The School-Based Youth Court Pilot Program Act establishes a framework for implementing youth courts in schools across Pennsylvania as a restorative justice approach to student misconduct. The program aims to operate for three full school years, beginning six months after the act's effective date. It includes the creation of the Youth Court Program Account, which will receive a transfer of $9,500,000 from the General Fund to support the development of these youth courts through grants. The Department of Education is tasked with developing guidelines, procedures, and training materials for the program, as well as overseeing data collection and ensuring that all participants are trained in trauma-informed practices.

The act outlines the structure and operation of youth courts, which will consist of a judge and a peer tribunal or jury made up of eligible youth. It mandates that sanctions imposed by the youth courts be restorative in nature and allows for various types of sanctions, including community service and educational workshops. The Secretary of Education will award grants to local education agencies to help establish these youth courts, with a focus on schools with higher rates of disciplinary actions and those that partner with external organizations. Additionally, grantees are required to submit annual reports detailing the outcomes of their programs, while the Department of Education will provide an annual report on the overall progress of the initiative.