Bill > HB2001

This bill establishes a new chapter in Pennsylvania law to support incarcerated students' access to higher education financial aid, specifically state grants. The bill defines key terms like "eligible prison education program" (a postsecondary program offered in correctional facilities that leads to a degree or credential and meets specific accreditation standards) and "incarcerated student" (a confined individual enrolled in such a program). The legislation prohibits automatically disqualifying incarcerated individuals from receiving state grants solely based on their incarceration status. To be eligible, an incarcerated student must be within five years of release, have been a Pennsylvania resident for at least 12 months before incarceration, be enrolled in an approved educational program, maintain good academic and disciplinary standing, and meet other standard financial aid requirements. The bill also mandates that the Department of Corrections and the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency collect and report annual data on incarcerated students receiving state grants, including enrollment and completion rates, academic progress, post-release employment, and recidivism rates. Additionally, the bill abrogates a specific regulation (22 Pa. Code § 121.6(b)) and will take effect 60 days after passage, with the intent of broadly interpreting the law to ensure access to educational financial aid for incarcerated individuals.

Education

https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hb2001