Posted: | September 5, 2017 04:35 PM |
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From: | Senator Vincent J. Hughes |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | "It's on us" Initiative - Expanding the office of Safe Schools to Post Secondary Institutions |
In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation expanding Pennsylvania's Office of Safe Schools beyond their current K-12 responsibilities to cover postsecondary institutions, and monitor and enforce existing federal and state requirements related to sexual violence prevention and response. This bill, part of the Wolf Administration's six-bill "It's On Us" initiative, will provide much-needed resources and support to school districts and colleges while working to ensure that Pennsylvania's schools are free from violence of all kinds. The Office of Safe Schools within the Department of Education currently coordinates school safety and security programs, collection of the annual school violence statistics, coordination of antiviolence efforts, and development of policies and strategies to combat school violence, while supporting and providing technical assistance and professional development programs to local school entities. This bill will expand their purview to allow them to provide their valuable services to Pennsylvania's postsecondary institutions, provide policy development assistance, and promote compliance with all applicable federal and state requirements around the prevention of sexual violence. I hope you will join me in this effort to ensure that all children and young people in Pennsylvania have the chance to learn in a safe and supportive environment. If you have any questions, please contact my office. |
Introduced as SB870