A05193
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.
2383
Session of
2024
INTRODUCED BY SOLOMON, HILL-EVANS, WAXMAN, GIRAL, FREEMAN,
SANCHEZ, GALLAGHER AND D. WILLIAMS, JUNE 5, 2024
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON AGING AND OLDER ADULT SERVICES,
JUNE 5, 2024
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 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.
"MVP volunteer." An individual who is approved to
participate in the program.
"Older adult." An individual who is 55 years of age or
older.
"Program" or "MVP." The Older Adult Mentor Volunteer Program
established in section 4.
"School entity." A public school district, intermediate
unit, charter school, cyber charter school, regional charter
school or area career and technical school.
"State board." The State Board of Education.
Section 4. Older Adult Mentor Volunteer Program.
(a) Establishment.--The Older Adult Mentor Volunteer Program
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.
(b) Participation.--
(1) A school entity shall not be required to utilize the
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services of qualified MVP volunteers or to participate in the
program beyond the requirements of section 7(b).
(2) The program shall not supersede or restrict a school
district entity volunteer program operating outside of the
program.
Section 5. Guidelines.
The To the extent that funding is made available for this
purpose, the department, in consultation with the State board
and the Department of Aging, shall develop guidelines for the
program. The guidelines shall ensure the development of a
program that uses the wisdom and talents of older adults to
enhance the personal, educational and professional experiences
of students. The guidelines shall 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 To the extent that funding is made available for this
purpose, 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
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participation in the program as an MVP volunteer by submitting
an application to an intermediate unit. The applicant shall
indicate the school entity or school entities for which the
applicant proposes to be an MVP 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. An individual may submit an
application 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 or
intermediate units that represent the school entity or school
entities for which the applicant proposes to be an MVP volunteer
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. §
6344.2 (relating to volunteers having contact with children),
shall approve the application and add the applicant to the
registry as an MVP volunteer.
(d) Compliance with policies.--An MVP volunteer must comply
with the applicable policies of the school entity for which the
MVP volunteer has applied to serve and with the requirements of
23 Pa.C.S. § 6344.3(g)(1) (relating to continued employment or
participation in program, activity or service).
Section 8. Orientation and training.
A school entity that uses the services of MVP volunteers
shall link older adults with students according to academic
interests, professional pursuits, hobbies, skills or an
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identified need for an enriching exchange with an MVP volunteer.
Section 8. Orientation.
Prior to commencing service as an MVP volunteer, a school
entity shall furnish an MVP volunteer with the guidelines
developed under section 5 and any applicable policies of the
school entity pertaining to the program and an MVP volunteer
shall certify that they have reviewed and will comply with all
applicable guidelines and policies.
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 individuals to become MVP
volunteers. School entities shall identify students that may
benefit from the program.
Section 10. Program implementation.
A school entity that uses the services of MVP volunteers
shall identify students that may benefit from the program. A
school entity that uses the services of MVP 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 MVP volunteer. A school entity
shall notify and obtain consent from a student's parent or
guardian prior to linking a student with an MVP volunteer.
Section 10 11. Effective date.
This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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