H0897B3424A05536 DMS:CMH 07/11/24 #90 A05536
AMENDMENTS TO HOUSE BILL NO. 897
Sponsor: SENATOR MARTIN
Printer's No. 3424
Amend Bill, page 1, lines 1 through 12, by striking out all
of said lines and inserting
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 transfers of credits between
institutions of higher education, further providing for
definitions and for duties of public institutions of higher
education, providing for guaranteed admission and further
providing for applicability; in higher education
accountability and transparency, further providing for
definitions and providing for transparency and
accountability; in miscellaneous provisions relating to
institutions of higher education, providing for Dual Credit
Innovation Grant Program; providing for institutions of
higher education and for coordination of higher education;
and making editorial changes.
Amend Bill, page 1, lines 15 through 21; pages 2 through 8,
lines 1 through 30; page 9, lines 1 and 2; by striking out all
of said lines on said pages and inserting
Section 1. Section 2001-C of the act of March 10, 1949
(P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, is
amended by adding definitions to read:
Section 2001-C. 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:
* * *
"Associate degree." The term includes an associate of arts
degree, associate of science degree, associate of fine arts
degree or associate of applied science degree.
* * *
"Parallel baccalaureate degree program." A bachelor's degree
program in a comparable field of study and with similar
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foundation-level, major-specific competencies as an associate
degree program, as articulated in program-to-program agreements.
* * *
"Receiving institution." The public institution of higher
education where a transfer student plans to enroll and to apply
previously earned credit toward a degree program.
* * *
Section 2. Section 2002-C(c)(1) of the act is amended to
read:
Section 2002-C. Duties of public institutions of higher
education.
* * *
(c) Other duties.--Each public institution of higher
education shall do all of the following:
(1) Agree to accept with full junior standing the
associate [of arts or associate of science] degree [into a]
and to apply all college-level credits earned to fulfill the
degree requirements at the public institution of higher
education, including major requirements and general education
requirements, toward the parallel baccalaureate degree
program as outlined in paragraph (3) [by the timelines
established by the Transfer and Articulation Oversight
Committee but] no later than December 31, [2011] 2024. For
purposes of this paragraph, an associate [of arts or
associate of science] degree is a degree designed primarily
for transfer to a baccalaureate institution and must contain
a minimum of 60 credits. The following shall apply:
(i) A student with an associate degree from a public
institution of higher education who is transferring into
a parallel baccalaureate degree program at another public
institution of higher education shall be awarded full
junior standing and shall not be required to
satisfactorily complete more than 60 credits to earn a
120 credit baccalaureate degree in a parallel program,
regardless of the courses the student took to earn the
associate degree prior to transferring, unless required
to meet accreditation or external licensure or
certification standards.
(ii) A student transferring into a parallel
baccalaureate degree program with an associate degree
shall be guaranteed admission to the parallel
baccalaureate degree program, subject to capacity, if the
student meets the program criteria required of students
in the parallel baccalaureate degree program at the
receiving institution.
(iii) A student transferring from one public
institution of higher education to another public
institution of higher education shall have the same
requirements for retention as a student in the parallel
baccalaureate degree program at the receiving
institution.
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(iv) A public institution of higher education may
designate majors or programs of study that are limited
access by reason of accreditation, clinical or resource-
based capacity.
(v) A student transferring from a public institution
of higher education with an associate degree shall have
satisfied the general education requirements at the
receiving institution, with possible exceptions made for
the following, provided that the exceptions do not extend
the student's time to the degree:
(A) One signature general education course of up
to three credits, if applicable.
(B) A prescribed general education course
required for the major, if not satisfactorily
completed.
(C) General education overlays satisfied in
advanced courses in the major.
* * *
Section 3. The act is amended by adding sections to read:
Section 2003.1-C. Guaranteed admission.
A public institution of higher education shall ensure that an
undergraduate student transferring from a public institution of
higher education with an associate degree shall be guaranteed
admission into the parallel baccalaureate degree program at a
public institution of higher education except in programs that
have mandated admission requirements, including, but not limited
to:
(1) A program requiring an audition.
(2) A program with additional retention requirements
imposed by an accreditor.
Section 4. Section 2007-C of the act is amended to read:
Section 2007-C. Applicability.
[Nothing] Except as otherwise provided, nothing in this
article shall [do any of the following]:
(1) Preclude any institution of higher education from
establishing institution-to-institution articulation
agreements.
(2) Void articulation agreements that have been
established prior to the effective date of this section.
Section 5. Article XX-H of the act is amended by adding a
subarticle heading immediately preceding section 2001-H to read:
SUBARTICLE A
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
Section 6. Section 2001-H of the act is amended by adding
definitions to read:
Section 2001-H. 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:
* * *
"Mandatory fee." A charge imposed by an institution of
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higher education to all of the institution's students,
irrespective of their course or admission status, for enrollment
or attendance for items not covered by tuition, room or board
fees.
* * *
"Online student portal." A secured internal Internet service
administered by an institution of higher education on which a
student of the institution of higher education can access
personal academic, financial or other information related to
attending the institution of higher education.
* * *
Section 7. Article XX-H of the act is amended by adding a
subarticle heading immediately preceding section 2002-H to read:
SUBARTICLE B
COLLEGE NAVIGATOR
Section 8. Article XX-H of the act is amended by adding a
subarticle to read:
SUBARTICLE C
TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Section 2004-H. Student fee transparency.
(a) Display.--An institution of higher education shall
prominently display a description of every mandatory fee charged
by the institution of higher education and shall publish the fee
description on each institution of higher education's publicly
accessible Internet website and online student portal prior to
the term for which the mandatory fee will be charged and
included in any tuition bill. The amount of the mandatory fee
must be accompanied by a description of:
(1) The general purpose of the mandatory fee.
(2) How the mandatory fee is expected to be allocated
and used.
(3) How the mandatory fee will be collected and the
academic year or semester for which the fee will be assessed.
(b) Publication of fees.--Beginning November 15, 2025, and
by November 15 of each year thereafter, an institution of higher
education shall publish on the institution's publicly accessible
Internet website the following information from the prior
academic year:
(1) The total amount of mandatory fees collected.
(2) The amount of mandatory fees allocated to each use.
(c) Linking.--Beginning on June 30, 2026, and by June 30 of
each year thereafter, an institution of higher education shall
provide the department with evidence that the fee information is
published on the institution's publicly accessible Internet
website.
Section 2005-H. Higher education cost transparency.
(a) General rule.--An institution of higher education shall
provide the following information to a prospective student as
part of the student's offer of enrollment at the institution of
higher education or as part of the student's financial aid
offer:
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(1) An estimate of the total cost of attendance,
including:
(i) Tuition for the student's first academic year.
(ii) A list of each fee charged to a student in the
student's first academic year. The fees shall include
both mandatory and optional fees.
(iii) A breakdown of all room and board options and
the costs associated with each option for the student's
first academic year.
(iv) Books and supplies.
(2) An estimate of the financial aid offered, as
available, by the institution of higher education, including,
but not limited to:
(i) All grants or scholarships that do not require
repayment.
(ii) Student loans that require repayment.
(iii) Student employment options.
(3) An estimate of the net cost that subtracts any
scholarships or grants being offered from the estimated total
cost of attendance.
(4) An estimate of the total cost of attendance for
subsequent years. The estimate may be provided through easily
accessible electronic means and shall include:
(i) Information regarding whether or not the
financial aid is being offered only for the upcoming
academic year or if it is renewable for subsequent
academic years. If the financial aid is renewable for
subsequent academic years, the information shall include
any requirements that must be met in order for renewal of
the financial aid.
(ii) A history of previous academic year's tuition.
(iii) An estimate of the total tuition that the
student will be charged in each academic year necessary
for the student to receive a degree in the student's
major.
(iv) An estimate of the total amount of fees charged
to a student in each academic year necessary for the
student to receive a degree in the student's major.
(b) Disclosure to prospective student.--An institution of
higher education shall use easily understood terms and clearly
identify each piece of financial aid that a student must repay.
(c) Public availability.--Each institution of higher
education shall make available on its publicly accessible
Internet website an estimate of all tuition, fees and room and
board that may be charged in an academic year.
Section 2006-H. Exit counseling.
(a) General rule.--Unless an individual selects not to
participate, each institution of higher education shall make
financial aid counseling available to each student at the end of
the student's final academic term.
(b) Counseling for graduating students.--The financial aid
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counseling for a student who graduates at the end of the
academic term shall, at a minimum, include:
(1) A list of all available Federal and State programs,
including, if available, related websites and contact
information, that may assist with payments, reductions or
forgiveness of the individual's student loans.
(2) All available repayment options on student loans
known to the institution of higher education and, if
available, a link to an online student loan payment
calculator.
(3) Information on when a student's loan payments will
begin and information on assistance with delaying repayment
of loans.
(4) Any other information that the institution of higher
education deems necessary to help an exiting student
understand options relating to repaying student loans.
(c) Counseling for students who transfer or withdraw.--With
respect to a student who leaves an institution of higher
education without the knowledge of the institution or transfers
to another institution, the institution shall attempt to make
financial aid counseling available to the student. If the
institution is unable to get in contact with the student, the
institution shall mail the information described in subsection
(b) in writing to the student at the last known address on file.
(d) Method of counseling.--An institution of higher
education may offer the counseling required under this section
in person or virtually and may partner with the Pennsylvania
Higher Education Assistance Agency or a similar entity to
provide the required counseling.
Section 9. Article XX-I of the act is amended by adding a
section to read:
Section 2004-I. Dual Credit Innovation Grant Program.
(a) Establishment.--The Dual Credit Innovation Grant Program
is established within the department to award grants to public
institutions of higher education that offer dual credit
opportunities to high school students enrolled in a school
entity.
(b) Use of funding.--Funding provided for the program shall
be used for the purpose of increasing the capacity for public
institutions of higher education to provide dual credit courses.
Money awarded through a grant may be used for the following:
(1) To operate dual credit courses that are tuition free
to high school students.
(2) To support public institutions of higher education
in seeking external accreditation for their dual credit
courses.
(3) To provide student academic supports to aid students
enrolled in dual credit courses to be successful in the
courses and to successfully transition to postsecondary
education upon graduation from high school.
(4) To increase the use of no-cost or low-cost textbooks
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or course materials used in dual credit courses.
(5) To provide professional development activities for
high school teachers to enable them to teach dual credit
courses.
(c) Priority.--The department shall give priority in grant
funding to public institutions of higher education that expand
the current offerings of the public institution of higher
education, with a particular emphasis on providing courses
aligned with high-priority occupations and serving students
experiencing education instability as defined in section 1331.1,
students enrolled in career and technical education programs,
low-income students, historically underserved student groups and
students in rural areas of this Commonwealth.
(d) Additional priority.--If the department does not receive
sufficient applications to expend the available funding under
this section, the department may award grants for the uses under
subsection (b) to State-related institutions and independent
institutions of higher education.
(e) Limitation.--Nothing in this section shall be construed
to supersede or preempt the rights, remedies and procedures
afforded to school employees or labor organizations under
Federal or State law, including the act of July 23, 1970
(P.L.563, No.195), known as the Public Employe Relations Act, or
any provision of a collective bargaining agreement between a
school entity and an exclusive representative of the employees
in accordance with that act.
(f) Reporting and accountability.--For the purpose of
improving data collection and transparency related to the value
of dual credit courses to the success of students as they
graduate high school and transition to postsecondary education,
the department shall annually collect student-level data from
grant recipients and use other existing data resources to inform
the following measures and post aggregate, de-identified
information related to all of the following on the department's
publicly accessible Internet website:
(1) The demographics of students enrolled in dual credit
courses.
(2) The high school graduation rate of students enrolled
in dual credit courses.
(3) The percentage of economically disadvantaged
students enrolled in dual credit courses and the percentage
of students enrolled in dual credit courses who are
economically disadvantaged.
(4) The percentage of dual credit students who enroll in
a regionally accredited postsecondary institution the fall
after graduation, within one year and within two years after
high school graduation.
(5) The number of college credits earned by students
enrolled in dual credit courses while in high school.
(6) An estimate of the cost savings to the families of
students enrolled in dual credit courses.
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(7) The percentage of dual credit students who enroll in
an institution of higher education following high school
graduation and go on to graduate or transfer to a four-year
institution within two, three and four years of high school
graduation.
(8) The percentage of dual credit students who enroll in
an institution of higher education following high school
graduation and go on to graduate in four, five or six years.
(9) The percentage of dual credit students who attend
postsecondary institutions located in this Commonwealth
following graduation compared to those who attend out-of-
State postsecondary institutions.
(g) 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:
"Department." The Department of Education of the
Commonwealth.
"Dual credit." Credit received under an agreement between a
school entity and an institution of higher education approved to
operate in this Commonwealth in which a student earns both high
school and postsecondary credit by taking a single postsecondary
course.
"Grant." A grant provided under the program.
"Independent institution of higher education." An
institution of higher education operated not for profit, located
and incorporated or chartered by the Commonwealth and entitled
to confer degrees as provided in 24 Pa.C.S. § 6505 (relating to
power to confer degrees) and which applies to itself the
designation "college" or "university" as provided for by the
standards and qualifications prescribed by the State Board of
Education under 24 Pa.C.S. Ch. 65 (relating to private colleges,
universities and seminaries).
"Institution of higher education." The term includes an
independent institution of higher education, public institution
of higher education and a State-related institution.
"Program." The Dual Credit Innovation Grant Program
established in this section.
"Public institution of higher education." An institution of
the State System of Higher Education established under Article
XX-A, a community college established under Article XIX-A,
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology established under Article
XIX-B, the Pennsylvania College of Technology or the rural
regional college established under Article XIX-G upon
accreditation.
"School entity." A school district, area career and
technical school, charter school, cyber charter school or
regional charter school.
"State-related institution." The Pennsylvania State
University, including the Pennsylvania College of Technology,
the University of Pittsburgh, Temple University and Lincoln
University and their branch campuses.
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Section 10. The act is amended by adding an article to read:
ARTICLE XX-L
INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION
SUBARTICLE A
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
Section 2001-L. 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:
"Agency." The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance
Agency.
"Board." The State Board of Higher Education established
under section 2010-L.
"Community college." An institution created under Article
XIX-A or the act of August 24, 1963 (P.L.1132, No.484), known as
the Community College Act of 1963.
"Council." The Performance-based Funding Council established
under Subarticle C.
"Department." The Department of Education of the
Commonwealth.
"Financial aid." Funding to help a student pay for
postsecondary education, including grants, work study, loans and
scholarships.
"High-priority occupation." An occupation identified by the
Department of Labor and Industry under the act of December 18,
2001 (P.L.949, No.114), known as the Workforce Development Act.
"Higher Education Scholarship Law." The act of January 25,
1966 (1965 P.L.1546, No.541), referred to as the Higher
Education Scholarship Law.
"Independent institution of higher education." An
institution of higher education which is operated not for
profit, located in and incorporated or chartered by the
Commonwealth and entitled to confer degrees as specified in 24
Pa.C.S. § 6505 (relating to power to confer degrees) and to
apply to itself the designation "college" or "university" as
provided for by the standards and qualifications prescribed by
the State Board of Education under 24 Pa.C.S. Ch. 65 (relating
to private colleges, universities and seminaries).
"Institution of higher education." As defined in section
1501-L.
"Institutional aid." Financial aid offered to an eligible
student directly by an institution of higher education,
including merit aid, gift aid and athletic awards.
"Pell Grant." The Federal Pell Grant or any successor
program.
"Pennsylvania State grant." A grant or scholarship awarded
under the Higher Education Scholarship Law.
"Private scholarship." Financial aid awards funded by
entities other than the Federal or State Government, including
awards by companies, service groups, foundations, organizations
and individuals.
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"Public institution of higher education." A State-owned
university, community college or State-related university.
"State-owned university." An institution which is part of
the State System of Higher Education under Article XX-A.
"State-related university." The Pennsylvania State
University, the University of Pittsburgh, Temple University and
Lincoln University.
"System." The State System of Higher Education established
under Article XX-A.
SUBARTICLE B
COORDINATION OF HIGHER EDUCATION
Section 2010-L. State Board of Higher Education.
(a) Establishment.--The State Board of Higher Education is
established within the department.
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of the board is to provide
direction, coordination and support to ensure that institutions
of higher education fully meet the workforce and economic
development needs of this Commonwealth and ensure that all
residents of this Commonwealth have access to affordable, world-
class postsecondary education.
(c) Membership and appointment.--The board shall consist of
the voting members specified in this subsection. In making
appointments to the board, the Governor shall ensure that the
appointee is a Pennsylvania resident and has the background and
experience suitable for performing the statutory responsibility
of a member of the board. Membership of the board shall be as
follows:
(1) The Secretary of Education or a designee who shall
be an employee of the department.
(2) The Secretary of Labor and Industry or a designee
who shall be an employee of the Department of Labor and
Industry.
(3) One member of the Senate appointed by the President
pro tempore of the Senate or a designee who shall be an
employee of the Senate.
(4) One member of the Senate appointed by the Minority
Leader of the Senate or a designee who shall be an employee
of the Senate.
(5) One member of the House of Representatives appointed
by the Speaker of the House of Representatives or a designee
who shall be an employee of the House of Representatives.
(6) One member of the House of Representatives appointed
by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives or a
designee who shall be an employee of the House of
Representatives.
(7) Members appointed by the Governor, in accordance
with paragraph (8), as follows:
(i) One representative of a State-owned university
who must be a president, administrator or local trustee.
(ii) One representative of the Board of Governors of
the State System of Higher Education.
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(iii) One representative of a community college who
must be a president, administrator or board member.
(iv) One representative of an independent
institution of higher education who must be a president,
administrator or board member.
(v) Four representatives, one from each State-
related university, who must be presidents, chancellors,
administrators or local trustees.
(vi) Two representatives of a union representing
employees at public institutions of higher education who
may not be from the same institutions of higher education
as the representatives under subparagraph (i) or (iii).
(vii) Two representatives of business.
(viii) Two student representatives, one of whom is a
student at an independent institution and one of whom is
a student at a public institution of higher education .
(ix) One representative of the Thaddeus Stevens
College of Technology.
(8) The Governor shall make the appointments under:
(i) paragraph (7)(iii) from a list of three names
submitted by the Pennsylvania Commission for Community
Colleges;
(ii) paragraph (7)(iv) from a list of three names
submitted by the Association of Independent Colleges and
Universities;
(iii) paragraph (7)(vii) from a list of five names
submitted by the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and
Industry; and
(9) If an entity under paragraph (8) fails to submit a
list within 20 days of the establishment of the board or of a
vacancy of a member under paragraph (7), the Governor shall
appoint a qualified individual to fill the vacancy.
(d) Term.--The term of office of appointed members under
subsection (c)(7)(i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vii) and (ix)
shall be for a period of six years or until a successor is
appointed and qualified, except that, of the initial appointees,
the Governor shall designate three members to serve terms of two
years, four members to serve terms of four years and four
members to serve terms of six years. The Secretary of Education
and the Secretary of Labor and Industry shall serve as long as
they continue in office. Members of the board appointed by the
General Assembly shall serve a term of office concurrent with
their respective elective terms as members of the General
Assembly. The student members appointed by the Governor under
subsection (c)(7)(viii) shall serve a term of two years or upon
graduation, separation or failure to maintain good academic
standing at the institution of higher education in which the
students are enrolled. The members under subsection (c)(7)(vi)
may not serve more than one consecutive term of two years and
may not be from the same union.
(e) Organization.--The Governor shall designate a chair and
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vice chair of the board. The members shall select from among
themselves such officers as they deem necessary.
(f) Quorum and meetings.--
(1) A majority of members shall constitute a quorum for
the transaction of any business.
(2) The board shall meet to conduct official business no
less than once every three months or by the call of the
chair.
(g) Expenses.--Members shall receive no compensation for
their services but shall be reimbursed for the expenses
necessarily incurred by them in the performance of their duties.
(h) Initial appointment and vacancies.--An appointing
authority shall appoint members to the board within 30 days of
the establishment of the board. If a vacancy occurs on the
board, the appointing authority shall appoint a successor member
within 30 days of the vacancy.
(i) Removal of board members.--An appointed member who fails
to attend three consecutive board meetings shall forfeit their
membership on the board, unless the chair, upon written request
from the member, determines that the member should be excused
from a meeting or meetings for good cause.
(j) Administrative services and staff.--
(1) The board shall select an individual to serve as the
executive director.
(2) The department shall, in consultation with the
executive director, provide administrative services and
additional staff to the board. The board shall be entitled to
legal counsel as designated by the Office of General Counsel.
(k) Applicability.--In addition to all applicable laws,
regulations and policies, the following acts shall apply to the
board:
(1) The act of July 19, 1957 (P.L.1017, No.451), known
as the State Adverse Interest Act.
(2) The act of February 14, 2008 (P.L.6, No.3), known as
the Right-to-Know Law.
(3) The provisions of 65 Pa.C.S. Chs. 7 (relating to
open meetings) and 11 (relating to ethics standards and
financial disclosure).
Section 2011-L. Powers and duties of State Board of Higher
Education.
(a) General rule.--The board is charged with promoting
quality, accessible and affordable postsecondary education
throughout this Commonwealth by developing, planning and
advancing the higher education policy agenda of the Commonwealth
to address the challenges facing Pennsylvania.
(b) General powers.--The board shall have and may exercise
all powers appropriate to carry out and effectuate the board's
purposes under this article, including, but not limited to:
(1) Adopt bylaws, if necessary.
(2) Make and execute contracts, grants and other
instruments in accordance with this article.
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(3) Apply for and receive money from any source
consistent with the purposes of this article.
(4) Establish subcommittees and advisory committees
composed as the chair or board deems necessary.
(5) Hold public hearings, solicit public comment and
seek stakeholder input on the direction of higher education
in this Commonwealth.
(6) Perform other operational activities necessary or
appropriate to further the purposes of this article.
(c) Duties.--The board shall perform all duties appropriate
to carry out and effectuate the board's purposes under this
article, including, but not limited to:
(1) Develop and advance a higher education strategic
plan and make recommendations that promote greater
postsecondary access, quality, affordability and
accountability.
(2) Develop policy recommendations, including:
(i) New programs to align to workforce needs.
(ii) Efficient and effective use of State money for
higher education.
(3) (i) Create and maintain a database for the
collection and analysis of postsecondary data to inform
the board's policy recommendations and assess the
progress of the strategic plan goals, including
postsecondary education and workforce outcomes.
(ii) Data collection under this paragraph shall be
limited and reduced to the extent feasible.
(iii) To the extent possible, the board shall
prioritize collecting information from data reported to
Federal and State entities and accrediting agencies.
(iv) Annually, the board shall report postsecondary
data elements collected from institutions of higher
education under this paragraph. The report shall be
transmitted to the General Assembly and posted on the
board's publicly accessible Internet website.
(v) The provisions of section 118 shall not apply to
data collected under this paragraph.
(4) Promote the coordination and cooperation of
institutions of higher education to increase postsecondary
credentials and degrees to:
(i) Increase broad access to high quality and
affordable postsecondary credentials and degrees.
(ii) Promote the seamless transfer of credits and
credentials, including increasing community college
transfers to institutions of higher education.
(iii) Utilize dual-enrollment credit to create
strong pathways to postsecondary education and reduce
time to degree.
(iv) Meet the economic and workforce development
needs of this Commonwealth with a focus on meeting the
needs of current and future high-priority occupations.
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(5) In conjunction with the K-12 sector, coordinate
workforce development and economic development sectors, with
a focus on meeting the needs of high-priority occupations, to
develop affordable pathways to postsecondary credentials that
are aligned to current and future workforce and economic
needs.
(6) Establish the council to carry out the purposes of
Subarticle C.
(7) At the request of an institution of higher
education, assist institutions of higher education with
assessing their fiscal health and provide technical support.
(8) Recommend to the General Assembly employer
incentives to assist employees with attaining skills by
focusing on career and technical degree programs in high-
priority occupations.
(9) Develop recommendations for repurposing and reducing
under-utilized facilities and maximizing their use.
(d) Transfer of powers and duties.--
(1) All powers and duties of the State Board of
Education and the Council of Higher Education under Article
XIX-A shall be transferred to the board. This paragraph does
not apply to any application for a withdrawal of sponsorship
under section 1910-A filed prior to the effective date of
this paragraph.
(2) All powers and duties of the State Board of
Education and the Council of Higher Education under Article
XXVI-B related to community colleges shall be transferred to
the board.
(3) All files, records, contracts, agreements and other
materials which are used by the State Board of Education or
the Council of Higher Education in connection with the
powers, duties or functions exercised by the State Board of
Education or the Council of Higher Education related to
community colleges are hereby transferred to the board.
(4) A regulation adopted under Article XIX-A shall be
enforced by the board in collaboration with the State Board
of Education and shall continue to have the same force and
effect until modified or revised by the board. The board may
promulgate regulations in order to implement this subsection.
(5) The board, in consultation with the State Board of
Education, shall make recommendations to the Governor and
General Assembly no later than May 1, 2025, regarding the
appropriate delineation of roles and responsibilities of the
board, State Board of Education and department related to
higher education, including recommended legislation to update
Articles XIX-A and XXVI-B, and other related provisions of
this act.
(e) Coordination with State and local entities.--The board
shall:
(1) In consultation with the department, promote strong
pathways from grades K-12 through postsecondary credentials
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and degrees.
(2) In consultation with the State Board of Education,
promote greater postsecondary access, quality and
affordability, including the use and quality of dual credit,
apprenticeships and career and technical pathways.
(3) In consultation with the Pennsylvania Workforce
Development Board and local workforce development boards,
support institutions of higher education to offer programs in
high-priority occupations and apprenticeships that meet this
Commonwealth's current and future workforce needs.
(4) In consultation with the State Board of Private
Licensed Schools, make legislative recommendations related to
the act of December 15, 1986 (P.L.1585, No.174), known as the
Private Licensed Schools Act.
(f) Closure of institutions of higher education.--
(1) No later than July 1, 2026, the board shall develop
procedures for an institution of higher education to follow
when the institution of higher education, whether or not
chartered in this Commonwealth, proposes taking action to
discontinue operations. The procedures shall include a plan
for the orderly closure of the institution of higher
education, including, but not limited to, a teach-out plan,
preservation and accessibility of student and administrative
records, and notification to employees as required by 29
U.S.C. Ch. 23 (relating to worker adjustment and retraining
notification).
(2) The board may, contingent on the availability of
funds, enter into an agreement with a third party to
establish a centralized repository of student and employee
records for an institution of higher education that closes
and fails to place student records into a readily accessible
depository. An institution of higher education proposing to
discontinue operations may request assistance from the board
relating to discontinuance of the institution of higher
education's operations.
(3) To the extent permitted by Federal and State law,
Commonwealth funds may be withheld from an institution of
higher education provided that:
(i) No funds may be withheld prior to the
institution of higher education's formal vote and
subsequent notification of closure.
(ii) No funds may be withheld from services which
have been previously provided or will be provided prior
to the date of closure.
(iii) No funds provided for student financial aid
may be withheld on the basis of this section prior to the
date of closure or at such time that the student is no
longer enrolled at the institution of higher education.
Section 2012-L. Annual funding request.
In addition to the submission required under section 610 of
the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The
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Administrative Code of 1929, a public institution of higher
education shall provide a copy of its budget request to the
board.
Section 2013-L. Long-term strategic planning.
(a) Development of strategic plan.--The board shall be
responsible for developing a higher education strategic plan for
the Commonwealth which shall:
(1) Identify long-term, measurable goals and provide
strategies for implementing those goals.
(2) Assess the higher education needs of this
Commonwealth as well as each region of this Commonwealth.
(3) Include components required of the master plan for
higher education under section 2603-B(h).
(b) Adoption of strategic plan.--No later than September 1,
2025, the board shall adopt a higher education strategic plan.
The plan shall be reviewed and revised, as necessary, every five
years.
(c) Consultation.--In development of the strategic plan, the
board shall:
(1) Consult with and seek input from stakeholders.
(2) Make the strategic plan available for review and
public comment for a period of not less than 30 days.
(3) Hold at least six regional public hearings as part
of the public comment process under paragraph (2).
(d) Annual reports.--Beginning May 1, 2026, and each May 1
thereafter, the board shall develop an annual report which shall
include an update on the progress of the implementation of the
higher education strategic plan. As part of the first annual
report, the board shall include a review and make
recommendations related to the efficacy of the structure and
operation of the board.
(e) Transmittal of strategic plan and annual reports.--The
board shall post the strategic plan and annual reports on its
publicly accessible Internet website and transmit them to the
following individuals:
(1) The Governor.
(2) The General Assembly.
(3) The president of each institution of higher
education.
(4) The president of each bargaining unit that
represents employees at institutions of higher education.
Section 11. This act shall take effect immediately.
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