A Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling that grew out of a Parkland school board dispute has prompted a bipartisan effort in Harrisburg to restore stricter public-notice requirements for government meetings before the legislative session ends Nov. 30.

Lawmakers are advancing competing bills aimed at reversing the practical effect of Coleman v. Parkland School District, a 2025 decision that expanded the ability of public bodies to add and act on agenda items with little advance notice.

The case originated in Lehigh County when current state Sen. Jarrett Coleman, R-16th, challenged the Parkland School District board’s 2021 decision to add approval of a teachers union contract to a meeting agenda on the day of the vote.

Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Act generally requires local governments, school boards and other public agencies to post agendas at least 24 hours before a meeting and limits action on items not included on those agendas. The law contains exceptions for emergencies and certain minor matters that arise shortly before or during a meeting.

In its ruling, the Supreme Court found agencies may add an item to an agenda during a meeting if a majority of members vote to do so after announcing the change and allowing public comment. Transparency advocates contend the decision effectively created a broad new exception that undermines the public’s ability to learn about and participate in important government decisions before they are made.

The decision has implications for public bodies across Lehigh County, including school boards in Parkland, East Penn and Salisbury, as well as municipal governing bodies that operate under the Sunshine Act.

In response, lawmakers have introduced measures in both chambers of the General Assembly.

Senate Bill 1150, sponsored by Sen. Pat Stefano, R-32nd, would limit postdeadline agenda additions to emergency matters, certain de minimis issues that do not involve public funds or contracts, and limited matters raised by residents during a meeting. The bill passed the Senate unanimously, 50-0, on June 10 and is awaiting consideration in the House Local Government Committee.

House Bill 2146, sponsored by Rep. Robert Freeman, D-136th, contains similar emergency and de minimis exceptions but would also allow certain administrative matters to be added when a 24-hour delay would create undue hardship. Those exceptions would apply to narrowly defined actions such as time-sensitive legal filings, critical personnel matters, small purchases and borrowing, permit approvals and minor municipal property repairs.

The House approved HB 2146 by a 193-9 vote on July 1. The bill is awaiting action in the Senate State Government Committee.

Supporters of the legislation argue action is needed before the current session concludes Nov. 30. Without a legislative fix, public agencies would continue to operate under the broader authority recognized by the Supreme Court, allowing significant issues to be added and acted upon with little advance notice.

The Pennsylvania NewsMedia Association supports passage of either measure, saying both would restore transparency protections weakened by the court’s decision. The association has expressed a preference for SB 1150 because it contains fewer exceptions and would impose tighter limits on last-minute agenda changes.

Advocates say the stakes extend beyond the Parkland case that started the dispute. They argue residents throughout Pennsylvania should receive meaningful notice when school boards, township supervisors, borough councils and other public bodies are considering major contracts, expenditures or policy decisions, rather than learning about them only after they are added to a meeting agenda.