Feb. 07, 2017
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| On Monday, the House Education Committee, of which Rep. Craig Staats (R-Bucks) is a member, unanimously approved a bill by Staats that requires schools to conduct annual security drills in each school building. |
HARRISBURG – By a unanimous vote this morning, the House Education Committee passed a bill, sponsored by committee member Rep. Craig Staats (R-Bucks), which would require Pennsylvania public schools to conduct annual security drills in each of its school buildings.
“Current law requires schools to conduct monthly fire drills,” said Staats. “Together with Reps. Gary Day (R-Berks/Lehigh) and Sid Kavulich (D-Lackawanna), I sponsored
House Bill 178, which requires school entities, including vo-techs, intermediate units and various charter schools to conduct one security drill per school year in each school building. The bill allows schools to conduct the security drill in place of one of its monthly fire drills.
“The legislation stems from recommendations by the bipartisan select committee that the House empowered a couple of years ago to look into safety and security in our K-12 schools and institutions of higher learning,” said Staats. “The bill specifies that the schools practice procedures necessary to respond to an emergency situation such as acts of terrorism, an armed intruder or other violent threat.
The bill requires the security drill to be conducted while school is in session and students are present. The chief school administrator or designee is required to oversee the instruction and training of students and school employees, notify parents, and enlist the assistance of local police and emergency management agencies.
“In today’s world, threats can come in many forms. We have seen a rise in school violence and this bill helps to ensure that our children, teachers and administrators know what to do if they face these situations,” Staats said.
House Bill 178 now goes to the full House for consideration.
Representative Craig Staats
145th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Donna Pinkham
717.260.6452
dpinkham@pahousegop.com
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