THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

INTRODUCED BY REED, BEYER, CREIGHTON, DENLINGER, EVERETT, FLECK, GEIST, GIBBONS, GOODMAN, GRUCELA, HALUSKA, HARKINS, LONGIETTI, McGEEHAN, MILLARD, D. O'BRIEN, PICKETT, RAPP, REICHLEY, ROCK, SCAVELLO, SIPTROTH, K. SMITH, STABACK AND SWANGER, FEBRUARY 10, 2009

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, FEBRUARY 10, 2009  

AN ACT

Establishing the Older Pennsylvanian Higher Education Program;

and permitting institutions of higher education to offer

higher education courses to older adults without charge of

tuition.

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 Older

Pennsylvanian Higher Education Program Act.

Section 2.  Legislative intent.

It is the intent of the General Assembly to establish an

optional higher education program that:

(1)  Provides older Pennsylvanians with the opportunity

to enroll in higher education courses at an institution of

higher education located in this Commonwealth.

(2)  Permits an older adult to attend higher education

courses on a space-available basis for the purpose of

receiving credit, noncredit, certification, degree or

enrichment as determined by the institution of higher

education.

(3)  Encourages strong partnerships between institutions

of higher education and communities, as well as providing

older adults with the opportunity to learn new skills and

enrich their lives with stimulating and intellectual

discussions.

(4)  Creates an interactive opportunity for both the

older adult and traditional student populations to expand

their horizons and demonstrate the true definition of "life-

long learners" by learning from each other.

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:

"AAA."  An area agency on aging which acts as the local

representative of the Department of Aging.

"Institution of higher education."  Any of the following:

(1)  A community college operating under Article XIX-A of

the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the

Public School Code of 1949.

(2)  A university within the State System of Higher

Education under Article XX-A of the act of March 10, 1949

(P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949.

(3)  The Pennsylvania State University.

(4)  The University of Pittsburgh.

(5)  Temple University.

(6)  Lincoln University.

(7)  Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.

(8)  The Pennsylvania College of Technology.

(9)  Any accredited private or independent college or

university.

"Older adult."  A resident of this Commonwealth who is 60

years of age or older and has been a resident of this

Commonwealth for at least 90 days.

"Program."  The Older Pennsylvanian Higher Education Program.

"Service area."  The county or multicounty area serviced by

an area agency on aging.

"Tuition free."  No charge for tuition is assessed to a

participating older adult enrolled in an institution of higher

education course. For purposes of this definition, tuition does

not include any additional fees or surcharges that are required

for enrollment in a particular course or in addition to the

traditional student tuition.

Section 4.  Older Pennsylvanian Higher Education Program.

The Older Pennsylvanian Higher Education Program is

established to authorize institutions of higher education to

develop a program for older adults to enroll in higher education

courses tuition free.

Section 5.  Program guidelines.

An institution of higher education may, at its option,

participate in the program. Each institution of higher education

that participates in the program shall promulgate specific

guidelines regarding procedures and administration of the

program, including, but not limited to, the following:

(1)  Admitting participating older adults.

(2)  Determining the availability of higher education

courses.

(3)  Determining if the program will be for credit,

noncredit, certification, degree or enrichment.

(4)  Disseminating to the local AAA a complete program

description and technical assistance that explains the

process of admission and availability of enrolling in higher

education courses offered by the higher education

institution.

(5)  Coordinating with the local AAA to publicize and

advertise the program.

(6)  Outlining course rules and responsibilities for

participating older adults.

Section 6.  Effective date.

This act shall take effect immediately.