(a) Authorization.--A borough, by motion of council, may do any of the following:

(1) Join associations and organizations other than associations and organizations referred to under this chapter concerned with municipal or governmental affairs.

(2) Pay dues to and appropriate funds for the support of and participation in associations and organizations under paragraph (1).

(3) Send delegates to meetings or conferences of associations and organizations under paragraph (1).

(a.1) Compensation and expenses.--The following shall apply:

(1) In addition to any compensation allowed by law for a delegate, the borough may pay the following expenses for each delegate under subsection (a)(3):

(i) The registration fee.

(ii) Mileage for use of a personal vehicle or reimbursement of actual transportation expenses going to and returning from the meeting or conference.

(iii) Any expenses that the council may have agreed to pay.

(2) Every delegate under subsection (a)(3) shall submit to the council an itemized account of expenses incurred.

(3) The council may authorize borough employees to be compensated at their regular employee rate during their attendance at an annual meeting or conference of an association or organization under paragraph (1). The time spent in attending the meeting or conference may not be more than four days, including the time traveling to and from the meeting or conference.

(b) Professional and educational meetings.--A borough may, by motion of council, do any of the following:

(1) Authorize any of its officers and employees to attend any of the following:

(i) Meetings of professional organizations and associations.

(ii) Educational training sessions for individuals holding the same or similar office or employment.

(2) Pay all or a portion of the necessary expenses incident to an individual's attendance at meetings or sessions under paragraph (1).

(c) Itemized account.--Every individual attending a conference, meeting or educational training session under this section shall submit to the council an itemized account of the individual's expenses, including traveling expenses or mileage, that council may have agreed to pay.