Regular Session 2023-2024 Senate Resolution 0178 P.N. 1227

PRIOR PRINTER'S NO. 1139

PRINTER'S NO. 1227

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

SENATE RESOLUTION

No.

178

Session of

2023

INTRODUCED BY MARTIN, BROWN, DUSH AND SCHWANK, OCTOBER 3, 2023

SENATOR ARGALL, EDUCATION, AS AMENDED, NOVEMBER 14, 2023

A RESOLUTION

Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to

conduct a study evaluating the outcomes of Act 44 of 2018 and

to issue a report of its findings and recommendations.

WHEREAS, Act 44 of 2018 established the School Safety and

Security Grant Program and the Safe2Say Program and formed the

School Safety and Security Committee in the Pennsylvania

Commission on Crime and Delinquency; and

WHEREAS, Act 44 of 2018 undoubtedly had much success in

better protecting the lives of our children, teachers and school

visitors throughout this Commonwealth and providing schools with

the resources they need; and

WHEREAS, The intent of this resolution is to improve upon the

successes of Act 44 of 2018 and help support potential future

policy recommendations for the programs and services established

under Act 44 of 2018; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate direct the Legislative Budget and

Finance Committee to conduct a study evaluating the outcomes of

Act 44 of 2018 and include all of the following information,

using the most recent data available, regarding the program:

(1) The average dollar amount that school entities

AMOUNT THAT EACH SCHOOL ENTITY received through the program

with intent to provide safety and security services.

(2) An analysis of other relevant data sources on school

safety and student mental health, including Statewide and

county data from the Pennsylvania Youth Survey, as well as

data on school discipline.

(3) Using aggregate data, an analysis of types of

programs and services that schools applied for using their

grant money, aligned with items and activities included in

section 1306-B(j) of the Public School Code of 1949.

(4) An assessment A COMPARISON of the baseline criteria

adopted by the School Safety and Security Committee for

physical security and behavioral health. WITH NATIONAL

STANDARDS.

(5) A review of the standards required for school

resource officers and school police officers SECURITY

PERSONNEL in Article XIII-C of the Public School Code of

1949, including a comparison to national standards.

(6) A compilation of the NUMBER OF ASSESSMENTS CONDUCTED

BY THE Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Teams and the third-

party vendors of the number of assessments conducted under

1307-B of the Public School Code of 1949 over the last five

years.

(7) A review of the registration data and qualifications

of school safety and security assessment providers in section

1304-B of the Public School Code of 1949 and compare to

national standards.

(8) A review of the safety and security best practices

of other states;

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and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee

work with GATHER INPUT FROM THE SCHOOL SAFETY AND SECURITY

COMMITTEE AND COORDINATE WITH the Pennsylvania Commission on

Crime and Delinquency to conduct the study; and to gather input

from all of the following:

(1) The Office of Attorney General.

(2) The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.

(3) The Pennsylvania State Police.

(4) The Pennsylvania Association of School Business

officials.

(5) The Pennsylvania Association of School

Administrators.

(6) The State Fraternal Order of Police.

(7) The Pennsylvania Psychological Association.

(8) The Pennsylvania Society for Clinical Social Work.

(9) The American Institute of Architects of

Pennsylvania.

(10) The Pennsylvania Principals Association.

(11) The Pennsylvania State Education Association.

(12) The Pennsylvania School Boards Association;

and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee

report its findings and recommendations to the Appropriations

Committee of the Senate, the Appropriations Committee of the

House of Representatives, the Education Committee of the Senate

and the Education Committee of the House of Representatives no

later than November 30, 2024.

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