Rep. Dane Watro, R-Luzerne, is pictured at the Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers and Employers Association (MAEA) annual legislative roundtable on Friday.

Legislation that would require state schools to teach cursive handwriting has been sent to Gov. Josh Shapiro for approval.

The state House of Representatives approved House Bill 17 in a 195-8 vote in June 2025. Rep. Kathy Rapp, R-Warren, had signed on as a co-sponsor of the bill, with several Democrats also signing on as co-sponsors. The state Senate passed the bill by a 42-5 vote on Feb. 3 with local state Sen. Scott Hutchinson, R-Oil City, voting in favor.

“Cursive isn’t just about handwriting. It’s about building connections: to our past, to our learning and to the world around us,” said bill sponsor Rep. Dane Watro, R-Luzerne. “By teaching cursive, we’re giving students tools that enhance their minds and preserve our shared heritage.”

States requiring cursive include Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. Only 14 states required cursive instruction in 2016, with that number growing to more than 20 states with Shapiro still to decide on Pennsylvania’s bill. Legislation has also been introduced in the New York state legislature, but that bill hasn’t progressed out of committee. Many New York school districts, however, still reach cursive in elementary school.

The push in some states to emphasize cursive handwriting came out of the Common Core State Standards, which placed greater emphasis on keyboarding rather than writing on pen and paper.

Watrous said cursive writing supports cognitive development and connects us to our history. Research shows that writing in cursive activates areas of the brain tied to memory, language and critical thinking. It also promotes fine motor skills, improving hand-eye coordination and dexterity. All are benefits that go beyond the classroom.

Beyond its developmental advantages, cursive is a key to unlocking historical documents like the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

Preserving the ability to read and write in cursive ensures future generations can access and understand these foundational texts, strengthening civic engagement and historical literacy.

Watro had previously introduced a similar bill (HB 1934) in the 2023-24 legislative session. It failed to move out of the House Education Committee at the time.

“More than half of U.S. states have enacted laws or established standards requiring cursive instruction in public schools,” Watro said. “These states understand cursive provides students another way to learn, express themselves and be better prepared for their future academic, professional and personal lives.I’m grateful to the Senate for sending this bill to the governor, who I urge to sign it into law as soon as he can.”