Pennsylvania HB 579: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in school security, providing for school armed guards.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 581
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 579
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY BOROWICZ, HAMM, ROAE, M. MACKENZIE, WARNER,
SCIALABBA, WATRO, BERNSTINE, FINK AND SMITH,
FEBRUARY 12, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, FEBRUARY 12, 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 school security, providing for
school armed guards.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a
section to read:
Section 1317-C. School armed guards.
(a) Guards and designation.--Within one year of the
effective date of this subsection, each school entity that has
met the tier 1 baseline criteria for physical security
established by the committee shall:
(1) Assign at least one school armed guard to each
school building.
(2) Designate a point or points of entry and exit in
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each school building through which each individual must enter
and exit, except in the event of a fire drill, school
security drill or emergency evacuation.
(3) Equip each exterior door of a school building that
has not been designated a point of entry and exit with:
(i) a clearly marked sign designating the door as an
emergency exit only; and
(ii) an audible alarm that sounds when the door is
opened.
(b) Assignment.--A school armed guard assigned to a school
building shall be present at all times in the school building
during the school day and extracurricular activities that occur
outside the school day in the school building.
(c) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following
words and phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this
subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"School armed guard." An individual who:
(1) Is employed by a school entity or third-party
vendor.
(2) Maintains a current and valid certification in the
use and handling of a firearm issued under any of the
following:
(i) The act of October 10, 1974 (P.L.705, No.235),
known as the Lethal Weapons Training Act.
(ii) The act of December 13, 2005 (P.L.432, No.79),
known as the Retired Law Enforcement Identification Act.
(iii) 44 Pa.C.S. Ch. 74 Subch. C (relating to
sheriff and deputy sheriff education and training).
(iv) 53 Pa.C.S. Ch. 21 Subch. D (relating to
municipal police education and training).
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"School building." A building owned by or under the control
of a school entity where classes are taught or extracurricular
activities are conducted on a regular basis.
"School entity." The following:
(1) A school district, intermediate unit, area career
and technical school, charter school, cyber charter school or
regional charter school.
(2) An approved private school that is participating in
the School Safety and Security Grant Program.
"Third-party vendor." A company or entity approved by the
department through the Office for Safe Schools or the commission
under section 1315-C(2) that provides school security services.
Section 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
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