would amend Section 402.1(2) of the law governing benefits based on service for educational institutions and would take effect 60 days after enactment. The change appears intended to expand access to benefits for certain education-sector workers, especially non-instructional employees whose work is tied to school calendars.

Impact

HB265 would revise Pennsylvania’s unemployment compensation rules for employees of educational institutions by limiting the application of the between-terms disqualification for workers in “any other capacity.” In practical terms, this could allow more school employees—particularly non-teaching, non-instructional staff—to qualify for unemployment benefits during summer or other academic breaks if they otherwise meet eligibility requirements. The bill would amend the state’s Unemployment Compensation Law and align the provision with the extent permitted by federal law under 26 U.S.C. § 3304(a)(6).

Sentiment

The bill appears to have generally favorable support, as reflected by its advancement through committee and final passage in the House. However, the vote margins show meaningful opposition at each stage, indicating that while the measure had enough support to move forward, it was not broadly unanimous. The available record does not include committee testimony, so the sentiment can be inferred mainly from the successful votes and the relatively close final House tally.

Contention

The main point of contention is the policy choice to expand unemployment benefits for certain educational institution workers during breaks between academic terms. Supporters likely view the bill as a fairness measure for school employees in non-instructional roles who face seasonal gaps in work, while opponents may be concerned about increased unemployment compensation costs, broader eligibility, or deviation from the traditional “reasonable assurance” standard. The close committee and floor votes suggest disagreement over the fiscal and policy implications of extending benefits to this group.