THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL

INTRODUCED BY CLYMER, MURT, CAUSER, CHRISTIANA, CUTLER, DENLINGER, GEIST, GINGRICH, GODSHALL, GROVE, HENNESSEY, M. KELLER, KNOWLES, KRIEGER, MAJOR, McILVAINE SMITH, MILLER, MILNE, MOUL, MUSTIO, OBERLANDER, QUIGLEY, RAPP, REICHLEY, ROCK, STERN, SWANGER, TALLMAN, VULAKOVICH AND YOUNGBLOOD, SEPTEMBER 13, 2010

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, SEPTEMBER 13, 2010  

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 early learning programs, providing

for fees and copay study.

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 1517-D.  Fees and copay study.

(a)  General rule.--The Legislative Budget and Finance

Committee shall conduct a study on the appropriateness and

efficacy of fees and copayments as an element of the program.

The study shall include:

(1)  The policy issues associated with fees and

copayments, including the at-risk nature of the children, the

availability of services to this population and the economic

means of families to purchase high-quality prekindergarten

services. The relationship between fees, copayments and

tuition charged to private pay program enrollees should also

be included.

(2)  The use of copayments in state-funded

prekindergarten programs of other comparable states.

(3)  The benefits and detriments of imposing a fee or

copayment system including approaches to implementation that

create the least burden for providers and the possibility of

allowing access to the fee payment processing systems in

place for such programs as Child Care Works or other child

care programs, in order to ensure the lowest and most

effective imposition of administrative costs upon the

Commonwealth and so that such benefits and detriments do not

impede the intent of the program.

(b)  Limitations.--

(1)  The study shall focus on income levels greater than

100% of Federal poverty guidelines, but less than 300% of

Federal poverty guidelines.

(2)  Income levels that meet eligibility requirements for

Head Start or subsidized day care shall be outside the scope

of the study.

(3)  No recommendations of the study to establish a

schedule of fees or copayments may include program

participants who meet income eligibility requirements for

Head Start or subsidized day care.

(c)  Consultation.--The Legislative Budget and Finance

Committee may consult with the department and the Department of

Public Welfare, including the Office of Child Development and

Early Learning, and other entities in conducting the study.

(d)  Deadline to submit report.--The report shall be

completed and submitted to the Governor and the General Assembly

not later than May 1, 2011.

(e)  Legislative action.--The Education Committee of the

Senate and the Education Committee of the House of

Representatives shall consider directing the department to

establish a fee schedule for persons enrolling in the program,

taking into consideration the findings and recommendations of

the study.

Section 2.  This act shall take effect immediately.