PRINTER'S NO. 1802
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
1180
Session of
2018
INTRODUCED BY HUGHES, STREET, SCHWANK, BREWSTER, COSTA AND
BROWNE, MAY 30, 2018
REFERRED TO EDUCATION, MAY 30, 2018
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
act relating to the public school system, including certain
provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto," in preliminary provisions, providing
for historically black colleges and universities
coordination; and making an appropriation.
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 a
section to read:
Section 127. Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Coordination.--(a) There is established in the Department of
Education an office of Historically Black Colleges and
Universities (HBCU) Excellence which shall be lead by a deputy
secretary.
(b) The office shall:
(1) Work with departments, the private sector, educational
associations, philanthropic organizations and other partners to
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increase the role of HBCUs in this Commonwealth to provide the
highest quality education to a greater number of students.
(2) Utilize HBCUs to service the Commonwealth's needs, which
shall, at a minimum, include:
(i) Strengthening HBCUs participation in State programs.
(ii) Fostering and promoting private-sector initiatives and
public-private partnerships while promoting specific areas and
centers of academic research and programmatic excellence at
every HBCU in this Commonwealth.
(iii) Improving the availability, dissemination and quality
of information concerning HBCUs to inform public policy and
practice.
(iv) Sharing administrative and programmatic practices
within departments for the benefit of every HBCU.
(v) Exploring new ways of improving the relationship between
the Commonwealth and HBCUs.
(3) Provide appropriate guidance and assistance to
facilitate implementation of this section.
(c) The office may enter into one or more memoranda of
understanding with departments on terms deemed by the parties to
be appropriate, mutually beneficial and in the best interests of
HBCUs and the Commonwealth.
(d) Each department may create an annual plan strengthening
HBCUs participation in appropriate Federal and State programs
and initiatives. Each department plan shall address, at a
minimum, the department's proposed efforts to:
(1) Establish how the department intends to encourage HBCU
competition for grants, contract and cooperative agreement.
(2) Identify State programs and initiatives where HBCUs may
be underserved or underused as national resources and improve
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HBCU participation.
(3) Encourage public sector, private sector and community
involvement of HBCUs.
(e) If a department creates an annual plan pursuant to
subsection (d), then the department shall:
(1) Provide appropriate measurable objectives and annually
assess the department's performance on the goals set in the
department's previous year's plan.
(2) Provide a written summary of the objectives and goals to
the chair and minority chair of the Education Committee of the
Senate and the chair and minority chair of the Education
Committee of the House of Representatives within thirty (30)
days of the annual assessment conducted under paragraph (1).
(3) Post the annual assessment on the department's publicly
accessible Internet website after a written summary is provided.
(f) (1) The office may establish a board of advisors
consisting of no more than twenty-five (25) members appointed by
the office. The board of advisors may not receive compensation
for their time. The board of advisors shall be comprised of
sitting HBCU presidents, private foundations and representatives
from the business, education, entrepreneurial and financial
sectors.
(2) The board shall provide advice on:
(i) Improving the identity, visibility, distinctive
capabilities and overall competitiveness of HBCUs.
(ii) Engaging the philanthropic, business, government,
military, homeland security and education communities in dialog
regarding new HBCU programs and initiatives.
(iii) Improving the ability of HBCUs to remain fiscally
secure institutions that can assist the Commonwealth in reaching
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its education goals.
(iv) Elevating public awareness of HBCUs.
(v) Encouraging public-private investments in HBCUs.
(g) As used in this section, the following words and phrases
shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection unless
the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Department." Any of the following:
(1) The Department of Aging.
(2) The Department of Agriculture.
(3) The Department of Banking and Securities.
(4) The Department of Community and Economic Development.
(5) The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
(6) The Department of Corrections.
(7) The Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs.
(8) The Department of Education.
(9) The Department of Environmental Protection.
(10) The Department of General Services.
(11) The Department of Health.
(12) The Department of Human Services.
(13) The Insurance Department.
(14) The Department of Labor and Industry.
(15) The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
(16) The Department of Revenue.
(17) The Department of State.
(18) The Department of Transportation.
(19) The State System of Higher Education.
"HBCU." Historically black colleges and universities in this
Commonwealth.
"Office." The Office of HBCU Excellence in the Department of
Education of the Commonwealth.
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Section 2. The sum of $250,000, or as much thereof as may be
necessary, is appropriated to the Department of Education for
the fiscal year July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2019, to carry out the
provisions of section 127 of the act.
Section 3. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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