PRINTER'S NO. 3013
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
2065
Session of
2018
INTRODUCED BY SOLOMON, SAMUELSON, DONATUCCI, DRISCOLL, NEILSON,
MURT, ENGLISH, BOBACK, PASHINSKI, KIRKLAND, D. COSTA,
YOUNGBLOOD, ROEBUCK, HILL-EVANS AND WATSON, FEBRUARY 8, 2018
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON AGING AND OLDER ADULT SERVICES,
FEBRUARY 8, 2018
AN ACT
Establishing the Older Adult Mentor Volunteer Program; and
providing for duties of the Department of Education, the
State Board of Education, intermediate units and public
school entities.
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 Adult
Mentor Volunteer Program (MVP) Act.
Section 2. Legislative intent.
The intent of this act is to facilitate the exchange of
knowledge between generations, using the experience and wisdom
of retired older adults to enrich the lives and futures of this
Commonwealth's young people.
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:
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"Department." The Department of Education of the
Commonwealth.
"Intermediate unit." An intermediate unit established under
Article IX-A of the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
as the Public School Code of 1949.
"Older adult." An individual who is 60 years of age or
older.
"Program." The Older Adult Mentor Volunteer Program (MVP)
established in section 4.
"School entity." A public school district, charter school or
area vocational-technical school.
"State board." The State Board of Education.
Section 4. Establishment.
The Older Adult Mentor Volunteer Program (MVP) is established
in furtherance of expanding opportunities for qualified older
adult volunteers to work directly with students before, during
or after school hours, in school buildings and facilities and on
school grounds. The purpose of the program is to:
(1) Enable older adults to impart the wisdom that they
have accrued to the next generation and to share their unique
professions, skills and experiences with students.
(2) Provide opportunities for students to explore areas
of interest and develop skills, knowledge and experience in a
variety of subjects, trades and hobbies.
Section 5. Guidelines.
The department, in consultation with the State board, shall
develop guidelines for the program. The guidelines shall ensure
the development of a program which will use the wisdom and
talents of older adults to enhance the personal, educational and
professional experiences of students. The guidelines shall
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include the following:
(1) The respective roles of school entities and
intermediate units in program implementation and evaluation.
(2) Policies and procedures for operation of the program
by school entities in coordination with intermediate units.
(3) Identification of methods for use in fostering
participation in the program.
(4) Development and dissemination of application forms.
Section 6. Registry.
The department shall develop and maintain, in coordination
with intermediate units, a central registry of older adult
volunteers to facilitate matching older adult volunteers with
students. The department shall provide electronic access to the
registry to intermediate units and school entities.
Section 7. Application procedures.
(a) General rule.--An interested older adult may apply for
participation in the program by submitting an application to an
intermediate unit. The applicant shall indicate the school
entity or school entities for which the applicant proposes to
volunteer.
(b) Duties of intermediate units, school entities and State
and local agencies.--Intermediate units, school entities and
area agencies on aging shall furnish program applications to
older adults upon request. Applications may also be submitted
electronically through the publicly accessible Internet websites
of the department and the Department of Aging. A school entity
or a State or local agency, other than an intermediate unit,
that receives an application shall forward the application to
the appropriate intermediate unit for review and processing.
(c) Review.--Upon receipt of an application, an intermediate
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unit shall review the application and, subject to 23 Pa.C.S. ยง
6344.2 (relating to volunteers having contact with children),
shall approve the application and add the applicant to the
registry.
(d) Compliance with policies.--An older adult volunteer must
comply with the applicable policies of the school entity for
which the volunteer has applied to serve.
Section 8. Orientation and training.
A school entity that uses the services of older adult
volunteers shall link older adults with students according to
academic interests, professional pursuits, hobbies, skills or an
identified need for an enriching exchange with an older adult
volunteer.
Section 9. Public awareness program.
The department shall undertake efforts to make older adults,
students and school entities aware of the existence and purpose
of the program. The department and school entities shall also
undertake efforts aimed at recruiting older adult volunteers.
School entities shall identify students that may benefit from
the program.
Section 10. Effective date.
This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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