PRINTER'S NO. 3007
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
2529
Session of
2022
INTRODUCED BY SHUSTERMAN, KLUNK, HILL-EVANS, GUENST, MADDEN,
INNAMORATO, D. WILLIAMS, SANCHEZ, WEBSTER, CURRY AND DALEY,
APRIL 22, 2022
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON LABOR AND INDUSTRY, APRIL 22, 2022
AN ACT
Establishing the PennSERVE Office within the Department of Labor
and Industry; creating the PennSERVE Advisory Board;
providing for coordination of Commonwealth community service
programs; and making a related repeal.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Short title.
This act shall be known and may be cited as the PennSERVE
Act.
Section 2. Purpose.
(a) Declarations.--The General Assembly declares the
following:
(1) Service to others is a hallmark of the American
character. Throughout history, Pennsylvanians have stepped up
to meet challenges by volunteering in their communities.
(2) Throughout Pennsylvania communities, there are unmet
human, environmental and economic needs.
(3) Pennsylvanians of all ages can improve their
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communities and become more civically engaged through service
and volunteerism.
(b) Intent.--It is the intent of the General Assembly that
this act promotes the following:
(1) Making community service the common expectation and
experience of all Pennsylvanians.
(2) Renewing the ethic of civic responsibility in this
Commonwealth.
(3) Involving and enrolling individuals in service
opportunities that will benefit this Commonwealth while
offering workforce development and life skills.
(4) Building on the existing organizational framework of
State, local and community-based programs and agencies to
expand full-time and part-time service opportunities for all
eligible individuals.
(5) Combining the energy, wisdom, strength and time of
our younger and older populations in order to address vital
social needs.
Section 3. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Board." The PennSERVE Advisory Board established under
section 8.
"Community-based agency." A private, nonprofit organization
that is representative of a community or a significant segment
of a community that is engaged in meeting human, educational or
environmental community needs.
"Community service." The performance of tasks designated to
accomplish any of the following:
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(1) The promotion of the well-being of children, older
adults, persons with physical or developmental disabilities
or persons with low incomes.
(2) Educational development, including literacy
training, adult basic education courses or instruction in job
search skills, job application skills, school readiness or
postsecondary access.
(3) Projects or activities calculated to improve public
health and safety.
(4) Environmental preservation, enhancement and
remediation, including the conservation of natural habitats,
maintenance of public lands or promotion of environmental
stewardship.
(5) Activities to increase the preparation of
individuals for disasters, improve individuals' readiness to
respond to disasters, help individuals recover from disasters
or help mitigate disasters.
(6) Facilitate access to services and resources that
contribute to the economic well-being of Pennsylvanians,
including financial literacy, healthy and affordable housing
or improved employment readiness or skills.
(7) Impact the quality of life of veterans and military
families.
(8) Educational activities, through a Pennsylvania
education system or community or governmental entity, which
instill an ethic of civic responsibility and citizenship in
all Pennsylvanians and in particular young Pennsylvanians.
"Department." The Department of Labor and Industry of the
Commonwealth.
"National and Community Service Act of 1990." The National
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and Community Service Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-610, 104 Stat.
3127), as amended.
"Office." The PennSERVE Office established under section 4.
Section 4. PennSERVE Office established.
The PennSERVE Office is established within the department.
The department shall provide staff, space, equipment and
supplies for the office for the discharge of office duties.
Section 5. Responsibilities and duties of office.
The office shall:
(1) Administer programs of the National and Community
Service Act of 1990 for the Commonwealth.
(2) Develop a three-year comprehensive national and
community service plan and establishment of Commonwealth
priorities.
(3) Administer a competitive process in compliance with
Federal regulations to select service programs to be included
in the applications to the Federal agency responsible for
administering the National and Community Service Act of 1990.
(4) Administer, oversee and monitor the performance and
progress of funded programs, including evaluation, monitoring
and providing technical assistance.
(5) Assist in the development of high-quality community
service programs.
(6) Develop mechanisms for recruitment and placement of
individuals interested in participating in service programs,
with a special emphasis on engaging disconnected youth and
individuals from unserved communities.
(7) Facilitate publicity and recognition of volunteerism
and community service.
Section 6. State coordination.
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(a) Consultation.--The office shall meet and consult with
other bureaus and offices of the department to coordinate and
enhance the quality and efficiency of service, workforce
development and job training programs.
(b) Education services.--The office may develop jointly with
the Department of Education and the Pennsylvania Higher
Education Assistance Agency a plan to increase community service
opportunities for students and graduates. The office may assist
the Department of Education and the Pennsylvania Higher
Education Assistance Agency in preparing a public information
program for students and graduates to apprise them of community
service options.
(c) Aging services.--The office may work with the Department
of Aging to expand service opportunities that combine the human
resources of younger Pennsylvanians with the human resources of
older Pennsylvanians to expand intergenerational programs.
(d) Health services.--The office may develop with the
Department of Health a proposal that will allow young people to
be involved in health-related activities, including educational
programs that are aimed at increasing awareness in communities
and educational institutions about community health problems.
Section 7. Federal coordination.
The office shall serve as the liaison between the Federal
Government and State, county and local governments for
submitting grant proposals, accessing funds, seeking changes in
Federal community service laws and regulations and related
purposes.
Section 8. PennSERVE Advisory Board.
(a) Establishment.--The PennSERVE Advisory Board is
established within the department.
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(b) Voting members.--
(1) The board shall include at least 15 voting members
but not more than 25 voting members, who shall serve for
renewable three-year terms consistent with Federal
regulations issued under the National and Community Service
Act of 1990.
(2) Voting members of the board shall include the
following:
(i) The Secretary of Labor and Industry, or a
designee, who shall serve as the presiding officer of the
board.
(ii) The Secretary of Education or a designee.
(iii) The following individuals appointed by the
Governor:
(A) A representative of a community-based agency
or organization in this Commonwealth.
(B) A representative of local government in this
Commonwealth.
(C) A representative of local labor
organizations in this Commonwealth.
(D) A representative of business.
(E) An individual who is at least 16 years of
age, less than 26 years of age and who is a
participant or supervisor of a service program for
school-age youth or of a campus-based or national
service program.
(F) A representative of a national service
program.
(G) An individual with expertise in the
educational, training and development needs of youth,
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particularly disadvantaged youth.
(H) An individual with experience in promoting
the involvement of older adults who are 55 years of
age or older in service and volunteerism.
(I) A representative of the volunteer sector.
(iv) A member of the Senate appointed by the
Majority Leader of the Senate.
(v) A member of the House of Representatives
appointed by the Majority Leader of the House of
Representatives.
(vi) A member of the Senate appointed by the
Minority Leader of the Senate.
(vii) A member of the House of Representatives
appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of
Representatives.
(c) Representation.--A voting member of the board may
represent none, one or more than one category specified in
subsection (b)(2)(iii).
(d) Nonvoting members.--The board may include the following
public officials as nonvoting members:
(1) The Secretary of Aging.
(2) The Secretary of Community and Economic Development.
(3) The Secretary of Corrections.
(4) The Secretary of Health.
(5) The Secretary of Human Services.
(6) The executive director of the Pennsylvania Higher
Education Assistance Agency.
(e) Public officials.--The terms of office of the elected
public officials designated in subsection (b)(2)(iii)(B), (iv),
(v), (vi) and (vii) shall coincide with the terms of their
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respective elective or appointive offices. Public official
members shall continue to serve after the expiration of their
term until the appointing authority appoints a replacement
unless the member is no longer a public official at the time of
their term expiration.
(f) Federal representative.--Consistent with Federal
regulations, the individual who is an employee of the Federal
agency responsible for administering the National and Community
Service Act of 1990 and who is designated to serve as a
representative to each State or group of States shall be
included as an ex officio nonvoting member on the board.
(g) Diversity.--To the extent practicable, the board shall
be diverse with respect to race, ethnicity, religion, age,
gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability
characteristics and geographic representation.
(h) Chairperson.--The chairperson of the board shall be
elected by the voting members of the board. To be eligible to
serve as chairperson, an individual must be an appointed, voting
member of the board.
(i) Rules.--The board may adopt rules governing its
organization and procedures.
(j) Compensation.--The members of the board shall receive no
compensation for their services on the board but shall be
reimbursed by the department for ordinary and necessary expenses
incurred in the performance of their duties as members of the
board.
(k) Consultation.--The board shall consult with and advise
the office on the development of a Statewide plan for expansion
of community service opportunities.
(l) Goals.--The board shall:
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(1) Encourage all Pennsylvanians to participate in
community service.
(2) Disseminate information concerning community
service.
(3) Monitor the effectiveness and geographical
distribution of community service programs.
(m) Novel programs.--The board may develop novel community
service programs.
(n) Support services.--The board shall be supported in its
duties by the staff of the office and may use operational
support services of the office, such as mailing and duplication
services, to carry out its duties.
Section 9. Repeal.
Article XXII-B of the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175),
known as The Administrative Code of 1929, is repealed.
Section 10. Effective date.
This act shall take effect immediately.
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