1Amending Title 51 (Military Affairs) of the Pennsylvania
2Consolidated Statutes, in Pennsylvania National Guard,
3providing for the National Guard Youth Challenge Program.

4The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
5hereby enacts as follows:

6Section 1.  Title 51 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
7Statutes is amended by adding a section to read:

8§ 1109.  National Guard Youth Challenge Program.

9(a)  Program established.--The department shall establish a 
10youth challenge program as provided for under 32 U.S.C. § 509 
11(relating to National Guard Youth Challenge Program of 
12opportunities for civilian youth).

13(b)  Description of program.--The youth challenge program
14shall seek to improve the life skills and employment potential
15of youths who are 16 through 18 years of age by providing
16structured military-based training and supervised work
17experience, together with the program's core components of

1assisting participants with earning a high school diploma or its
2equivalent, leadership development, promoting fellowship and
3community service, developing life-coping skills and job skills
4and improving physical fitness and health and hygiene.

5(c)  Length of program.--The youth challenge program shall
6include at least a 22-week residential program and a 12-month
7postresidential mentoring period.

8(d)  Requirements.--In order to participate in the youth
9challenge program, the participant:

10(1)  Must be a resident of this Commonwealth.

11(2)  Must not be attending a secondary school.

12(3)  Must not have been convicted of a felony or be on
13parole or probation.

14(4)  Must agree to drug testing.

15(e)  Administration.--Subject to 32 U.S.C. § 509 and its 
16implementing regulations and applicable agreements, the youth 
17challenge program may be staffed by an administrator and the 
18professional, technical and clerical employees necessary for the 
19performance of the youth challenge program's functions.

20(f)  Funding.--The department shall apply for Federal 
21matching funds, as provided for under 32 U.S.C. § 509, and for 
22any other funds that may be available for the program.

23Section 2.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.