Jul. 20, 2018
HARRISBURG — Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Washington/Allegheny) today was appointed by House Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) to the newly created School Safety and Security Committee.
The 17-member committee within the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency was created as part of Act 44 of 2018, a comprehensive school safety law passed last month. Members will serve four-year terms.
“I am honored to be appointed by Speaker Turzai,” Ortitay said. “As the author of several bills aimed at improving school safety, I’m eager to assist schools in creating safe learning environments and assuaging students’ security fears. As students head back to the classroom in the coming weeks, it’s important to quickly and effectively implement this new law.”
“Legislators made the safety and security of our school children a priority in this year’s budget, with the enactment of a comprehensive school safety bill, which includes $60 million in school safety grants,” Turzai said. “Jason is a very thoughtful and diligent lawmaker whose work on this important issue helped pave the way for the enactment of legislation. He will make an excellent addition to the School Safety and Security Committee created under the law.”
The committee will hold its first meeting on Monday, July 23. It will create criteria for completing school safety assessments and make policy recommendations. Each school must complete an assessment created by the committee by Nov. 30. The committee also will help disburse to schools the new $60 million block grant program for safety and security enhancements.
The 46th Legislative District includes Collier and South Fayette townships and Bridgeville, Heidelberg, McDonald and Oakdale boroughs in Allegheny County. It also encompasses Canton, Cecil, Mt. Pleasant, Robinson and Smith townships and Burgettstown, McDonald and Midway boroughs in Washington County.
Representative Jason Ortitay
46th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Tracy Polovick
717.260.6358
tpolovick@pahousegop.com
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