In miscellaneous provisions relating to institutions of higher education, providing for employment certification for adjunct and part-time faculty.
Summary
HB1709 would amend Pennsylvania’s Public School Code to require certain public institutions of higher education to calculate employment hours for adjunct and part-time faculty in a specific way when completing the employer portion of the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employment certification form. For lecture or classroom instruction, the bill requires institutions to credit at least 3.35 hours worked for each hour of lecture or classroom time. For noninstructional assignments, institutions must credit hours on a one-to-one basis without an adjustment factor.
The bill applies to community colleges, rural regional colleges, State System universities, State-related institutions, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, and Pennsylvania College of Technology. It also preserves any higher adjustment factor already established through a collective bargaining agreement or employer policy, so the bill sets a floor rather than a ceiling for crediting instructional work. The measure would take effect 60 days after enactment.
Impact
HB1709 would add a new section to the Public School Code of 1949 governing how public institutions of higher education complete PSLF employment certification forms for adjunct and part-time faculty. Its practical effect is to standardize and likely increase the number of qualifying work hours reported for instructional faculty, which could help some employees meet PSLF service requirements sooner. The bill would directly affect public colleges and universities in Pennsylvania and the faculty members who rely on accurate employment certification for federal student loan forgiveness.
Sentiment
Based on the bill’s sponsorship and the absence of recorded opposition, the measure appears to be framed as a supportive policy for adjunct and part-time faculty, especially those seeking Public Service Loan Forgiveness. The bill’s language suggests a pro-worker, pro-education sentiment focused on recognizing the out-of-class labor associated with teaching. No committee transcript or vote record is available here, so there is no documented debate to indicate broader support or opposition.
Contention
The main point of potential contention is the mandated 3.35 multiplier for lecture or classroom time, which could be viewed by institutions as an administrative or financial burden if it increases the number of employees who qualify for PSLF or changes reporting practices. Another possible issue is whether a state law should prescribe a specific hour-crediting formula for a federal certification process, though the bill leaves room for stronger treatment under collective bargaining agreements or existing employer policies. Faculty advocates would likely support the bill, while some higher-education administrators may be concerned about compliance and cost implications.
Establishes fringe benefit rate for State public higher education institutions; requires employer pay for health care benefits for certain part-time faculty.