Pennsylvania HB 1422: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, providing for school grounds self-defense.

Bill Text

2019-2020 Regular Session HB 1422 PN 1751 Bill Text (HTM) 

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PRINTER'S NO. 1751 

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE BILL 

No.

1422 

Session of 

2019 

INTRODUCED BY ORTITAY, BERNSTINE, READSHAW, STRUZZI, MIHALEK, 

KAIL AND PUSKARIC, MAY 7, 2019 

REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MAY 7, 2019 

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," providing for school grounds self-

defense.

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 an 

article to read:

ARTICLE XIII-E

SCHOOL GROUNDS SELF-DEFENSE

Section 1301-E. Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this article 

shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the 

context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Account." The School Grounds Self-Defense Training Account 

established under section 1304-E.

"Committee." The School Safety and Security Committee 

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established under section 1302-B.

"Commission." The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and 

Delinquency.

"Department." The Department of Education of the 

Commonwealth.

"Program." The School Grounds Self-Defense Training Program 

established under section 1302-E.

"Training." Self-defense training, which is provided by a 

designated business firm.

Section 1302-E. School Grounds Self-Defense Training Program.

(a) Establishment.--The School Grounds Self-Defense Training 

Program is established within the commission to provide violent 

intruder and active shooter training for professional employees, 

temporary professional employees, nonprofessional employees and 

administrators employed by a school district.

(b) Designation of trainers.--Not later than November 1, 

2019, in consultation with the department, the commission shall:

(1) Designate business firms to serve as school grounds 

self-defense trainers for purposes of the program. Each 

designated business firm must:

(i) currently operate training that provides 

realistic and applicable techniques to counter an active 

shooter or violent intruder;

(ii) provide a blended learning program;

(iii) have experience training school district 

personnel;

(iv) have personnel with background in the military, 

in law enforcement and as school resource officers as 

defined in section 1301-C; and

(v) demonstrate an ability to provide interactive 

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violent intruder training and active shooter training to 

school entities.

(2) Post notice of the designation under paragraph (1) 

on the commission's publicly accessible Internet website.

(c) Training.--

(1) A designated business firm under subsection (b) 

shall be the exclusive designated provider of training under 

the program.

(2) Training shall include the following:

(i) An initial walk-through evaluation and 

vulnerability assessment.

(ii) Computer-based training.

(iii) Hands-on training, including drills and mock 

events.

(3) Training may occur during in-service days or before 

or after the school day.

(4) Training may be used to fulfill continuing 

professional education requirements under section 1205.2.

Section 1303-E. Simulation drills.

After the development of the program under section 1302-E, 

each school district shall provide notification to the committee 

with the following information:

(1) Advance explanation of the format of a simulation 

drill under the program, including notice that certain 

features of the drill may be kept confidential.

(2) Any role that a school employee may be expected to 

fulfill during a simulation drill, such as a mock perpetrator 

or victim.

(3) The ability of a school employee to opt out of 

active participation in a simulation drill as a mock 

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perpetrator or victim, without explaining the reason.

(4) The ability of a school employee to opt out of 

active participation in any aspect of a simulation drill, 

without explaining the reason, and the ability to receive 

less intense, alternative training.

(5) The ability of a school employee to cease 

participation after a simulation drill has been initiated or 

to enter into a safe zone where the school employee may go 

for respite during the drill.

Section 1304-E. School Grounds Self-Defense Training Account.

(a) Establishment.--The School Grounds Sel