PRINTER'S NO. 850
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No.823
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY SMITH-WADE-EL, HANBIDGE, HILL-EVANS, KAZEEM,
CERRATO, McNEILL, GIRAL, OTTEN, WAXMAN, KENYATTA, SANCHEZ,
MAYES, STEELE, KHAN, GREEN, RIVERA, RABB, D. WILLIAMS,
HOHENSTEIN, HOWARD, PARKER, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ AND WARREN,
MARCH 6, 2025
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MARCH 6, 2025
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 terms and courses of study,
further providing for fire and emergency evacuation drills.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Section 1517(a.1) of the act of March 10, 1949
(P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, is
amended to read:
Section 1517. Fire and Emergency Evacuation Drills.--* * *
(a.1) Within ninety (90) days of the commencement of the
school year after the effective date of this subsection and
within ninety (90) days of the commencement of each school year
thereafter, each school entity shall conduct one school security
drill per school year in each school building in place of a fire
drill required under subsection (a). After ninety (90) days from
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18 the commencement of each school year, each school entity may
conduct two school security drills per school year in each
school building in place of two fire drills required under
subsection (a). All of the following shall apply:
(1) The school security drill shall be conducted while the
school entity is in session and students are present under
policies adopted by the chief school administrator.
(2) The chief school administrator or a designee shall
oversee the instruction and training of students and school
employees in the procedures to be used in the school security
drill.
(3) The chief school administrator shall notify and request
assistance from the local law enforcement agency and emergency
management agency before conducting the school security drill.
(4) The chief school administrator shall provide notice of
the school security drill and debrief period required under
paragraph (8) at least seven (7) days in advance to parents and
legal guardians of the students attending the school building
for which the school security drill is scheduled.
(5) A school security drill shall be age-appropriate and
developmentally appropriate and include trauma-informed
approaches to address the concerns and well-being of students
and school personnel.
(6) The content of a school security drill shall include and
involve school personnel, including school-based mental health
professionals or a designee selected by the chief school
administrator.
(7) A school security drill shall not include any props,
actors, simulations or other tactics intended to mimic an
incident of violence or other emergency, including:
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30 (i) Authentic or simulated weapons.
(ii) Gunfire.
(iii) Simulated fatalities, wounds or injuries.
(iv) Simulated blood.
(v) An individual posing as an active shooter or a victim of
an active shooter.
(8) Immediately following a school security drill, each
school entity shall implement a reasonable amount of time for
teachers to debrief with their students. During the debrief
period, students shall be allowed to access any mental health
services available on campus.
(9) A school security drill shall be accompanied by an
announcement prior to commencement that uses concise and age-
appropriate language and, at a minimum, informs students that
there is no immediate danger to life and safety.
* * *
Section 2. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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