PRINTER'S NO. 3964
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
2612
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY TOOHIL, HILL-EVANS, BOBACK, HOHENSTEIN, MURT,
ROZZI AND POLINCHOCK, JUNE 23, 2020
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, JUNE 23, 2020
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
act relating to the public school system, including certain
provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto," in fostering independence through
education, further providing for fostering independence
waiver program.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 2602-K(b) and (c) of the act of March 10,
1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949,
amended November 27, 2019 (P.L.662, No.91), are amended and the
section is amended by adding a subsection to read:
Section 2602-K. Fostering independence waiver program.
* * *
(b) Award.--Beginning with the semester starting in the fall
of 2020, each institution of higher education shall award a
fostering independence waiver for undergraduate courses at the
institution for each individual who is eligible under subsection
(c). The fostering independence waiver shall have subtracted
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from it the amount of any Federal grants, State grants or other
scholarships or grants the individual receives[.] after applying
the Pennsylvania Chafee Education and Training Grant under the
Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 (Public Law 106-169, 113
Stat. 1822), as administered by the Department of Human
Services, to room and board costs. An individual shall receive a
fostering independence waiver under this article for five years,
whether or not consecutive, or until the individual reaches 26
years of age, whichever occurs first, provided that the
individual remains eligible under subsection (c).
(c) Eligibility.--In order to receive a fostering
independence waiver under this section, an individual must be a
current resident of this Commonwealth and eligible for the
Pennsylvania Chafee Education and Training Grant Program under
the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 [(Public Law 106-169,
113 Stat. 1822)] as administered by the Department of Human
Services and must have applied for all available Federal and
State grants.
* * *
(e) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following
words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Room and board." Food, utilities and lodging in a
residential unit, residential hall or other housing facility,
which an institution of higher education provides to an
individual who is enrolled at the institution of higher
education, for a fee or in exchange for specified duties or
services.
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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