PRINTER'S NO. 3582
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
2193
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY D. COSTA, O'BRIEN, STURLA, JAMES, SCHLOSSBERG,
V. BROWN, READSHAW, NEILSON, DeLUCA, THOMAS AND JOZWIAK,
JUNE 21, 2016
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, JUNE 21, 2016
AN ACT
Amending Title 65 (Public Officers) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, providing for training for certain
appointed officials.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 65 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes is amended by adding a chapter to read:
CHAPTER 15
TRAINING FOR CERTAIN APPOINTED OFFICIALS
Sec.
1501. Short title of chapter.
1502. Legislative intent.
1503. Definitions.
1504. Individuals who must complete training.
1505. Contents of training.
1506. When training must be taken.
1507. Development of training.
1508. Cost of training.
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1509. Failure to complete training.
1510. Enforcement.
1511. Regulations and opinions.
§ 1501. Short title of chapter.
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Training
for Appointed Officials Act.
§ 1502. Legislative intent.
It is the intent of the General Assembly that this chapter
promote greater understanding by individuals who are appointed
to the boards, commissions, authorities or agencies of the
Commonwealth regarding open records, public proceedings and
fiduciary responsibilities associated with their government
service.
§ 1503. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Commission." The State Ethics Commission.
"Commonwealth entity." A board, commission, authority or
agency of the Commonwealth, whether or not the entity is subject
to the policy supervision and control of the Governor. The term
does not include a court or agency of the unified judicial
system, the General Assembly or its agencies, a State-related
institution, a political subdivision or a local, regional or
metropolitan transportation authority.
"State-related institution." The Pennsylvania State
University, the University of Pittsburgh, Lincoln University or
Temple University.
§ 1504. Individuals who must complete training.
Each individual who is appointed as a member of a
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Commonwealth entity shall complete training under this chapter.
§ 1505. Contents of training.
Training under this chapter shall include the following
topics at a minimum:
(1) The act of February 14, 2008 (P.L.6, No.3), known as
the Right-to-Know Law.
(2) Chapter 7 (relating to open meetings).
(3) Confidential information as defined in section 1102
(relating to definitions).
(4) Ethical standards and fiduciary rights and
responsibilities of an individual appointed as a member of a
Commonwealth entity.
(5) The protection of Constitutional rights regarding
procedures of and matters considered by a Commonwealth
entity.
§ 1506. When training must be taken.
Training under this chapter shall be completed as follows:
(1) For an individual who has been appointed or
reappointed as a member of a Commonwealth entity on or after
the effective date of this section, no later than 90 days
after the appointment or reappointment.
(2) For an individual who is a member of a Commonwealth
entity and who was appointed or reappointed to the
Commonwealth entity before the effective date of this
section, no later than 120 days after the effective date of
this section.
§ 1507. Development of training.
The commission or its designee shall develop and administer
training under this chapter.
§ 1508. Cost of training.
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The commission shall determine the cost, if any, that an
individual must pay for training under this chapter.
§ 1509. Failure to complete training.
(a) General rule.--Except as provided in subsection (b), an
individual who does not complete the required training in a
timely manner under this chapter may not:
(1) take the oath of office or enter or continue upon
the duties as a member of the Commonwealth entity; or
(2) receive compensation from public funds as a member
of the Commonwealth entity.
(b) Exception.--An individual who does not complete the
required training in a timely manner under this chapter shall be
given the opportunity to demonstrate good cause to the
commission as to the reason that the training was not completed
in a timely manner. If the commission determines that good cause
exists, it shall waive the penalties under subsection (a) until
the individual has had a reasonable opportunity to complete the
training.
§ 1510. Enforcement.
The commission shall enforce the provisions of this chapter.
§ 1511. Regulations and opinions.
The commission shall promulgate regulations necessary to
implement the provisions of this chapter and may issue opinions
regarding the administration of this chapter.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 90 days.
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