Pennsylvania HB 2485: An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in school safety and security, providing for trauma-informed records program; and imposing a penalty.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 3357
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 2485
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY N. NELSON, HILL-EVANS, GUZMAN, RIVERA, K. HARRIS,
CERRATO, SANCHEZ AND GREEN, MAY 5, 2026
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MAY 6, 2026
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 safety and security,
providing for trauma-informed records program; and imposing a
penalty.
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 1306.3-B. Trauma-informed records program.
(a) Trauma-informed records program establishment and
records maintenance.--A school entity that participates in the
School Safety and Security Grant Program established under
section 1306-B may establish a trauma-informed records program.
If a school entity opts to establish a trauma-informed records
program, the school entity shall maintain electronic records,
overseen by a mental health professional, in a format developed
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by the department that includes information relating to
traumatic events and adverse childhood experiences of a student,
including:
(1) Information provided by a county or law enforcement
agency regarding a student.
(2) Information provided by a family-authorized medical
provider regarding a student.
(3) Information concerning in-school incidents regarding
a student that would prompt a call to a law enforcement
agency, behavioral health unit, mobile crisis unit, school
safety program or student support service such as a student
assistance program as defined in 22 Pa. Code § 12.16
(relating to definitions).
(4) Information provided by a behavioral health unit, a
mobile crisis unit, a school safety program or a student
support service such as a student assistance program as
defined in 22 Pa. Code § 12.16.
(5) A statement written by the school's certified school
counselor concerning the overall well-being of the student
that excludes confidential information.
(6) A summary of known triggers for the student that
induce symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder relating to
previous exposure to trauma that excludes confidential
information provided by a behavioral health unit, mobile
crisis unit, school safety program, student support service
or family-authorized medical provider.
(7) A support plan detailing how a school entity will
care for the student regarding the history of exposure to
trauma and overall well-being of the student. The department
shall enforce the inclusion of a support plan by a school
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entity that opts to establish a trauma-informed records
program.
(8) Any information voluntarily given by a parent or
guardian concerning a student.
(b) Administrator.--In the event a school entity does not
have a mental health professional employed, a school board may
select a currently employed school administrator to oversee the
trauma-informed records. A school administrator selected by the
school board shall undergo educational training relating to
trauma-informed approaches as outlined under section 1205.7, as
well as training relating to record management.
(c) Tiers of information.--The department, in developing an
electronic format for trauma-informed records, shall classify
information into the following three tiers:
(1) Tier one shall include all aspects of a student's
trauma-informed record, as well as the contact information of
any outside agency that has provided information to a school
entity concerning a traumatic event of a student.
(2) Tier two shall only include a summary of traumatic
events with a list of known triggers for a student that
induce post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms relating to
previous exposure to trauma. The summary shall include the
support plan for the student in place by the school entity
and exclude confidential information.
(3) Tier three shall only include a brief statement
concerning the overall well-being of a student.
(d) Use.--Information maintained in trauma-informed records
shall be utilized exclusively for usage purposes such as
assisting:
(1) A school entity in developing a trauma-informed
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approach to support the student population.
(2) A school entity in developing instructional
approaches under section 1205.7.
(3) School officials as a part of the determination
process of in-school supports needed for a student.
(e) Restrictions on use.--Information maintained in a
trauma-informed record shall not be:
(1)