Pennsylvania Act 2024-105 — OLDER ADULT MENTOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM ACT - ENACTMENT

Act text

An Act

Establishing the Older Adult Mentor Volunteer Program; and providing for duties of the Department of Education, the State Board of Education, intermediate units and public school entities.

The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows:

Section 1. Short title.

This act shall be known and may be cited as the Older Adult Mentor Volunteer Program Act.

Section 2. Legislative intent.

The intent of this act is to facilitate the exchange of knowledge between generations, using the experience and wisdom of older adults to enrich the lives and futures of this Commonwealth's young people.

Section 3. Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this act shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Department." The Department of Education of the Commonwealth.

"Intermediate unit." An intermediate unit established under Article IX-A of the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949.

"MVP volunteer." An individual who is approved to participate in the program.

"Older adult." An individual who is 55 years of age or older.

"Program" or "MVP." The Older Adult Mentor Volunteer Program established in section 4.

"School entity." A school district, charter school, cyber charter school, regional charter school or area career and technical school.

"State board." The State Board of Education.

Section 4. Older Adult Mentor Volunteer Program.

(a) Establishment.--The Older Adult Mentor Volunteer Program is established in furtherance of expanding opportunities for qualified older adult volunteers to work directly with students before, during or after school hours, in school buildings and facilities and on school grounds. The purpose of the program is to:

(1) Enable older adults to impart the wisdom that they have accrued to the next generation and to share their unique professions, skills and experiences with students.

(2) Provide opportunities for students to explore areas of interest and develop skills, knowledge and experience in a variety of subjects, trades and hobbies.

(b) Participation.--

(1) A school entity shall not be required to utilize the services of qualified MVP volunteers or to participate in the program beyond the requirements of section 7(b).

(2) The program shall not supersede or restrict a school entity volunteer program operating outside of the program.

Section 5. Guidelines.

To the extent that funding is made available for this purpose, the department, in consultation with the State board and the Department of Aging, shall develop guidelines for the program. The guidelines shall ensure the development of a program that uses the educational and professional knowledge of older adults to enhance student experiences. The guidelines shall include the following:

(1) The respective roles of school entities and intermediate units in program implementation and evaluation.

(2) Policies and procedures for operation of the program by school entities in coordination with intermediate units.

(3) Identification of methods for use in fostering participation in the program.

(4) Development and dissemination of application forms.

Section 6. Registry.

To the extent that funding is made available for this purpose, the department shall develop and maintain, in coordination with intermediate units, a central registry of older adult volunteers to facilitate matching older adult volunteers with students. The department shall provide electronic access to the registry to intermediate units and school entities.

Section 7. Application procedures.

(a) General rule.--An interested older adult may apply for participation in the program as an MVP volunteer by submitting an application to an intermediate unit. The applicant shall indicate the school entity or school entities for which the applicant proposes to be an MVP volunteer.

(b) Duties of intermediate units, school entities and State and local agencies.--Intermediate units, school entities and area agencies on aging shall furnish program applications to older adults upon request. An individual may submit an application electronically through the publicly accessible Internet websites of the department and the Department of Aging. A school entity or a State or local agency, other than an intermediate unit, that receives an application shall forward the application to the intermediate unit or intermediate units that represent the school entity or school entities for which the applicant proposes to be an MVP volunteer for review and processing.

(c) Review.--Upon receipt of an application, an intermediate unit shall review the application and, subject to 23 Pa.C.S. § 6344.2 (relating to volunteers having contact with children), shall approve the application and add the applicant to the registry as an MVP volunteer.

(d) Compliance with policies.--An MVP volunteer must comply with the applicable policies of the school entity for which the MVP volunteer has applied to serve and with the requirements of 23 Pa.C.S. § 6344.3(g)(1) (relating to continued employment or participation in program, activity or service).

Section 8. Orientation.

Prior to commencing service as an MVP volunteer, a school entity shall furnish an MVP volunteer with the guidelines developed under section 5 and any applicable policies of the school entity pertaining to the program, and an MVP volunteer shall certify that they have reviewed and will comply with all applicable guidelines and policies.

Section 9. Public awareness program.

The department shall undertake efforts to make older adults, students and school entities aware of the existence and purpose of the program.

Section 10. Program implementation.

A school entity that uses the services of MVP volunteers shall identify students that may benefit from the program. A school entity that uses the services of MVP volunteers shall link older adults with students according to academic interests, professional pursuits, hobbies or skills with an MVP volunteer. A school entity shall notify and obtain consent from a student's parent or guardian prior to linking a student with an MVP volunteer.

Section 11. Effective date.

This act shall take effect in 60 days.