PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 3013

PRINTER'S NO. 3687

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, WATSON, ROZZI AND TOBASH,

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

"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, INTERMEDIATE

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:

have accrued to the next generation and to share their unique

professions, skills and experiences with students.

of interest and develop skills, knowledge and experience in a

variety of subjects, trades and hobbies.

SCHOOL DISTRICT VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS OPERATING OUTSIDE OF THE

PROGRAM.

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

include the following:

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

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

unit shall review the application and, subject to 23 Pa.C.S. §

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

This act shall take effect in 60 days.