reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 24 - EDUCATION › Chapter 85 - Administration and Miscellaneous Provisions › Section 8535 - Payments to school entities by Commonwealth

§ 8535. Payments to school entities by Commonwealth.
For each school year beginning with the 1995-1996 school year and ending with the 2018-2019 school year, each school entity shall be paid by the Commonwealth for contributions based upon school service of active members of the system after June 30, 1995, as follows:
(1) The Commonwealth shall pay each school entity for contributions made to the Public School Employees' Retirement Fund based upon school service of all active members, including members on activated military service leave, whose effective dates of employment with their school entities are after June 30, 1994, and who also had not previously been employed by any school entity within this Commonwealth an amount equal to the amount certified by the Public School Employees' Retirement Board as necessary to provide, together with the members' contributions, reserves on account of prospective annuities, supplemental annuities and the premium assistance program as provided in this part in accordance with section 8328 (relating to actuarial cost method), multiplied by the market value/income aid ratio of the school entity. For no school year shall any school entity receive less than the amount that would result if the market value/income aid ratio as defined in section 2501(14.1) of the Public School Code was 0.50.
(2) The Commonwealth shall pay each school entity for contributions made to the Public School Employees' Retirement Fund based upon school service of all active members, including members on activated military service leave, who are not described in paragraph (1), one-half of the amount certified by the Public School Employees' Retirement Board as necessary to provide, together with the members' contributions, reserves on account of prospective annuities, supplemental annuities and the premium assistance program as provided in this part in accordance with section 8328.
(3) School entities shall have up to five days after receipt of the Commonwealth's portion of the employer's liability to forward the payment to the Public School Employees' Retirement Fund. School entities are expected to make the full payment to the Public School Employees' Retirement Fund in accordance with section 8327 (relating to payments by employers) in the event the receipt of the Commonwealth's portion of the employer's liability is delayed because of delinquent salary reporting or other conduct by the school entities.
(Apr. 29, 1994, P.L.159, No.29, eff. July 1, 1995; Nov. 23, 2010, P.L.1269, No.120, eff. July 1, 2011; June 12, 2017, P.L.11, No.5, eff. imd.)
1994 Amendment.
See section 18 of Act 29 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to applicability to 1995-1996 and succeeding school years.
Cross References.
Section 8535 is referred to in sections 8326, 8348.5 of this title.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 24 - EDUCATION › Chapter 85 - Administration and Miscellaneous Provisions › Section 8535.1 - Payments to school entities by Commonwealth commencing with the 2019-2020 school year

§ 8535.1. Payments to school entities by Commonwealth commencing with the 2019-2020 school year.
For each school year, beginning with the 2019-2020 school year, each school entity shall be paid by the Commonwealth for contributions based upon school service of active members of the system and active participants of the plan after June 30, 2018, as follows:
(1) The Commonwealth shall pay each school entity for contributions made to the fund or the trust based upon school service of all active members or active participants, including members or participants on activated or USERRA military service leave, whose effective dates of employment with their school entities are after June 30, 1994, and who also had not previously been employed by any school entity within this Commonwealth, an amount equal to the amount certified by the board as necessary to provide, together with the members' and participants' contributions, reserves on account of prospective annuities, supplemental annuities and the premium assistance program as provided in this part in accordance with section 8328 (relating to actuarial cost method), multiplied by the market value/income aid ratio of the school entity. For no school year shall any school entity receive less than the amount that would result if the market value/income aid ratio as defined in section 2501(14.1) of the Public School Code was 0.50.
(2) The Commonwealth shall pay each school entity for contributions made to the fund or the trust based upon school service of all active members or active participants, including members or participants on activated military service leave, and active participants of the plan who are not described in paragraph (1) one-half of the amount certified by the board as necessary to provide, together with the members' and participants' contributions, reserves on account of prospective annuities, supplemental annuities and the premium assistance program as provided in this part in accordance with section 8328.
(3) School entities shall have up to five days after receipt of the Commonwealth's portion of the employer's liability to forward the payment to the fund or the trust. School entities are expected to make the full payment to the fund or the trust in accordance with section 8327 (relating to payments by employers) in the event the receipt of the Commonwealth's portion of the employer's liability is delayed because of delinquent salary reporting or other conduct by the school entities.
(4) Employers whose payments to the Public School Employees' Retirement Fund are delinquent shall be charged interest by the Public School Employees' Retirement Fund at the annual interest rate adopted by the board under section 8328 in effect in the fiscal year in which the payments are required to be paid.
(June 12, 2017, P.L.11, No.5, eff. imd.)
2017 Amendment.
Act 5 added section 8535.1.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 24 - EDUCATION › Chapter 85 - Administration and Miscellaneous Provisions › Section 8536 - Independent Fiscal Office study

§ 8536. Independent Fiscal Office study.
The Independent Fiscal Office shall study and analyze the implementation of shared-risk contributions under section 8321(b) (relating to regular member contributions for current service) and its impact on the system. The study shall be completed by December 31, 2015, and shall be transmitted to the Appropriations Committee and the Finance Committee of the Senate and the Appropriations Committee and the Finance Committee of the House of Representatives and to the Governor. (Nov. 23, 2010, P.L.1269, No.120, eff. imd.)
2010 Amendment.
Act 120 added section 8536.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 24 - EDUCATION › Chapter 85 - Administration and Miscellaneous Provisions › Section 8537 - Internal Revenue Code limitations

§ 8537. Internal Revenue Code limitations.
Notwithstanding any provisions of this part to the contrary, no contribution or benefit related to the School Employees' Defined Contribution Plan may be made or payable to the extent that the contribution or benefit exceeds a limitation under IRC § 415 in effect with respect to a "governmental plan" as defined in IRC § 414(d) on the date the contribution or benefit payment becomes effective. An increase in a limitation under IRC § 415 shall be applicable to all current and future participants.
(June 12, 2017, P.L.11, No.5, eff. imd.)
2017 Amendment.
Act 5 added section 8537.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 24 - EDUCATION › Chapter 85 - Administration and Miscellaneous Provisions › Section 8541 - Definitions

§ 8541. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this subchapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Program."
The Public Markets Emerging Investment Manager Program established under section 8542 (relating to establishment).
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 24 - EDUCATION › Chapter 85 - Administration and Miscellaneous Provisions › Section 8542 - Establishment

§ 8542. Establishment.
(a) Fiduciary duty of board.--
Consistent with the board's fiduciary responsibilities, the board shall establish a Public Markets Emerging Investment Manager Program.
(b) Location of managers.--
The board shall locate fund managers with a history of generating positive risk adjusted returns.
(c) Source list.--
After location of fund managers, the board shall provide a source of potential managers for the main fund.
(d) Assistance with marketing.--
In order to grow public market emerging investments firms, the board shall assist in using the system's name in the manager's marketing efforts.
Cross References.
Section 8542 is referred to in section 8541 of this title.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 24 - EDUCATION › Chapter 85 - Administration and Miscellaneous Provisions › Section 8543 - Funding

§ 8543. Funding.
The board shall allocate an amount of at least $250,000,000 and not more than $1,000,000,000 to the program. Funding for each investment manager shall come from assets allocated within the main fund, similar to or most closely related to the investment manager's mandate. The maximum number of investment managers in the program at any one time may not exceed 10, except that the program may be implemented and run with less than 10 investment managers.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 24 - EDUCATION › Chapter 85 - Administration and Miscellaneous Provisions › Section 8544 - Participation criteria

§ 8544. Participation criteria.
In order to be considered to participate in the program, an investment manager must meet the following criteria:
(1) Be registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 (54 Stat. 847, 15 U.S.C. § 80b-1 et seq.) or be exempt from the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
(2) Have the ability to demonstrate real and contented transparency of positions and transactions.
(3) Have the ability to provide and show quarterly liquidity.
(4) A firm, portfolio manager or any combination of firm and portfolio manager must have a five-year historical performance record verified by at least one consultant or accounting firm in accordance with the Global Investment Performance Standard in effect on the effective date of this section.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 24 - EDUCATION › Chapter 85 - Administration and Miscellaneous Provisions › Section 8545 - Preference

§ 8545. Preference.
Preference shall be given to investment managers deemed to meet the objectives, goals and required criteria contained under this subchapter, plus demonstration of at least one of the following characteristics:
(1) Be an investment management firm headquartered or incorporated within this Commonwealth.
(2) Be a:
(i) veteran-owned investment management firm, with proper DD-214 verification and honorable discharge; or
(ii) service-disabled-veteran-owned investment management firm with a letter from the United States Department of Veteran Affairs.
(3) Be a minority-owned or women-owned investment management firm approved by the Office of Minority and Women Business Enterprise in accordance with the criteria established by Executive Order No. 1987-18 and 4 Pa. Code § 68.204 (relating to eligibility standards).
References in Text.
4 Pa.Code § 68.204, referred to in par. (3), does not exist.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 24 - EDUCATION › Chapter 85 - Administration and Miscellaneous Provisions › Section 8546 - Requirements and limitations of firms

§ 8546. Requirements and limitations of firms.
(a) Equity, commodity or absolute return exposure firms.--
Firms considered to provide equity, commodity or absolute return exposure may not have more than $1,500,000,000 of total assets under management when hired. If the total assets under management exceed $3,000,000,000, the investment managers shall be terminated in a reasonable period of time.
(b) Fixed-income exposure firms.--
Firms considered to provide fixed-income exposure shall have no more than $3,000,000,000 of total assets under management when hired. If the total assets under management exceeds $6,000,000,000, existing investment managers shall be terminated within a reasonable period of time.
(c) Performance-based fee accounts.--
For performance-based fee accounts, a manager must exceed both a hurdle rate and a high water mark before the manager can earn the performance-based fee.
(d) Transition to main fund.--
Investment managers hired into the program may continue in the program for a period of at least three years, but not more than five years. If the investment manager generates strong risk adjusted returns, the Investment Office shall use best efforts to make a place in the main fund for the investment manager. The Investment Office shall consider things such as the investment manager's assets under management and projected ability to continue generating strong risk adjusted returns in the future.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 24 - EDUCATION › Chapter 87 - Preliminary Provisions › Section 8702 - Definitions

§ 8702. Definitions.
(a) General rule.--
Subject to additional definitions contained in subsequent provisions of this part which are applicable to specific provisions of this part, the following words and phrases when used in this part shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Eligible person."
An individual who is:
(1) an annuitant or survivor annuitant or the spouse or dependent of an annuitant or survivor annuitant; or
(2) a Class DC participant who has terminated school service, who has at least 10 eligibility points, who is Medicare eligible and who has received all or part of their distributions, or a successor payee or the spouse or dependent of a Class DC participant described under this paragraph or successor payee.
"Fund."
The Public School Retirees' Health Insurance Fund.
"Plan year."
The period July 1, 2001, through December 31, 2001, shall be the first plan year. After December 31, 2001, the plan year shall be the calendar year.
"Program."
The group health insurance program that may be sponsored by the Public School Employees' Retirement Board under this part.
"Reserve account."
The restricted receipt account established in section 8902(b) (relating to Public School Retirees' Health Insurance Fund).
(b) Additional terms.--
Any term used in this part not defined in subsection (a) shall be governed by the definitions given in Part IV (relating to retirement for school employees), and the definitions set forth in Part IV shall be deemed to be incorporated into this part.
(June 12, 2017, P.L.11, No.5, eff. imd.; July 2, 2019, P.L.434, No.72, eff. 60 days)
2019 Amendment.
Act 72 amended the def. of "eligible person" in subsec. (a). See section 6.2 of Act 72 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to severability.
2017 Amendment.
Act 5 amended the def. of "eligible person" in subsec. (a).
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 24 - EDUCATION › Chapter 89 - Group Health Insurance Program › Section 8901 - Administration

§ 8901. Administration.
The board may sponsor a group health insurance program to be funded by and for eligible persons. The board may administer the program itself or through any legal entity authorized by law to do so. The program may also be administered in whole or in part on a fully insured or self-funded basis at the board's sole discretion. In addition to the powers granted by other provisions of this part, the board shall have the powers necessary or convenient to carry out this part, including, but not limited to, the power to:
(1) Set and adjust premium rates sufficient to maintain the adequacy of the reserve established by this part and to fully fund the benefits offered by and to pay for the administrative expenses related to the program.
(2) Determine and make necessary changes to the benefit structure for the program.
(3) Determine enrollment procedures.
(4) Impose and collect necessary fees and charges.
(5) Establish an annual budget for the program and make disbursements from the fund that are consistent with the budget.
(6) Contract for goods, equipment, services, consultants and other professional personnel as needed to operate the program.
(7) Provide for an annual audit of the fund and the program by an independent certified public accounting firm.
(8) Terminate the program or any portion of the program at any time if, in the board's discretion, it is prudent to do so.
(9) Solicit and accept gifts, grants, loans and other aid from any person, corporation or other legal entity or from the Federal, State or local government and participate in any Federal, State or local government program if necessary for prudent management of the program.
(10) Hear and determine any claims and controversies under this part under 2 Pa.C.S. Ch. 5 Subch. A (relating to practice and procedure of Commonwealth agencies) and Ch. 7 Subch. A (relating to judicial review of Commonwealth agency action). The board's jurisdiction under this paragraph shall be exclusive.
(11) Promulgate rules and regulations regarding the program.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 24 - EDUCATION › Chapter 89 - Group Health Insurance Program › Section 8902 - Public School Retirees' Health Insurance Fund

§ 8902. Public School Retirees' Health Insurance Fund.
(a) Establishment of fund.
--The Public School Retirees' Health Insurance Fund is established in the State Treasury. The moneys of the fund are appropriated on a continuing basis and shall be used exclusively for the purposes set forth in this part. All of the assets of the fund shall be maintained and accounted for, separate from all other funds and moneys of the Commonwealth and the Public School Employees' Retirement Fund identified in section 8522 (relating to Public School Employees' Retirement Fund).
(b) Reserve account.
--
(1) A restricted reserve account is established within the fund for the purpose of establishing and maintaining a reserve sufficient to pay the expected claims experience of the program in the event the board elects to self-fund all or a portion of the program for any plan years. For the plan year 2002 and each plan year thereafter, the board shall annually establish through an actuary retained by the board the amount necessary, if any, to maintain this reserve in the event the board elects to self-fund all or a portion of the program for any plan years. Any moneys needed to maintain the reserve established by this subsection shall be collected through the adjustment of premium rates or through other available sources.
(2) The moneys in the reserve account may be invested by the board separate from other moneys of the fund. All earnings derived from investment of the assets of the reserve account shall be credited to the reserve account.
(c) Transfers.
--The board may transfer moneys among the various accounts of the fund, including the reserve account established by subsection (b), as may be necessary to satisfy the provisions of this part. Transfers from the reserve account may be made only for the payment of claims or expected claims as determined by the actuary retained by the board.
(d) Administration.
--The assets of the fund shall be preserved, invested and expended solely pursuant to and for the purposes set forth in this part.
(e) Composition.
--The fund shall consist of:
(1) All payments made by eligible persons or received from the health insurance account established by section 8526
(relating to health insurance account) and all interest, earnings and additions thereto.
(2) Any other money, public or private, appropriated or made available to the board for the fund or the reserve account from any source and all interest, earnings and additions thereto.
Cross References.
Section 8902 is referred to in section 8702 of this title.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 24 - EDUCATION › Chapter 89 - Group Health Insurance Program › Section 8903 - Management of fund

§ 8903. Management of fund.
(a) Control and management of fund.
--The members of the board shall be the trustees of the fund. Regardless of any other provisions of law governing the investment of funds under the control of an administrative board of the State government, the trustees shall have exclusive control and management of the fund and full power to invest the fund in accordance with the provisions of this section, subject, however, to the exercise of that degree of judgment, skill and care under the circumstances then prevailing which persons of prudence, discretion and intelligence who are familiar with such matters exercise in the management of their own affairs, not in regard to speculation but in regard to the permanent disposition of the fund, considering the probable income to be derived therefrom as well as the probable safety of their capital. The trustees shall have the power to hold, purchase, sell, lend, assign, transfer or dispose of any of the securities and investments in which any of the moneys in the fund shall have been invested as well as of the proceeds of the investments, including, but not limited to, directed commissions which have accrued to the benefit of the fund as a consequence of the investments and of the moneys belonging to the fund, subject in every case to meeting the standard of prudence set forth in this section.
(b) Custodian of fund.
--The State Treasurer shall be the custodian of the fund.
(c) Payment from fund.
--All payments from the fund shall be made by the State Treasurer in accordance with requisitions signed by the secretary of the board or the secretary's designees and ratified by resolution of the board. The board shall reimburse the State Treasurer for the cost of making disbursements from the fund in the manner provided by law.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 24 - EDUCATION › Chapter 91 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Section 9101 - Status of program relative to Public School Employees' Retirement Code

§ 9101. Status of program relative to Public School Employees' Retirement Code.
(a) General rule.--
The program shall be an approved health insurance program for purposes of section 8505(i) (relating to duties of board regarding applications and elections of members) and shall be an approved insurance carrier for purposes of section 8509 (relating to health insurance premium assistance program).
(b) State guarantee.--
The program shall not be subject to the provisions of section 8531 (relating to State guarantee).
(c) Hold harmless.--
Neither the Commonwealth nor the board, including their respective officers, directors and employees, shall be liable for any claims, demands, actions or liability of any nature, including, but not limited to, attorney fees and court costs, based upon or arising out of the operation of the program, whether incurred directly or indirectly. The eligible participants who enroll and participate in the program shall be deemed to agree, on behalf of themselves and their heirs, successors and assigns, to hold harmless the Commonwealth and the board, including their respective officers, directors and employees, from any claims, demands, actions or liability of any nature, whether directly or indirectly, including attorney fees and court costs, based upon or arising out of the operation of the program.
(d) No recourse.--
Under no circumstances shall the assets of the Commonwealth or those that comprise the Public School Employees' Retirement Fund as set forth in section 8522 (relating to Public School Employees' Retirement Fund) be liable for or used to pay any claims, demands, actions or liability of any nature, whether directly or indirectly, including, but not limited to, attorney fees and court costs, based upon or arising out of the operation of the program.
(e) Reservation of immunities.--
Nothing contained in this part shall be construed as a waiver of the Commonwealth's or board's immunities, defenses, rights or actions arising out of their sovereign status or from the Eleventh Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 24 - EDUCATION › Chapter 91 - Miscellaneous Provisions › Section 9102 - Construction of part

§ 9102. Construction of part.
(a) General rule.
--No provision of this part shall be construed as a cancellation of any existing health insurance program operated by the board or referenced in section 32 of the act of August 5, 1991 (P.L.183, No.23), entitled "An act amending Titles 24 (Education) and 71 (State Government) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, further providing for the Public School Employees' Retirement System and the State Employees' Retirement System; adding and amending certain definitions; further providing for membership in the systems, for creditable nonschool and nonstate service and the purchase of credit, for incentives for special early retirement, for contributions to the retirement funds, for annuities and the rights and duties of annuitants, for health insurance premium assistance, for board membership and for the re-amortization and management of the retirement funds."
(b) Nature of rights.
--Any termination or other modification of the program, including, but not limited to, a change in premium rates, benefit options or structure or insurance providers, shall not give rise to any contractual rights or claims by any eligible persons or any other person claiming an interest, either directly or indirectly, in the program. No provision of this part nor any rule or regulation adopted pursuant to this part shall create in any person a contractual right in that provision.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 24 - EDUCATION › Chapter 93 - Public Library Code › Extra - Chapter Notes

Enactment.
Chapter 93 was added November 1, 2012, P.L.1683, No.210, effective immediately.
Cross References.
Chapter 93 is referred to in section 1302 of Title 8 (Boroughs and Incorporated Towns);
            section 13605 of Title 11 (Cities).
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 24 - EDUCATION › Chapter 93 - Public Library Code › Section 9312 - Advisory council

§ 9312. Advisory council.
(a) Creation.--
The Advisory Council on Library Development is established and administered by the department.
(b) Appointment by Governor.--
The advisory council shall consist of 12 members appointed by the Governor, as follows:
(1) Three trustees of local libraries.
(2) Six professional librarians.
(3) Three laypeople.
(c) Ex officio members.--
The Secretary of Education and the State Librarian shall be ex officio members of the advisory council.
(d) Term of office.--
Each member of the advisory council shall serve for four years, from the third Tuesday of January of the year in which he takes office or until his successor has been appointed and qualified.
(e) Expenses.--
Except for reimbursement for travel and other actual expenses incurred in the performance of his duties, each member of the advisory council shall serve without compensation.
(f) Chairperson.--
The Governor shall designate one member of the advisory council as chairperson.
(g) Meetings.--
The advisory council shall meet at least four times a year at such times and places as it shall determine.
(h) Powers and duties.--
The advisory council shall have the following powers and duties:
(1) Advise the Governor and the Secretary of Education regarding the appointment of the State Librarian.
(2) Advise and make recommendations to the Governor, the Secretary of Education and the State Librarian regarding the general policies and operations of the State Library and the State system of aid to libraries.
(3) Constitute a board of appeal regarding disputes arising from decisions of the State Librarian which affect the amount of a library's State aid or a library's eligibility for State aid. In any appeal, the ex officio members of the advisory council shall not have voting rights, and a majority of the members of the advisory council shall determine the outcome of the appeal.
(4) Aid in increasing public understanding of and formulating plans for furthering the purposes of this chapter.
(5) Promulgate rules and regulations for the approval of plans for the use of State funds and for the process and procedure to appeal funding and eligibility decisions.
(6) Approve or disapprove library district service areas which are recommended by the State Librarian.
Special Provisions in Appendix.
See section 2(5) of Act 210 of 2012 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to composition of advisory council.
Cross References.
Section 9312 is referred to in section 9302 of this title.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 24 - EDUCATION › Chapter 93 - Public Library Code › Section 9313 - Statewide library resource centers

§ 9313. Statewide library resource centers.
(a) Designation.--
The State Librarian shall designate four Statewide library resource centers to be located at the following places:
(1) Free Library of Philadelphia.
(2) Pennsylvania State Library.
(3) Pennsylvania State University Library.
(4) Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh.
(b) Powers and duties.--
A Statewide library resource center shall:
(1) Have the responsibility and power to acquire major research collections.
(2) Make research collections available to the residents of this Commonwealth on a Statewide basis under rules and regulations promulgated by a board consisting of the head librarians of all Statewide library resource centers and under the chairmanship of the State Librarian.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 24 - EDUCATION › Chapter 93 - Public Library Code › Section 9314 - District library centers

§ 9314. District library centers.
(a) Designation.--
With the approval of the advisory council, the State Librarian shall designate up to 30 libraries throughout this Commonwealth as district library centers which may include:
(1) any local library;
(2) any State college library;
(3) the Pennsylvania State University Library; or
(4) any privately supported college or university library which agrees to serve as a district library center.
(b) Powers and duties.--
A district library center may:
(1) Coordinate the services of local libraries within the district library center system by contracting with a municipality or board of trustees or managers of a local library to become part of the system.
(2) Provide direct library service without charge to all residents of the district.
(3) Provide supplementary library services to all local libraries within the district.
(4) Exchange or provide services with other district library centers or contract for the provision of library services with other district library centers.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 24 - EDUCATION › Chapter 93 - Public Library Code › Section 9316 - Acquisition of real property for library purposes

§ 9316. Acquisition of real property for library purposes.
(a) Purchase or lease of real property.--
A municipality may acquire lands and buildings for local library purposes by the:
(1) purchase, setting apart or lease of lands and buildings or parts of buildings already owned by the municipality;
(2) erection of buildings; or
(3) alteration of existing buildings to make them suitable for local library purposes.
(b) Acquisition costs.--
A municipality may provide for the cost of an acquisition under subsection (a) in the same manner as other buildings are acquired for use for municipal purposes.
(c) Use of library tax proceeds.--
If a municipality has authorized a library tax, the directors of the library may remit any funds accumulated in excess of the necessary costs of establishing, maintaining or aiding the library to the municipal officers of the municipality, which funds shall be used for the purposes provided in subsection (a).
(d) Taking of private property.--
A municipality may, by ordinance or resolution, purchase, enter upon and appropriate private property within its limits for the purpose of erecting or enlarging public library buildings.
(e) Board of viewers.--
The court of common pleas shall appoint a board of viewers for the assessment of damages caused by the taking of private property for public library purposes if:
(1) a petition is filed by the municipal officers or any interested person; and
(2) the municipality and the owners of the private property cannot agree on the compensation to be paid for the property.
(f) Viewing proceedings.--
The proceedings before the board of viewers for the allowance of damages for property taken, injured or destroyed and the proceedings upon its report shall be as provided in other cases where such municipality appropriates private property for municipal purposes.
(g) Bond issue.--
The qualified voters of a municipality shall determine at a special election whether to execute a bonded indebtedness for purchasing grounds and erecting buildings for library purposes under the following procedures:
(1) If petitioned for by 5% of the registered voters of a municipality, the municipal officers of a municipality shall submit to the qualified voters the question of execution of a bonded indebtedness.
(2) A special election under this subsection shall be held at the time of the next general, municipal or primary election.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 24 - EDUCATION › Chapter 93 - Public Library Code › Section 9319 - Certification of library personnel

§ 9319. Certification of library personnel.
(a) Categories of personnel.--
The State Librarian shall certify library personnel according to the following categories and with the following qualifications:
(1) Library assistants shall have two years of college education in addition to in-service library training.
(2) Provisional librarians shall have a college degree and introductory education in library service.
(3) Professional librarians shall have a college degree in addition to one or more academic years of professional library education.
(b) Equivalent experience.--
The State Librarian may promulgate rules and regulations providing for the certification of persons in the categories set forth in subsection (a) based on actual library experience as equivalent to the minimum educational requirements under subsection (a).
(c) Continuing education.--
The State Librarian may promulgate rules and regulations relating to continuing education requirements for library assistants, provisional librarians and professional librarians.
(d) Excepted personnel.--
This section does not apply to clerks, typists, volunteer workers or other personnel who do not need special library training.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 24 - EDUCATION › Chapter 93 - Public Library Code › Section 9320 - Collaborative ventures

§ 9320. Collaborative ventures.
(a) Interlibrary cooperative programs.--
The State Librarian shall provide financial support for the development and maintenance of cooperative programs from funds appropriated to the State Library for the purpose of:
(1) Supporting interlibrary cooperative programs.
(2) Promoting cooperation among various types of libraries.
(3) Preserving the existing financial support of any single type of library.
(b) Joint action by municipalities.--
The following shall apply:
(1) Two or more municipalities may unite in establishing and maintaining a local library under the terms of an agreement entered into between them.
(2) The agreement shall be in writing and shall set forth:
(i) The purpose of the agreement.
(ii) The terms for support and control of the local library.
(iii) The conditions under which the agreement may be altered or terminated.
(3) The agreement is not valid until it is:
(i) Accepted by a majority vote of the municipal officers of each municipality that is a party to the agreement.
(ii) Signed by the proper officer of each municipality that is a party to the agreement.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 24 - EDUCATION › Chapter 93 - Public Library Code › Section 9331 - Qualification in general

§ 9331. Qualification in general.
(a) General rule.--
A local library shall comply with standards under this chapter and regulations promulgated under this chapter regarding hours of operation, staffing, continuing professional development, collections expenditures and any other standards related to library operations.
(b) Submission of plan.--
The following shall apply:
(1) Any local library desiring to receive State aid under this chapter shall submit a plan for the use of the funds to the State Librarian.
(2) No payments shall be made until the plan is approved by the State Librarian in accordance with rules and regulations approved by the advisory council.
(3) Subsequent changes and modifications in a library plan may be submitted at any time for approval by the State Librarian.
(c) Partial State aid.--
A local library may receive partial State aid under this chapter, as determined by the State Librarian, if the local library:
(1) is not able to comply with all standards under this chapter and regulations promulgated under this chapter regarding hours of operation, staffing, continuing professional development, collections, expenditures and any other standards related to library operations; and
(2) is ineligible for a waiver pursuant to section 9332 (relating to waiver of standards).
(d) Participation in district library center cooperative program; referendum.--
No State aid shall be given to a local library until the library participates in the district library center cooperative program through either of the following procedures:
(1) The local library board shall commit the library to participate in the district library center cooperative program, including attendance at district meetings and the use of interlibrary loans and interlibrary references.
(2) If the local library board does not act to participate in the district library center cooperative program:
(i) A petition regarding participation is circulated within the direct service area of the library and signed by at least 3% of the total number of persons voting in the last preceding general or municipal election.
(ii) The petition is presented to the municipal officers who shall forward the petition to the county board of elections.
(iii) After determining that the petition contains a sufficient number of signatures, the county board of elections places the question of participation in the district library center cooperative program on the ballot in the municipalities comprising the direct service area from which the petition was submitted.
(iv) A majority of the persons vote on the question in the affirmative.
(e) Internet access policy.--
A local library that provides access to the Internet or an online service shall adopt a policy regarding access by minors to Internet and online sites that contain or make reference to explicit sexual materials as defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 5903 (relating to obscene and other sexual materials and performances).
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 24 - EDUCATION › Chapter 93 - Public Library Code › Section 9332 - Waiver of standards

§ 9332. Waiver of standards.
(a) Triggering event.--
If the Commonwealth appropriation for libraries in any fiscal year is less than that provided in the immediately preceding fiscal year, upon application by the board of directors of the local library, the State Librarian may waive standards under this chapter and regulations promulgated under this chapter regarding hours of operation, staffing, continuing professional development, collections expenditures and any other standards related to library operations.
(b) Board of directors resolution.--
The following shall apply:
(1) The board of directors of a local library may adopt a resolution at a regularly scheduled meeting of the board to apply for a waiver of any standards as provided in subsection (a) if meeting those standards places an economic hardship on the library's operating budget.
(2) Prior to the adoption of policies or procedures for which a waiver is being sought under paragraph (1), the department shall approve the policies or procedures.
(c) Application form and contents.--
The application for waiver shall:
(1) Be in a manner and in a form developed by the State Librarian.
(2) Specify the need for the waiver.
(3) Provide supporting data and information to explain the benefits to be obtained by the waiver.
(d) Review of waiver application.--
The State Librarian shall have 30 days from receipt of an application submitted under this section to approve, disapprove or request modifications to the application.
(e) Deemed approval.--
If the State Librarian fails to act within the time period allotted under subsection (d), the waiver shall be deemed approved.
(f) Effect of disapproval.--
If the State Librarian disapproves the application for waiver, he shall transmit the basis for disapproval to the board of directors of the local library.
(g) Reapplication.--
The board of directors of a local library may submit a revised application for waiver to the State Librarian.
(h) Contents of approval.--
The State Librarian may approve a waiver application in whole or in part. As to any part of an approved waiver application, the approval shall detail the extent to which each affected standard, policy or procedure may be revised by the board of directors.
(i) Duration of waiver.--
Each waiver shall be effective for the duration of the fiscal year for which it was requested.
Cross References.
Section 9332 is referred to in sections 9331, 9342 of this title.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 24 - EDUCATION › Chapter 93 - Public Library Code › Section 9333 - State system of aid to libraries

§ 9333. State system of aid to libraries.
(a) Establishment.--
A system of State aid to assist in the support and maintenance of local libraries, county libraries, library systems, district library centers and Statewide library resource centers is established.
(b) Aid available to any local library or library system.--
Subject to the standards and eligibility requirements under this chapter, the following categories of aid are available to any local library or library system:
(1) Quality libraries aid under section 9334 (relating to quality libraries aid).
(2) Incentive for excellence aid under section 9335 (relating to incentive for excellence aid).
(3) Equal distribution grants under section 9336 (relating to equal distribution grants).
(4) Equalization aid under section 9340 (relating to equalization aid).
(c) County libraries.--
Subject to the provisions of section 9337 (relating to county coordination aid), a county library or library system may receive county coordination aid.
(d) Library centers.--
A district library center or Statewide library resource center shall receive state aid subject to:
(1) Section 9338 (relating to district library center aid).
(2) Section 9339 (relating to Statewide library resource center aid).
(e) Allocation of annual appropriation.--
Except as provided in section 9342 (relating to special rules for specific fiscal years), the Commonwealth's total annual appropriation for the system of State aid established by this chapter shall be allocated as follows:
(1) In each year that the Commonwealth's appropriation under this chapter equals or exceeds $17,500,000, 2.75% shall be allocated first for equalization aid.
(2) If paragraph (1) applies, the remainder of the appropriation and the entire appropriation in fiscal years in which paragraph (1) does not apply shall be allocated as follows:
(i) Twenty-five percent or a minimum of 25¢ per capita for each person residing in the direct service areas of the libraries or library systems which qualify for quality libraries aid shall be allocated as quality libraries aid.
(ii) Twenty-five percent or a minimum of 25¢ per capita for each person residing in the direct service areas of the libraries or library systems which qualify for incentive for excellence aid shall be allocated as incentive for excellence aid.
(iii) Five percent shall be allocated for equal distribution grants.
(iv) Ten percent shall be allocated for county coordination aid.
(v) Thirty percent or a minimum of 25¢ per capita for each person residing in the direct service areas of the libraries or library systems which are served by a district library center shall be allocated for district library center aid.
(vi) Five percent shall be allocated for Statewide library resource center aid.
Cross References.
Section 9333 is referred to in sections 9336, 9341, 9343, 9344 of this title.
2023 Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes › Title 24 - EDUCATION › Chapter 93 - Public Library Code › Section 9336 - Equal distribution grants

§ 9336. Equal distribution grants.
(a) Eligibility.--
The following libraries shall be eligible for equal distribution grants:
(1) Each district library center which, in its capacity as a local or county library, has a population in its local or county direct service area that is 12% or less of the population of the designated direct service area of the entire district library center.
(2) Any local libraries and library systems that meet the eligibility requirements for quality libraries aid under section 9334 (relating to quality libraries aid).
(b) Additional funding.--
After all eligible county libraries have been paid the total amounts for which they qualify under section 9337 (relating to county coordination aid) for the fiscal year, any funds remaining from the allocation for county coordination aid under section 9333(e)(2)(iv) (relating to State system of aid to libraries) shall be transferred and made a part of the allocation for equal distribution grants.
(c) Allocation method.--
The following shall apply:
(1) Each eligible district library center shall receive 5¢ per capita for each person residing in the entire district.
(2) The balance of the funds available for equal distribution grants shall be divided equally among local libraries and library systems as determined in subsection (d).
(d) Calculation of grants to local libraries and library systems.--
A local library and library system shall receive equal distribution grants determined as follows:
(1) The total amount of money allocated shall be divided by the number of local libraries, branch libraries and bookmobiles in this Commonwealth which achieve or exceed the applicable basic standards.
(2) Each library system shall receive an equal grant for each qualifying member local library, branch library and bookmobile.
(3) Each local library shall receive an equal grant for the central library and each qualifying branch library and bookmobile.
Cross References.
Section 9336 is referred to in sections 9302, 9333, 9337 of this title.