1Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
2act relating to the public school system, including certain
3provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
4schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
5laws relating thereto," providing for technology grants for
6equipment and services.

7The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
8hereby enacts as follows:

9Section 1.  Section 1505-A of the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.

1030, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, added April
1127, 1998 (P.L.270, No.46), is amended to read:

12Section 1505-A.  Technology Grants for Equipment and
13Services.--(a)  The purposes of the technology grants to benefit
14students in nonpublic and private schools are to:

15(1)  Improve the education Pennsylvania's nonpublic and
16private school students receive.

17(2)  Increase nonpublic and private students' access to
18worldwide information, expertise and resources available through
19technology.

20(3)  Provide professional development opportunities to ensure

1nonpublic and private school teachers can use technology
2effectively with the curriculum.

3(4)  Complement Link-to-Learn's efforts and add value to the
4Pennsylvania Education Network by forging collaborative
5partnerships between educational institutions.

6(5)  Complement Federal technology initiatives.

7(b)  The Department of Education through intermediate units
8shall have the power and duty to purchase computer hardware,
9software, connectivity and related technology to loan them to
10all children residing in this Commonwealth who are enrolled in
11grades kindergarten through twelve of a nonpublic and private
12school and may provide professional development opportunities.
13The Secretary of Education shall establish a per capita formula
14based on the number of eligible students in nonpublic and
15private schools and each intermediate unit. Funds shall be
16allocated to intermediate units who shall purchase and loan the
17equipment to such children based on the per capita formula 
18established by the Secretary of Education and may provide
19professional development opportunities. Equipment and services
20shall not be used for sectarian purposes.

21(c)  In July of 2013, and annually thereafter, the Secretary
22of Education shall allocate to each intermediate unit an amount
23equal to the number of nonpublic school students as of October 1
24of the preceding school year who are enrolled in nonpublic
25schools within the intermediate unit times thirty-five dollars
26($35). The Secretary of Education shall increase this figure on
27a proportionate basis whenever there is an increase in the basic
28education funding for public school districts in the General
29Appropriation Act enacted for the then current State fiscal
30year.

1Section 2.  This act shall take effect immediately.