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PRINTER'S NO. 871
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
792
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY DAVIS, McNEILL, MURT, NEILSON AND YOUNGBLOOD,
MARCH 10, 2017
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MARCH 10, 2017
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 gambling policy in
institutions of 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-H
GAMBLING POLICY IN INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION
Section 2001-H. Scope.
This article applies to establishing a gambling policy in
institutions of higher education.
Section 2002-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:
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"Gambling." As follows:
(1) The term shall be characterized by the following
three criteria:
(i) players wager money or an object of value;
(ii) the bet is irreversible once placed; and
(iii) the game's outcome relies on chance.
(2) The term includes, but is not limited to:
(i) Lottery or numbers.
(ii) Casino gambling.
(iii) Cards or dice games.
(iv) Betting on college or professional sports.
(v) Betting on horse or dog races.
(vi) Betting on games of skill, including, but not
limited to, bowling, basketball, pool, golf, backgammon
and darts.
(vii) Internet gambling.
(viii) Bingo and raffles.
(ix) Pools and raffles.
"Institution of higher education." A State-related
institution or a member institution of the State System of
Higher Education.
Section 2003-H. Gambling policy.
An institution of higher education shall develop and adopt a
gambling policy, consistent with applicable Federal, State and
local laws, to govern students on campus which may include, but
is not limited to:
(1) Establishing gambling rules, outlining what gambling
acts are considered violations and what disciplinary actions
will be applied to violators.
(2) Promoting campus-community collaborations that focus
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on reducing problems with gambling, including, but not
limited to, encouraging campus law enforcement to collaborate
with community law enforcement agencies to identify illegal
gambling activities involving students, such as bookmaking
operations.
(3) Encouraging adjustments in disciplinary actions
applied to violators of gambling rules if students seek
assistance from health or counseling services, including, but
not limited to:
(i) Allowing students who need time off to focus on
recovery from a gambling disorder to take a medical leave
of absence.
( ii ) Making reasonable accommodations allowing
students involved in off-campus treatment to continue in
classes.
(iii) Allowing students who withdraw and are no
longer eligible for a refund to appeal the process citing
gambling problems as an extenuating circumstance beyond
the control of the student involved.
(4) Measuring student attitudes, behaviors and problems
with gambling through campus surveys or by incorporating
measures into existing campus health-related surveys,
including, but not limited to:
(i) Disseminating information about disordered
gambling behavior on a campus-wide basis.
(ii) Promoting campus-wide awareness of pathological
gambling as a mental health disorder that has a high rate
of comorbidity with alcohol use and other addictive
disorders, and responsible gaming principles.
(iii) Using a variety of media, including social
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media and Internet websites to disseminate information
beyond the traditional printed student handbook.
(iv) Targeting particular groups for education about
gambling disorders, for example, student athletes or
student fans.
(5) Encouraging organizations to use nongambling themes
for special events.
(6) Strengthening the capacity of counseling services to
identify and treat gambling disorders, including, but not
limited to:
(i) Assessing the ability of current counseling
staff to meet the needs of students with gambling
problems and providing additional training if necessary.
(ii) Encouraging referrals to off-campus treatment
providers who are certified specialists in the area of
addiction treatment.
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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