PHILADELPHIA — Illegal immigrants would qualify for the less expensive in-state tuition rates at Pennsylvania’s universities if they meet residency requirements included in proposed state legislation introduced Monday.

The DREAM Act would cover college-bound teens who are here illegally through no fault of their own, its primary sponsor, state Rep. Tony Payton Jr., said at a news conference in Philadelphia.

Supporters say such legislation leads to a more educated work force and costs almost nothing.

But state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, founder of a national group of lawmakers critical of illegal immigration, blasted the proposed Pennsylvania bill and predicted it would fail to pass the Legislature.

“All Pennsylvania parents and college students should be outraged that Rep. Payton has introduced legislation to make it more affordable for illegal aliens to attend college,” said Metcalfe, R-12th, representing part of Butler County, in a statement Monday.

The federal version of the DREAM Act, which contains similar provisions, has repeatedly failed in Congress. Critics say it would encourage foreigners to sneak into the U.S. and amounts to amnesty.

About 850 illegal immigrants graduate from high school in Pennsylvania each year, according to the Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition.

If they are admitted to college and meet certain residency criteria — and if their parents have paid state income taxes for the past three years — the state DREAM Act would allow them to pay resident tuition at 14 state-owned universities, four state-related universities and community colleges.

In-state tuition is $5,804 annually, compared with $8,706 to $14,510 for out-of-state residents.