PRINTER'S NO. 4514
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
2939
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY ULLMAN, LONGIETTI, SHUSTERMAN, HILL-EVANS,
DRISCOLL, YOUNGBLOOD, ROEBUCK, GALLOWAY, SANCHEZ, CIRESI,
WILLIAMS, WEBSTER, SCHLOSSBERG, HOWARD AND KENYATTA,
OCTOBER 15, 2020
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, OCTOBER 15, 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," providing for COVID-19 Public Higher
Education Support Program.
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
COVID-19 PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION SUPPORT PROGRAM
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:
"COVID" or "COVID-19." Coronavirus disease 2019, also
referred to as 2019-nCoV acute respiratory disease.
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"COVID-19 Response Restricted Account." The COVID-19
Response Restricted Account established under section 110-C of
the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.343, No.176), known as the Fiscal
Code.
"Current fiscal year." The fiscal year beginning July 1,
2020, and ending July 30, 2021.
"Department." The Department of Education of the
Commonwealth.
"Eligible institutions of higher education." Any of the
following:
(1) The Pennsylvania State University.
(2) The University Of Pittsburgh.
(3) Temple University.
(4) Lincoln University.
(5) The Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology.
(6) The Pennsylvania College Of Technology.
(5) Community colleges, as defined section 1901-A.
"Federal funds." Money received by the Commonwealth from the
Federal Government.
Section 2002-K. Establishment.
The COVID-19 Public Higher Education Support Program is
established within the department to assist public institutions
of higher education that have not received appropriations for
COVID relief during the current COVID-19 pandemic.
Section 2003-K. Distribution.
Money appropriated for the program shall be distributed by
the department to eligible institutions of higher education as
follows:
(1) Multiply:
(i) the most recent 12-month cumulative unduplicated
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headcount enrollment of students enrolled for credit for
each eligible institution reported to the United States
Department Of Education; by
(ii) the amount appropriated for the program.
(2) Divide:
(i) the product under paragraph (1); by
(ii) the most recent 12-month cumulative
unduplicated headcount enrollment of students enrolled
for credit for all eligible institutions.
Section 2004-K. Duties of department.
The department shall perform the following:
(1) Collect data from eligible institutions as necessary
to implement section 2003-K.
(2) Distribute funds to eligible institutions of higher
education on or before October 15, 2020.
Section 2005-K. Use of funds.
Eligible institutions of higher education shall use funds
provided under this article to address necessary costs to
respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Section 2006-K. Appropriation.
The sum of $100,000,000 in Federal funds is appropriated from
the COVID-19 Response Restricted Account to the department for
the current fiscal year to carry out the provisions of this
article.
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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