Regular Session 2019-2020 Senate Bill 0590 P.N. 0705

PRINTER'S NO. 705

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE BILL

No.

590

Session of

2019

INTRODUCED BY BROWNE, TOMLINSON, LANGERHOLC, DINNIMAN, AUMENT,

COSTA, KILLION, HUGHES, MENSCH, VOGEL, FOLMER, SCHWANK,

LEACH, SANTARSIERO, KEARNEY, BAKER, BLAKE, STEFANO, BREWSTER,

J. WARD, K. WARD AND REGAN, MAY 1, 2019

REFERRED TO EDUCATION, MAY 1, 2019

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 charter schools, establishing the

Charter School Funding Advisory Commission.

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 1704-A. Charter School Funding Advisory

Commission.--(a) The Charter School Funding Advisory Commission

is established.

(b) The commission shall examine all current laws,

regulations and executive policy statements which determine

funding for charter schools, regional charter schools and cyber

charter schools in this Commonwealth.

(1) The secretary or a designee.

(2) One member appointed by the President pro tempore of the

Senate.

(3) One member appointed by the Minority Leader of the

Senate.

(4) One member appointed by the Speaker of the House of

Representatives.

(5) One member appointed by the Minority Leader of the House

of Representatives.

(6) The chairperson and minority chairperson of the

Appropriations Committee of the Senate and the chairperson and

minority chairperson of the Appropriations Committee of the

House of Representatives.

(7) The chairperson and minority chairperson of the

Education Committee of the Senate and the chairperson and

minority chairperson of the Education Committee of the House of

Representatives.

(d) The commission shall hold its organizational meeting not

later than sixty (60) days following the effective date of this

section. All members shall be appointed within thirty (30) days

of the effective date of this section. Any vacancy on the

commission shall be filled by the original appointing authority.

(e) The commission shall elect two commission chairpersons,

one from the Senate and one from the House of Representatives.

(f) The commission shall hold meetings at the call of the

chairpersons. The commission shall hold six (6) or more public

hearings on the matters to be considered by the commission. All

meetings and public hearings of the commission shall be deemed

public meetings for the purpose of 65 Pa.C.S. Ch. 7 (relating to

open meetings). Seven (7) members of the commission shall

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constitute a quorum at any meeting.

(g) The commission members shall receive no compensation for

their services but shall be reimbursed for all necessary travel

and other reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the

performance of their duties as members.

(h) The commission shall have the following powers and

duties:

(1) To meet with current charter school entity operators and

personnel, school district personnel and other representatives

of public education.

(2) To review charter school entity financing laws in

operation throughout the United States.

(3) To assess the actual cost of educating a child in a

charter school, a regional charter school, a cyber charter

school and a school district or intermediate unit utilizing

cyber classes.

(4) To evaluate and make recommendations on the following:

(i) The process by which charter schools, regional charter

schools and cyber charter schools are funded.

(ii) Appropriate funding for charter school, regional

charter school and cyber charter school operations.

(iii) Appropriate funding for charter school, regional

charter school and cyber charter school facilities and

management.

(iv) Appropriate funding for regular and special education

transportation.

(v) Other funding issues raised in the course of public

hearings.

(vi) Consideration of a school district deduction for

programs and services to the extent that they are funded from

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the proceeds of competitive grants from private or public

resources or from contributions or donations from private

sources.

(vii) The appropriate manner of funding for a charter school

that primarily serves adjudicated youth.

(viii) Appropriate funding for athletic programs and

extracurricular activities offered to a student enrolled in a

charter school, regional charter school or cyber charter school.

(ix) Appropriate funding for charter school, regional

charter school and cyber charter school special education

programs.

(i) The General Assembly shall provide administrative

support, meeting space and any other assistance required by the

commission to carry out its duties under this section. Whenever

possible, the commission shall utilize the services and

expertise of existing personnel and staff of State government.

(j) The commission shall, no later than eighteen (18) months

from the effective date of this section, issue a report of its

findings and recommendations to the Governor, the President pro

tempore of the Senate, the Majority Leader of the Senate, the

Minority Leader of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of

Representatives, the Majority Leader of the House of

Representatives and the Minority Leader of the House of

Representatives. The recommendations of the commission shall not

take effect unless the recommendations are approved by an act of

the General Assembly enacted after the effective date of this

section.

(k) As used in this section, the term "commission" means the

Charter School Funding Advisory Commission.

Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.

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