Pennsylvania HB 1709: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in miscellaneous provisions relating to institutions of higher education, providing for employment certification for adjunct and part-time faculty.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 2102
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 1709
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY SMITH-WADE-EL, SANCHEZ, FREEMAN, HILL-EVANS,
WAXMAN, K.HARRIS, HOHENSTEIN, BOYD, D. WILLIAMS, CEPEDA-
FREYTIZ AND RIVERA, JULY 8, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, JULY 9, 2025
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 employment
certification for adjunct and part-time faculty.
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 2005-I. Employment certification for adjunct and part-
time faculty.
(a) Lecture or classroom time. --A public institution of
higher education shall, in completing the employer portion of
the employment certification form, credit an adjunct or part-
time faculty member with at least 3.35 hours worked for each
hour of lecture or classroom time.
(b) Noninstructional faculty.--In completing the employer
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portion of the employment certification form for an adjunct or
part-time faculty member with noninstructional assignments, a
public institution of higher education shall credit the employee
hour for hour with no adjustment factor.
(c) Exemption.--The adjustment factor specified under
subsection (a) may not supersede a higher adjustment factor
established by a public institution of higher education through
a collective bargaining agreement or employer policy in
recognition of the amount of out-of-class work that is
associated with instruction, including performance of office
hours.
(d) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following
words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Employment certification form." The form used by the United
States Department of Education to certify an individual's
employment at a public service organization for the purposes of
the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
"Public institution of higher education." Any of the
following:
(1) A community college operating under Article XIX-A.
(2) A rural regional college established under Article
XIX-G.
(3) A university within the State System of Higher
Education under Article XX-A.
(4) A State-related institution as defined in section
2001-C.
(5) The Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology.
(6) The Pennsylvania College of Technology.
"Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program." The Public
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Service Loan Forgiveness Program established under 34 CFR
685.219 (relating to Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
(PSLF)).
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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