Pennsylvania HB 2084: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in higher education accountability and transparency, further providing for comparison tool; providing for Pennsylvania Promise Program; and establishing the Pennsylvania Promise Program Fund.

Bill Text

PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 2680, 2878 PRINTER'S NO. 3588
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 2084
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY J. HARRIS, DAVIDSON, PROBST, WAXMAN, HILL-EVANS,
HANBIDGE, T. DAVIS, STEELE, McNEILL, HOWARD, KENYATTA,
SIEGEL, SANCHEZ, RIVERA, VENKAT, HOHENSTEIN, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ,
FLEMING, MAYES, CIRESI, GALLAGHER, SCHLOSSBERG, DELLOSO,
GUZMAN, WARREN, BRIGGS, TAKAC AND GREEN, DECEMBER 5, 2025
AS AMENDED ON SECOND CONSIDERATION, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
JUNE 10, 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 HIGHER EDUCATION ACCOUNTABILITY
AND TRANSPARENCY, FURTHER PROVIDING FOR COMPARISON TOOL;
providing for Pennsylvania Promise Program; and establishing
the Pennsylvania Promise Program Fund.
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 an
article to read:
SECTION 1. SECTION 2003-H(A) AND (D) OF THE ACT OF MARCH 10,
1949 (P.L.30, NO.14), KNOWN AS THE PUBLIC SCHOOL CODE OF 1949,
ARE AMENDED AND SUBSECTION (B) IS AMENDED BY ADDING A PARAGRAPH
TO READ:
SECTION 2003-H. COMPARISON TOOL.
(A) DUTY OF DEPARTMENT.--[IF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
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EDUCATION DISCONTINUES THE PUBLICATION OF THE COLLEGE NAVIGATOR
WEBSITE, THE] THE DEPARTMENT SHALL MAKE AVAILABLE ON THE
DEPARTMENT'S PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE INTERNET WEBSITE A SEARCH TOOL
THAT ALLOWS AN INDIVIDUAL TO COMPARE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER
EDUCATION THAT MEET CERTAIN CRITERIA SELECTED BY THE INDIVIDUAL,
INCLUDING THE OFFERING OF A PARTICULAR MAJOR OR PROGRAM OF
STUDY.
(B) REQUIREMENTS.--THE COMPARISON TOOL REQUIRED UNDER THIS
SECTION MUST:
* * *
(4.1) ALLOW A USER TO IDENTIFY AND COMPARE HIGH PRIORITY
OCCUPATIONS IN THIS COMMONWEALTH. THE INFORMATION UNDER THIS
PARAGRAPH SHALL BE SEARCHABLE BY COUNTY AND INCLUDE
INFORMATION ON EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT, WAGES AND EMPLOYMENT
DEMAND.
* * *
(D) DUTY OF INSTITUTIONS.--[IF THE DEPARTMENT IS REQUIRED TO
DEVELOP THE COMPARISON TOOL UNDER SUBSECTION (A), EACH] EACH
INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION SHALL PROVIDE THE INFORMATION
LISTED IN THIS SECTION, AS AVAILABLE, TO THE DEPARTMENT NOT
LATER THAN JANUARY 1 OF EACH YEAR. IF THE INFORMATION REQUIRED
UNDER THIS SUBSECTION IS AVAILABLE IN AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER
EDUCATION'S INTEGRATED POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION DATA SYSTEM
REPORT, THE INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION MAY COMPLY WITH THE
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SUBSECTION BY SENDING AN
ELECTRONIC COPY OF THE INTEGRATED POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION DATA
SYSTEM REPORT TO THE DEPARTMENT. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL UPDATE THE
COMPARISON TOOL AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE AFTER RECEIVING
INFORMATION FROM EACH INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.
* * *
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SECTION 2. THE ACT IS AMENDED BY ADDING AN ARTICLE TO READ:
ARTICLE XX-N
PENNSYLVANIA PROMISE PROGRAM
Section 2001-N. Scope of article.
This article relates to the Pennsylvania Promise Program.
Section 2002-N. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this article
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Academic year." A 12-month period commencing on or after
August 1 of the calendar year.
"Agency." The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance
Agency.
"Community college." An institution created under Article
XIX-A or the act of August 24, 1963 (P.L.1132, No.484), known as
the Community College Act of 1963.
"Eligible adult learner." An individual who:
(1) Is a resident of this Commonwealth at the time of
application to the agency for aid to assist with reeducation
programs under section 2008-N.
(2) Has been a domiciled resident of this Commonwealth
as determined by the agency.
(3) Is 24 25 years of age or older at the time of
application to the agency for aid to assist with reeducation
programs under section 2008-N.
(4) Has graduated from high school or an equivalent
approved by the Department of Education.
(5) Has applied for and been accepted to an institution
of higher education.
(6) Has completed a THE Free Application for Federal
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Student Aid BY THE DEADLINE SET BY THE AGENCY .
(7) HAS COMPLETED THE APPLICATION FOR THE STATE
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM ADMINISTERED BY THE AGENCY UNDER THE ACT
OF JANUARY 25, 1966 (1965 P.L.1546, NO.541), REFERRED TO AS
THE HIGHER EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP LAW.
(7) (8) Has applied for all available RELEVANT Federal
grants, State grants and institution grants.
"Eligible student." An individual who:
(1) Is a resident of this Commonw