Pennsylvania HB 2656: A Joint Resolution proposing integrated amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, further providing for action by Lieutenant Governor as Governor and for vacancy in office of Lieutenant Governor; and providing for an initiative to recall certain elected Statewide and local officers.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 3667
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 2656
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY TAKAC, GUZMAN AND PASHINSKI, JUNE 22, 2026
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, JUNE 22, 2026
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 community colleges, further
providing for definitions, for powers and duties of State
Board of Education, for plans and procedures for
establishing, for election or appointment and term and
organization of board of trustees, for powers and duties of
board of trustees, for students, for tuition, for withdrawal
of sponsorship and dissolution of community college, for
participation in or admission to established community
college, for degrees and for financial program and
reimbursement of payments; in institutions of higher
education, further providing for long-term strategic planning
and providing for additional powers and duties; and, in the
State Board of Education, further providing for membership,
for powers and duties of the board, for powers and duties of
Council of Basic Education and Council of Higher Education
and for reports and recommendations.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Sections 1901-A(5), 1902-A, 1903-A, 1904-A(a),
1905-A(a) introductory paragraph and (6), 1907-A, 1908-A(a), (c)
and (e), 1910-A, 1911-A, 1912-A and 1913-A(b)(1.4)(i), (d), (e)
and (k.1)(6) of the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
as the Public School Code of 1949, are amended to read:
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Section 1901-A. Definitions.--The following words and
phrases, as used in this article, shall, unless a different
meaning is plainly required by the context, have the following
meaning:
* * *
(5) "Community college plan" shall mean a plan prepared in
accordance with the policies, standards, rules and regulations
of the State Board of Higher Education for the establishment or
operation of a community college and shall include a survey of
any industrial development and manpower needs of the area and of
any career and technical and occupational shortage and the means
by which the community college program and curriculum shall
further industrial development, reduce unemployment and improve
employable skills of residents of the area to be served by the
community college.
* * *
Section 1902-A. Powers and Duties of State Board of Higher
Education.--(a) The State Board of Higher Education shall have
the power, and its duty shall be:
(1) To adopt such policies, standards, rules and regulations
[formulated by the Council of Higher Education,] as may be
necessary to provide for the establishment, operation and
maintenance of community colleges, including minimum
requirements for physical facilities and equipment, curriculum,
faculty, standards and professional requirements, qualifications
for admission and advancement of students, student enrollment,
student population of the area to be served by the community
college, requirements for satisfactory completion of a two-year
program and the degrees or diplomas or certificates to be
awarded therefor, means of financing and financial resources for
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the establishment and support of the community college, and all
matters necessary to effectuate the purposes of this act.
(2) To approve or disapprove plans for the establishment or
operation of a community college.
(3) To approve or disapprove petitions of school districts
or municipalities applying for participation in an established
community college. No petition may be approved unless it is
accompanied by the consent of the governing bodies of the
majority of the members of the local sponsor of the established
community college to the participation of the petitioning school
district or municipality.
(b) In determining such policies, standards, rules and
regulations, the State Board of Higher Education may consider
relevant all minimum requirements established by statute or by
regulation with respect to the State colleges and universities
of the Commonwealth and may consider relevant such minimum
requirements established by statute or by regulation with
respect to secondary and special education programs in the
school district or districts of the area to be served by the
community college.
(c) In approving or disapproving such plans, the State Board
of Higher Education shall consider the needs of areas adjacent
to the areas to be served by the community college and of the
State with respect to higher education and long range plans
therefor established by the State Board of Higher Education.
Other school districts and municipalities may petition the State