HB 1178 — An Act amending Title 24 (Education) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in public library code, providing for Rural Library Grant Program; and imposing duties on the Department of Education.

PRINTER'S NO.   1315

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



                          HOUSE BILL
                          No. 1178
                                                  Session of
                                                    2025

     INTRODUCED BY DIAMOND, JAMES, HANBIDGE, BURGOS, WAXMAN, CAUSER
        AND RIVERA, APRIL 9, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT, APRIL 9, 2025


                                      AN ACT
 1   Amending Title 24 (Education) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
 2      Statutes, in public library code, providing for Rural Library
 3      Grant Program; and imposing duties on the Department of
 4      Education.
 5      The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 6   hereby enacts as follows:
 7      Section 1.      Chapter 93 of Title 24 of the Pennsylvania
 8   Consolidated Statutes is amended by adding a subchapter to read:
 9                                 SUBCHAPTER F
10                         RURAL LIBRARY GRANT PROGRAM
11   Sec.
12   9391.   Definitions.
13   9392.   Rural Library Grant Program.
14   9393.   Application and approval.
15   9394.   Funding.
16   9395.   Reporting.
17   § 9391.   Definitions.
18      The following words and phrases when used in this subchapter
19   shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
 1   context clearly indicates otherwise:
 2      "Department."      As defined in section 102 (relating to
 3   definitions).
 4      "Eligible applicant."        A local library with a population
 5   service area of less than 10,000 inhabitants.
 6      "Grant program."      The Rural Library Grant Program established
 7   under section 9392 (relating to Rural Library Grant Program).
 8   § 9392.    Rural Library Grant Program.
 9      (a)    Establishment.--The Rural Library Grant Program is
10   established as a competitive grant program in the department.
11      (b)    Use of grants.--Money awarded under the grant program
12   shall be used for the following:
13             (1)    Maintenance projects.
14             (2)    Roof repairs and roof replacement.
15             (3)    Boilers and controls.
16             (4)    Plumbing systems.
17             (5)    Energy savings projects.
18             (6)    Heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment.
19             (7)    Health and safety upgrades.
20             (8)    Emergencies.
21             (9)    Internet connectivity, but not including purchasing
22      educational technology hardware or software.
23             (10)    Accessibility projects, in accordance with
24      standards under 42 U.S.C. Ch. 126 (relating to equal
25      opportunity for individuals with disabilities).
26      (c)    Department powers and duties.--The department shall:
27             (1)    Within 60 days of the effective date of this
28      paragraph, establish guidelines necessary to award grants
29      under this subchapter.
30             (2)    Award annual grants under the grant program in

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 1      accordance with this subchapter to eligible applicants for
 2      uses provided under subsection (b).
 3             (3)   Determine the form and manner by which applicants
 4      may apply for a grant under section 9393 (relating to
 5      application and approval) and post the information on the
 6      department's publicly accessible Internet website.
 7   § 9393.    Application and approval.
 8      (a)    Applications.--An application for a grant under this
 9   subchapter shall be submitted by an eligible applicant in the
10   form and manner prescribed by the department.
11      (b)    Review process.--
12             (1)   The department shall review applications and make
13      awards subject to subsection (c).
14             (2)   The department shall consider the geographical
15      distribution of money to ensure that all areas of this
16      Commonwealth participate to the greatest extent possible.
17             (3)   An eligible applicant may revise and resubmit a
18      denied application to the department.
19      (c)    Allocation.--Each grant awarded under this section shall
20   be for a minimum of $20,000, but no more than $100,000 in a
21   fiscal year.
22   § 9394.    Funding.
23      The General Assembly shall appropriate money to the
24   department from the General Fund for the purpose of awarding
25   grants under this subchapter.
26   § 9395.    Reporting.
27      The department shall publish a list of the projects funded,
28   including the name of the awardee and amount awarded, on the
29   publicly accessible Internet website of the department.
30      Section 2.     This act shall take effect in 60 days.

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