PRINTER'S NO. 2097

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE BILL

No.

1275

Session of

2018

INTRODUCED BY MARTIN, AUMENT, COSTA, MENSCH, GORDNER, REGAN,

BLAKE, SCHWANK, WARD AND YUDICHAK, OCTOBER 12, 2018

REFERRED TO EDUCATION, OCTOBER 12, 2018

Telepresence Education Grant 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:

Section 1501-J. Scope of article.

This article relates to the Keystone Telepresence Education

Commonwealth.

"Grant." A Keystone Telepresence Education Grant authorized

and awarded by the department under the program to intermediate

units in this Commonwealth.

"Homebound student." A student in this Commonwealth who:

(1) is unable to attend school for an extended period as

the result of a serious medical condition, including injuries

from an accident, recovery from a medical procedure, serious

illness or chronic illness; and

(2) satisfies the conditions for receipt of homebound

instruction under 22 Pa. Code § 11.25 (relating to temporary

activities with the students' classmates and teachers, in real-

time, from a remote location. The technology shall include audio

and video capabilities that enable homebound students to

communicate with classmates and teachers.

"Telepresence equipment manufacturer." An entity that

manufactures telepresence equipment for the use of, among other

things, educating homebound students and provides technical

support and training for the equipment.

Section 1503-J. Keystone Telepresence Education Grant Program.

(a) Establishment.--The Keystone Telepresence Education

homebound students. The department shall:

(1) Develop guidelines for the purchase of telepresence

equipment and services related to the utilization of the

equipment through the program, including department-approved

telepresence equipment manufacturers.

(2) Determine the form and manner in which an

application for a grant may be filed with the department.

(3) Provide notice of the program to intermediate units.

(4) Make grant applications available to all

intermediate units along with details relating to the

application process.

secretary shall determine in accordance with the guidelines of

the department the amount of a grant award to an intermediate

unit.

(d) Allocation.--To award grants under the program, the

department shall use up to $300,000 annually of undistributed

funds not expended, encumbered or committed from appropriations

for grants and subsidies made to the department to award grants.

The funds shall be transferred by the Secretary of the Budget to

a restricted account as necessary to award grants and, when

transferred, are hereby appropriated to carry out the provisions

the grant program.

Section 1504-J. Intermediate unit policies.

(a) Telepresence equipment use.--An intermediate unit shall

develop an internal policy for the use of telepresence equipment

and related support services prior to applying for a grant. The

policy shall include guidelines for the process by which public

schools, nonpublic schools or other educational entities within

the intermediate unit may request the use of telepresence

equipment through an intermediate unit.

(b) Dissemination.--An intermediate unit shall, upon

request, provide the policy under subsection (a) to a public

the needs of a homebound student.

Section 1505-J. Use of grants.

(a) Equipment.--An intermediate unit which is awarded a

grant shall use the grant to purchase telepresence equipment.

(b) Service and training.--A grant may be used, in part, to

secure technical support, mechanical support and training

support related to the use of telepresence equipment.

Section 1506-J. Reports.

An intermediate unit which is awarded a grant shall submit to

the department a report detailing all expenditures related to

with a grant may not charge a public school, nonpublic school or

other educational entity within the intermediate unit for the

use of the telepresence equipment when the equipment is used to

support the educational needs of a homebound student.

Section 1508-J. Construction.

Nothing in this article shall be construed to require or

create an entitlement to telepresence equipment as a component

of an individualized education plan for any student in this

Commonwealth.