Pennsylvania Act 2004-215 — PENNSYLVANIA SENIOR ENVIRONMENT CORPS ACT - ENACTMENT

Act text

PENNSYLVANIA SENIOR ENVIRONMENT CORPS ACT - ENACTMENT
                 Act of Nov. 30, 2004, P.L. 1687, No. 215             Cl. 71
                                  AN ACT

     Providing for the continuation of the Pennsylvania Senior
        Environment Corps volunteer program administered by the
        Department of Environmental Protection and the Department of
        Aging.

        The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
     hereby enacts as follows:

     Section 1.  Short title.
        This act shall be known and may be cited as the Pennsylvania
     Senior Environment Corps Act.
     Section 2.  Definitions.
        The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
     have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
     context clearly indicates otherwise:
        "Departments."  The Department of Environmental Protection
     and the Department of Aging of the Commonwealth.
        "Pennsylvania Senior Environment Corps."  The established
     Statewide network of county-based host organizations for older
     Pennsylvanians who implement environmental, educational, social
     and health programs benefiting their communities and the
     Commonwealth and additional host organizations in counties not
     yet served, as appropriate.
     Section 3.  Declaration of policy.
        The General Assembly finds and declares as follows:
            (1)  Pennsylvania has an active, talented and informed
        population of older residents who seek out activities and
        programs which contribute to the improvement of communities
        and individuals.
            (2)  Since 1997 the more than 20,000 active members of
        the Pennsylvania Senior Environment Corps have used their
        expertise and interest in protecting the environment to
        pursue projects related to water quality monitoring,
        environmental education, restoration and protection of our
        environment and homeland security.
            (3)  The Pennsylvania Senior Environment Corps program
        has been recognized by the United Nations, Renew America and
        other organizations as an innovative and unique program
        involving older citizens in creative ways to improve the
        environment and has been copied by many other states and
        countries around the world.
            (4)  Continuation and expansion of the Pennsylvania
        Senior Environment Corps provides older citizens with
        effective opportunities to be involved in positive activities
        that not only contribute to the protection and restoration of
        Pennsylvania's environment but provide significant benefits
        to those involved with this program.
     Section 4.  Pennsylvania Senior Environment Corps.
        (a)  Continued support.--The departments shall continue
     funding and support and jointly administer the Pennsylvania
     Senior Environment Corps and its network of chapters throughout
     this Commonwealth for the purpose of maintaining and expanding
     opportunities for this Commonwealth's older citizens to be
     involved in volunteer projects relating to water quality
     monitoring, environmental education, restoration and protection
     of the environment and homeland security.
        (b)  Program components.--The Pennsylvania Senior Environment
     Corps program shall include components that provide support for:
            (1)  Equipment and supplies required for successful
        programs.
            (2)  Networking and recognition opportunities.
            (3)  Training required for successful program
        implementation.
            (4)  Coordination and documentation, including by
        electronic means, of program activities.
            (5)  Reimbursement of the volunteers and their host
        organizations for direct program expenses that support
        successful recruitment and mobilization of the volunteers.
            (6)  Public education about the vitality and value of
        this Commonwealth's older citizens.
     Section 5.  Reporting requirements.
        (a)  Annual report.--The departments shall provide to the
     General Assembly an annual report on the Pennsylvania Senior
     Environment Corps program which includes information on:
            (1)  the impact of the Pennsylvania Senior Environment
        Corps on the achievement of the missions of the departments;
            (2)  the cost-effectiveness of the Pennsylvania Senior
        Environment Corps activities;
            (3)  the staff support of the departments for the
        Pennsylvania Senior Environment Corps;
            (4)  the State, regional and local partnerships
        established by the departments and the Pennsylvania Senior
        Environment Corps for the purpose of advancing departmental
        missions and the success of the Pennsylvania Senior
        Environment Corps; and
            (5)  projections for future volunteer engagement in the
        Pennsylvania Senior Environment Corps, its programs and the
        betterment of this Commonwealth's quality of life.
        (b)  Meeting with secretaries.--Representatives of the
     Pennsylvania Senior Environment Corps program shall meet twice a
     year with the secretaries of the departments to provide
     information on accomplishments and challenges of the
     Pennsylvania Senior Environment Corps program.
     Section 6.  Effective date.
        This act shall take effect in 60 days.