Pennsylvania SB 1039: An Act establishing the Health In All Policies Task Force; and providing for duties of task force.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1237
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 1039
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY KIM, MALONE, COSTA, FONTANA, SANTARSIERO, HAYWOOD,
KANE, HUGHES, COLLETT, PENNYCUICK AND SAVAL, OCTOBER 15, 2025
REFERRED TO EDUCATION, OCTOBER 15, 2025
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
act relating to the public school system, including certain
provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto," in student supports, further
providing for definitions and for student supports and
providing for the Pennsylvania Mental Health First Aid
Training Program; and, in school safety and security, further
providing for the School Safety and Security Grant Program.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 1301-A of the act of March 10, 1949
(P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, is
amended by adding definitions to read:
Section 1301-A. Definitions.--As used in this article,
* * *
"Department" shall mean the Department of Education of the
Commonwealth.
"Nonpublic school" shall mean any school, other than a public
school within this Commonwealth, wherein a resident of this
Commonwealth may legally fulfill the compulsory school
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attendance requirements of this act and which meets the
requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Public
Law 88-352, 78 Stat. 241).
* * *
"School-wide staff" shall mean any individual within the
control of, or acting on behalf of, the district, including:
(1) district employes;
(2) after-school providers;
(3) contractors;
(4) consultants;
(5) volunteers;
(6) vendors;
(7) school security personnel;
(8) school resource officers as defined in section 1301-C;
and
(9) service providers.
* * *
Section 2. Section 1302-A(b)(3) of the act is amended and
subsection (b)(1) is amended by adding a subparagraph to read:
Section 1302-A. Student Supports.--* * *
(b) The Department of Education shall have the power and
duty to implement the following:
(1) To collect, develop and disseminate information,
policies, strategies and other information to assist in the
development of programs that support students, reduce
unnecessary student disciplinary actions and promote an
environment of greater productivity, safety and learning,
including, but not limited to:
* * *
(viii.1) School-wide staff training programs conducted by a
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certified trainer to recognize and respond appropriately to
indicators of mental distress and suicidal ideation in students.
The training program shall be offered to school entities and
nonpublic schools no less than two times throughout a school
year. No fee may be assessed for participation in the training
program implemented under this subparagraph.
* * *
(3) To assist in collaboration and coordination with the
School Safety and Security Committee established under section
1302-B and school entities and nonpublic schools on the
development of policies to be used regarding:
(i) possession of weapons by any person, acts of violence
and protocols for coordination with and reporting to law
enforcement officials and the Department of Education[.]; and
(ii) training programs implemented under paragraph (1)
(viii.1) for school-wide staff. The policies developed under
this subparagraph shall include, at a minimum, the policy
requirements for the Pennsylvania Mental Health First Aid
Training Program established under section 1303.2-A(a). A school
entity or nonpublic school shall not be required to provide a
training program or to adopt related policies if the school
entity or nonpublic school does not provide school-wide staff
training.
* * *
Section 3. The act is amended by adding a section to read:
Section 1303.2-A. Pennsylvania Mental Health First Aid
Training Program.-- (a) The Pennsylvania Mental Health First Aid
Training Program is established for the purpose of providing
student supports and guidance to school entities and nonpublic
schools in identifying student mental health struggles and
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deterioration in accordance with this section.
(b) (1) A school entity or nonpublic school is not required
to offer student supports that include staff participation in a
school-wide staff training program. For a school entity or
nonpublic school that offers student supports that include staff
participation in a school-wide staff training program that was
implemented:
(i) by the department under section 1302-A(b)(1)(viii.1),
the school entity or nonpublic school shall adopt or amend
existing policy in accordance with section 1302-A(b)(3)(ii); or
(ii) by the school entity or the nonpublic school under this
section, the school e