PRINTER'S NO. 672

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

No.

729

Session of

2023

INTRODUCED BY ROZZI, BULLOCK, MADDEN, CIRESI, HANBIDGE, SANCHEZ,

DELLOSO, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, KAZEEM, HILL-EVANS, HOHENSTEIN,

GUENST, PARKER, RABB, SOLOMON, FIEDLER, CONKLIN, FREEMAN,

schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the

laws relating thereto," in preliminary provisions, providing

for homeless youth at institutions of higher education; and,

in fostering independence through education, providing for

housing priority.

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 sections

to read:

student housing facilities open for occupation during school

breaks or on a year-round basis shall give first priority to

current and former homeless youth for residence in the housing

facilities that are open for uninterrupted year-round occupation

and provide housing to current and former homeless youth at no

extra cost during academic or campus breaks and next give

priority to current and former homeless youth for housing that

is open for occupation during the most days in the calendar

year.

(2) Each institution of higher education shall develop a

enrolled at the institution of higher education to provide

navigation services on the institution of higher education's

campus to conduct outreach and assessment and connect current

and former homeless youth with housing and other related

services.

(c) An institution of higher education shall designate a

staff member who is employed in the financial aid office, or

another appropriate office or department as determined by the

institution of higher education, to serve as a homeless youth

liaison. The homeless youth liaison shall be responsible for

other available services.

(d) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, an

institution of higher education may grant resident status to a

student who resides in this Commonwealth and is nineteen (19)

years of age or under at the time of enrollment, regardless of

how long the student has lived in this Commonwealth, if the

student is determined to be a homeless youth at any time during

the four (4) years immediately preceding the student's

enrollment.

a scholarship or grant if:

(i) The current or former homeless youth is enrolled at the

institution of higher education on or before the date that the

current or former homeless youth reaches twenty-five (25) years

of age.

(ii) The current or former homeless youth is enrolled as a

candidate in a degree program.

(iii) The current or former homeless youth has filed for

Federal and State financial aid.

(2) If a current or former homeless youth receives a

a waiver under this section to the tuition.

(3) A current or former homeless youth who is exempt from

tuition under this subsection shall continue to be exempt until

the earlier of:

(i) five (5) years after first enrolling as a candidate for

a degree program at an institution of higher education; or

(ii) the date that the current or former homeless youth is

awarded a degree.

(4) On or before June 1 of each year, an institution of

enrollment at the institution of higher education.

(iii) Earned a degree from the institution of higher

education during the prior academic year.

(5) On or before September 1 of each year, the department

shall:

(i) Compile the reports received under paragraph (3).

(ii) Submit the compilation of reports to the General

Assembly.

(f) For purposes of this section, a student who is verified

as a former homeless youth under subsection (g) shall retain

"Department." The Department of Education of the

Commonwealth.

"Homeless youth." An individual under twenty-five (25) years

of age, who has been verified, in the case of a former homeless

youth, at any time during the twenty-four (24) months

immediately preceding the receipt of the student's application

for admission by an institution of higher education, as an

unaccompanied youth, under the McKinney-Vento Homeless

Assistance Act (Public Law 100-77, 101 Stat. 482), by at least

(3) A financial aid administrator.

(4) A designated homeless youth liaison or McKinney-Vento

coordinator in a school district or the Department of Education.

"Institution of higher education." As defined in section

118(c).

Section 2602.1-K. Housing priority.

(a) Housing.--Each institution of higher education that

maintains student housing facilities open for occupation during

school breaks or on a year-round basis shall give first priority

to individuals eligible under section 2602-K(c) for residence in

during the most days in the calendar year.

(b) Plans.--Each institution of higher education shall

develop a plan to ensure that individuals eligible under section

2602-K(c) can access housing resources as needed during and

between academic terms, including during academic and campus

breaks, regardless of whether the campus maintains student

housing facilities.

Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.