House advances bill to make it easier for privately licensed postsecondary schools to open branch campuses

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives approved on Wednesday a bill seeking to make it easier for privately licensed postsecondary institutions to open branch campuses.

“Current law requires branch campuses of privately licensed postsecondary schools to be located within the same county as their primary location,” Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Washington/Allegheny), the bill’s author, said. “Due to the topography and layout of our counties, this can create an undue burden and not meet the needs of interested students. We should be removing barriers for those interested in career and technical education, not creating ones.”

House Bill 518 would amend the Private Licensed School Act to allow branch campuses to be in a different county than the primary licensed school. To qualify, the school must receive approval from the Board of Private Licensed Schools and be operating for at least two years, be in good standing with the board and be located in a contiguous county or within a 60-mile radius of the primary location. Additionally, the legislation would clarify that schools only need to pay one fee for all branch campuses.

The bill now heads to the Senate for review.