A debt incurred for funding purposes pursuant to section 8130 (relating to approval by court to fund unfunded debt) or under law in existence prior to July 12, 1972, shall not be refunded except under section 8241(b)(1) (relating to power to refund) until the refunding has been approved as necessary by the court of common pleas. The approval shall be obtained by petition to reopen the proceedings in which the funding debt was originally incurred, and the court shall grant the petition if, after hearing, the court is satisfied that the refunding is necessary and is in the public interest. Public notice of the filing of the petition shall be given by advertisement not less than five nor more than 20 days before the filing thereof. All subsequent proceedings in respect of the refunding of the funding debt shall be taken in accordance with the provisions of this subpart applicable to the incurring of the original debt. Bonds or notes issued to refund funding debt shall be stated to mature at the dates and in the amounts on each date as may be approved by the court, notwithstanding any limitation on the term of funding debt imposed elsewhere in this subpart.
53 Pa.C.S. § 8247