1Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
2act relating to the public school system, including certain
3provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
4schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
5laws relating thereto," providing for rural regional
6community college <-pilot program for underserved counties.

7The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
8hereby enacts as follows:

9Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
10as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding an
11article to read:

12ARTICLE XIX-G

13RURAL REGIONAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE

<-14PILOT PROGRAM FOR UNDERSERVED COUNTIES

<-15Section 1901-G. Scope of article.

16This article provides for a pilot program to establish a
17rural regional community college in an 11-county rural area that
18is underserved by comprehensive community college education and
19work force development.

20Section 1902-G. Definitions.

1The following words and phrases when used in this article
2shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
3context clearly indicates otherwise:

4"Annual." A 12-month period coterminous with the
5Commonwealth's fiscal year beginning July 1 and ending June 30.

6"Board of trustees." The board of trustees of a rural
7regional community college established under this article.

8"County." Any county in this Commonwealth.

9"Certified public accountant." A member of the American
10Institute of Certified Public Accountants who has a minimum of
11five years' verifiable experience in performing audits of
12government funds for nonprofit organizations with a comparable
13or larger annual budget.

14"Rural regional community college" or "regional rural
15school." A public institution which is established in a rural
16area and operated in accordance with the provisions of this
17article as a nonprofit organization which provides up to a two-
18year, postsecondary education not to exceed the level of an
19associate of arts or sciences degree and which is active in work
20force development.

21"Rural regional school plan" or "plan." A plan for the
22establishment and operation of a regional rural school under
23this article.

24"Secretary." The Secretary of Education of the Commonwealth
25or such person as the secretary may designate to act on behalf
26of the secretary with regard to any of the duties and
27prerogatives imposed by this article.

28"State Board." The State Board of Education.

29Section 1903-G. Designation; pilot program and future rural
30regional community colleges.

1The secretary, within 30 days of the effective date of this
2article, shall work with an established nonprofit organization
3as defined under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code
4of 1986 (Public Law 99-514, 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3)) representing
5a rural multicounty region which is underserved by a
6comprehensive community college program, including work force
7development. The Education Consortium of the Upper Allegheny
8represents an 11-county area and is designated under this
9section.

10Section 1904-G. Designation; board of trustees.

11Within 60 days of the secretary's designation under section
121903-G, a board of trustees shall be appointed to establish the
13rural regional school required under this article. The board of
14trustees shall consist of not less than seven members nor more
15than 11 members appointed by the secretary who are
16representative of the area designated jointly by the secretary
17and the nonprofit organization under section 1903-G. The
18following shall apply to the board of trustees established under
19this section:

20(1) Members of the board of trustees shall be appointed
21for terms of three years each, except that those persons
22initially appointed shall draw lots to determine which
23trustees shall serve for a term of three years, which
24trustees shall serve for a term of two years and which
25trustees shall serve for a term of one year. Thereafter, all
26members shall be appointed for terms of three years each.

27(2) Vacancies on the board shall be filled by the
28existing board. A trustee may succeed himself, provided that
29no member shall serve for longer than ten years.

30(3) The secretary shall convene an initial meeting of

1the board of trustees within 90 days of the secretary's
2designation under this section. After the initial meeting,
3the board of trustees shall meet at such times each year as
4the board of trustees determines to be necessary to satisfy
5the requirements of this article.

6(4) The board of trustees shall adopt standing operating
7rules and procedures.

8(5) The board of trustees shall choose from among its
9members a chairman, vice chairman and secretary.

10(6) A majority of the members of the board of trustees
11shall constitute a quorum.

12(7) Trustees shall serve without compensation, except
13that they shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary
14expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

15Section 1905-G. Establishment.

16(a) General rule.--Within one year of the effective date of
17this article, the board of trustees appointed under section
181904-G shall submit to the secretary a proposed regional rural
19school plan in such form and containing such information as the
20secretary may require. In addition to other information which
21may be required by the secretary, the plan shall include the
22following:

23(1) A designation of the name of the proposed regional
24technical school, which shall be the "Regional Community
25College of " or " Regional
26Community College."

27(2) A survey of the vocational and occupational needs of
28the area and the means by which the proposed regional rural
29school will meet those needs, reduce unemployment and improve
30the employable skills of residents of the area to be served

1by the regional rural school.

2(3) An operating and financial plan for the proposed
3regional rural school, including a plan for the capital needs
4and expenses of the proposed regional rural school.

5(4) A plan by which the regional rural school shall seek
6accreditation by an accrediting association which is
7recognized by the United States Department of Education.

8(b) Submission of plan.--Within 30 days of the submission of
9the regional rural school plan to the secretary, the secretary
10shall issue an approval or rejection of the plan. A rejection of
11the plan shall be accompanied by a written statement of the
12reasons for the rejection of the plan. If the plan is rejected,
13the board of trustees shall submit a revised plan to the
14secretary within 60 days of the plan's rejection.

15(c) Plan approval.--Upon the approval of the plan by the
16secretary, the regional rural school shall be considered
17established.

18Section 1906-G. Powers and duties of board of trustees.

19(a) General rule.--The board of trustees appointed under
20section 1904-G shall administer and supervise the affairs of any
21regional rural school established under this article. Subject to
22any other law and to any regulations promulgated by the State
23Board pertaining to regional rural schools, the board of
24trustees shall have the following powers and duties:

25(1) To appoint and fix the salary of a president of the
26regional rural school.

27(2) To appoint and fix the salary of a treasurer of the
28regional rural school.

29(3) To hold, rent, lease, sell, purchase and improve
30land, buildings, furnishings, equipment, materials, books and

1supplies.

2(4) To enter into contracts for services with schools,
3colleges or universities, or with school districts or
4municipalities, to effectuate the purposes of this article.

5(5) To accept and receive gifts of real and personal
6property and Federal, State and local moneys and grants, and
7to expend the same.

8(6) To make policies providing for the admission and
9expulsion of students, the courses of instruction, the
10tuition and fees to be charged and for all matters related to
11the government and administration of the regional rural
12school, provided that policies related to admission, tuition
13and fees give preference to residents of the 11-county area
14designated by the secretary pursuant to section 1903-G.

15(7) To submit to the secretary for approval proposed
16amendments to the regional rural school plan.

17(8) To enter into contracts for services to high schools
18located in the area designated by the secretary under section
191903-G to provide area vocational-technical education
20services.

21(9) To submit an annual budget to the secretary for
22consideration and approval.

23(10) To exercise such other powers and perform such
24other duties as are necessary to effectuate the purposes of
25this article.

26(b) Duties of board.--The board of trustees shall enter into
27contracts, hold property and take other actions in the name of
28the regional school.

29Section 1907-G. Officers of regional rural school.

30(a) President.--The president shall be the chief executive

1and administrative officer of the regional rural school and
2shall perform all duties which the board of trustees may
3prescribe. The president shall have the right to attend meetings
4of the board of trustees and to be heard on all matters before
5it, but shall have no right to vote on any matter.

6(b) Treasurer.--The treasurer of the regional rural school
7shall give a proper bond in such amount and with such corporate
8surety as is approved by the board of trustees. The treasurer
9shall file the bond with the board of trustees. The account of
10the treasurer shall be audited annually by a certified public
11accountant or other qualified public accountant selected by the
12board of trustees.

13Section 1908-G. Students.

14Any individual may apply for admission to the regional rural
15school established under this article, provided that preference
16in admissions, tuition and fees may be given to residents of the
17multicounty area designated by the secretary pursuant to section
181903-G. In considering applicants for admission, the regional
19rural school shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color,
20gender, marital status, ethnic group or religion.

21Section 1909-G. Tuition.

22The tuition charged by each regional rural school shall be an
23amount determined by the board of trustees of the regional rural
24school, in accordance with the budget approved by the secretary
25and with regulations of the State Board. The board of trustees
26shall determine the amount of tuition which will not exceed the
27Pennsylvania in-resident community college average.

28Section 1910-G. Dissolution of regional rural school.

29No regional rural school established under this article shall
30be dissolved without the approval of the secretary. Upon

1dissolution of the regional rural school, the Commonwealth shall
2assume all assets and liabilities of the regional rural school.

3Section 1911-G. Degrees.

4A regional rural school established under this article may
5award any type of diploma, technical or career training
6certificate or degree not to exceed the level of an associate of
7arts or sciences degree.

8Section 1912-G. Funding.

9A regional rural school established under this article shall
10be funded by an appropriation by the General Assembly, grants
11from the Federal Government, grants from the Commonwealth,
12grants from private foundations or any combination thereof.

13Section 1913-G. Financial aid.

14Students enrolled in a regional rural school established
15under this article shall be eligible for financial aid to the
16extent permitted under Federal and State law.

17Section 1914-G. Regulations.

18The State Board may promulgate final-omitted regulations
19pursuant to the act of June 25, 1982 (P.L.633, No.181), known as
20the Regulatory Review Act, as necessary to implement this
21article.

22Section 1915-G. Reports.

23The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee shall prepare
24and submit to the General Assembly written interim and final
25reports evaluating the operation of this article. The interim
26report shall be submitted by June 30, 2018, and the final report
27shall be submitted by June 30, 2022. Each report shall include,
28but may not be limited to, the following:

29(1) A review of the success of the regional rural school
30established under this article in satisfying the goals set

1forth in the regional rural school plan approved by the
2secretary and in satisfying the needs of the multicounty area
3the rural technical school was established to serve.

4(2) Demographic and program data, including the
5following:

6(i) Numbers of full-time and part-time faculty and
7student enrollments, in total and within curricular
8areas.

9(ii) Dual enrollment participation.

10(iii) Credit hours taught by faculty.

11(iv) Distance learning courses offered.

12(v) Articulation agreements with higher education
13institutions.

14(vi) Lists of courses with fewer than 20 students.

15(vii) Lists of courses with more than 50 students.

16Where available, student data shall be disaggregated by
17categories, including gender, race and age.

18(3) Student progress and achievement measures, including
19the following:

20(i) Retention rates.

21(ii) Graduation rates after two, three and four
22years.

23(iii) Passing rates on certification and licensure
24examinations.

25(iv) Number of students employed within one year of
26program completion.

27(v) Placement into additional education or
28employment in the student's field of study.

29Where available, data shall be disaggregated by categories,
30including gender, race and age.

1(4) Economic and work force development measures,
2including:

3(i) Employer satisfaction.

4(ii) Customized job training offerings.

5(iii) Employment status.

6(iv) Numbers of businesses and organizations served.

7(5) Recommendations for future legislation.

8Section 1916-G. Expiration.

9This article shall expire June 30, 2023, unless reenacted
10prior to that date.

11Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.

<-12Section 1901-G. Scope of article.

13This article provides for the establishment of a rural
14regional community college in a multicounty rural area that is
15underserved by comprehensive community college education and
16work force development.

17Section 1902-G. Definitions.

18The following words and phrases when used in this article
19shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
20context clearly indicates otherwise:

21"Annual." A 12-month period coterminous with the
22Commonwealth's fiscal year beginning July 1 and ending June 30.

23"Board of trustees." The board of trustees of a rural
24regional community college established under this article.

25"County." Any county in this Commonwealth.

26"Certified public accountant." A member of the American
27Institute of Certified Public Accountants who has a minimum of
28five years' verifiable experience in performing audits of
29government funds for nonprofit organizations with a comparable
30or larger annual budget.

1"Rural regional community college." A public institution
2which is established in a rural area and operated in accordance
3with the provisions of this article as a nonprofit organization
4which provides up to a two-year, postsecondary education not to
5exceed the level of an associate of arts or sciences degree and
6which is active in work force development.

7"Rural regional community college plan" or "plan." A plan
8for the establishment and operation of a rural regional
9community college under this article.

10"Secretary." The Secretary of Education of the Commonwealth
11or such person as the secretary may designate to act on behalf
12of the secretary with regard to any of the duties and
13prerogatives imposed by this article.

14"State Board." The State Board of Education.

15Section 1903-G. Designations by the secretary.

16(a) Duties of secretary.--

17(1) Within 30 days of the effective date of this
18section, the secretary shall designate an established
19nonprofit organization as defined under section 501(c)(3) of
20the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Public Law 99-514, 26
21U.S.C. § 501(c)(3)), which organization represents a rural
22multicounty region underserved by a comprehensive community
23college program, including work force development, to assist
24the secretary with the designation under paragraph (2).

25(2) Within 30 days of the designation under paragraph
26(1), the secretary shall, in consultation with the nonprofit
27organization, designate contiguous counties or parts of
28contiguous counties to be served by establishment of a rural
29regional community college.

30(b) Changes.--No sooner than four years after the effective

1date of this section, the secretary, with approval of the board
2of trustees, may add counties or parts of counties to be served
3by the rural regional community college.

4Section 1904-G. Designation; board of trustees.

5Within 60 days of the secretary's designation under section
61903-G(a)(2), a board of trustees shall be appointed to
7establish a rural regional community college. The board of
8trustees shall consist of not fewer than seven members nor more
9than 15 members appointed by the secretary in consultation and
10jointly with the nonprofit organization designated under section
111903-G(a)(1). The following shall apply to the board of trustees
12established under this section:

13(1) Members of the board of trustees shall be
14representative of the area designated under section 1903-G(a)
15(2) and may include school administrators, community
16education council officials, business leaders and government
17officials.

18(2) Members of the board of trustees shall be appointed
19for terms of three years each, except that those persons
20initially appointed shall draw lots to determine which
21trustees shall serve for a term of three years, which
22trustees shall serve for a term of two years and which
23trustees shall serve for a term of one year. Thereafter, all
24members shall be appointed for terms of three years each.

25(3) Vacancies on the board shall be filled by the
26existing board. A trustee may succeed himself, provided that
27no member shall serve for longer than ten years.

28(4) The secretary shall convene an initial meeting of
29the board of trustees within 60 days of the secretary's
30designation under this section. After the initial meeting,

1the board of trustees shall meet at such times each year as
2the board of trustees determines to be necessary to satisfy
3the requirements of this article.

4(5) The board of trustees shall adopt standing operating
5rules and procedures, by laws and articles of incorporation.

6(6) The board of trustees shall establish an advisory
7committee of presidents, or their designee, from institutions
8with postsecondary education programs within the region
9designated under section 1903-G(a)(2). The advisory council
10shall meet quarterly to discuss employer and work force
11needs, new educational offerings and general coordination of
12service and facilities. One advisory council member
13representing a community college and one advisory council
14member that is a president of a college or university shall
15serve as co-chairs.

16(7) The board of trustees shall choose from among its
17members a chairman, vice chairman and secretary.

18(8) A majority of the members of the board of trustees
19shall constitute a quorum.

20(9) Trustees shall serve without compensation, except
21that they shall be reimbursed for their actual and necessary
22expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

23Section 1905-G. Establishment.

24(a) General rule.--Within one year of its initial meeting,
25the board of trustees appointed under section 1904-G shall
26submit to the secretary a proposed rural regional community
27college plan in such form and containing such information as the
28secretary may require. In addition to other information which
29may be required by the secretary, the plan shall include the
30following:

1(1) A designation of the name of the proposed rural
2regional community college which shall be the "Regional
3Community College of " or "
4Regional Community College."

5(2) A survey of the educational, vocational and
6occupational needs of the area and the means by which the
7proposed rural regional community college will meet those
8needs, re-engage high school dropouts to earn their secondary
9credentials and postsecondary credentials or industry
10certification, reduce unemployment and improve the employable
11skills of residents of the area to be served by the rural
12regional community college.

13(3) An operating and financial plan for the proposed
14rural regional community college, including a plan for the
15capital needs and expenses of the proposed rural regional
16community college.

17(4) A plan by which the rural regional community college
18shall seek accreditation by an accrediting association which
19is recognized by the United States Department of Education.

20(b) Submission of plan.--Within 60 days of the submission of
21the rural regional community college plan to the secretary, the
22secretary shall issue an approval or rejection of the plan. A
23rejection of the plan shall be accompanied by a written
24statement of the reasons for the rejection of the plan. If the
25plan is rejected, the board of trustees shall submit a revised
26plan to the secretary within 60 days of the plan's rejection.

27(c) Plan approval.--Upon the approval of the plan by the
28secretary, the rural regional community college shall be
29considered established.

30Section 1906-G. Powers and duties of board of trustees.

1(a) General rule.--The board of trustees appointed under
2section 1904-G shall administer and supervise the affairs of the
3rural regional community college established under this article.
4Subject to any other law and to any regulations promulgated by
5the State Board pertaining to rural regional community colleges,
6the board of trustees shall have the following powers and
7duties:

8(1) To advance the mission of the rural regional
9community college in service to residents of the region
10designated under section 1903-G(a)(2).

11(2) To appoint and fix the salary of a president of the
12rural regional community college.

13(3) To appoint and fix the salary of a chief financial
14officer of the rural regional community college.

15(4) To hold, rent, lease, sell, purchase and improve
16land, buildings, furnishings, equipment, materials, books and
17supplies.

18(5) To enter into contracts for services with community
19education councils, schools, colleges or universities, or
20with school districts or municipalities, and other applicable
21or appropriate agencies and organizations, to effectuate the
22purposes of this article.

23(6) To accept and receive gifts of real and personal
24property and Federal, State and local moneys, loans and
25grants, and to expend the same.

26(7) To make policies providing for the admission and
27expulsion of students, the courses of instruction, the
28tuition and fees to be charged and for all matters related to
29the government and administration of the rural regional
30community college, provided that policies related to

1admission, tuition and fees give preference to residents of
2the area designated by the secretary pursuant to section
31903-G(a)(2).

4(8) To submit to the secretary for approval proposed
5amendments to the rural regional community college plan.

6(9) To enter into contracts for services to high schools
7located in the area designated by the secretary under section
81903-G to provide area vocational-technical education
9services.

10(10) To approve an annual budget to be submitted to the
11secretary for funding.

12(11) To exercise such other powers and perform such
13other duties as are necessary to effectuate the purposes of
14this article.

15(b) Duties of board.--The board of trustees shall enter into
16contracts, hold property and take other actions in the name of
17the rural regional community college.

18(c) Initial partnership.--

19(1) The board of trustees shall select initially a
20Middle States accredited institution of higher education as a
21partner institution to develop and offer accredited courses
22and programs of study at the approved sites of operation.

23(2) The partner institution shall select programs in
24consultation and approval of the board of trustees and
25consistent with its accreditation and shall be responsible
26for staffing and evaluation and provision of other support
27services as may be required for students.

28(3) The board of trustees may contract with other
29colleges to provide curricula not available through the
30partner institution.

1(4) As the rural regional community college is able to
2operate on its own, a transition plan and budget shall be
3included in the contract to efficiently expedite the
4transition for its partner institution or institutions.

5(5) Nothing in this article shall be construed to
6preclude the board of trustees from contracting for specific
7services or programs following the transition from the
8initial operating partner institution.

9Section 1907-G. Officers of rural regional community college.

10(a) President.--The president shall be the chief executive
11and administrative officer of the rural regional community
12college and shall perform all duties which the board of trustees
13may prescribe. The president shall have the right to attend
14meetings of the board of trustees and to be heard on all matters
15before it, but shall have no right to vote on any matter.

16(b) Chief financial officer.--The chief financial officer of
17the rural regional community college shall give a proper bond in
18such amount and with such corporate surety as is approved by the
19board of trustees. The chief financial officer shall file the
20bond with the board of trustees. The account of the chief
21financial officer shall be audited biannually by a certified
22public accountant or other qualified public accountant selected
23by the board of trustees.

24Section 1908-G. Students.

25Any individual may apply for admission to the rural regional
26community college established under this article, provided that
27preference in admissions, tuition and fees may be given to
28residents of the multicounty area designated by the secretary
29pursuant to section 1903-G(a)(2). In considering applicants for
30admission, the rural regional community college shall not

1discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, marital
2status, ethnic group or religion.

3Section 1909-G. Tuition.

4The tuition and fees charged by the rural regional community
5college shall be an amount determined by the board of trustees,
6in accordance with the budget submitted to the secretary. The
7board of trustees shall annually establish a separate schedule
8of tuition and fees for students that reside inside the region
9and students that reside outside the region designated under
10section 1903-G(a)(2).

11Section 1910-G. Dissolution and transition of rural regional
12community college.

13The rural regional community college established under this
14article may not be dissolved without the approval of the
15secretary. Upon dissolution of the rural regional community
16college, the Commonwealth shall assume all assets and
17liabilities of the rural regional community college, except that
18such assets that are the property of any partner institution
19that may be operating for and within the rural regional
20community college shall remain the property of the institution.

21Section 1911-G. Degrees.

22The rural regional community college established under this
23article may award any type of diploma, technical or career
24training certificate or degree not to exceed the level of an
25associate of arts or sciences degree. As long as the Middle
26States accredited institution provides the accredited curricula
27and courses under contract to the rural regional community
28college, the requirements of the accrediting agency shall
29pertain to the designation of such awards.

30Section 1912-G. Funding.

1The rural regional community college established under this
2article shall be funded by tuition and fees established by the
3board of trustees, and may accept appropriations from the
4General Assembly, grants from the Federal Government, grants
5from the Commonwealth, grants from private foundations or any
6combination thereof.

7Section 1913-G. Financial aid.

8Students enrolled in the rural regional community college
9established under this article shall be eligible for financial
10aid to the extent permitted under Federal and State law.

11Section 1914-G. Regulations.

12The State Board may promulgate regulations pursuant to the
13act of June 25, 1982 (P.L.633, No.181), known as the Regulatory
14Review Act, as necessary to implement this article.

15Section 1915-G. Reports.

16The Legislative Budget and Finance Committee shall prepare
17and submit to the General Assembly written interim and final
18reports evaluating the operation of this article. The interim
19report shall be submitted by June 30, 2018, and the final report
20shall be submitted by June 30, 2022. Each report shall include,
21but may not be limited to, the following:

22(1) A review of the success of the rural regional
23community college established under this article in
24satisfying the goals set forth in the rural regional
25community college plan approved by the secretary and in
26satisfying the needs of the multicounty area the rural
27regional community college was established to serve.

28(2) Demographic and program data, including the
29following:

30(i) Numbers of full-time and part-time faculty and

1student enrollments, in total and within curricular
2areas.

3(ii) Dual enrollment participation.

4(iii) Credit hours taught by faculty.

5(iv) Distance learning courses offered.

6(v) Articulation agreements with higher education
7institutions.

8(vi) Lists of courses with fewer than 20 students.

9(vii) Lists of courses with more than 50 students.

10Where available, student data shall be disaggregated by
11categories, including gender, race and age.

12(3) Student progress and achievement measures, including
13the following:

14(i) Retention rates related to student goals.

15(ii) Graduation and completion rates after two,
16three and four years.

17(iii) Passing rates on certification and licensure
18examinations.

19(iv) Number of students employed within one year of
20program completion.

21(v) Placement into additional education or
22employment in the student's field of study.

23Where available, data shall be disaggregated by categories,
24including gender, race and age.

25(4) Economic and work force development measures,
26including:

27(i) Employer satisfaction.

28(ii) Customized job training offerings.

29(iii) Employment status.

30(iv) Numbers of businesses and organizations served.

1(5) Recommendations for future legislation.

2Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.