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

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:

Section 1301-E. Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this article

"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

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

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.

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.

(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 Self-Defense Training

Account is established as an interest-bearing restricted account

action, be transferred or diverted for a purpose other than

the award of grants under this article.

(c) Sources of funding.-- Money in the account shall include,

but not be limited to, appropriations and transfers from the

General Fund, special funds, Federal funds and other sources of

revenue made available to the account.

(d) Deposits.--

(1) D eposits into the account shall include any

appropriations, contributions, transfers and money received

by the commission to fulfill the purposes of this article.

(e) Transfer.--Not later than November 1, 2019, the sum of

$5,000,000, as a result of the basic education funding

allocation, shall be transferred from the General Fund to the

account.

(f) Time limitation.--Money from the account shall be

allocated for the purpose of making grants under this section

not later than October 31, 2020.

Section 1305-B. Grants.

(a) General duties of committee.--The committee shall

perform all functions related to the direct approval,

disbursement and administration of grants under the program.

district that will receive training under the program.

(ii) A certification that the grant will be used by

the school district to pay the costs associated with

training under the program.

(iii) Other information that the committee requires

to facilitate the consideration and award of grants under

this article.

(2) Post the application form under paragraph (1) on the

committee's publicly accessible Internet website.

(c) Limitation.--A school district may submit only one

article, the committee shall determine whether a school

district has made a meritorious application and shall award a

grant to the school district of up to $5,000 for each school

building in the school district.

(2) The committee shall notify each school district

applicant of the approval or denial of a grant award. The

following shall apply:

(i) A notice of approval shall include the amount of

the grant specified by school building.

(ii) A notice of denial shall specify the reasons

for the denial.

approved applications, grant allocations shall be made on a pro

rata basis.

Section 1306-E. Training requirements.

(a) Coordination.--As soon as practicable after a school

district receives notice that the school district's application

for a grant under section 1305-E has been approved, the school

district shall coordinate with a designated business firm to

schedule the training.

(b) Uncompleted training.--If training is not completed

within one year of the notice of the approved application, the

Section 1307-E. Effect of grant.

A grant that is awarded through the program shall be used to

supplement and not supplant existing school district spending on

school safety and security.

Section 1308-E. Reporting.

(a) Time for submission.--Not later than August 31, 2021,

the committee shall submit a written report concerning the

program.

(b) Recipients.--The report under this section shall be

submitted to the following:

(1) The chairperson and minority chairperson of the

Education Committee of the House of Representatives.

(c) Contents.--The report under this section shall include,

but not be limited to, all of the following:

(1) The number of participating school districts,

including the number and description of school buildings

within the school district that participated in the program

and received a grant under this article.

(2) The number of professional employees, temporary

professional employees, nonprofessional employees and

administrators participating in the program, including the

(ii) ceased participation after a simulation drill

has been initiated; or

(iii) entered into a safe zone for respite during

the simulation drill.

(3) An assessment of the success of the program.

(4) Recommendations regarding the possible extension and

expansion of the program, including a proposed timeline for

any potential expansion.

Section 1309-E. Guidelines.

The commission shall develop guidelines as necessary to

implement the provisions of this article.