Governor Approves Comprehensive School Safety Bill

HARRISBURG – Senator Scott Martin (R-13) applauded Governor Wolf for signing a school safety bill that will make new resources available to schools and create an anonymous threat reporting system.

Senate Bill 1142, sponsored by Martin and Senators Pat Browne (R-16) and Vince Hughes (D-7), creates a new School Safety and Security Grant Program to distribute $60 million in funds for schools to hire security staff and counselors, train existing staff, purchase security equipment, create violence prevention programs and take other actions to prevent school violence.

The bill also created the new Safe2Say threat reporting system that will allow students, teachers and community residents to anonymously report any unsafe, potentially harmful, dangerous, violent or criminal activities in schools. The system is patterned after a similar program that was implemented in Colorado after the Columbine tragedy.

The new law also mandates regular school safety assessments and requires schools to provide employees with mandatory training on school safety and security.

“The school safety initiatives in this bill are the result of a strong bipartisan effort that will ultimately help every school identify and address its security needs,” Martin said. “I thank all of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for working together to protect our schools and give our kids a safer learning environment.”

 

CONTACT: Terry Trego (717) 787-6535

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