PRINTER'S NO. 1832
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
1440
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY CALTAGIRONE, DONATUCCI, DeLUCA, MILLARD, CONKLIN,
McNEILL AND ROTHMAN, MAY 24, 2017
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MAY 24, 2017
AN ACT
Providing for notation on transcripts of students suspended or
expelled from institutions of higher education.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Transcript notation.
(a) Legislative findings.--The General Assembly finds that:
(1) At public and private colleges and universities
across this Commonwealth, the student academic transcript is
recognized as the official record of a student's academic
progress from admission until separation from the
institution.
(2) The transcript is often the only document that must
accompany a student in the process of transferring to another
institution, and it is important for both students and
institutions that the transcript accurately reflect the
student's performance.
(3) A violation of a student code of conduct, including
the commission of sexual assault, can result in a student
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being temporarily or permanently separated from an
institution.
(4) Significant inconsistencies exist in current
policies and practices related to the notation of
disciplinary dismissals on student transcripts at
institutions of higher education.
(5) The absence of this pertinent information can put a
receiving institution of higher education and its students at
risk and may raise liability concerns for the institution of
higher education from which the student transfers.
(6) The disclosure of student suspensions and expulsions
on student transcripts of institutions of higher education
ensures the integrity and transparency of student transcripts
and the safety and security of campuses across this
Commonwealth.
(b) Duty of institutions of higher education.--
(1) When a student enrolled at an institution of higher
education is suspended or expelled for a period of time or
permanently, the governing body of the institution of higher
education shall include a notation on the transcript of the
student specifying the time period or permanency of the
suspension or expulsion.
(2) If the suspension or expulsion is for a period of
time, the governing body of the institution of higher
education may remove the notation on the transcript after the
period of time has expired.
(c) Definition.--As used in this section, "institution of
higher education" means:
(1) A community college operating under Article XIX-A of
the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the
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Public School Code of 1949.
(2) A university within the State System of Higher
Education.
(3) The Pennsylvania State University.
(4) The University of Pittsburgh.
(5) Temple University.
(6) Lincoln University.
(7) Any other institution that is designated as "State-
related" by the Commonwealth.
(8) Any accredited private or independent college or
university in this Commonwealth.
(9) Any private licensed school as defined in the act of
December 15, 1986 (P.L.1585, No.174), known as the Private
Licensed Schools Act.
Section 2. Effective date.
This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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