PRINTER'S NO. 2405
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
2082
Session of
2021
INTRODUCED BY SHUSTERMAN, HILL-EVANS, MADDEN, SANCHEZ,
SCHLOSSBERG, SCHWEYER, FREEMAN, LEE, WEBSTER, KINSEY, CIRESI,
N. NELSON, ROZZI, KENYATTA, D. WILLIAMS, T. DAVIS, McNEILL,
KIM, SCHLEGEL CULVER, GUENST AND WARREN, NOVEMBER 12, 2021
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, NOVEMBER 12, 2021
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," establishing a pilot program for
homeless youth in higher education.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding an
article to read:
ARTICLE XX‒K
PILOT PROGRAM FOR HOMELESS YOUTH IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Section 2001-K. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this article
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Homeless student." An enrolled student in an institution of
higher education who is either currently without a domicile or
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who has experienced homelessness within the past two years.
"Institution of higher education." A community college
operating under Article XIX-A or a university within the State
System of Higher Education under Article XX-A.
"Pilot program." The Pilot Program for Homeless Youth in
Higher Education.
Section 2002-K. Pilot program guidelines.
(a) Pilot program.--The pilot program is established in the
Department of Education.
(b) Participants.--The State Board of Education shall select
six institutions of higher education, consisting of four
community colleges and two universities within the State System
of Higher Education which are geographically dispersed, to
participate in a pilot program to provide assistance to students
experiencing homelessness. The institutions of higher education
chosen to participate in the pilot program shall provide
accommodations to homeless students, including all of the
following:
(1) Access to laundry facilities.
(2) Access to storage.
(3) Access to locker room and shower facilities.
(4) Reduced-price meals or meal plans and access to food
banks.
(5) Access to technology.
(6) Access to short-term housing or housing assistance,
especially during seasonal breaks.
(7) Case management services.
(c) Housing.--An institution of higher education
participating in the pilot program may establish plans to
develop surplus property for affordable housing to accommodate
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the needs of students experiencing homelessness.
(d) Resources.--The institutions of higher education
participating in the pilot program shall leverage existing
community resources by making available to students in the pilot
program information that is available for individuals
experiencing homelessness, including through nonprofit
organizations, local housing agencies and the Department of
Human Services.
(e) Report.--By December 1, 2023, the institutions of higher
education participating in the pilot program shall provide a
report to the chairperson and minority chairperson of the
Education Committee of the Senate and the chairperson and
minority chairperson of the Education Committee of the House of
Representatives that includes at least the following
information:
(1) The number of students experiencing homelessness or
food insecurity who were attending an institution of higher
education during the pilot program. The State Board of
Education shall coordinate with the institutions of higher
education to collect voluntary data on how many students
experiencing homelessness or food insecurity are attending
institutions of higher education.
(2) The number of students assisted by the pilot
program.
(3) Strategies for accommodating students experiencing
homelessness or food insecurity.
(4) Recommendations for legislation to better serve
students experiencing homelessness or food insecurity.
(f) Voluntary participation.--Institutions of higher
education not selected to participate in the pilot program may
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participate voluntarily and may submit the data required of the
pilot program participants under subsection (e), regardless of
participation status.
(g) Expiration.--The pilot program shall operate for a
minimum of two academic years, beginning with the academic year
that starts at least six months after the effective date of this
article.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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