PRINTER'S NO. 1560
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No.
1155
Session of
2024
INTRODUCED BY ARGALL, APRIL 26, 2024
REFERRED TO EDUCATION, APRIL 26, 2024
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 miscellaneous provisions relating
to institutions of higher education, providing for Higher
Education Task Force.
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 2004-I. Higher Education Task Force.
(a) Establishment.--The Higher Education Task Force is
established.
(b) Purpose.--The task force shall meet, discuss and make
recommendations to the General Assembly relating to the
following with respect to the universities within the State
System of Higher Education and community colleges in this
Commonwealth:
(1) Repurposing underutilized facilities.
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(2) Increasing community college transfers to all
colleges and universities in this Commonwealth.
(3) Opportunities for shared educational programming.
(4) Opportunities to eliminate inefficient redundancies.
(5) Expanding adult education and educational
opportunities in underserved areas.
(6) Exporting successful educational models for
reducing underutilized facilities.
(7) Establishing employer incentives to assist employee
skills attainment by focusing on career and technology degree
programs in high priority occupations for the next five
years.
(8) Increasing student enrollment from other states.
(9) Expanding dual enrollment opportunities with high
schools in this Commonwealth.
(c) Membership.--The task force shall consist of the
following members:
(1) Four representatives of the State System of Higher
Education who are appointed by its Board of Governors.
(2) Four representatives from the community colleges who
are appointed by a Statewide association that represents
community colleges.
(3) One representative from the Pennsylvania College of
Technology.
(4) One representative from the Thaddeus Stevens College
of Technology.
(5) One representative from each of the State-related
universities.
(6) Four representatives from independent colleges in
this Commonwealth who are appointed by the Governor from
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names submitted to the Governor by independent colleges.
(7) Four representatives from private technical
colleges, including private schools of cosmetology.
(8) Two school district superintendents who are
appointed by a Statewide organization that represents school
district superintendents.
(9) Two representatives from career and technology
centers appointed by the Governor from names submitted to the
Governor by career and technology centers.
(d) Chair.--The members of the task force shall appoint a
chair and vice chair from their membership.
(e) Meetings.--
(1) The task force shall convene its first meeting by
July 15, 2025, and other meetings at such times as determined
by the chair.
(2) Meetings of the task force shall be subject to 65
Pa.C.S. Ch. 7 (relating to open meetings).
(f) Reimbursement of expenses.--Members of the task force
shall be eligible for reimbursement of reasonable expenses
related to their participation in the meetings.
(g) Report.--The task force shall prepare a written report
of its discussions and recommendations and shall, no later than
April 30, 2026, file the report with the Education Committee of
the Senate, the Education Committee of the House of
Representatives, the Appropriations Committee of the Senate and
the Appropriations Committee of the House of Representatives.
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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