Pennsylvania 2025-2026 Regular Session

Pennsylvania House Bill HB1253

Introduced
4/17/25  

Caption

In student supports, further providing for definitions and for student supports; and, in school safety and security, further providing for definitions, for duties of committee, for standardized protocols and for reporting and memorandum of understanding.

Impact

The legislation seeks to strengthen the safety and security measures within educational environments by requiring school entities and nonpublic schools to develop and adhere to a memorandum of understanding with local law enforcement. This memorandum must be updated biennially and include detailed protocols for reporting incidents. The bill is designed to improve the overall safety framework in schools and hold educational institutions accountable for maintaining secure environments. As a result, schools may become more proactive in addressing safety concerns.

Summary

House Bill 1253 amends existing statutes within the Pennsylvania Public School Code to enhance definitions and protocols related to student supports and school safety. The bill specifically outlines the responsibilities of chief school administrators and mandates standardized reporting protocols for incidents involving acts of violence and possession of weapons on school property. By formalizing the relationship between schools and law enforcement agencies, the bill aims to ensure better communication, accountability, and a proactive approach to student safety.

Sentiment

The general sentiment around HB 1253 appears to be supportive among advocates for school safety, as it promotes clearer guidelines for incident management and the collaboration between schools and police. However, some stakeholders may express concern regarding the administrative burden placed on schools to comply with the reporting requirements, potentially leading to discussions about the adequacy of resources available for implementation.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB 1253 may include the feasibility of effectively gathering and reporting data on incidents, as well as the implications of increased surveillance and policing in educational settings. Critics may argue that an overemphasis on security could detract from a focus on student wellbeing and educational outcomes, whereas proponents will likely point to the necessity of these measures in a climate of rising school safety concerns.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

PA SB1039

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.

PA SB930

In student supports, further providing for definitions; in school safety and security, further prov iding for definitions, for School Safety and Security Committee, for school safety and security assessment providers, for School Safety and Security Grant Program, for school safety and security coordinator, for school safety and security training and for reporting and memorandum of understanding; in school security, further providing for training, for school resource officers, for school security guards and for duties of commission; in Safe2Say Program, further providing for intent, for definitions, for Safe2Say Program and for annual report; in threat assessment, further providing for definitions, for threat assessment teams and for threat assessment guidelines, training and information materials; and making editorial changes.

PA HB49

Further providing for definitions and providing for standardized terms in form contracts.

PA HB830

In student supports, further providing for policy relating to bullying.

PA SB781

In pupils and attendance, further providing for definitions and providing for mental health days.

PA SB1022

Further providing for definitions and for drug overdose medication.

PA HB1648

In pupils and attendance, further providing for definitions and providing for mental health days.

PA HB161

Further providing for definitions.

PA SB315

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 preliminary provisions, further providing for Special Education Funding Commission and for minimum number of days or hours; in duties and powers of boards of school directors, providing for admission fees for school-sponsored activities; in intermediate units, further providing for staff; in certification of teachers, further providing for certificates qualifying persons to teach and for instructional certificate grade spans and age levels and duties of department, providing for instructional certificate grade spans and age levels and for State certificate fee reduction, further providing for standard employment application, for career and technical instructional certificate, for program of continuing professional and paraprofessional education and for postbaccalaureate certification, providing for assessment of basic skills, further providing for professional educator discipline fee and providing for career and technical administrative director certification flexibility; in pupils and attendance, further providing for attendance policy at charter, regional charter and cyber charter schools, for procedure when child is truant, for procedure by school when child habitually truant, for procedure upon filing of citation, for penalties for violating compulsory school attendance requirements and for study of truancy procedure, providing for department supports to prevent truancy and further providing for reports to Superintendent of Public Instruction and for exceptional children and education and training; in student supports, further providing for definitions; in school safety and security, further providing for definitions, for School Safety and Security Committee, for school safety and security assessment providers, for School Safety and Security Grant Program, for school safety and security coordinator and for school safety and security training, providing for school safety and mental health grants for 2025-2026 school year and further providing for reporting and memorandum of understanding; in school security, further providing for training, for school resource officers, for school security guards and for duties of commission; in Safe2Say Program, further providing for intent, for definitions, for Safe2Say Program and for annual report; in threat assessment, further providing for definitions, for threat assessment teams and for threat assessment guidelines, training and information materials; in Drug and Alcohol Recovery High School Program, further providing for scope of program and selection of students and for enrollment of students; in evidence-based reading instruction, further providing for definitions and providing for school entity duties related to evidence-based reading instruction, for school entity duties related to reading screening, for reading deficiency identification and parental notification, for reading intervention plans, for grant program, for funding, for reporting, for accountability and for construction; in high schools, further providing for attendance in other districts and providing for Free Application for Federal Student Aid; in interscholastic athletics accountability, further providing for council recommendations and standards; in charter schools, further providing for funding for cyber charter schools, for enrollment and notification and for enrollee wellness checks; in career and technical education, further providing for capital reserve fund for approved purchases of equipment and facility maintenance, for career and technical education equipment grants, for Cosmetology Training through Career and Technical Center Pilot Program and for Barber Training through Career and Technical Center Pilot Program; providing for Nursing Shortage Assistance Program; in community colleges, further providing for financial program and reimbursement of payments; in the State System of Higher Education, further providing for definitions and for Grow Pennsylvania Merit Scholarship Program; in educational tax credits, further providing for limitations; in higher education accountability and transparency, further providing for exit counseling; in miscellaneous provisions relating to institutions of higher education, repealing provisions relating to State-related university performance-based funding model, further providing for prohibition on scholarship displacement at public institutions of higher education and providing for cooperation and for State scholarship renewals; in institutions of higher education, further providing for powers and duties of State Board of Higher Education, for definitions, for Performance-based Funding Council and for public institution of higher education reporting, providing for State-related University Performance Fund, for performance-based funding formula and for public accountability and further providing for agency duties, for grant priority and for report; in Ready-to-Succeed Scholarship, further providing for agency; in funding for public libraries, providing for State aid for fiscal year 2025-2026; in reimbursements by Commonwealth and between school districts, further providing for student-weighted basic education funding beginning with 2023-2024 school year, for extraordinary special education program expenses, for assistance to school districts declared to be in financial recovery status or identified for financial watch status and for Ready-to-Learn Block Grant; in construction and renovation of buildings by school entities, further providing for applicability; abrogating regulations; and making an editorial change.

PA HB2352

In Student Teacher Support Grant Program, further providing for program establishment and duties of agency.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.