Section 18-1855 - Career and technical education equipment grants(a) For the 2000-2001 fiscal year and the 2001-2002 fiscal year, the Department of Education shall establish a grant program to assist area career and technical schools, school districts offering approved career and technical programs and the Thaddeus Stevens State College of Technology in purchasing equipment that meets industry standards for the purpose of providing training to students. Grants shall be limited to the purchase of equipment in the following program areas: automotive technology, auto body, diesel technology, precision machine technology, heating ventilation and air conditioning, printing, dental assisting, electronics, building trades and other program areas approved by the Secretary of Education. Grants shall be awarded by the Department of Education on a matching basis, two state dollars ($2) for every local dollar ($1), and shall be limited to funds appropriated for that purpose.(b) For the 2016-2017 school year and for each school year thereafter, the Department of Education shall establish a grant program to assist each area career and technical school and school district with an approved career and technical program that applies for and is approved for funding by the Department of Education to purchase equipment that meets industry standards. Grants shall be distributed in an amount to be calculated as follows:(1) A base amount of three thousand dollars ($3,000).(2) A per-student amount calculated as follows: (i) Multiply the average daily membership in approved career and technical education programs for the most recent year available for each area career and technical school or school district that has been approved for funding by the Department of Education by the difference between the amount appropriated for career and technical education equipment grants and the sum of the funding distributed under paragraph (1) to all area career and technical schools and school districts.(ii) Divide the product from subparagraph (i) by the sum of the average daily membership in approved career and technical education programs for the most recent year available for all area career and technical schools and school districts that have been approved for funding by the Department of Education.(b.1) A piece of equipment purchased with money from the grant program must satisfy the following criteria: (1) Support student hands-on training in approved career and technical education programs that lead to high-growth or high-demand careers.(2) Cost three thousand dollars ($3,000) or more per unit or per complete set of tools.(3) Retain its original shape, appearance and character with use.(4) Retain its identity through fabrication or incorporation into a different or more complex unit or substance.(5) Be nonexpendable, such that if the equipment is damaged or some of its parts are lost or worn out, it is more feasible to repair the equipment than to replace the equipment with an entirely new unit.(6) Be expected to serve its principal purpose for more than a twelve-month fiscal period under normal conditions of use, including reasonable care and maintenance.(7) Be in compliance with any other criteria determined by the Department of Education. (c) The application to apply for funding under subsection (b) shall be developed by the Department of Education within thirty days of the effective date of this section and only require the following, which may be collected electronically: (1) Name, address, e-mail address and telephone number of the area career and technical school or school district.(2) Name, e-mail address and telephone number of an employe of the area career and technical school or school district who will be available to answer questions regarding the funding application.(3) Description of the equipment for which the requested funding will be used, the career and technical education program in which the equipment will be used, the date on which the Occupational Advisory Committee recommended the purchase of the equipment and verification that the equipment will be used for technical classroom instruction.(d) The Department of Education may not request or consider any information other than the information provided in the funding application.(e) Each area career and technical school or school district with an approved career and technical program that submits a completed funding application shall receive funding in the amount determined under subsection (b).(f) If insufficient funds are appropriated to make payments under subsection (b), payments shall be made on a pro rata basis.(g) For purposes of this section, "Occupational Advisory Committee" shall mean an Occupational Advisory Committee established under 22 Pa. Code Ch.. 339 (relating to vocational education).Amended by P.L. TBD 2019 No. 76, § 46, eff. 12/30/2019.Amended by P.L. 716 2016 No. 86, § 9, eff. 7/13/2016.1949, March 10, P.L. 30, No. 14, art. XVIII, § 1855, added 2000, May 10, P.L. 44, No. 16, § 10, effective 7/1/2000. Amended 2001, June 22, P.L. 530, No. 35, § 21, effective 7/1/2001.