SENATE AMENDED
PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 895, 1676, 3424 PRINTER'S NO. 3505
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 897
Session of
2023
INTRODUCED BY KINKEAD, ISAACSON, CIRESI, MADDEN, McANDREW,
WARREN, SIEGEL, SANCHEZ, MALAGARI, HILL-EVANS, PARKER, ROZZI,
CONKLIN, NEILSON, HOWARD, GREEN, GUZMAN, KENYATTA, WEBSTER,
TAKAC, McNEILL AND T. DAVIS, APRIL 17, 2023
SENATOR MARTIN, APPROPRIATIONS, IN SENATE, RE-REPORTED AS
AMENDED, JULY 11, 2024
AN ACT
1 Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An <--
2 act relating to the public school system, including certain
3 provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
4 schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
5 laws relating thereto," in transfers of credits between
6 institutions of higher education, further providing for
7 definitions and for duties of public institutions of higher
8 education, providing for guaranteed admission, AND for <--
9 reports to General Assembly and for dispute resolution and <--
10 further providing for Transfer and Articulation Oversight
11 Committee, AND FURTHER PROVIDING for duties of department and <--
12 for applicability.
13 AMENDING THE ACT OF MARCH 10, 1949 (P.L.30, NO.14), ENTITLED "AN <--
14 ACT RELATING TO THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM, INCLUDING CERTAIN
15 PROVISIONS APPLICABLE AS WELL TO PRIVATE AND PAROCHIAL
16 SCHOOLS; AMENDING, REVISING, CONSOLIDATING AND CHANGING THE
17 LAWS RELATING THERETO," IN TRANSFERS OF CREDITS BETWEEN
18 INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION, FURTHER PROVIDING FOR
19 DEFINITIONS AND FOR DUTIES OF PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER
20 EDUCATION, PROVIDING FOR GUARANTEED ADMISSION AND FURTHER
21 PROVIDING FOR APPLICABILITY; IN HIGHER EDUCATION
22 ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY, FURTHER PROVIDING FOR
23 DEFINITIONS AND PROVIDING FOR TRANSPARENCY AND
24 ACCOUNTABILITY; IN MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS RELATING TO
25 INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION, PROVIDING FOR DUAL CREDIT
26 INNOVATION GRANT PROGRAM; PROVIDING FOR INSTITUTIONS OF
27 HIGHER EDUCATION AND FOR COORDINATION OF HIGHER EDUCATION;
28 AND MAKING EDITORIAL CHANGES.
29 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
 1 hereby enacts as follows:
2 Section 1. Section 2001-C of the act of March 10, 1949 <--
3 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, is
4 amended by adding definitions to read:
5 Section 2001-C. Definitions.
6 The following words and phrases when used in this article
7 shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
8 context clearly indicates otherwise:
9 * * *
10 "Parallel baccalaureate degree program." A bachelor's degree
11 program in a comparable field of study and with similar
12 foundation-level, major-specific competencies as an associate
13 degree program, as articulated in program-to-program agreements.
14 * * *
15 "Receiving institution." The public institution of higher
16 education where a transfer student plans to enroll and to apply
17 previously earned credit toward a degree program.
18 * * *
19 Section 2. Section 2002-C(c)(1) of the act is amended to
20 read:
21 Section 2002-C. Duties of public institutions of higher
22 education.
23 * * *
24 (c) Other duties.--Each public institution of higher
25 education shall do all of the following:
26 (1) Agree to accept with full junior standing the
27 associate of arts or associate of science degree [into a] and
28 to apply all college-level credits earned to fulfill the
29 degree requirements at the public institution of higher
30 education, including major requirements and general education
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 1 requirements, toward the parallel baccalaureate degree
2 program as outlined in paragraph (3) [by the timelines
3 established by the Transfer and Articulation Oversight
4 Committee but] no later than December 31, [2011] 2023 2024. <--
5 For purposes of this paragraph, an associate of arts or
6 associate of science degree is a degree designed primarily
7 for transfer to a baccalaureate institution and must contain
8 a minimum of 60 credits. The following shall apply:
9 (i) A student with an associate of arts or associate
10 of science degree from a public institution of higher
11 education who is transferring into a parallel
12 baccalaureate degree program at another public
13 institution of higher education shall be awarded full
14 junior standing and shall not be required to
15 satisfactorily complete more than 60 credits to earn a
16 120 credit baccalaureate degree in a parallel program,
17 regardless of the courses the student took to earn the
18 associate degree prior to transferring, unless required
19 to meet accreditation or external licensure or
20 certification standards.
21 (ii) A student transferring from one public
22 institution of higher education to another public
23 institution of higher education shall have the same
24 requirements for admission to a particular academic
25 program and for retention as a student who began their
26 postsecondary education at the receiving institution.
27 (iii) A student transferring into a parallel
28 baccalaureate degree program with an associate of science
29 or associate of arts degree shall be guaranteed admission
30 to the parallel baccalaureate degree program, subject to
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 1 capacity, as long as the student meets the criteria for
2 admission required of students who began their education
3 at the receiving institution.
4 (iv) A public institution of higher education may
5 designate majors or programs of study that are limited
6 access by reason of accreditation, clinical or resource-
7 based capacity.
8 (v) A student transferring from a public institution
9 of higher education with an associate of arts or
10 associate of science degree or who has completed 30
11 credits of foundation courses, as defined by the Transfer
12 and Articulation Oversight Committee, shall have
13 satisfied the general education requirements at the
14 receiving institution, with possible exceptions made for
15 the following, provided that the exceptions do not extend
16 the student's time to the degree:
17 (A) One signature general education course of up
18 to three credits, if applicable.
19 (B) A prescribed general education course
20 required for the major, if not satisfactorily
21 completed.
22 (C) General education overlays satisfied in
23 advanced courses in the major.
24 * * *
25 Section 3. The act is amended by adding sections to read:
26 Section 2003.1-C. Guaranteed admission.
27 A public institution of higher education shall ensure the <--
28 following:
29 (1) An THAT AN undergraduate student transferring from a <--
30 public community college with an associate of arts or
20230HB0897PN3505 - 4 -
 1 associate of science degree shall be guaranteed admission
2 into the parallel baccalaureate degree program at a public
3 institution of higher education except in programs that have
4 mandated admission requirements, including, but not limited
5 to:
6 (i) A program for teacher preparation. <--
7 (ii) A program requiring an audition.
8 (iii) A program with GPA requirements.
9 (iv) A program with additional entrance requirements
10 imposed by an accreditor.
11 (2) Starting with the 2024 spring semester,
12 undergraduate students from a community college in this
13 Commonwealth with an associate degree who fulfill the
14 requirements of paragraph (1) shall receive priority
15 enrollment in upper division coursework at the receiving
16 institution over out-of-State students.
17 (1) A PROGRAM REQUIRING AN AUDITION. <--
18 (2) A PROGRAM WITH ADDITIONAL ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
19 IMPOSED BY AN ACCREDITOR.
20 Section 2003.2-C. Reports to General Assembly.
21 For each academic year, the department shall prescribe data
22 requirements to be submitted by a public institution of higher
23 education and report to the General Assembly the following:
24 (1) Details of the progress made by a public institution
25 of higher education and an institution that elects to
26 participate under section 2006-C in furtherance of enabling
27 the transfer of credits between institutions, and which
28 recommends further action to be taken to ensure all students
29 which have completed credits in community colleges, shall be
30 able to transfer those credits to an institution of higher
20230HB0897PN3505 - 5 -
 1 education.
2 (2) Details of the ability of a student to transfer from
3 community colleges to institutions of higher education,
4 including the ability of students to graduate from
5 institutions of higher education. The report under this
6 section shall annually identify any issues encountered by
7 students in transferring from community colleges to
8 institutions of higher education, as well as issues
9 encountered by transfer students in graduating from
10 institutions of higher education.
11 (3) Any other information related to student transfer,
12 awarding of credit for prior learning or difficulties in the
13 ability of a student to transfer between public institutions
14 of higher education.
15 Section 2003.3-C. Dispute resolution. <--
16 The department shall establish and maintain a dispute
17 resolution committee for disputes arising over the acceptance of
18 transfer students and credits. The dispute resolution committee
19 shall:
20 (1) Be composed of the following membership:
21 (i) The Secretary of Education or a designee, who
22 shall serve as chair of the dispute resolution committee.
23 (ii) Three members representing community colleges.
24 (iii) Three members representing the State System of
25 Higher Education.
26 (iv) One member representing State-related
27 institutions.
28 (v) One member representing independent institutions
29 of higher education that have elected to participate
30 under section 2006-C.
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 1 (vi) Other members as appointed by the chair of the
2 committee to the dispute resolution committee.
3 (2) Continue to develop dispute resolution policies and
4 procedures to be utilized when disputes arise relating to the
5 transfer and application of credits under this article.
6 (3) Resolve disputes involving disagreement over the
7 transfer or award of credits or the placement of students
8 between community colleges and institutions of higher
9 education.
10 (4) Resolve appeals from students transferring from
11 community colleges who have been denied acceptance to an
12 institution of higher education after the completion of an
13 associate degree at a community college or who have been
14 denied the acceptance of college-level credits completed at a
15 community college.
16 (5) Report decisions regarding dispute resolutions and
17 appeals as well as the dispute resolution committee's reasons
18 for those decisions. Reports under this paragraph shall be
19 provided regularly to institutions of higher education and
20 community colleges to inform the application of the
21 articulation process.
22 Section 4. Sections 2004-C(b) and (c)(5), 2005-C(4)(ii) and
23 2007-C of the act are amended to read:
24 Section 2004-C. Transfer and Articulation Oversight Committee.
25 * * *
26 [(b) Dispute resolution subcommittee.--
27 (1) The chair of the committee shall appoint a dispute
28 resolution subcommittee comprised of:
29 (i) Three members appointed under subsection (a)(1)
30 (ii)(A).
20230HB0897PN3505 - 7 -
 1 (ii) Three members appointed under subsection (a)(1)
2 (ii)(B).
3 (iii) One member appointed under subsection (a)(1)
4 (ii)(D).
5 (2) The chair of the committee may add members to the
6 dispute resolution subcommittee.
7 (3) The dispute resolution subcommittee shall develop
8 dispute resolution policies and procedures to be utilized
9 when disputes arise relating to the transfer and application
10 of credits under this article.]
11 (c) Duties of Transfer and Articulation Oversight
12 Committee.--The committee shall:
13 * * *
14 [(5) Submit an annual report to the General Assembly
15 that details the progress made by the public institutions of
16 higher education and institutions that elect to participate
17 under section 2006-C in furtherance of enabling the transfer
18 of credits between such institutions and which recommends
19 further action to be taken.]
20 * * *
21 SECTION 4. SECTIONS 2005-C(4)(II) AND 2007-C OF THE ACT ARE <--
22 AMENDED TO READ:
23 Section 2005-C. Duties of department.
24 The department shall:
25 * * *
26 (4) Provide for an electronic database or software
27 program and portal for the purpose of providing access to all
28 of the following information on an Internet website:
29 * * *
30 (ii) The annual report to the General Assembly as
20230HB0897PN3505 - 8 -
 1 required by section [2004-C(c)(5)] 2003.2-C.
2 Section 2007-C. Applicability.
3 [Nothing] Except as otherwise provided, nothing in this
4 article shall [do any of the following]:
5 (1) Preclude any institution of higher education from
6 establishing institution-to-institution articulation
7 agreements.
8 (2) Void articulation agreements that have been
9 established prior to the effective date of this section.
10 Section 5. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
11 SECTION 1. SECTION 2001-C OF THE ACT OF MARCH 10, 1949 <--
12 (P.L.30, NO.14), KNOWN AS THE PUBLIC SCHOOL CODE OF 1949, IS
13 AMENDED BY ADDING DEFINITIONS TO READ:
14 SECTION 2001-C. DEFINITIONS.
15 THE FOLLOWING WORDS AND PHRASES WHEN USED IN THIS ARTICLE
16 SHALL HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN THIS SECTION UNLESS THE
17 CONTEXT CLEARLY INDICATES OTHERWISE:
18 * * *
19 "ASSOCIATE DEGREE." THE TERM INCLUDES AN ASSOCIATE OF ARTS
20 DEGREE, ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE DEGREE, ASSOCIATE OF FINE ARTS
21 DEGREE OR ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE.
22 * * *
23 "PARALLEL BACCALAUREATE DEGREE PROGRAM." A BACHELOR'S DEGREE
24 PROGRAM IN A COMPARABLE FIELD OF STUDY AND WITH SIMILAR
25 FOUNDATION-LEVEL, MAJOR-SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES AS AN ASSOCIATE
26 DEGREE PROGRAM, AS ARTICULATED IN PROGRAM-TO-PROGRAM AGREEMENTS.
27 * * *
28 "RECEIVING INSTITUTION." THE PUBLIC INSTITUTION OF HIGHER
29 EDUCATION WHERE A TRANSFER STUDENT PLANS TO ENROLL AND TO APPLY
30 PREVIOUSLY EARNED CREDIT TOWARD A DEGREE PROGRAM.
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 1 * * *
2 SECTION 2. SECTION 2002-C(C)(1) OF THE ACT IS AMENDED TO
3 READ:
4 SECTION 2002-C. DUTIES OF PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER
5 EDUCATION.
6 * * *
7 (C) OTHER DUTIES.--EACH PUBLIC INSTITUTION OF HIGHER
8 EDUCATION SHALL DO ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:
9 (1) AGREE TO ACCEPT WITH FULL JUNIOR STANDING THE
10 ASSOCIATE [OF ARTS OR ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE] DEGREE [INTO A]
11 AND TO APPLY ALL COLLEGE-LEVEL CREDITS EARNED TO FULFILL THE
12 DEGREE REQUIREMENTS AT THE PUBLIC INSTITUTION OF HIGHER
13 EDUCATION, INCLUDING MAJOR REQUIREMENTS AND GENERAL EDUCATION
14 REQUIREMENTS, TOWARD THE PARALLEL BACCALAUREATE DEGREE
15 PROGRAM AS OUTLINED IN PARAGRAPH (3) [BY THE TIMELINES
16 ESTABLISHED BY THE TRANSFER AND ARTICULATION OVERSIGHT
17 COMMITTEE BUT] NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 31, [2011] 2024. FOR
18 PURPOSES OF THIS PARAGRAPH, AN ASSOCIATE [OF ARTS OR
19 ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE] DEGREE IS A DEGREE DESIGNED PRIMARILY
20 FOR TRANSFER TO A BACCALAUREATE INSTITUTION AND MUST CONTAIN
21 A MINIMUM OF 60 CREDITS. THE FOLLOWING SHALL APPLY:
22 (I) A STUDENT WITH AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE FROM A PUBLIC
23 IN