PRINTER'S NO. 2178
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1552
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY ROAE, SONNEY, MALONEY, JAMES, DRISCOLL, TOPPER,
DAVIS, PHILLIPS-HILL, MILLARD, READSHAW, WATSON, EVANKOVICH,
RAPP, MURT AND SANTORA, SEPTEMBER 16, 2015
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, SEPTEMBER 16, 2015
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 preliminary provisions, providing
for powers and duties of the Secretary of 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 a
section to read:
Section 124. Powers and Duties of the Secretary of
Education.--(a) On behalf of the Commonwealth, the Secretary of
Education shall have the authority and duty to enter into and
administer membership in a regional compact and an interstate
reciprocity agreement for the provision of postsecondary
distance education by the following:
(1) Institutions of higher education to students in other
states, territories and districts party to such agreement.
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(2) Postsecondary institutions in other states, territories
or districts that are a party to such agreement to students in
this Commonwealth.
(b) The Department of Education may charge administrative
fees to institutions of higher education that choose to
participate in the agreement, not to exceed the amount necessary
to pay the administrative costs of the agreement. The department
may promulgate final-omitted regulations pursuant to the act of
June 25, 1982 (P.L.633, No.181), known as the "Regulatory Review
Act," necessary to implement this subsection, provided that such
final-omitted regulations shall expire June 30, 2018. After June
30, 2018, any revisions to the administrative fees charged under
this subsection shall be made through regulations promulgated
under the Regulatory Review Act.
(c) The Postsecondary Distance Education Interstate
Reciprocity Agreement Restricted Receipts Account is established
as a special restricted receipts account within the General Fund
of the State Treasury, from which the Department of Education
may draw moneys for the purpose of agreement expenses, the costs
of administering and implementing the agreement and all other
costs associated with the activities of the department related
to implementation of this section. This account shall consist of
all administrative fees deposited under subsection (b) and State
funds appropriated for use under this section. The restricted
receipts account shall be subject to audit by the Auditor
General.
(d) For purposes of this section, "institution of higher
education" shall have the meaning given in section 118.
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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