State Rep. Bob Merski, D-Erie, is applauding the unanimous passage of two bipartisan bills in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives aimed at easing the state’s growing teacher shortage.

House Bills 1403 and 1404, both approved 203-0, offer new pathways to get more qualified educators into classrooms.

H.B. 1403, co-prime sponsored by Merski and introduced by Rep. Lisa Borowski (D-Delaware), makes it easier for certified teachers who’ve left the profession to return.

H.B. 1404, sponsored by Rep. Gina H. Curry (D-Delaware), would streamline the certification process for professionals entering teaching as a second career.

“We’ve all seen too many Pennsylvania classrooms continue to be understaffed and our teachers running on fumes,” said Merski. “House Bill 1403 changes the game by providing real mentorship, hands-on training, and ongoing support—exactly what it takes to attract new educators to Pennsylvania and keep our best ones here. When we stand up for teachers, we stand up for every child’s hope and every community’s future.”

Bill Summaries:

   •H.B. 1403 waives the fee to place a teaching certificate on voluntary inactive status and allows returning teachers to count in-service training toward their continuing education               requirement. The bill aims to make it easier and less costly for experienced teachers to return to the classroom.

   •H.B. 1404 extends the validity of Pennsylvania’s Instructional Intern Certificate from three to five years, giving more time for working professionals to earn full teaching credentials.          The certificate categories will also be renamed “Second Career Certification” and “CTE Second Career Certification” to reflect their purpose.

According to a 2023 report from the Penn State Center for Evaluation and Education Policy Analysis, about 9,500 teachers left the profession in 2022-2023, with another 8,300 leaving in 2023-2024.

Both bills now move to the Pennsylvania Senate for further consideration.